Batavia City Councilmember Rosemary Christian held a Sixth Ward meeting at City Hall on Tuesday evening.
The hour long meeting touched on many topics that residents were concerned about.
The discussion started with a level 3 sex offender living next to a City park on James street. Residents are concerned about the safety of their children, grandchildren and kids who use the park in the summer. Police and Probation along with the City Council members listened and discussed possible solutions.
Drug dealing and squatting was also brought up along with the need for sidewalk replacement on Sumner street.
The empty former restaurant now owned by GCASA on South Swan street was also discussed because a sign is falling off and there is an open window on top. Residents are concerned that people are going to get inside. Requesting code enforcement to look at the property. Councilperson- at-Large, Bob Bialkowski let residents know about the Genesee County OARS site that can assist with locating the owners of properties in the county, including the City of Batavia.
The discussion of a new skate park was also brought up by the resident who is looking to create it. City Council President Gene Jankowski says the City unfortunately has run out of money to assist in the project because of too many other projects going on.
Jankowski also hinted there will be a tax increase in this years budget.
City of Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch and Assistant Police Chief Chris Camp addressed residents in regards to reporting drug activity and updated folks on a robbery that occurred in the Pizza Hut parking lot, and the Safe Trade location at police headquarters.