City Council

UNT CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021 7:00 PM CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CITY HALL MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK & VIA FACEBOOK.COM/MOUNT VERNONNY HUMAN RESOURCES RESOLUTION 1. A resolution in recognition of a random act of kindness. PUBLIC SAFETY AND CODES EXECUTE 2. An ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into an DOCUMENTS agreemen( W!ttl IA-PrO. (Police Department Computer Software Program) AMENDMENT 3. A resolution amending Resolution No. 14 adopted November 24, 2020 entitled "RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK STOP THE ITCHY FINGER" FINANCE AND PLANNING LOCAL LAW 4. A local law to override the tax levy limit established in 2ND READING General Municipal Law §3-C. RETENTION 5. An ordinance authorizing the City of Mount Vernon to adopt SCHEDULE the Retention and Disposition Schedule for New York Local Government Records (LGS-I ). EXEMPTIONS 6. An ordinance pursuant to New York State Governor's REAL PROPERTY' Executive Order 202.83 relating to renewal of exemptions TAXLAW pursuant to Real Property Tax Law Sections 467 and 459-C for tax year 2021. ANNUAL 7. An ordinance adopting the Annual Budget for the Year 2021. BUDGET oEB2 4 2021 IN RECOGNITION OF A RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS A RESOLUTION WHEREAS, Victoria Ryer is a loving mother of two; and WHEREAS, Victoria Ryer on Februaty 7, 2021, came across a homeless person sitting on a park bench covered with snow in freezing cold temperatures, and couldn't just walk-a-way; and WHEREAS, Victoria rather than continue about her day, decided to act; immediately turned to Facebook where she rallied her friends and family to donate what they could to assist in sheltering the gentleman who later identified himself as "Darrel" and unbeknownst to Victoria, her post would touch the hearts of hundreds of Moiu'it Vernon residents; and within 3 hours, was able to raise over $800 dollars which, as it Victoria turned out, was enough to house the man in a hotel for a week and supply him with much-needed food and other essentials; and Victoria's humble act, in the midst of a pandemic, may have WHEREAS, saved this man's life, despite experiencing her own hardships, but she understood that she was no better than him and chose to help her neighbor; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, Council of the City of Mount Vernon, NY by its members: The Honorable The City President Marcus A. Griffith; Honorable Coiu'icilwoman Lisa A. City Council City Councilman; Honorable City Coiu'icilwoman Delia M. Copeland; Honorable Farquharson; Honorable Councilman Derrick Thompson; and Honorable Councilwoman Janice Duarte; do hereby 1. Appreciate acts of kindness in our city by residents who act for the common good without expecting any recognition; and 2. Appreciate Daniel Terg, City of Mount Vernon Communications the special conduct of Victoria Ryer to the attention of the Director for bringing City Coiu'icil; and VICTORIA RYER for her random act of kindness despite 3. Acla'iowledge during the pandemic; and because she always shows up not her own hardships only for her family but her community as well. ,J', C%J -ri n'i City Clerk o yOVE;021 Date APPROVED Dept. Mayor FEB2 4 2021 C;? AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH IAPRO. WHEREAS, by letter dated February 3, 2021, the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety has requested legislation authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with IAPro - the Computer Software Program utilized by the Internal Affairs Unit at the annual cost of $2,164.86; NOW, THEREFORE, The City of Mount Vernon, in City Council convened, does hereby ordain and enact: Section 1. The Mayor is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with IAPro - the Computer Software Program utilized by the Internal Affairs Unit at the annual cost of $2,164.86. Section 2. Cost for the aforesaid in an amount not to exceed $2,164.86 is available in Budget Code A3 120.449 (Investigations and Trials), Police Department 2021 Budget. Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect upon its approval by the Board of Estimate & Contract. 