In walk-in voting on Election Day in Genesee County, Chris Jacobs far outpolled his opponents in the special election race to fill the vacant NY-27 race, getting 4,536 votes in the unofficial tally to 1,565 for Nate McMurray and 155 for Duane Whitmer.

Jacobs has declared victory in the NY-27 race and McMurray has said that with far more absentee ballots to be counted than were cast on election day it's premature to say who won and who lost the race.

In the GOP primary for the same seat, Jacobs received 2,473 votes from Genesee County residents to 1,099 for Darien resident Beth Parlato and 340 votes for Stefan Mychajliw.

Districtwide, the Buffalo News reports that Jacobs garnered 70 percent of the walk-in votes to 28 percent for McMurray and has a 30,639 vote lead with 65,509 absentee ballots to be counted.

That count could take a week or more but the Jacobs campaign contends it is mathematically impossible for McMurray to close the gap.

In the GOP primary, Jacobs currently has 25,668 votes to 8,644 for Parlato and 7,190 votes for Mychajliw.

Jacobs, McMurray, and Mychajliw have all issued statements about the election results. We've not received a statement yet from Parlato nor Whitmer.

Jacobs:

Chris Jacobs has declared victory in the Special and Republican Primary for New York’s 27th Congressional District and is releasing the following statement: 

“We did it, it has been a long, challenging and ever-changing election, nevertheless the people of Western New York made their voices heard overwhelmingly for strong, conservative leadership! With the commanding lead I have amassed; I am confident in declaring victory in both the Special and Primary elections.

"Now I am looking forward to getting to Congress and getting right to work fighting alongside our great President for the people of Western New York. I would like to thank all the volunteers, supporters, party leaders, and elected officials who have worked so hard to make this happen, and I would especially like to thank President Trump for his early and consistent support throughout this entire election, I am deeply grateful.”

McMurray:

Tonight, with thousands of ballots left unopened across the 27th Congressional District, millionaire Chris Jacobs declared a premature victory. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a historic number of absentee and mail-in ballots still need to be counted. Absentee counting in most counties will not start until July 1st, and likely won't be completed for at least two weeks. 

 “How can you declare victory before the ballots are counted?” Nate McMurray said on Tuesday night. “There are more ballots still out there, uncounted, than people that voted in-person today. As we have always said, we will fight for every single vote. Chris always wanted to be crowned. The coronation will have to wait. They had to bring the whole Trump family into this to help drag him across the finish line. He can peacock. We will talk in two weeks.”

Mychajliw:

Congressional candidate Stefan I. Mychajliw Jr. released the following statement on the New York 27th Congressional District election results:

“I called Chris Jacobs a few minutes ago to congratulate him on his victory in the Republican Primary. I’m thankful for the support I’ve received in this race. We said it was important to let voters decide, and they have. While not victorious, I’m proud of the race we ran. We stayed above the fray, and ran a positive campaign on the issues. I’m a loyal Republican – always have been, always will be. Just like I have in the past, I will work hard to keep NY-27 in Republican hands in November."

UPDATE: Statement from Parlato:

"I got in this race to give every voter in NY-27 a choice, and that is exactly what we did. Although not victorious, I am grateful for each and every vote, prayer and supporter. We ran a tough campaign, and I’m proud of all that were involved. I look forward to campaigning for President Trump as we fight harder than ever to protect our freedoms and conservative values."

If you're going to Genesee Community College to vote and enter the campus from the main entrance, you will encounter barriers that will keep you from getting to the Richard C. Call Arena, where voting is taking place (until 9 p.m.).

These barriers prompted a reader to contact The Batavian to complain that voting at the campus was being disrupted and that perhaps some people may be confused and wind up not voting.

She also indicated she had contacted the Board of Elections.

In an interview with Dick Siebert, the Republican election commissioner, earlier today, Siebert mentioned there had been a complaint about confusing access at the campus and that Lorie Longhany, the Democratic commissioner, had driven to GCC to see what was going on.

Longhany this evening that she found the entry to the Call Arena -- by that, she means the secondary road on the west end of campus -- unobstructed and with good signage directing voters where to go.  

"I felt it was easy access for me and I get lost going in a straight line," Longhany said.

