City Council

A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON CITY COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 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: Lisa A. Copeland, Danielle Browne Esq., Cathlin Gleason, Edward Poteat ABSENT: None PRESIDING: Derrick Thompson, President OTHERS: Tanesia M. Walters, 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 SCOPING HEARING Public Hearing Notice read by Clerk Walters. Presentation by Applicant’s attorney Brad Schwartz, Commissioner of Planning James Rausse, and Kenan Bigby, *Members of the public commented on the public scoping. PUBLIC COMMENT Nelda Basel- residing at 407 North Macquestan, Mount Vernon, NY, appeared in person. She is the president of We Run Mount Vernon spoke about the third annual Turkey Trot Thanksgiving Day in Mount Vernon, she describes the plan for the vent and request the council bod’s approval, she stated that this will be an annual event. Patricia Richards – Address Not Disclosed, Mount Vernon, NY – appeared via zoom. Again, addressing homelessness in Mount Vernon, and if the council have addressed this situation as she has spoken so many times about it. She noticed that the citizen’s concerns are not mentioned on the agenda, nor there is no follow up statement. She also gave her opinion on councilmembers comments. The sustainability fee that was implemented to keep the city clean, has not really done so based on her observation, The City is not up to par each time she drives through it is worst than before. Also, why is the City spending more money on charter school than public schools. Geoff Monroe – Address not disclosed, Mount Vernon, Ny – appeared again to make a demand to the council body to ask for simple resource, regarding a media center. Denise Williams -residing at 141 Archer Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY, - appeared in person She stressed her concerns about the increase taxes and fees charged to her and fellow residents and they cannot afford it. Brian Johnson – Corporation Counsel for the City of Mount Vernon - appeared in person. He spoke about the building of the scoping project being secure and protected from any mishaps. He also spoke about the landlords who does not upkeep their building and the litigation around that. The council body responded to the speakers’ concerns REFERRAL SESSION Roll Call administered by City Clerk Tanesia M. Walters 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 granting permission to Grace Baptist Church to conduct a special event "Resource Fair" at 52 South 6- Avenue. Item No. 2 An ordinance proclaiming May 15-21, 2022, as National Public Works Week ("NPWW"). Item No. 3 An ordinance authorizing the Department of Public Works to purchase new vehicles using ARPA Funds - Ford Interceptors for the Sanitation Bureau (NYS OGS Contract PC69148 - $195,646.00). Item No. 4 An ordinance authorizing the transfer of funds within the Department of Public Works for computer equipment ($5,536.00 - Budget Codes: 1440.401 and 1490.203). Item No. 5 An ordinance declaring an emerger4cy situation for the temporary external air conditioning unit at the City Court Facility ($52,204.95 - ARPA and H1620.203.C930). Item No. 6 An ordinance authorizing the Department of Public Works to purchase new equipment - Stump Cutter (FY2021 Expenditure Codes: A7111.203 & A7111.447 - $65,583.27) Item No. 7 An ordinance authorizing and directing the Comptroller to make payment to Clark Equipment Co. dba Bobcat Company for the purchase of a Skid Steer Loader ($46,868.80 - FY2021 Expenditure Code A5142.428). Item No. 8 An ordinance authorizing and directing the Comptroller to make payment to Falcon Road Maintenance Equipment LLC for the purchase of a "Hot Box Trailer" ($27,757.00-FY2021 Expenditure Code A51102.447) Item No. 9 An ordinance approving specifications and requesting advertising for bids for "cleaning/maintenance of various city-owned buildings in the City of Mount Vernon, New York, in accordance with specifications" (Budget Code A1620.442) Item No. 10 An ordinance approving specifications and requesting advertising for bids for "42 West Broad Street" - ADA improvements, signal upgrades, and pavement marking improvements within the City of Mount Vernon, New York - 2022 Item No. 11 An ordinance authorizing the Department of Public Works to condemn and dispose of thirteen (13) city owned vehicles and accept funds for the disposal thereof (2022FY Revenue Code A2650) Item No. 12 A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, NY to facilitate the continuation of hybrid meetings. 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, Copeland Nays: None Absent: None To the Council: The HUMAN RESOURCES Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: Item. No. 13 An ordinance authorizing the Mayor to accept 2021 funding from New York State ("NYS") Office of General Services ($10,000.00 - Revenue Code A3710) Item No. 14 An ordinance authorizing the Mayor to accept 2020 funding from New York State ("NYS") Office of General Services ($10,000.00 - Revenue Code A3710) Item No. 15 An ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Albert B. Allen dba Chef B's Table ($10,000.00 - Revenue Code A73 16.405 - STRONG Program) Item No. 16 An ordinance adopting the City of Mount Vernon, New York Abuse and Misconduct Prevention Policy Item No. 17 An ordinance authorizing the transfer of funds from the Human Resources Appropriations to Employee Benefits Appropriations, the Employee Assistance Program ("EAP") - ($6,000 from the following Budget Codes: A1432.417, A1432.447 and A1432.401) Respectfully submitted, Lisa Copeland, Chair Edward Poteat, Co-Chair Received, passed and filed. Passed by the following vote: Ayes: President Thompson, councilmembers; Browne, Gleason, Poteat, Copeland Nays: None Absent: None To the Council: The PUBLIC SAFETY AND CODES recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: Item No. 18 An ordinance granting permission for one (1) member of service of the Police Department to attend FBI Evidence Response Team Basic Crime Scene Investigation Course (June 13th to June 17, 2022). Item No. 19 An ordinance granting permission to four (4) members of service of the Police Department to attend 911 Diversion Training Course (May 20, 2022). Item No. 20 An ordinance authorizing the Mayor to extend an agreement with Thompson Reuters ($18,357.60 - Budget Code: A3120.416, Technology Upgrades; January 1, 2022 - December 31, 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, Copeland Nays: None Absent: None To the Council: The FINANCE AND PLANNING recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: Item No. 21 An ordinance authorizing the reallocation of funds within the Department of Planning and Community Development and requesting permission to create the position of "Associate Commissioner of Planning" - (Budget Code A8020.101 - $105,433.00) Respectfully submitted, Edward Poteat, Chair Lisa Copeland, Co-Chair Received, passed and filed. Passed by the following vote: Ayes: HELD Nays: HELD Absent: None OTHER BUSINESS/COMMENTS Council President Thompson asked that we keep the family of Sharonda Rogers who passed away suddenly, also keep our people and their parents in our prayers There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:14 p.m. Tanesia M. Walters, J.D., M.P.A City Clerk