Board of Estimate & Contract

BOARD OF ESTIMATE & CONTRACT MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022 4:00 P.M. MAYOR’S CONFERENCE ROOM – CITY HALL MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK & VIA FACEBOOK.COM/MOUNTVERNONNY https://fb.watch/gPNEX_Dos2/ Call to Order: At 4:31 PM by Council President Derrick Thompson Board Members Present: • Chairwoman, Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard (online from National League of Cities Conference in Kansas City, MO) • City Council President Derrick Thompson • Comptroller Darren Morton; we have a quorum. Others: Chief Kristen Reed, Corporation Counsel Brian G. Johnson, City Clerk Tanesia M. Walters, Deputy City Clerk Donna Jackson, 2nd Deputy Comptroller Jean Apollon, Assistant Comptroller Condell Hamilton, Councilwoman Gleason and Councilwoman Copeland Absent: None MEETING NOTICE: Clerk Walters read the meeting notice at 4:19 pm. ROLL CALL: Roll Call and reading of agenda items administered by City Clerk Tanesia M. Walters NEW BUSINESS: RESOLUTIONS APPROVING ORDINANCES 1. Granting permission to the Department of Recreation to sponsor the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony – (Thursday, December 1, 2022, at City Hall Plaza from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – cost not to exceed $5,000.00; will be charged to Budget code A7310.447). Moved by Comptroller Morton, Seconded by Chairwoman Patterson-Howard On the Question: Discussion of the ordinance and the additional supports needed from other departments. Response: None. Ayes: Comptroller Morton, Council President Thompson and Chairwoman Patterson- Howard Nays: None. 1 Board of Estimate & Contract – Meeting Minutes November 15, 2022 2. Granting permission to transfer funds within the Municipal Civil Service Commission - ($20,000.00 from the General Examination line A-1430-421 to the Medical Expense line A-1430-422). Moved by Comptroller Morton, Seconded by Chairwoman Patterson-Howard On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Comptroller Morton, Council President Thompson and Chairwoman Patterson- Howard Nays: None. 3. HOLD Amending Ordinance No. 9, adopted on September 28, 2022, entitled “AN ORDINANCE REQUESTING PERMISSION TO PURCHASE TASER CARTRIDGES AND BATTERIES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY” – (American Rescue Plan - A3120.203ARP). Council President Thompson noted that Item #3 will be held. 4. Amending Ordinance No. 10, adopted on March 23, 2022, entitled “AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN EXTENSION AGREEMENT WITH AXON ENTERPRISES, INC. AND EXPANSION OF THE CURRENT CONTRACT” – (American Rescue Plan’s Appropriation for services to Disproportionately Impacted Communities – (Public Health) Budget Line A3120.203ARP – (SDI-001 3.16). Moved by Comptroller Morton, Seconded by Chairwoman Patterson-Howard On the Question: Comptroller Morton asked about the length of the contract and if ARPA will cover those years. Response: Chairwoman Patterson-Howard confirmed. Ayes: Comptroller Morton, Council President Thompson and Chairwoman Patterson- Howard Nays: None. 5. Granting permission to re-classify the title of “Crime Analyst” within the Department of Public Safety’s Budget Line for Salaries and Wages - (A3120.101). Moved by Comptroller Morton, Seconded by Chairwoman Patterson-Howard On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Comptroller Morton, Council President Thompson and Chairwoman Patterson- Howard Nays: None. 6. Granting permission to transfer funds from the Department of Public Safety’s Salary Budget Line (A3120.101) to the Department’s Overtime Budget Line (A3120.110) – ($200,000.00). Moved by Comptroller Morton, Seconded by Chairwoman Patterson-Howard On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Comptroller Morton, Council President Thompson and Chairwoman Patterson- Howard Nays: None. Page 2 Board of Estimate & Contract – Meeting Minutes November 15, 2022 7. Authorizing the Mayor to accept the FM Global Foundation Fire Safety Grant - (Fire Prevention Budget Code A3410.455 in the amount of $2,566.00). Moved by Comptroller Morton, Seconded by Chairwoman Patterson-Howard On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Comptroller Morton, Council President Thompson and Chairwoman Patterson- Howard Nays: None. 8. Authorizing and directing the Comptroller to make payment to Motorola Solutions, via its service provider, Electronic Service Solutions, Inc. (“ESS”) in the amount of $35,199.96 for the installation of radio communication equipment system and maintenance of service contract – (Public Safety 2020 Budget Line A3120.203). Moved by Comptroller Morton, Seconded by Chairwoman Patterson-Howard On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Comptroller Morton, Council President Thompson and Chairwoman Patterson- Howard Nays: None. 9. HOLD Authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with Axon Enterprises, Inc for the purchase of thirty-three (33) Taser 7 Conducted Energy Weapons (“CEWs”) Equipment – ($248,054.40 - Department of Public Safety Budget A3120.203ARP, Equipment) Council President Thompson noted that Item #9 will be