New Mayor’s Advisory Council on Public Safety and Quality of Life replaces Homelessness Task Force

New Mayor’s Advisory Council on Public Safety and Quality of Life replaces Homelessness Task Force

Olean Mayor Amy B. Sherburne announced last week the formation of a new Mayor’s Advisory Council on Public Safety and Quality of Life.

It appears to be the successor to the now inactive Homelessness Task Force formed under former Mayor Bill Aiello.

In a press release, the mayor said the new council was created “to bring residents, community organizations, service providers and government together to better understand challenges facing Olean and develop practical recommendations.”

The mayor’s statement on the city of Olean website did not address regarding the Advisory Council membership, meetings and opportunities for residents to participate 

Sherburne said the advisory council would focus on six issues:

• Public Safety – Crime prevention, neighborhood safety, traffic concerns and coordination among police, fire and EMS.
• Homelessness & Housing – Prevention, housing availability, services, resource gaps and the impact on individuals, neighborhoods and public spaces.
• Parks & Public Spaces – Keeping parks safe, clean and welcoming while addressing vandalism, illegal activity and other recurring concerns.
• Clean & Livable Neighborhoods – Blight, abandoned properties, code enforcement, illegal dumping, litter, sidewalks and neighborhood conditions.
• Youth & Education – Youth activities, mentoring, prevention, employment opportunities and partnerships with local schools and educators.
• The Resident’s Voice – Creating meaningful opportunities for residents to bring concerns, ideas and potential solutions directly into the conversation.

“The best ideas often come from the people who live with safety and quality of life issues every day,” said Sherburne. “We need to listen, have honest conversations about what is working and what isn’t, and bring the right people together to identify solutions that can improve the quality of life for everyone.”

The Mayor’s Advisory Council will serve in an advisory capacity, the mayor said. “Its role will be to listen, examine issues, gather community perspectives, identify available resources and gaps and provide thoughtful, practical recommendations to the Mayor and appropriate community partners.”

Sherburne said, “The Advisory Council is intended to bring together people with different experiences and areas of expertise so that potential solutions can be carefully considered before decisions are made or actions are taken.”

“This approach recognizes that many of the challenges facing Olean are complex and may require coordination, resources and action from different departments, agencies, organizations and levels of government. 

“The Advisory Council will bring together residents and neighborhood representatives, people with lived experience of homelessness, nonprofit and faith-based organizations, county and city officials, businesses, public-safety professionals, schools, healthcare and human-service providers, housing organizations and other community partners.

“Many of these challenges extend beyond municipal boundaries. Working with county officials and community organizations will help identify available resources, gaps in services and opportunities for greater cooperation. 

The Mayor’s Advisory Council on Public Safety & Quality of Life will approach community challenges with both compassion and accountability. 

By bringing together individuals with different perspectives, experiences and expertise, the Council will work to better understand issues such as homelessness, identify existing resources and gaps in services, and explore opportunities for collaboration. 

The experiences of those who have faced homelessness can offer valuable insight into the barriers to housing, employment and stability, while the City must also protect public spaces, neighborhoods and businesses and ensure that laws are followed.” 

Sherburne said, “The Advisory Council is not intended to take ownership of the problems it studies or simply serve as a forum for discussion. Its purpose is to bring appropriate stakeholders together, encourage meaningful dialogue and develop thoughtful, practical recommendations for those with the authority and resources to act. 

“As community needs shift, additional organizations and individuals will be invited to contribute their knowledge and experience to help identify solutions that support individuals, strengthen neighborhoods and promote a safe, accessible and welcoming community for everyone,” she said. 

The mayor emphasized five issues the advisory council can help resolve: 

• Safe neighborhoods.
• Clean public spaces.
•  Compassion with accountability. 
• Thoughtful recommendations. 
• A stronger community. 
• A better quality of life for everyone. 

Additional information regarding the Advisory Council membership, meetings and opportunities for residents to participate will be announced by the Mayor’s Office.