City Council
Regular MeetingMount Vernon, NY · January 26, 2022
Minutes
A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON CITY COUNCIL HELD
ON WEDNESDAY, JANUAREY 26, 2022. Scheduled for 7:00 pm. In the City Council
Chambers City Hall, Mount Vernon, New York.
*** Due to the ongoing pandemic this meeting was held in the council chambers, with virtual
participation via ZOOM and CMVNY Facebook. The meeting was not closed to the public
however, the maximum number of in-person occupant was limited ***
PRESENT: Danielle Browne Esq., Cathlin Gleason, Edward Poteat
ABSENT: Lisa A. Copeland
PRESIDING: Derrick Thompson, President
OTHERS: Tanesia M. Walters, Deputy City Clerk, Elias Gootzeit, Legislative Assistant and
Brian G. Johnson, Corporation Counsel
Council President Derrick Thompson called the meeting to order and provided house-keeping
rules, including in case of emergency. He then asked councilman Poteat to lead the council in the
Pledge of Allegiance. Council President then proceeded to the Public Speakers session of the
evening (listed below as public comment).
PUBLIC COMMENT
Raymond Copeland - residing at 236 Bedford Avenue, appeared in person. Mr. Copeland
voiced his concerns about the increase of taxes. He hoped that being here tonight speaking about
his concerns about the increase of taxes will convince the council body to not raise taxes. He
owns several properties in Mount Vernon, and he is concerned that he will not be able to keep
his properties if his taxes are raised.
He hopes that the city finds other ways out, instead of coming to the homeowner every time. The
City should seek out grants, and other means as a form of bail out instead of raising taxes every
time. Mr. Copeland stated that he was deputy commissioner of DPW under Mayor Ernie Davis,
and it was one of the hardest jobs he ever did. It was hard to get the DPW employees to represent
the City properly, especially as far as cleanliness was concerned.
He advised that DPW must pick up the garbage properly and dump it properly. The truck must
be equipped with a broom and extra bags for spillage and to clean up any mess. The trucks
should not drive away and leave the mess, they must clean up any spillage from a burse garbage
bag. The trucks are old and filthy, the city’s name on the trucks are barely visible because of the
filth. Other city trucks are clean, and the city’s name is visible. The mechanics that works on the
trucks are not the most competent.
Also, a lot of parts that are ordered for the trucks are not being fully monitored and inventoried
to keep track of the parts. This can cause the parts to go mischievously missing, and the
erroneous creation of invoices for parts. He tried to get an office set up and a policy in place for
parts and inventory but was unsuccessful in doing so. He stressed that it’s imperative for the City
set up a parts department at the DPW lot and assign a person to oversee parts. He proclaimed that
he was not successful in getting that done because there were employees that have been with
DPW way longer than he was, that formed a clique to prevent the set up of a parts department.
He is very pleased to see that the revamp of Memorial fields is in progress. He would like very
much to see the other side of Sanford Blvd., coming up from the Bronx get some attention as
well. He lamented that from the Bronx line all the way up to fifth Avenue, is a disaster, and that
the property on the left is a dumping site. He stated that it doesn’t make sense that the Memorial
Fields side is getting a face lift while the other side is going down the drain. The property on the
Fifth Avenue side should be cleaned up and use according to the code. As far as it goes now it is
being used as a heavy commercial zone and he is sure the code does not support a heavy
commercialized zone.
Council President Comment - Council President Thompson informed the public that because the
meeting started late, he will afford the public an opportunity to speak even if they did not sign up
to speak. He asked repeatedly if anyone would like to speak but receive no response, therefore
the meeting proceed as standard.
The council body responded to Mr. Copeland’s concerns.
REFERRAL SESSION
Roll Call administered by Deputy City Clerk Tanesia M. Walters
HIGHLIGHTED ITEMS FROM THE REFERRAL PACKET
FINANCE AND PLANNING
Read by Councilman Poteat
Item No. 5 (Tally Sheet- on agenda)- Resolution of the City of Mount Vernon City Council
Declaring its Intent to Serve as Lead Agency to the City of Mount Vernon pursuant to the NYS
Environmental Review Act (SEQRA) Notice for purposes of Reviewing the zoning Petition and
Development Application for Library Square.