'counci !jperson - : ROVE[!I AS'T,Q FORM 1S4D ANCE 'r0 )} BY C ¥ cox I fAssistant irz i Counsel w ah President 3t : l/, c o in CL o E o APPROVED APPFIOVED Dept. Mayor FE8 2 4 2(121 RESOLUTION N0. 14 ADOPTED NOVEMBER A RESOLUTION AMENDING "RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF 24, 2020 ENTITLED MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK STOP THE ITCHY FiNGER." OF GOD testified before the Mount Whereas, ALI TOMMY GUEST [JESS] of GUNZ 28, 2020 to describe an initiative that he has Vernon City Council on October called "Stop the Itchy Finger" (STIF); and advocated for several years of the STIF FLYERS that Mr. [Jess] Whereas, SYLVIA GIBBS testified in support produced and distributed; and expressed its support for the initiative; and Whereas, the City Council publicly humans suffer from- using guns to temporarily Whereas, ITCHY FINGER is a disease someone, causing injury or death; and empower themselves by shooting initiated consciousness raising gun usage Whereas, "Stop the Itchy Finger" is a citizen Vernon City Council wishes to adopt; and concept that the Mount tool to combat gun violence; just as a Whereas, a sign can be useful as a psychological STOP sign prevents car accidents; and a suggestion to humanity to Stop Gun Usage Whereas, each letter of the sign provides amongst each other; and Council of the City of Mount Vernon, NY by its members: NOW, THEREFORE, The City President Lisa A. Copeland; Honorable City Councilman The Honorable City Council Delia M. Farquharson; Honorable Marcus Griffith; Honorable City Councilwoman Honorable Councilwoman Janice Duarte; do Councilman Derrick Thompson; and hereby City of Mount Vernon should produce an appropriate 1) Direct that the Mayor of the sign in the shape of a Stop sign that has the City produced version of an actual "STOP" that would appear on the usual shaped word "STIF" in place of the word in smaller type above the traffic sign; and the words "STOP THE ITCHY FINGER" with a gun barrel in place of a hand with a word "STIFF" with a graphic of a hand the middle, as depicted on the pointer finger with a red circle and a line through Referral # 17 of the City Council Meeting to flyer provided to the City Council at be Held on November 12, 2020; and to produce sufficient quantities of the sign as a City produced 2) Direct the Mayor on City-owned posts used for city owned traffic notice and place them strategically Vernon as suggested by the testimony of the signage around the City of Mount who came before this body on October 28'h, 2020. citizens New Matter Underlined Deleted Matter in Brackets [] Cnr7)x-4ouncUllpersosb NANC Assistant Corporation Counsel o o o City Clerk o o APPROVED 21 (1)- -a) APPROVED Dept. BY 3  FEB! 0 2D21 FIRST RE,AD!NG LOCAL L6W N0. 1 0F 2021 It A LOCAL LA\X/' -r 0 0VERRIDE THE TAX J,EVY LJMIT ESTABLISHED IN (.HNERAL MUNICIPAL J,AW SECTION 3-C FEB Be it enacted by the CityCouncil in ofWestchester intheCounty Vernon oftheCityofMount the State of New York, as follows: Section 1. Legislative Intent (I l- .d 4- - - l-, recently released the "2 Perccnt Tax Cap" figures for the Tlie New Yoi'k State Comptroller City of Mount Vetnon that the tax cap, iii actuality, will be budget year 2021and advised tlic acknowledges that it is vitany ii'nportant to use the taxes of 1.56!"o. Tlie City of Mount Vcrnon the propertr the Cit5riii a fIiscallyresponsible manner and it is necessai'yto keep the tax levy on the financial taxl':iayersto a rniniinum amount, especiallyiii econon'iically liard tiines. However, levy inci:ease position of the Cit5rdeteriniiaesthat the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget may require a tax tliat is greater than tliat allowed b')rGenetal Municipal Law S3-C. taxes It is tlie intent of this Local J,aw to override tlie liinit on tlie amount of i:eal liroperty of Moruit Vernon, County of Wcstclicster, State of New York, tl'iat may be lcvicd )yy tlic City Law '5, 3-c, and to allow the City of Mount Vernon to adopt a pursuant to Gcneral Municipal and i) any odqcr special or iinprovemcnt governcd by the City budget for (a) City purposes that requires a real ptopei:ty tax levy in excess of tlie "tax levy Council for the fiscal year 2021 liinit" as defined by Gciieral A/fui'iicipalLaw !S3-c. Section 2. Autliority 3-c, Tliis local law is adolited pursuant to subdivision 5 of General Municipal Law § wl'iich expressly autliotizes tlic City Council to override the tax leverliii'iit by tlie lyy vote of sixty percent (60"/o) of tlie City Council. adoption of a local law approved t .Xa ,i-11,  FEB j 0 202? FIRST-, REA,DING Section 3. Tax Lev-i ):,itiiit Ovcttidc Tlie City Council of tlic Citlr of Mount Vernon is hereby arithorized to adopt a budget for [( the fiscal year 2021 tliat requires a real propctty tax levy iii excess of the U+nit specified FEB2 * 2021 in Gcnctal Municip;tl Law, %':+-c. Sla- CU': -'D 'jl :i .." 