She said she contacted a maintenance supervisor at GCC about the barriers and he said the barriers had been placed to protect the recently striped portions of the parking lot.

Photo: Reader-submitted photo.

Press release:

Batavia City School District’s Summer Meals Program, or “Grab and Go” meal distribution for the summer months, will begin on Monday, June 29.

Distribution will be on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings from 9-11 a.m. at Jackson Primary and John Kennedy Intermediate Schools.

The Jackson distribution site will be at the school’s Hutchins Street entrance; JK's will be in the main loop on Vine Street as it has been this spring.

Each M-W-F distribution will include two days of breakfasts and two days of lunches for each child, age 18 and under.

No enrollment is necessary, and there is no-cost for families.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Meals Program is a federally funded, state-administered program that was established to ensure that children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session.

The best extra large back mud room leading to cheery bright kitchen with door leading out to covered porch-you just want to sit and have a lemonade. Extra Large and bright rooms with stunning old school wide plank floors impossible to recreate with this much character!

Downstairs has so many possibilities with so many rooms to choose from -- possible for amazing first floor master or just more play space and office space. Upstairs has three bedrooms and bath.

This home is all ready to move into and live in and there is so much more that could be possible for an absolute stunner!

Mechanically sound and updated, the roof is only 4 years old and there is also high speed internet and hooked to public water! Outside is just amazing, situated on almost 6 acres with outbuildings galore for storage and every hobby there is!

This is truly a homestead! Think of family gatherings, grad parties, weddings -- already a stop for local photographers this home is meant for all the memories!

Come check out for yourself-easy to see anytime! Call Lynn Bezon at Reliant Real Estate today, call 344-HOME (4663) or click here for more information on this listing.

The National Weather Service reports a strong thunderstorm is moving through Genesee County at 35 mph.

Winds from the storm could exceed 40 mph.

Torrential rainfall is possible and may cause localized flooding.

After hitting an unprecedented 14.4 percent in April, Genesee County's unemployment rate fell sharply for May, dropping to 10.1 percent.

That is a level more in line with the area unemployment rate at the depth of the great recession when unemployment topped out at an even 10 percent January and February of 2010.

Of course, the May 2020 unemployment rate is much higher than the 3.4 percent of a year ago.

At the same time, there are also more people participating in the workforce in Genesee County than a year ago, an increase of 200 workers who either have employment or are seeking employment, from 29,300 to 29,500.

The total number of local residents considered unemployed is 3,000, compared to 1,000 a year ago, 4,200 a month ago, and 1,400 two months ago.

The state's unemployment rate is 14.2 percent, up from 3.6 percent a year ago, and the U.S. unemployment rate 13 percent. Nationally, it was 3.4 percent a year ago in May.

Press release:

Visitors will be allowed in Rochester Regional Health hospitals (Rochester General Hospital, Unity Hospital, Newark-Wayne Community Hospital, Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic, and United Memorial Medical Center (Batavia)) in a limited capacity beginning Thursday, June 25.

The policy outlined below is the same for all five hospitals.

It is important to note, and we ask that you stress, there are still no visitors allowed in long-term care facilties (except for end-of-life situations).

Rochester Regional Health Visitor Policy -- This policy applies to hospitals (acute care) only:

• Patients may designate two visitors throughout their stay;
• Only ONE visitor is allowed at a time for no longer than four hours daily.
• Visiting hours for all RRH hospitals are 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., and 4 – 7 p.m. daily.
• No visitors will be permitted for*:

           --- Emergency Department patients

           --- COVID-19 positive patients

           --- Suspected COVID-19 positive patients

           --- Cancer infusion centers

           --- Inpatient behavioral health

*The four exceptions to the above list of prohibited visitors include: 

1. Pediatric patients may have one designated guardian on-site at a time.
2. End-of-life patients may have one on-site visitor at a time.
3. Obstetrical patients may have one on-site visitor at a time.
4. Patients with intellectual, developmental, or other cognitive disabilities.

There are no restrictions on the hours of visitation for this (exceptions) list of visitors.

Visitors must be older than 18 years of age.

Visitors must be screened upon entering the facility; they will be denied entry if they report significant COVID-19 exposure or symptoms during the prior 14 days or have a temperature over 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit.

