City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS – ROOM 206 CITY HALL, MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK & VIA FACEBOOK.COM/MOUNTVERNONNY A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF THE MOUNT VERNON CITY COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY, December 28, 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 occupants was limited *** PRESENT: Derrick Thompson, Danielle Browne, Esq., Lisa A. Copeland, Cathlin Gleason and Edward Poteat ABSENT: None PRESIDING: Derrick Thompson, President OTHERS: Tanesia M. Walters, City Clerk; Donna M. Jackson, Deputy City Clerk; Brian G. Johnson, Corporation Counsel, Alyssa Gillespie, Assistant Corporation Counsel CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President Derrick Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:02pm. Thompson reiterated there was public notice twice for public hearing. He provided general house-keeping rules, including encouraging citizens to share the meeting on social media and what to do “in case of emergency”. Council President Thompson asked Gleason to lead the council in the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC PRESENTATION Resolutions presented to Marion Archer – read by Danielle Browne, Mekiyah Knox – read by Cathlin Gleason, and Mark “Coach Sparx” Murray – read by Derrick Thompson. Councilwoman Copeland noted the upcoming MVHS basketball games PUBLIC COMMENT Terrence Horton – 12 East 3rd Street. Presented a reception journal book from the opening of the McKissack Office opening on Third Street. A photo was taken to commemorate the presentation. Meleia Jones – residing at 409 South Fulton Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY. Discussed asking for help regarding residential parking of commercial trucks – no one in the running trucks; police get called but City Council Meeting Agenda December 28, 2022 people are not in the trucks. For over a year we have called police – a sticker from city council asked trucks not to park there. Someone in MVPD said the council needs to write legislation, then MVPD could enforce it. Right now they cannot park from 206am, but they do it anyway. 2 large trucks were parked blocking hydrants and were not issued tickets. It’s a safety hazard. If fire trucks cannot get to us that will be bad. Can council post signs and council create legislation? MVPD said we don’t have a system in place to tow and store them. Over by Macquesten they are abandoning the trucks. Kathy Brewington – residing at 254 South 2nd Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY. Gave thanks to the Council for the work we have done. She wanted to bring attention to foreclosure properties and the process – She suggests city owned homes be made available on a monthly listing for first time homeowners. Proposes city council go into formal relationship with an organization to do quarterly financial workshop. Wants to ensure investors do not come in to flip properties, have minimum residence requirement of at least 5 years. We need to increase home ownership. People are being priced out of the market. On her block there are burnt out buildings. People wanting to move in see the whole neighborhood. The youth riding the mopeds brought the moped inside the house and it burnt the house down on 4th and Fulton. We are a city of homes lets prove it. Jenna Cain, Sunrise of Westchester – (speaker does not reside in Mount Vernon, NY). Represents youth-led Sunrise Center, main goal is a green new deal and eradicating injustice and increasing green jobs. Wants to discuss youth climate action demands and creating a clean energy community. She worked on sustainable MV report. She asked the Council to register to be a climate smart community, they provide grants, the council would have to pass a resolution. Second ask is more long-term. City must create a CSE task force with a youth representative. Irwin Billy – residing at 157 Ellwood Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY. NOT HERE Axel Aberman – residing at 61 Magnolia Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY. Here tonight to ask about legislation, regarding retail limitation – believes it is misguided. The city should not be the arbiter of who the businesses should be. Who determines what we like and don’t like? It is extremely arbitrary. He noted the way the legislation was introduced was strange. What is the role of the IDA? Why isn’t this coming through the planning department? Why is the IDA doing this. This legislation will affect property owners and businesses. RESPONSES The Councilmembers responded to the constituents. REFERRAL SESSION Roll Call administered by City Clerk Tanesia M. Walters at 6:17 pm. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND ACTION THEREON To the Council: The LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC WORKS Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC WORKS EMERGENCY 1. An ordinance requesting payment to Everardo SITUATION AND Goday Landscaping in the amount of $10,000.00 REQUEST FOR for the removal of debris from a vacant City-owned PAYMENT property (($10,000.00 - Funding for this request is available through the Expense on City Owned Property: Expense on Property Acquired for Taxes - A1364.466). Moved by Browne, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None TRANSFER 2. An ordinance requesting permission to transfer OF FUNDS funds within the Department of Management Services ($79,815.00 from A1680.101, IT Specialist, Public Safety – unused salary line to A1680.203 – Equipment). Moved by Browne, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: Copeland asked why the items were being approved retroactively. Page 2 City Council Meeting Agenda December 28, 2022 Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None RETROACTIVE 3. An ordinance requesting retroactive permission for PERMISSION the Department of Management Services to purchase 150 desktops ($123,322.50 are available in Budget Code A1680.203, Equipment). Moved by Browne, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Browne, Poteat, Thompson Nays: Gleason RETROACTIVE 4. An ordinance requesting retroactive authorization AUTHORIZATION for the Department of Management Services to purchase additional VX Rail Servers ($35,000.00 available in Budget Code A1680.486 (Technology Upgrades - leases of servers and shared systems). Moved by Browne, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: Copeland asked if there will be a meeting on Friday Morning. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes, Cathlin with duress Nays: None RETROACTIVE 5. An ordinance requesting retroactive permission for PERMISSION the Department of Management Services to purchase 100 Multimedia Networking Monitors ($34,828.00 available in Budget Code A1680.404, HW Main). Moved by Browne, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Browne, Poteat, Thompson Nays: Gleason RETROACTIVE 6. An ordinance requesting retroactive permission for PERMISSION the Department of Management Services to purchase firewalls ($22,055.00 available in Budget Code A1680.405, Outside Contractors). Moved by Browne, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None RETROACTIVE 7. An ordinance authorizing the Mayor to approve the PERMISSION annual renewal agreement with Dell Technologies for the Microsoft 0365 Licenses (Microsoft 0365 licenses. Dell is a preferred vendor, NYS OGS. Contract Code: NYS PS68202. Funds from the renewal agreement will not exceed $93,037.39 and are available in code - H1680.203.C927 ARPA - Technology (Digital Services) Moved by Browne, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: Copeland asked if this an annual renewal agreement. Response: None. Ayes: Poteat, Browne, Thompson Nays: Copeland, Gleason, Page 3 City Council Meeting Agenda December 28, 2022 RETROACTIVE 8. An ordinance requesting retroactive permission for PERMISSION travel and reimbursement in the Department of Public Works - ($864.12 from Account Code A1640.434). Moved by Browne, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: Browne noted that this happened in 2021 and 2022, and departments have been made aware that retroactive payments will not be allowed. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Poteat, Gleason, Thompson Nays: Browne EMERGENCY SITUATION 9. An ordinance declaring an emergency situation at AND RETROACTIVE Firehouse No. 3 located at 50 West 3rd Street and PERMISSION requesting retroactive authorization ($6,830.00 from Account Code A1620.203 C930). Moved by Browne, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: Poteat asked about this item. We spent over 100K on fixing the boiler and this wasn’t included. Thompson noted it should have been handled in its entirety but it was not. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None PERMISSION 10. An ordinance requesting permission for the Mayor and two (2) staffers to attend the 91st Annual Winter Meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors from January 17 - January 20, 2023 - (the cost of travel and hotel fee will be expensed from Budget A1210.402, Travel, $3,000.00 and the total cost of this conference will be expensed from Budget Code A1210.403, Membership and Dues, $1,500.00). Moved by Browne, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: question about why staffers will attend. Response: Browne responded that staff will train on their respective tracks to make the city successful. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None RESOLUTION 11. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring Mekiyah Knox. Moved by Browne, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None RESOLUTION 12. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring Mark “Coach Sparx” Murray. Moved by Browne, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Page 4 City Council Meeting Agenda December 28, 2022 Nays: None RESOLUTION 13. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring Marion Jones Archer. Moved by Browne, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: none Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None HUMAN RESOURCES TRANSFER 14. An ordinance requesting permission to transfer OF FUNDS funds within the Youth Bureau before the end of the year ($500.00 from Budget Code A7311.203, D.B.B. Equipment to Budget Code A7311.407 (Leasing, Printing and Copies). Moved by Copeland, Seconded by Poteat On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None TRANSFER 15. An ordinance requesting permission to transfer OF FUNDS funds within the Department of Human Resources - ($10,000.00 from A1432.101, Salaries & Wages, to A1432.104, Part Time Salaries; and $100.00 from A1432.417, Education & Training to A1432.447, Materials & Supplies). Moved by Copeland, Seconded by Poteat On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None EXECUTE 16. An ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into DOCUMENTS an agreement with the Westchester County Office of Senior Programs and Services under the State Transportation Program ($7,820.00 - Funds for the State Transportation program are to be deposited in revenue code A4803.1, Westchester County Nutrition to provide for an appropriation in budget Code A7020.402 Transportation expense). Moved by Copeland, Seconded by Poteat On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None Page 5 City Council Meeting Agenda December 28, 2022 AMENDMENT 17. An ordinance amending Ordinance No. 6 adopted on November 22, 2022, entitled “AN ORDINANCE REQUESTING PERMISSION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION TO SPONSOR THE ANNUAL THREE KINGS DAY CELEBRATION” (Funding for this event will be charged to Budget code: A7620.457 not to exceed 2,000.00 (for supplies and other expenses) and Budget Code A7310.104 not to exceed $1,000.00 (for staffing to monitor this event). The cost to the City for this event, includes minimal staff to monitor this event and supplies (i.e., costumes, food, and giveaways). Moved by Copeland, Seconded by Poteat On the Question: Browne, asked Copeland the difference about the amendment. Copeland noted there is funding for staff split. Originally it was just staffing now it is staffing and supplies/expenses. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None PUBLIC SAFETY AND CODES RESOLUTION 18. A resolution accepting the resignation of Lorna Kirwan from the Board of Ethics of the City of Mount Vernon, New York (effective immediately). Removed from the floor TRANSFER 19. An Ordinance requesting permission to transfer OF FUNDS funds within the Fire Department budget lines – ($538,162.77 from various accounts to A3410.110, Overtime Pay and $21,000.00 from A3410.499, Uniform & Protective Equipment to A3410.415, Heating Fuel; $559,162.77 total). Moved by Gleason, Seconded by Browne On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None IMMINENT 20. An ordinance declaring imminent danger and DANGER requesting urgent demolition of unsafe building located at 151 Union Avenue ($100,000.00 – available through a grant provided to the City by the American Rescue Plan Act; Budget Code A3620.458ARP, for the use of emergency demolition). Moved by Gleason, Seconded by Browne On the Question: Thompson noted this house burned down two times. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None AMENDMENT 21. An amendment to an ordinance 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 Budget Code A3120.451 (Training) Moved by Gleason, Seconded by Browne On the Question: None. Page 6 City Council Meeting Agenda December 28, 2022 Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None FINANCE AND PLANNING AMENDMENT 22. An ordinance amending Ordinance No. 21 adopted on October 12, 2022, entitled “AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE COMPTROLLER TO TRANSFER FUNDS TO COVER RETRO SALARY PAYMENTS FOR THE LOCAL 456 CONTRACTS FOR THE PERIOD 2013-2017.” Moved by Poteat, Seconded by Copeland On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None The Agenda was concluded at 8:38 pm. FURTHER BUSINESS: Councilwoman Copeland noted we need to schedule a special meeting for a vote on the budget. And Item #7 only received 3 votes, so it will need to go before the council on Friday 12/30/22. Councilwoman Copeland noted that this group turned things around in 2022. She hopes it continues in 2023. Browne Moves to go into executive session for legal advice from Counsel, Gleason seconds. Vote all ayes at 8:41. At 9:01pm Motion to come out of executive session made by Gleason. Seconded by Poteat. Vote: All ayes Thompson and Copeland noted residents who passed away. Motion to adjourn Gleason, second by Browne, ALL AYES. 9:03pm meeting adjourned. Submitted Deputy Clerk Jackson 12/28/2022 Page 7