Councilman Poteat advised that the action the body will be taking is to start the review of the
SEQRA process for the application, the action that is not taken is an approval of this project.
Councilman Poteat emphasized that the council body is starting the conversation which will be
months long conversation, where there will be deep community input on what happens on the
site and the council body looks forward to this process.
Item No. 12 (Tally Sheet- called for) – Architectural Review Board Expedited review of Qwest
Towers. Councilman Poteat advised that he wants to make clear that the council body’s intent is
not to look back on what other previous council members have done, the intent is to be clear that
the council body processes are strong in this process. There were a few recommendations during
the expedited review process, where the building commissioner will need to make sure that what
came from ARB is in the plans. The council wants to be extremely sure that this is indeed the
case. So, this is called for now to make sure that the building commissioner understands that
those recommendations needs to be in the plans.
LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC WORKS
Read by Councilwoman Browne
Item No. 1 (Tally Sheet- for information) – Council woman Browne advised that this is for
changing the name of Columbus avenue. We are researching if we have the authority to change
the name as this is a county street. If the council indeed has the authority to change the name of
the street the council will open the conversation up to the community so the community can
participate in the naming process.
Item No. 11A (Tally Sheet- on agenda) That is a request from the City Marshall to use the City
Hall Rotunda for the viewing of Chairman Lafayette.
PUBLIC SAFETY AND CODES
Read by Councilwoman Gleason
Item No. 4. (Tally Sheet- for information) – Council woman Gleason advised that this is a letter
from written to the Council by the Uniform Fire Fighters Association regarding fire station 4,
located at 9-11 Oak Street. This letter documents the various issues associated with fire station
making it uninhabitable.
REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND ACTION THEREON
To the Council:
The LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC WORKS recommends for ADOPTION the following
entitled legislation:
Item. No. 1 An ordinance authorizing the body of the Honorable Reginald A. LaFayette to lie
in State in the City Hall Rotunda
Item. No. 2 A resolution for Honorable Reginald A. LaFayette
Respectfully submitted,
Danielle Browne, Esq., Chair
Cathlin Gleason, Co-Chair
Received, passed and filed.
Passed by the following vote:
Ayes: President Thompson, councilmembers; Browne, Gleason, Poteat
Nays: None
Absent: councilwoman Copeland
To the Council:
The PUBLIC SAFETY AND CODES recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled
legislation:
Int. No. 3 An ordinance authorizing Community Service Aide, Jeannine Justich, a one-year
leave of absence. (12/15/2021 – 12/15/2022)
Respectfully submitted,
Cathlin Gleason, Chair
Danielle Browne, Esq., Co-Chair
Received, passed and filed.
Passed by the following vote:
Ayes: President Thompson, councilmembers; Browne, Gleason, Poteat
Nays: None
Absent: councilwoman Copeland
To the Council:
The FINANCE AND PLANNING recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled
legislation:
Item No. 4 A Local Law to override the tax levy limit established in General Municipal Law
Section 3-C.
Item No. 5 A resolution of the City of Mount Vernon City Council declaring its intent to
serve as lead agency pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality
Review Act (SEQRA”) notice for purposes of reviewing the zoning petition and
development application.
Item. No. 6 An ordinance authorizing and directing the Comptroller to Refund an
overpayment of 2021 taxes to “Pro National Title Agency”
Respectfully submitted,
Edward Poteat, Chair
Lisa Copeland, Co-Chair
Received, passed and filed.
Passed by the following vote:
Ayes: President Thompson, councilmembers; Browne, Gleason, Poteat
Nays: None
Absent: Councilwoman Copeland
To the Council:
The HUMAN RESOURCES Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled
legislation:
There are no items on the agenda for Human Resources
OTHER COMMENTS
Councilwoman Browne informed the public that she is backing the sentiments of Council
President Thompson in that the Council Body wants to be as transparent as possible. She advised
that there were a few emails about Tally Sheets and work session discussion not being readily
available before the work session. Councilwoman Browne advised that residents should be
advised that the Tally Sheet and referral materials is readily available on the City’s website for
reference.