Visitors will be registered in an electronic system within the EMR (Care Connect) upon entry for each visit. The registration log will include the name and contact information of the visitor, the date(s) of their visits, and the name of the patient(s) visited.

Patients undergoing same-day procedures may be accompanied to the facility by a companion, but may not stay during the procedure.

A companion may drop them off and pick them up outside the facility.

They may not be with the patient inside the facility.

Visitors may not be present during procedures and in the recovery room except for pediatrics, childbirth, and patients with an intellectual, developmental, or other cognitive disability.

Visitors will be instructed to remain in the patient’s room throughout the visit except when directed by hospital staff to leave during aerosol-generating procedures or other procedures during which visitors are usually asked to leave.

Within areas of our facilities that do not allow us to accommodate social distancing, we reserve the right to refuse visitors for their safety and the safety of our patients and staff.

Visitors must be wearing their mask or cloth face-covering upon arrival to the facility. If the visitor does not arrive with a mask or cloth face-covering, the hospital will provide the visitor with a mask. The visitor will be instructed to keep their mask or cloth face-covering on at all times.

Visitors will be instructed to comply with strict hand hygiene and personal protective equipment practices.

Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-percent alcohol. Cover all surfaces of hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Visitors will be provided written information regarding the potential risks and benefits of visiting a patient within the hospital as well the expectations regarding their visitation, which includes: the hours of visitation; remaining in the patient room during the entire visit unless otherwise instructed; wearing their mask or cloth face-covering during their entire visit; and instructions regarding meticulous hand hygiene.

Visitors who fail to comply with the outlined expectations will be asked to leave the facility.

Press release:

• Genesee County received three new positive cases of COVID-19, for a total of 215 positive cases.
  • Two of the positive individuals reside in Batavia and one resides in Byron.
  • Two of the individuals are in their 40s and one is in their 50s.
  • Zero of the previous community positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
  • Zero of the new positive individuals was on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
  • One of the total active cases are hospitalized.
• Orleans County received zero new positive cases of COVID-19 today, for a total of 263 positive cases.
  • One of the previous community positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
  • Thirteen of the total active positive cases are hospitalized. Please note those in the hospital may be from the community or a state-regulated facility. We do not separate them out to protect their privacy.

There are now 10 active cases in Genesee County.

Press release:

Buffalo-based Sonwil Distribution is in preliminary discussions with the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) about construction of a regional multi-temperature warehouse facility in the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park (Ag-Park) in the Town of Batavia.

The multi-temperature warehouse would provide storage capacity for food and beverage manufacturing and processing companies currently residing in the agri-business park as well as similar companies in the Buffalo and Rochester metro regions.

Sonwil Distribution Center is a leading North American logistics solutions provider, and in September 2019 was named one of Food Logistics magazine’s “Top Third-Party Logistics (3PL) and Cold Storage Providers” a criteria of which is “whose products and services are critical for companies in the global food and beverage supply chain."

“Genesee County has experienced tremendous growth in the food manufacturing and food processing sectors of the regional economy as evidenced by the increasing production and output of companies in the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park,” said Peter Wilson, president and CEO of Sonwil Distribution Center.

“We are confident that the construction of a multi-temperature warehouse facility would lead to even greater success of this sector as well as generate significant economic impact at a critical time.”

The Ag-Park and surrounding properties have grown to over 1 million-square-feet of dairy products manufacturing operations and 700 food and beverage industry jobs through projects by O-AT-KA Milk Products, HP Hood, and the Upstate Niagara Cooperative. Announced land sales have brought the 250-acre Ag-Park substantially closer to full occupancy.

“Sonwil has been discussing with us how the multi-temperature warehouse could be constructed in stages to support the food and beverage industry cluster at the Ag-Park and in our region,” said GCEDC President and CEO Steve Hyde. “With commitments from companies in the region, Sonwil can move forward with their plans for the construction of a multi-temperature warehouse.”

The project being considered enhances the GCEDC’s strategic focus on strengthening Genesee County’s growing food and beverage industry sector through shovel-ready sites. The Ag-Park and the 75-acre Le Roy Food & Tech Park have been specifically designed and constructed to service these industry sectors.

