MAYVILLE – Issues between Chautauqua County’s Mental Hygiene Department and the city of Jamestown over its leased building appear to have been resolved.

During the recent legislature meeting, county lawmakers approved a five-year lease agreement with the city to lease 9,300 square feet of office space on the fifth floor of the Jamestown Municipal Building which houses the county’s Mental Hygiene and Social Services offices. The county will pay the city $14.86 per square foot with annual rent increases not to exceed 4%.

According to Trish McClennan, deputy director of Mental Hygiene and Social Services, the county has used that location for about 30 years.

Last December, McClennan said they were considering relocating the department due to the roof leaking and stained ceiling tiles. Because of the ceiling, the county was issued citations by the state.

At the end of 2023, the legislature approved a one-year lease.

This time around McClennan said things are much better.

“Mayor (Kim) Ecklund has done a remarkable job of working very closely with us. She’s been a remarkable partner. We meet with her at least weekly,” McClennan said during a committee meeting.

McClennan also said by getting a five-year lease it allows them to seek grant funds from the state Office of Addiction Services.

In other business:

– Donald Burdick of Dunkirk and Daniel Larish of Fredonia were reappointed to the Portland-Pomfret-Dunkirk Sewer District.

– James Crowell of Dunkirk, Edward Devine of Dunkirk and Thomas Wik of Dunkirk, were reappointed to the North County Water District No. 1 and the North County Sewer District No. 1 boards.

– Stephen Abdella of Jamestown, Fred Croscut of Sherman, David Shepherd, Elisabeth Rankin of Jamestown and Mark Tarbrake of Jamestown were appointed to the county Charter and Code Review Commission.

– The legislature agreed to spend $89,887 to implement the Digitization of Naturalization Records Project using American Rescue Plan Act funds. The project helps digitize naturalization records that are only on microfilm.

– The legislature agreed to spend $20,000 from its ARPA funds for air conditioning at the Taylor Training Center in the southern end of the county.

– The legislature agreed to spend $29,000 from its Firefighter Gear Washer Project. This gear washer is used to wash turnout firefighter gear from volunteer fire departments.

– The legislature agreed to spend $26,000 from its ARPA funds for the Fire Extinguisher Training System Project. This unit has real fire extinguishers and is used for training.