P-J photo by Eric Tichy Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist, seated, is pictured Monday after addressing the City Council on his four-year term.

Reflecting on his last four years as mayor, Eddie Sundquist said serving the Jamestown community in which he grew up has been “the honor of my life.”

Sundquist capped Monday night’s voting session by addressing the City Council for the last time before his term ends Dec. 31. For about three minutes, the mayor discussed his administration’s achievements as well as challenges.

“Without the work of all of us in Jamestown, not nearly as much would have been accomplished in this term, especially considering the unprecedented events we had,” Sundquist said, noting specifically the COVID-19 pandemic that arrived just months after he took office.

He alluded to the city’s “risky financial position” that further was impacted by the pandemic in addition to the unsettled contracts with a number of the city’s labor unions.

“These were tough times with uncertain outcomes,” Sunquist said Monday.

He continued, “I’m happy to say that I believe the city of Jamestown is in a better position now than it was four years ago, which is all one can ask for as a chief executive.”

During his tenure, Sundquist said the City Council put to use millions of dollars in American Rescue Plan Act funds. That money, he said, went toward neighborhoods, small businesses, public safety, city services, infrastructure and public spaces.

He said the city also helped open the community to diversity, “making sure we’re inclusive of all … including our LGBTQ+ community, indigenous peoples, labor unions.”

“We worked to end population decline in our city with the welcoming of refugees and brought together our resource providers and faith-based groups to find a safe place for our increasing homeless populations to spend a cold winter’s night,” he continued.

He thanked everyone who “contributed so much to our great city and its continued advancement. I wish Mayor-Elect (Kim) Ecklund nothing but the best as the new mayor.”

Sundquist was defeated by Ecklund in the November General Election.

City Council President Tony Dolce, R-Ward 2, acknowledged the mayor during Monday’s voting session. He noted that Sundquist’s term has “not been easy.”

“He was forced to lead this community through an unprecedented and challenging time,” Dolce said. “The COVID pandemic and subsequent federal ARPA allocations presented many difficult decisions and challenges for all of us, and he did his best at navigating the city through this difficult, challenging and unprecedented period.

“I want to personally thank him for working with us, and especially myself as the council president. I wish Eddie all the best moving forward and again thank him for his service to Jamestown.”