Additionally, the STAMP South Campus provides 400 acres with capacity for growing the food and beverage industry at the 1,250-acre Western New York Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP). The STAMP South Campus includes the availability of 20-acre, 65-acre and 70-acre shovel-ready parcels with water, electric, and sewer infrastructure being made accessible for development.

“With the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park approaching full occupancy we are putting a laser sharp development and marketing focus on our growing food and beverage, and warehousing and distribution sectors,” Hyde continued. “We certainly do not want to be turning industries away because of the success at the Ag-Park, and replicating the success experienced there now at STAMP South and the Le Roy Food & Tech Park provides us with a smart economic development growth strategy now and into the future.”

Assemblyman Steve Hawley [kneeling on right] poses for a photo with Assemblyman Michael DenDekker [kneeling on left] and veterans in front of the Vietnam War Memorial during 2018’s Patriot Trip to Washington, D.C. 

Submitted photo and press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley announced today that his annual Patriot Trip to Washington, D.C., will unfortunately be postponed this year in the wake of the COVID-19 virus’ presence in America.

The intent behind this postponement is to protect our veterans who were interested in traveling to Washington, D.C. With all that is known about COVID-19, it was decided that 52 men and women on a bus traveling across various state lines where health regulations could vary radically, and would not be in the best interest of veterans.

Hawley, who has served on the Assembly Veterans’ Affairs Committee since 2006, was just as disappointed about the decision, but understands this temporary pause is in the best interest of the continued well-being of the veterans of our community. 

“The Patriot Trip is the highlight of every year,” Hawley said. “This trip was inspired by Mike Paduchak, a World War II veteran, who asked me to come together with local veterans and host a trip to Washington, D.C. Through the experiences of my father, veterans I have met during previous year’s trips, and my own service in the military, I have gained a tremendous understanding and admiration for the sacrifices endured by our veterans.

"I haven’t missed a trip for 12 years, and I wouldn’t miss it this year were it not for the risks. I am willing to postpone this year’s trip to ensure all of my friends I’ve made through the trip will be healthy to travel next year. And as for next year, I hope to see as many veterans as possible turn out for the tentative trip date of September 16-19, 2021.”

The old joke is: Vote early and vote often.

In 2020, it's more than a joke.  

Voters in Genesee County received more than 7,000 absentee ballots over the past several weeks, and with elections that would normally be on different days consolidated into a single day, both Republicans and Democrats have multiple ballots to cast.

The turnout at local polling places today, said Dick Siebert, Republican election commissioner, has been light. That is likely due to all those voters who requested absentee ballots.

Siebert doesn't have a count on how many ballots have been returned so far, but while some in politics have expressed concern about the prospect of voter fraud from mail-in ballots, Siebert said there is no indication of fraud in Genesee County.

"I hear that nationally there have been reports in other counties, but not in Genesee County, of one person or one group asking for 350 ballots," Siebert said. "We don't have that problem in Genesee County. No representative or candidate has asked for as many as 15 or 20 ballots."

The potential problem with absentee ballots, Siebert said, is that there is no opportunity to check an ID of a voter the way polling workers could for a person voting at a designated polling place. That doesn't mean there isn't a way to help protect against voter fraud with absentee ballots but it's a lot more work, Siebert said.

Workers must pull the registration card for every voter who submits an absentee ballot and check the signature at the time of registration against the signature on the envelope containing the ballot.

For this election, even with an anticipated turnout of the more than the 25 to 30 percent that might be typical, it's going to take county staff some time to sort through all those ballots before they can be counted.

Siebert is worried about the general election in November when turnout is expected to top 80 percent. If the pandemic is still raging and people must still maintain social distances the number of absentee ballots to be verified and counted would be well beyond anything local officials ever had to deal with before.

"That would be a disaster," Siebert said. "The workload, the time it would take, if the same thing happens in the fall, we're going to be overwhelmed."

As it is, residents should not expect final election results tonight. This evening, results for today's in-person voting will be released after polls close at 9 p.m. but the absentee ballot count won't be finished until July.

If you haven't voted yet and go to a polling place today, masks are required.

Also, if you haven't dropped your absentee ballot in the mail yet, it's too late; however, you can drop it off at your neighborhood polling location.