held. SETTLEMENTS 10. Settling the claim of Malcolm Pinckney - $85,000.00. Moved by Comptroller Morton, Seconded by Chairwoman Patterson-Howard On the Question: Chairwoman Patterson-Howard asked Corporation Counsel to respond; the issue occurred in 2019 due to a malfunctioning police vehicle; two grammatical corrections to the Item from the floor (“black” and “2012”). Response: None. Ayes: Comptroller Morton, Council President Thompson and Chairwoman Patterson- Howard Nays: None 11. Settling the claim of GEICO, a/s/o EVELYN FELIZ - $6,012.62. Moved by Comptroller Morton, Seconded by Chairwoman Patterson-Howard On the Question: Chairwoman Patterson-Howard explained a city refuse truck hit a car; the City has implemented safety training as a response on the operation of city- owned vehicles Response: None. Ayes: Comptroller Morton, Council President Thompson and Chairwoman Patterson- Howard Nays: None Page 3  Board of Estimate & Contract – Meeting Minutes November 15, 2022 12. Settling the claim of PROGRESSIVE, a/s/o Jeffrey Bennett - $3,550.42. Moved by Comptroller Morton, Seconded by Chairwoman Patterson-Howard On the Question: Chairwoman Patterson-Howard described that this is an old claim in connection with a DPW check striking a vehicle during a snowstorm. She reiterated the safety training the City has implemented. Response: Counsel Johnson noted the need for appropriate parking during storms. Chairwoman Patterson-Howard noted she will “ticket and tow” for cars parked irresponsibly that preclude City vehicles from accessing streets and hydrants. Ayes: Comptroller Morton, Council President Thompson and Chairwoman Patterson-Howard Nays: None TAX REVIEW SETTLEMENTS Chairwoman Patterson Howard makes a motion to take Items 13-21 as a group. Ayes: Comptroller Morton, Council President Thompson and Chairwoman Patterson-Howard. Nays: None. 13. Settling tax review proceedings – 26 SOUTH 13 REALTY, LLC 26 South 13th Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY $593.97. 14. Settling tax review proceedings – 29-31 CORTLAND STREET LLC 29-31 Cortland Street, Mount Vernon, NY - $2,156.40. 15. Settling tax review proceedings – ELM 164 LLC, 164 Elm Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY -- $4,489.75. 16. Settling tax review proceedings – BERNARD & DEAN LEVY, INC., 60 East Sanford Boulevard, Mount Vernon, NY - $7,007.18. 17. Settling tax review proceedings – STAPLES, INC., 275 East Sanford Boulevard, Mount Vernon, NY -- $8,117.59. 18. Settling tax review proceedings - DON REALTY COMPANY 102 East Third Street, Mount Vernon, NY $14,685.66. 19. Settling tax review proceedings – WBT MT. VERNON REALTY, INC. 160 North Macquesten Parkway Mount Vernon, NY -- $14,724.78. 20. Settling tax review proceedings – RENAISSANCE ARMS PROPERTIES CORP. 151 East Prospect Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY - $20,393.06. Page 4  Board of Estimate & Contract – Meeting Minutes November 15, 2022 21. Settling tax review proceedings – EAST SANFORD REALTY, LLC 120 East Sanford Boulevard, Mount Vernon, NY - $38,163.71. Moved by Comptroller Morton, Seconded by Chairwoman Patterson-Howard On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Comptroller Morton, Council President Thompson and Chairwoman Patterson- Howard Nays: None FURTHER BUSINESS: Comptroller Morton noted the Financial Report for the 3rd Quarter was submitted to the Mayor’s office; it is being prepared for the public. Expenditures are below what was projected, and revenues are also slightly up from what was projected. Sales tax revenue has helped, along with additional funding through grants that helped subsidize city expenses. As of this date, the City has paid more than $12 Million dollars in outstanding liabilities in 2022 (settlements, vendor debt, certioraris, etc.). He appealed to Chief Reed to encourage City Departments to submit outstanding expenses and vouchers immediately. The upcoming budget cycle will be difficult. Discussion continued on the MVPD and Local 456 contract costs, along with other pending payments. The Comptroller’s Office is conducting an analysis on overtime. The Comptroller noted the ARPA funding final rules, and changes related to that. Council President Thompson noted the Real Estate Committee Meeting will take place on Friday, November 18th, a date change to accommodate the Thanksgiving holiday. Chairwoman Patterson-Howard noted that CSEA is asking for a retroactive review of their contract back to 2013. She further noted the need to find other sources of revenue rather than reliance on taxpayers. She explained how ARPA funds were expended on resources to benefit the city residents, and noted Mount Vernon was the first city in the state of New York that put $3,000,000 towards its city workers who worked throughout the pandemic. MOTION TO ADJOURN: A motion to adjourn was made by Comptroller Morton. Seconded by Chairwoman Patterson-Howard. A Roll Call was made by Clerk Walters: Ayes: Comptroller Morton, Council President Thompson, and Chairwoman Patterson-Howard. Nays: None There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:10 p.m. Donna M. Jackson, M.Ed., Deputy City Clerk Entered November 15, 2022 Page 5