Councilwoman Gleason expressed gratitude to the council and the city clerk’s office for
honoring former Chairman Reginal A. Lafayette.
Councilman Poteat expressed the same sentiments for the honoring of former Chairman Reginald
A. Lafayette. He emphasized that for Chairman Lafayette to commit forty years of his life as a
public servant, he may not have always got it right, but his commitment and consistency needs to
be lauded.
In closing Council President Thompson in remembrance of former Chairman Reginald A.
Lafayette read the former Chairman’s funeral service arrangements.
Council President Thompson also acknowledged the passing of his cousin Wayne Cowens Sr.,
born and raised in Mount Vernon, he asked to please keep the family in our prayers. He stressed
that we are living in difficult times so it’s a necessity that we are kind to each other because
tomorrow is not promised to anyone.
The council body stood for a moment of silence in remembrance of former Chairman Reginald
A. Lafayette and Wayne Cowens Sr.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
Tanesia M. Walters, J.D., M.P.A
Deputy City Clerk
Agenda
fijl"2 iJal. - i ) (-') Fl: j ':3
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AGENDA
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2022
7:00 PM
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL
MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK
& VIA FACEBOOK.COM/MOUNTVERNONNY
LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC WORKS
AUTHORIZING 1. An ordinance authorizing the body of the Honorable
Reginald A. LaFayette to lie in State in the City Hall
Rotunda.
RESOLUTION 2. A resolution for Honorable Reginald A. LaFayette
PUBLIC SAFETY AND CODES
LEAVE OF 3. An ordinaiice authorizing Comi'nunity Service Aide,
ABSENCE Jeannine Justich, a one-year leave of absence.
(12/15/2021 - 12/15/2022)
FINANCE AND PLANNING
LOCAL LAW NO. I - 2022 A Local Law to override the tax levy limit established
1"' READING in General Municipal Law Section 3-C.
RESOLUTION 5. A resolution of the City of Mount Vernon City
Council declaring its intent to serve as lead agency
pursuant to the New York State Environmental
Quality Review Act (SEQRA") notice for purposes of
reviewing the zoning petition and development
application.
JAN2 6 2022
i AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE BODY
OF THE HONORABLE REGINALD A. LAFAYETTE
TO LIE IN STATE IN THE CITY HALL ROTUNDA.
WHEREAS, by letter dated January 26, 2022, the City Clerk has requested
authorization to allow the body of the Honorable Reginald A. LaFayette to lie in
state iri the City Hall Rotunda on Friday, January 28, 2022 from 12:00 noon to
4:00 p.m.; and
WHEREAS, the Honorable Reginald LaFayette served the City in various
capacities including but not limited to Coinrnissioner of Human Rights, Deputy
Comptroller and later as the City Clerk. He also served as the Chairman of the Mount
Vernon City Democratic Corni'nittee; he began as a District Leader in 1972; NOW,
THEREFORE,
The City of Mount Vernon, in City Council convened, does hereby ordain
and enact:
Section 1. The body of the Honorable Reginald A. LaFayette to lie in
state in the City Hall Rotunda on Friday, January 28, 2022 from 12:00 noon to
4:00 p.m.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect imi'nediately.
Iperson
City Clerk
APPROVED
N 7 2022
o APPROVED
Dept.
Mayor
JAN 2 6 2fl22
C;?
Though your days among us were too bri4 avid our grief at your loss is never ending, we draw
comfort from the knowledge that you have found safe refuge itx the Lord and itx our hearts,
w1'iere/20 darkness or pain cart touch you now. We bless you with a// of our love.