From the City of Batavia Police Department:

On June 18 at approximately 11 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Hutchins Place and Lewis Place for a large disturbance.

Upon arrival, patrols found several individuals fighting, with numerous different fights taking place. Some of the suspects had weapons such as knives, tasers, and bats and were allegedly threatening individuals with those items. Other suspects were allegedly throwing rocks at people and vehicles in the area.

After several minutes, officers were able to get the situation under control. No injuries were reported but two vehicles were damaged.

A thorough investigation was conducted and concluded that the incident began over fireworks being thrown at one of the damaged vehicles and a residence. The parties involved have had previous issues with one another.

The Batavia Police Department arrested the following individuals:

• Eric McGill, 37, of Hutchins Place, Batavia, one count (PL 265.02-1) – criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree (a Class D felony);
• Delonta Curry, 19, of Warner Street, Rochester, one count (PL 265.01-2) – criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree (a Class A misdemeanor); one count (PL 240.05) – riot in the second degree (Class A misdemeanor);
• Hezekiah Burch, 18, of Hutchins Place, Batavia, one count (PL 145.00-1) – criminal mischief in the fourth degree (Class A misdemeanor); one count (PL 240.05) -- riot in the second degree (Class A misdemeanor);
• Louis Mercado, 32, Lewis Place, Batavia, one count (PL 145.05-2) – criminal mischief in the third degree (a Class E felony); one count (PL 240.05) – riot in the second degree (Class A misdemeanor);
• Jasmine Ryder, 34, Lewis Place, Batavia, one count (PL 240.05) – riot in the second degree (Class A misdemeanor);
• Lance Mercado Sr., 30, Lewis Place, Batavia, one count (PL 240.05) riot in the second degree (Class A misdemeanor).

A traffic accident in the area of 6895 Ellicott Street, Pavilion, has apparently knocked out power for 104 customers of National Grid, including Pavilion Town Hall.

The accident was reported at about 11:30 a.m.

The ETA for power restoration is 1 p.m.

No word on injuries in the accident.

UPDATE 1:13 p.m.: A spokesman for National Grid confirmed the accident caused the power outage. The new ETA for power restoration is 3 p.m.

UPDATE 1:48 p.m.: The road is reopened. The Pavilion assignment is back in service.

UPDATE: Reader-submitted photos

Press release:

Healthy Kids Programs is offering safe summer childcare for ages 4-12 at Oakfield Alabama Central School District starting Monday, June 29.

Cost is $125/week for 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Extra hours cost $5/hr per day. DSS is accepted. Hours are 8 a.m..- 6 p.m.

Parents can register online here under summer programs.

For more information email Hailey Couglar:   hailey@healthykidsprograms.com  or phone her (585) 673-1198.

Update 1:30 p.m.
The time for the media session on Thursday for K-9 Hank wlll be 3:30 p.m. at the rear of the City of Batavia police station.

-----------

Community residents have stepped up in thousands of ways to support the City of Batavia Police Department's K-9 program.

Actually, the number is $11,228.53, which is the total amount of the donations sent into the City after the program was established last August, with the stipulation that donatons would be accepted.

At Monday night's City Council meeting, lawmakers voted to place the contributions into a committed fund just to be used for K-9-related expenses.

Police Chief Shawn Heubusch told The Batavian that a press conference is being arranged for this Thursday at police headquarters to introduce Hank, a 1-year-old Belgian Malinois (pronounced MAL-in-wah), and his handler, Officer Stephen Quider, and to provide details about the program.

The Belgian Malinois is known as a hard-working, protective and smart breed with an ability to detect explosives, accelerants and narcotics. The name is derived from Malines, the French name for the breed's Flemish city of origin, Mechelen.

The male Malinois, which can weigh up to 75 pounds, is sometimes classified as a variety of the Belgian Shepherd.

Hank and Officer Stephen Quider attended last weekend's Juneteenth event at the YWCA of Genesee County.

“I jumped at the chance (to partner with the dog),” Quider said.

So, it looks as though the department's newest trainee is almost ready to em-“bark” on his journey to serve and protect.

In other action, Council:

-- Moved the bid process and determination for the Franklin Street-Richmond Avenue sewer rehabilitation project to its July 13^th Business Meeting.