'i 'i l" !a-,. Section 4. Severability. If any clause, scntcncc, paragi:apli, subdivision, or patt of this I,ocal Law or tlte application tliereof to any person, firm or corpotation, or circumstance, sliall be adjusted Liy any corirt of con"ipctent juriscliction to be invzilid oi: unconstitutional, sucl'i otdet or judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remaiiider thereof, but sliall be confiiied in its opcration to tlie clause, sentence, pai:agrapli, subdivision, or part of this Local Law oi' ii'i its application to the person, individual, fu:m or coi-poration or circumstance, directly involvcd in the controversy in wliicli sucli judgment or order shall lye rcndered. Section 5. Effective date. Tl'us Local Law sliaJl Rye opetative upot'i its approval by tlie City corincil and sliall take effect ii'nmediately IIPOII filing in tlic office of the New York Statc Secretai'yof State. PLEASE TAI<B NOTICE TO TH:L', EXTENT THAT THIS LOCAJ, LAW MAY CONFLICT WITH -'kPLICy'!.BLE PORTIONS OF THE GENERAL CITY LA '$v' OF -r HE ST-'1-L-E OF NEW YORK, l-r IS THE Sal-.'-ITED INTENTION ()F THE CITY TO EXERCISE rrS A[TTHORI-JY TO SL'!PERSEDE AND AMEND, AS GRANTED UNDER THE MUNICIPAL F-R')ME RULE LAW OF -['HE STATE OF NEW YORI<, SECTION 10. TF-[E CITY HEREBY PROVIDES NOTICE T}LAT IT IS EXERCISING ITS .alUTHORIlY TO SUPERSLEDE AND j'iMEND I)URStTANT TO MUNICIPAL HOME RUI,E LAW OF THE STATE C)F NE\'V' YOl'lI( SECTION 22. A / V.I I AAk Assi6tanKorporation Co-unsel c o a 9ai o E / City Clerk o o APPROVED APPROVED Date Dept. By Mayor FEB2 4 202'f S AN ORDINANCE AUTHORZING THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON TO ADOPT THE RETENTION AND DISPOSITION SCHEDULE FOR NEW YORK LOCAL GOVERNMENT RECORDS (LGS-1). WHEREAS, by letter dated February 5, 2021, the Grants & Partnership Compliance Officer has requested legislation authorizing the City of Mount Vernon adopt the Retention and Disposition Schedule for New York Local Governrnent Records (LGS-l) (attached) as the official retention and destruction schedule pursuant to Article 57-A of the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law and containing legal minimum retention periods for local govemrnent for use by all City staff in the disposition of valueless records listed; and WHEREAS, the adoption of this ordinance in accordance with Article 57-A will include: * Only those records will be disposed of that are described in Retention and Disposition Schedule for New York Local Government Records (LGS-l), after they have met the minimum retention periods described therein; and * Only those records will be disposed of that do not have sufficient administrative, fiscal, legal or historical value to merit retention beyond established legal minimum periods; and WHEREAS, the adoption of this schedule supersedes and replaces the MU-l Schedule previously adopted in 1995 (revised 2003); and WHEREAS, the LGS-l and the MU-1 expired as of January 1, 2021 and it is necessary for the City to adopt this schedule prior to using it. Local governrnents are prohibited from destroying government records unless the LGS-1 is formally adopted; NOW, THEREFORE, The City of Mount Vernon, in City Council convened, does hereby ordain and enact: Section 1. The City of Mount Vernon hereby adopts the Retention and Disposition Schedule for New York Local Government Records (LGS-l) (attached) as the official retention and destniction schedule pursuant to Article 57-A of the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law and containing legal minimum retention periods for local governrnent for use by all City staff in the disposition of valueless records listed. Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect immediately. Assistant Corporation Counsel o C/) 3: o o o LL APPROVED Dept. Mayor  DIGIT COLLECTIONS GRANTS & AWARDS MANAG NG RECORD /records/man RESEARCH (/research/researcher-services-overview)WORKSHOPS (/workshops) News New schedule LGS-I Retention and Disposition Schedule for New York Local Government Records arrives August 1, 2020 Thursday, May 21, 2020 The State Archives is revising and consoLidating its Local government disposition schedules and issuing a single, comprehensive records retention and governments on August xst, 2020. The new retention schedule for aLLtypes schedule, of Local YorkLoca( GovernmentRecordsor Retention and Disposition Schedule LGS-I, will supersede for New and replace: * CO-2 Schedule for use by counties (2006), * MU-:t Schedute for use by cities, towns, villages, and fire districts (;oo3), * Ml-z Schedu(e for use by miscellaneous local governments (2006), and * EO-zSchedu!eforusebyschooLdistricts,BOCES,CountyVocationa(EducationandExtension Boards, and Teacher Resource and Computer Training Centers (2004) Local governments must adopt LGS-I prior to utiLizing the CO-2, MU-x, Ml-z, or ED-x it, even if they adopted and have ScheduLes. Governing boards of been using month period - between August local governments wiLL have a five- xst, 2020 when LGS-i is issued and existing schedules expire - to adopt the Schedule January ist, 2021 when the four the State Archives' website). Local by resolution (a model resolution government is available on 2020 unless the LGS-1 is formally records may not be Legalty destroyed adopted. There is no need to notify after the end of adoptions, but Local governments the State Archives oT LGS-i should keep a record of the date resolution permanently. of adoption and maintain the The organization and formatting of the LGS-'x is similar to the existing names have be'en retained. Because four schedules. Section heading of the consoLidation, the LGS-z contains more sections. government can ignore those that are not Local applicable. As with previous schedules, items that are new nOur smi!neifi,chaonwtLeyVreervitsheeduhnalvqeuebeneunmibnedricsaotfetd,eEafocuh cross referencing. In addition, each scheduLe item contains the record series title and description, retention period, and any notes. A copy of the LGS-i will be avaiLabLe on the State Archives website resourceswillincludealistofthemaiorrevisions on August 'xst.Additional onLine introduce the LGS-i. LocaL governments IatotheScheduleandawebinarseriesto are encouraged to check the State Archives website periodically for LGS-i news and updates. By consoLidating multiple, disparate retention schedules, retention and disposition the LGS-1 heLpsto ensure consistent guidance for records that are common to various local governments. It also  makes it easier to apply revisiora=,necessitated affect retention. by changes to Laws ' "'gulations or other mandates that From the New York State Archives - http://www,archives.nysed.gov About Us (/about/abouj-nysa) " Corljqct Us (/directoriers/iqdex,sjltr41) FindinqAlds (http://larchives,nysed.qov/xtf/search?'i News (/news), Site Map (/about/site-map) Search(http://www.archives,nysed,qov/search-results'i NewYor3Arc5ivesMagazine(https://www.nysarct")ivestrust.org/n,py=yotk-archives-magqzms), 4rchives Partnership Tr[lSt (http://www,nysarchivestrust,orq) NewYorkStateHistoricalRecordsAdvisoryBoard (http://www.archives.nveed,qov/shrab) Office of Cultural Education (http://www.qce.nvsed,qovQ New York State Educatiorl Depatjment (http://www.nysed,qov/) New York State (http://www,nv,qov/) Privacy Policy (http://www.nysed,gov/pnvagv-policy) Terms of Use (http://www-nysedgov/term3-of-use) AcCessibilit9 (http://WWW,n7sed.qov/terms-of-tlBB#Accessibility) (http://www,nysed,qoy) lhe New York State Archives is part of the Office of Cultural Education, an office of the New York State Education Department. To report technical problems with this web site, please contact the New York StateArchives at archinfg@nys,ed,4ov (mailto:archinfo@,rlysed.qov) FEB2 4 2021 AN ORDINANCE PURSUANT TO NEW YORK ST ATE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER 202.83 RELATING TO RENEWAL OF EXEMPTIONS PURSUANT TO REAL PROPERTY