!5ereaff, REGINALD A. LaFAYETTE was bom and educated in Charleston,
South Carolina, before relocating to Mount Vernon, New York in 1972;
and
!5ereag, REGINALD A. LaFAYETTE began his career with the Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company in New York City where he served in various
positions the last of which was Valuation Specialist in the Actuarial
Department. In 1981 he resigned from Metropolitan Life to begin his
progression into municipal goven'unent; and
!5ereaff, REGINALD A. LaFAYETTE dedicated his life to public service. He
started his employment in the City of Mount Vernon as Cornrnissioner
of Human Rights, Deputy Comptroller and later the City Clerk, a
position he held for fifteen years; and
Ifiereaff, REGINALD A. LaFAYETTE was appointed as the Democrattc
Election Cornrnissioner for the Westchester County Board of
Elections in 1999, a position he held for over 20 years and he also
served eight terms as the Chairman of the Westchester County
Democratic Committee from 2004-2020; and
'BE)gereab, REGINALD A. LaFAYETTE has also held the positions of
Executive Chair of the New York State Democratic Committee and
was a member of the Democratic National Cornrnittee. He has
served as a Delegate for the National Democratic Convention for
forn'ier Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2008 and President
Barack Obarna in 2012; and
ffi5ereaff, REGINALD A. LaFAYETTE was the Chairman of the Mount
Vernon City Democratic Cornrnittee; he began as a District Leader
in 1972; and
'fflgereag, REGINALD A. LaFAYETTE has been a Prince Hall Mason since
1983 and a member of Progressive Lodge No. 64 for thirty-five
years; and
ffi5ereag, REGIINALD A. LaFAYETTE has been a member of various civic
offices include: the New York State Election Commissioners
which
Association, Westchester County Democratic Executive Committee,
New York State Committeeman, 84fh AJ), Black Democrats of
Westchester, United States Selective Service Board No. 104, Mount
Vernon Postal Service Board, former Executive Vice-President of the
Mount Vernon Chapter of the NAACP, former Treasurer of the
Independent Citizen's League, Board of Directors of the Mount Vernon
Day Care Center, former President of the Mount Vernon Lion's Club
and Board of Directors of the Westchester Opportunity Program; and
JAN2 6 2022
C)? !l)ereaff, REGINALD A. LaFAYETTE has been honored by the Westchester
Young Democrats, Westchester Community Opportunity Program,
Mount Vemon Democratic City Committee, Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority, Westchester Black Women's Political Caucus, and the
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The
United Black Clergy of Westchester honored him with the Martin
Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award and Westchester Black
Democrats for his public service work; and
"@l)ereaff, REGINALD A. LaFAYETTE is the father of two children: one son, Jahi
and one daughter, Deidra and a sister, Andrea Matthews; and
!'f)erean, REGINALD A. LaFAYETTE was a burst of energy. His legacy of faith
and service will continue to inspire loved ones who were touched by his
generous spirit and kindness; be it
ies'o[kieh, that the City Council, on behalf of the citizens of the City of Mount
Vernon, that we as a community will mourn with the family and continue
the great work of REGINALD A. LaFAYF,TTE.
Councilperson
yAPPROVEDAS,T(,,#C)QM THISORDINANCE
AssistantCorporatJ6"nC,6unsel President
9i
City Clerk
APPROVED
N2 2022
CU
o APPROVED
Dept.
Mayor
JAN 2 6 2fl22
a)
JAN 2 6 2022
LOCAL LAW NO! 1-2022
A AL LAW TO OVERRIDE THE TAX LEVY LIMIT ESTABLISHED IN
QC;L
G MUNICIPAL LAW SECTION 3-C.
I
Be it enacted by the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon in the County
of estchester in the State of New York, as follows:
Section 1. Legislative Intent.
,The New York State Comptroller recently released the "2 Percent Tax Cap"
fi for the budget year 2022 and advised the City of Mount Vernon that the tax cap,
in actuality, will be 2.0%. The City of Mount Vernon acknowledges that it is vitally
important to use the taxes of the City in a fiscallyresponsiblemanner and it is necessary
to keep the tax levy on the property taxpayers to a minimum amount, especially in
ecorxomically hard times. However, the financial position of the City determines that
the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget may require a tax levy increase that is greater than that
allowl
edItbyisGtheeneirnatlenMtuonf'thi'psa to overridethe limit on the amountof real
property taxes that may be levied by the City of Mount Vernon, County of Westchester,
Stat6 of New York, pursuant to General Municipal Law §3-c, and to allow the City of
Mount Vernon to adopt a budget for (a) City purposes and (b) any other special or
pimroppr,eolvwemtaeXnlte:,,ovl.enrneeXdcebs
tol:etlCleitJtaCxolueWncilll.
mfoI,t,haesfidse:anleydeba
Section 2. Authority.
