Public Safety

PUBLIC SAFETY Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – 6:40 p.m. Council Chambers – Olean Municipal Building Present: Members: Chairman Robinson, Vice Chairman Anastasia, Alderman Bennion, Alderman Keary, Alderman Forney, Alderman McCall, and Alderman Crawford. Others: Lens Martial, City Auditor; James Sprague, Director of Public Works; Eric Maurouard, Fire Chief, and Tiffany Taylor, Managerial Confidential Administrative Secretary. 1. Roll Call Alderman Robinson called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. and asked that the record show that all committee members were present. 2. Approval of Minutes of the Previous Committee Meeting (Tuesday, November 4, 2025) A motion to approve the minutes of the November 4, 2025 committee meeting was made by Alderman Robinson, seconded by Alderman Bennion. Voice vote, ayes all. Motion carried. 3. Unfinished Business a. New Signal – West State Street / Independence Drive Alderman Crawford explained he has noted this light has been repaired. He explained he believes the City has purchased a new installation for that intersection and asked if we know what is going on with that. Director Sprague advised he believes we have the equipment in our shop, but we now have the complications of the RAISE Grant for West State Street. He explained he believes that intersection is one that is targeted for a roundabout so now we are decisive if we want to upgrade the signal and take it down in two years. He explained his thought now is to wait until the RAISE Grant goes through, as grants in DC are being pulled back, although we are being told ours will go through. He explained until we have a signed contract and have a consultant involved, he does not want to do work on this intersection. Alderman Crawford asked if the new signal can be installed at a different location and Director Sprague advised it absolutely can be as it is programmable. b. Crosswalk / Signage – North 7th Street Alderman Crawford explained this is an issue that was brought to him by a number of residents as 7th Street was repaved and there are no designated crosswalks near the administrative building of the Olean City School District. He explained there used to be a crosswalk at Reed and North 7th and he is asking it be restriped. Director Sprague explained those crosswalks will be replaced in the spring as soon as the weather allows. He explained there is a bigger question of the school district around the school campus, and his belief is that the school zone includes coming down 7th Street because of the back entrance. He explained he would also like to place some school zone signs in that area in the future. Alderman Crawford explained that would be great. He explained it would also be worth having a conversation with the commercial business on the corner of 7th and Wayne as there is no dedicated proper sidewalk there, and the entire City right- of-way has been paved and a number of vehicles park in that right-of-way. He explained at one time there was a lack of parking but that business has expanded and now utilizes the parking across the street, so he would like to ask they put in a safe sidewalk for the kids who walk through there. Alderman McCall explained this whole area has been a long-standing issue and she thinks it is good we are looking at this in totality rather than individual streets. Alderman Robinson asked about the difference between school zone speed limits as some are 15 mph and some are 20 mph. Director Sprague explained he believes elementary schools have a speed limit of 15 mph and the middle and high school have a 20 mph speed limit. Alderman Robinson explained the Council can pass a resolution to change the school zone if it is needed. 4. New Referrals for Consideration a. SAFER Grant Award Chief Eric Maurouard explained he asked the Council for permission to apply for the SAFER Grant in June and the City was awarded the funding. He explained this will fund salary and benefits for three years for four firefighters, although there is a City match of 20% the first year, 25% the second and 60% the third. He explained there will also be a cost savings on the overtime line with the additional positions that will help offset the City match. He explained the grant period is March 2026 to March 2029 so even if we hire right away, there will be a delay with the upcoming firefighter exam on January 10, 2026 so we may not get the benefit of the entire grant period. Alderman Robinson asked what the total grant amount is, and Chief Maurouard explained the total federal portion is $569,903. Alderman Robinson asked what the local match is, and Chief Maurouard explained it is $77,013 the first two years and $200,236 the third year. Alderman Anastasia asked if this is additional staffing and Chief Maurouard explained we left two positions unfunded in the budget and this will fill those two seats plus give us two extra employees. Alderman McCall asked what the cost savings is from overtime and Chief Maurouard explained he does not have that at this time, and explained he has run some preliminary numbers but there are a lot of variables to try to calculate out. Alderman Anastasia asked if in 2029 we have another budget shortfall if we are committed to keep these employees when the grant funds out. Chief Maurouard explained in accepting the grant we agreed to keep our current roster through the period of the grant plus the four new positions, and then after the grant period is over there is no commitment. He explained if the call volume continues to trend the way it is, we will need these additional employees. 5. Approval of Committee Reports None 6. Adjournment A motion to adjourn was made by Alderman Robinson, seconded by Alderman McCall. Voice vote, ayes all. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:55 p.m.