TAX LAW SECTIONS 467 AND 459-C FOR TAX YEAR 2021. WHEREAS, on December 28, 2020, the Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law the COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2020 (the "Law55); and WHEREAS, in the interest of the health and safety of the public amidst the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, Subpart D of the Law mandates that every governing body of an assessing unit and local assessor shall automatically extend to the 2021 assessment roll the renewal of the exemptions received on the 2020 assessment roll pursuant to sections 467 and 459-c of the Real Property Tax Law, relating to persons age sixty-five and older and for certain persons with disabilities and limited income; and WHEREAS, recognizing that eligibility status for the applicable exemptions may have changed, potentially resulting in a greater tax benefit for the property owner, Subpart D also stipulates that the local assessor shall make available and process renewal applications from property owners having experienced a decrease in income or some other qualifying event that would result in a greater exemption than what was present on the 2020 assessment roll; and WHEREAS, because certain changes in eligibility status may altematively result in a reduced exemption benefit, Subpart D further provides that such governing body may adopt a resolution including procedures by which the assessor may require a renewal application to be filed when she/he has reason to believe that an owner who qualified for the exemption on the 2020 assessment roll may have since changed his or her primary residence, added another owner to the deed, transferred the property to a new owner, or died; and WHEREAS, to support equitable distribution of the property tax burden, staff recommends that the City Council members exercise the local option to adopt a resolution authorizing the assessor to require a renewal application when she has reason to believe that a property owner no longer qualifies for an exemption granted on the 2020 assessment roll, pursuant to the following procedure: FEB2 % 2021 In response to a change in eligibility status observed by or reported to the City Assessor, she shall: 1. Provide a renewal application to the property owner of record either electronically or by US. mail; 2. Require the application to be returned irt-person, by U.S. Mail, or electrortically, by a date certain, and in no case later than May 1, 2021, such that any change in exemption status is properly reflected on the 2022 assessmentroll; 3. Verify the completeness and accuracy of any returned application and make any necessary property tax exemption modification irx comection with a change in eligibility; and 4. Provide notice to the owner of record of any change in exemption eligibility status. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Mount Vernon City Council hereby authorizes the City Assessor, subject to the procedure outlined herein, to require in her reasonable discretion that a renewal application be filed by any on the 2021 assessment roll who may have since changed his or her primary residence, added another owner to the deed, transferred the property to a new owner, or died. [)B'(Cli:Y o o City Clerk APPROVED Dept. Mayor r FEB2 s 2021 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2021 WHEREAS, on Januai.7 20, 2021, the Boatd of Estimate and Conli:act directed that the 2021 be subinitted to the City Council, which said Estimate was Annual Estimate fot the yeai: submitted to and received by tis Citr Council; and WHEREAS, on January28, 2021 and on Februar710, 2021, the City Council held a heating and extended the opportunity of being heard in refei'ence to said Estffiate to public those persons who w'shed to be heard; NOW, THEREFORE, Vernon, in the City Council convened, does liereby ordain and The Ciq of Mount enact: Annual Estimate for the year 2021, subinitted by the Boatd of Section 1. Tlie Estimate and Conti:act, is heteby adopted as follows: (attached budget) Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect immeiately. 7/ ' TO FORM ".- APPF ( ". ="""j'fiX/ ¥sj! (!V1V41' 'l Assistant Corporation Counsel o o City Clerk APPROVED Cm @)a) x> APPROVED €t) .. 2a) t §, Dept. 01 Mayor )O