The local law is adopted pursuant to subdivision 5 of Genpral Manicipal Law
§3 wl'iich expressly autliorizes the City Council to override the tax le% limit by the
aon of a local law approved by vote of sixty' percent (60%) of the Ci'%Council.
Section 3. Tax Levy Limit Override.
is herebyauthornzed
TheCity Councilof theCity of MountiVernon toadopt
a
' budget
forthefiscal
year alrealproperty
2022thatrequires taxlevyiriffixcess
ofthe
limi specified in General Municipal Law, §3-c.
JAN 2 G 2022
'7' Section 4. Severability.
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this Local Law or the
LOCAL application thereof to any person, fin'n or corporation, or circumstance, shall be
I /klAf
adjusted by any court of competent juiisdiction to be invalid or unconstihitional, such
FIRST
READING order of judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall
be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of
this Local Law or in its application to the person, individual, firm or corporation or
ctrcumstance, directly involved in the controversy in which such judginent or order
shall be rendered.
Section 5. Effective Date.
This Local Law shall be operative upon its approval by the City Council and
j
shall take effect imi'nediately upon filing in the office of the New York State Secretary
of Skate.
PLEASE TAI(E NOTICE TO THE EXTENT THAT THIS LOCAL LAW MAY
CONFLICT WITH APPLICABLE PORTIONS OF THE GENERAL CITY LAW OF
THE ST ATE OF NEW YORI(, IT IS THE ST ATED INTENTION OF THE CITY TO
' EXEfRCISE ITS AUTHORITY TO SUPERSEDE AND AMEND, AS GRANTED
UNI,ER THE MUNICIP AL HOME RULE LAW OF THE ST ATE OF NEW YORK,
SECTION 10. THE CITY HEREBY PROVIDES NOTICE THAT IT IS
EXERCISING ITS AUTHORITY TO SUPERSEDE AND AMEND PURSUANT TO
m'5tctpht HOME RULE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SECTION 22.
I
Date
APPROVED
BY
Mayor
JAN 2 6
A RESOULUTION OF THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON
CITY COUNCIL DECLARING ITS INTENT TO SERVE
AS LEAD AGENCY PURSUANT TO THE NEW YORK ST ATE
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REVIEW ACT ("SEQRA") NOTICE
FOR PURPOSES OF REVIEWING THE ZONING PETITION AND
DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION
WHEREAS, 20 S. 2nd Square CMV, LLC ("Petitioner") and the City of
Mount Vernon entered into a Land Disposition Agreement dated July 2, 2021
("LDA"), in connection with the development of approximately 340,0000 square
feet of mixed residential development and other amenities, including, 320 mixed
market rate and affordable housing, and 18,000 square feet of non-residential
community space ("Development Application"); and
WHEREAS, as part of said Development Application, Applicant is seeking
to rezone approximately forty-one (41) tax parcels of property near 1 Roosevelt
Square North, including certain City owned parcels, as included in its Zoning
Petition submitted to and filed with the City Council, as part of a Downtown Transit
Oriented Arts District ("Zoning Petition"); and
WHEREAS, Petitioner, pursuant to the LDA, agreed to conduct a full
enviroru'nental review in coru'iection with and pursuant to the State Environmental
Quality Review Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder in connection with
its De:velopment Application; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has exclusive jurisdiction with respect to
making a determination of Applicant's Zoning Petition,
I 1 ..
I
, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby
ideclares its intent to seek to act as Lead Agency for this Application,
under SEQRA
and directs that all other involved or interested agencies be furnished a copy of this
Resolution, the materials thus far submitted by Petitioner, and a Lead Agency
Mailing Notice, and that they be asked to indicate whether they object to the City
Council acting as Lead Agency. i
ADOPTED B'f CIT\ COUNCIL
(%l U! (0
3- -a.i -o
o
c
o APPROVED
C/)
a
Dept.
Mayor
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