Mayor’s first town hall dominated by questions about homelessness in city

By RICK MILLER

Olean Star

Mayor Amy B. Sherburne’s first town hall Monday drew nearly 25 people, with questions about homeless issues dominating the conversation.

After the mayor welcomed the group to her first town hall at the John J. Ash Center on North Barry Street, the first question was about the growing number of homeless individuals and homeless encampments.

The man who asked the question linked some of the homeless problems to drug addiction, mental health issues and inadequate housing opportunities.

Sherburne agreed that the mental health crisis is partially to blame for local homelessness and the area needs more mental health professionals. Olean General is also expanding its mental health beds, she said. 

The mayor said she has also met with Genesis House officials and listened to their concerns. Generis House has limited space for families and individuals. 

Another question dealt with what people who are homeless can do during the winter months — particularly on nights when the temperature drops below freezing.

Sherburbne replied that Genesis House is managing the use of some space at the John J. Ash Center as a Code Blue center during the day. “There is always room for improvement,” she added.

Asked by one woman if she supported an open homeless shelter, Sherburne replied that it is the jurisdiction of the county. She would be cautious in any event, because it appears that some homeless individuals are being bussed to Olean. “As mayor, there needs to be some guardrails as to who we are serving. We can only handle as much as we can in our county.”

The mayor noted that she has submitted legislation to the Common Council to ban the bussing of homeless individuals to Olean.

Sherburne also noted that legislation she sponsored to help make Lincoln Park and other public areas — including encampments — where homeless people congregated overnight and at other times, has made an improvement. It was important to keep the pavilion clean for the Olean Farmers market, she pointed out.

Also, closing off the pavilion and gazebo at Lincoln Park and removing picnic tables held do away with illegal activity there, she said. “When the chains went up, the criminal activity stopped.” She said she also cut internet service to the park. “It was an attractive nuisance.” The chains are down now in a four-week test period, she explained. 

The mayor said she’d also met with the HOPE Resource Center, operated by Genesis House, where homeless individuals are encouraged to take steps and get help in obtaining permanent housing.

On another issue, one resident of the Oak Hill Park area complained of high school students regularly fighting and shouting in the street. The mayor agreed that an area crossing guard may be the answer and said she’d look into it.

A woman asked what the city could do about “the overabundance of cats” in many neighborhoods. There was some discussion about resuming a trap and spay or neuter program, but the mayor agreed cats should remain on their owners property.

In response to a question about some people walking the streets who appear to be having mental health problems, Sheerburne said, “There is a mental health crisis. “We need more boots on the ground to contact people where they are. We need more help with mental health (issues). The hospital needs to help too.” 

A woman who said she moved back to Olean under the city’s Make My Move program after being away for several years, urged more use of the bike trail and said people seem to want to be involved, but are looking for an opportunity.

A patrolman at the meeting who has been on the job for 10 years, spoke up to say the police department is doing everything it can to respond to residents’ concerns. “We’ve had 1,000 more calls and 100 more arrests than we did at this time last year,” he said, adding the department is not at full staffing. 

“It’s an ongoing crisis,” Sherburne said.

One man asked about the city pool and splash pad, blaming the council for proceeding with the repairs as costs approach $2 million. The council is also responsible for the splash pad, he said. 

The common council’s decision to proceed with reconstruction of the city pool is going to cost the city $100,000 a year, the mayor said. The city is also going to make sure the splash pad is properly installed before any concrete is poured next spring, she added.

Sherburne thanked those who attended her first town hall and said it would continue to be held on the last Monday of the month at 6 p.m.