According to Public Works Director Matt Worth, the City will see significant cost savings by changing the focus from a complete sewer line replacement on Franklin Street to an excavated repair of one section and relining of the rest of the line, and then to include relining of the Richmond Avenue sewer ahead of its rehabilitation project in 2022.

“The original budget for this project was $1,048,596, including engineering costs,” Worth said, “but with the changes, the cost will be significantly lower even with the addition of the Richmond Avenue lining.”

Worth said engineering fees will drop from around $240,000 to $57,800 “due to the reduced effort required to design and inspect a lining project compared to full open construction with new sewer.”

He also said he expects the construction cost to be “well under” the original estimate of $806,000 when the bids are opened on July 2.

-- Voted to authorize Council President Eugene Jankowski to facilitate the acceptance of $16,000 from the Genesee County Youth Bureau to support the Liberty Center for Youth and City Summer Recreation Program.

-- Voted to appoint three City residents – Nicholas Harris, Marc Staley and David Leone – and two Council members – Robert Bialkowski and Jeremy Karas – to the Audit Advisory Board for a term ending Dec. 31.

CORRECTION: We previously published a picture taken June 6 of Officer Stephen Quider with a K9. It turns out that dog was returned and "Hank" is a different dog so we've removed the photo.

While some restaurants have been able to utilize their patios and decks to increase the number of customers during the COVID-19-induced 50-percent capacity phase, others without outdoor dining areas are limited by their four walls.

Batavia City Council members don’t think that’s fair and they are looking into a way to temporarily provide municipal space for dining establishments to serve their customers under sunny skies.

Acting City Manager Rachael Tabelski opened a discussion on the subject at tonight’s Council meeting at City Centre Council Chambers.

“I just wanted to update Council tonight and take your temperature on moving forward with the potential of outdoor dining expansion of restaurants that do not have their own capacity to expand on their own property,” said Tabelski, adding that Phase Two of the state’s reopening plan allowed for outdoor dining.

She said that many restaurants in Batavia took advantage of that and expanded on their own property, but just as many don’t have that option. As a result, three restaurant owners have contact City officials to see if it would be possible to expand onto City-owned property.

Since then, the Finger Lakes Region, which includes Genesee County, has moved into Phase Three – permitting restaurants to have on-premise dining with a maximum of 50-percent occupancy.

Tabelski said the topic also has been discussed during an economic development COVID recovery task force comprised of representatives of the Batavia Downtown Business Improvement District, Batavia Development Corporation, the City of Batavia, Genesee County and the Chamber of Commerce.

She also said there is guidance from the New York State Liquor Authority authorizing this, prompting her and City Attorney George Van Nest to draft an application that would be subject to review by City Council.

If approved, the dining establishment, after acquiring proper liability insurance, would be granted a temporary license to operate outdoors on municipal space.

Van Nest said the approval would constitute a “license agreement, not a license or permit, per se, but the actual ability to use that property … consistent with an event application.” He said the liquor authority requires the municipality to submit an application covering those properties and having an adjoining license certification from the restaurant.

Council Member John Canale said he has been thinking about this type of action during his trips around the City.

“To me, this is an absolute no-brainer,” Canale said. “It’s nice to see these restaurants getting creative (by using the sidewalks) and I hope that we as a City allow them to continue to do this for a period of time … Because their capacity is limited to 50 percent inside, if they can gain in nice weather the outside access, it would make up for that.”

Council members Kathleen Briggs and Patti Pacino said they agreed with Canale, while Council Member Jeremy Karas took it even further, suggesting that this could become a seasonal thing.

Council President Eugene Jankowski also said he thought it was a good idea as long as any expansion didn’t interfere with other businesses. He stopped short, however, of endorsing an annual benefit, stating that that was a discussion for another time.

After Council Member Rose Mary Christian said she also was on board with a permanent arrangement for using City land, Van Nest advised that it could evolve into the City requiring a lease agreement and trigger possible assessment implications.

The debate ended with Council asking Tabelski and Van Nest to get the application to Council members as soon as possible for placement on the agenda of their next meeting on July 13^th.

In other developments, Council:

-- Heard a report from Karas and Public Works Director Matt Worth that City crews and the state Department of Transportation will be joining forces to replace the sunken manhole covers on Route 98 (Oak Street).

Karas said the covers are causing excessive noise in the area, especially when tractor-trailers coming from or going to the Thruway exit roll over them.

Worth said the DOT has agreed to provide traffic control while City workers replace about 10 manhole castings that are in the driving lane and, finally, get rid of the “clunk-clunk times 100” sound that reverberates through homes along the way.

The tentative schedule calls for the new manhole castings to be replaced in August.

“We will be resetting (them) so they’re flush and then DOT will pave them in that area,” Worth said. “Hopefully, they’re nice and smooth … they’ll fit tight and the noise goes away.”

-- Heard a brief report from Canale that the committee charged with looking into the deer population problem in the City is almost ready to address Council with its recommendations.

Canale said the state Department of Environmental Conservation made a few changes with the wording and has given the City a deadline of Aug. 1^st to submit its application.

Calling it a “great plan,” Canale said the committee desires to have guidelines in place by the start of hunting season this fall.

---------------

Following the meeting, Jankowski was asked if Council had discussed a plan to find a replacement for Martin Moore, who left his position as City manager on Saturday by what was publicly announced as a “mutual agreement.”

“We haven’t discussed it as a Council, but I know that City staff are doing research and they’re going to provide that information to Council so that we can make a decision as to how we want to go forward,” Jankowski said.

After it was mentioned that the City would get a “free search” from Novak Consulting Group since Moore's tenure lasted less than two years, Jankowski said, “if that is the case, then that’s definitely an option that we’d have to consider.”

The City contracted with the Ohio firm to coordinate the search in the summer of 2018.

Press release:

New York is home to 23 community colleges that provide opportunities to earn an online associate degree or certificate.

Of the schools on this list, 16 cost less than $5,000 per year.

According to the June 9 edition of the Guide to Online Schools' "2020 Best Online Community Colleges in New York," Genesee Community College ranks #16 and its annual tuition is listed as $4,350;

Online Associate Degrees (nine)

• Associate in Applied Science in Business Administration
• Associate in Applied Science in Business Administration: Supply Chain Management
• Associate in Applied Science in Computer Systems and Network Technologies
• Associate in Applied Science in Criminal Justice
• Associate in Applied Science in Individualized Studies
• Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts and Science: Humanities and Social Science
• Associate in Science in Business Administration
• Associate in Science in Criminal Justice
• Associate in Science in Liberal Arts and Science: General Studies

• Certificate in Computer Repair
• Certificate in Criminal Justice
• Certificate in General Education
• Certificate in Teaching Assistant

GCC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the regional accreditation agency. Credits will transfer more reliably from regionally accredited schools than any others. Accreditation agencies as reported by the Department of Education.

View the methodology for more details or learn more about Guide to Online Schools.

Press release:

As of 2 p.m.

• Genesee County received four new positive cases of COVID-19, for a total of 212 positive cases.
  • One of the positive individuals reside in Batavia, one resides in Bethany, and one resides in Darien.
  • One of the new positive cases is a resident of The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Batavia.
  • One of the individuals is in their 20s, one is in their 50s, one is in their 70s, and one is in their 80s.
  • Two of the previous community positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
  • One of the new positive individuals was on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
  • One of the total active cases are hospitalized.
• Orleans County received three new positive case of COVID-19 today, for a total of 263 positive cases.
  • One of the new positive cases resides in Murray.
  • Two of the new positive cases reside at the Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center.
  • One of the new positive cases is in their 50s, one of the new positive cases is in their 70s and one of the new positive cases is in their 90s.
  • The new positive community case was not on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
  • Three of the previous community positive cases have recovered and have been released from mandatory isolation.
  • Twelve of the total active positive cases are hospitalized. Please note those in the hospital may be from the community or a state-regulated facility. We do not separate them out to protect their privacy.
  • We have received word that we have lost an Orleans County resident due to COVID-19. The individual was a resident of Orchard Rehabilitation & Nursing Center. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends during this very sad time.

NOTE: There are eight active cases in Genesee County.

After a heavy downpour this afternoon, the area under the train bridge on Cedar Street flooded for a short time.