City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023 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, JANUARY 25, 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, Acting Council President, Lisa A. Copeland (ATTENDING ONLINE FROM HOME), Cathlin Gleason and Edward Poteat ABSENT: Council President Danielle Browne, Esq., (Illness) PRESIDING: Derrick Thompson, President Pro Tempore 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 Acting Council President Pro Tempore Derrick Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:02pm. 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 Pro Tempore Thompson asked Deputy Clerk Jackson to lead the council in the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC PRESENTATION: None PUBLIC COMMENT Eveline Feldman – residing at 12 East Cedar Street, Mount Vernon, NY. Tree Advisory Board annual update, which includes resignation of Marlene Wertheim and Eveline Feldman as Board members. Marlene Wertheim – residing at 100 Sycamore Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY delivered a secondary part of the Tree Advisory Board report and tendered her resignation. Terry Wright – 150 South 13th, Mount Vernon, NY. Discussed an unregistered Car repair shop. Please force the shop to close or be legalized. Operating on 13th avenue on 3rd Street. City Council Meeting Agenda January 25, 2023 PUBLIC COMMENT RESPONSES Responses: • Councilman Poteat – expressed sadness to see Marlene and Eveline resign. Asked about the Green Bond. • Councilwoman Gleason – Expressed sorrow at Marlene and Eveline’s resignation. Cathlin responded to Ms. Wright and noted that the quality-of-life task force reached out and cars were also towed. • Councilwoman Copeland – Thanked the resigning Tree Advisory Board members for their work. • Councilman Thompson – Thanked the Tree Advisory Board members and noted to Ms. Wright he would visit South 13th at 3:30 pm tomorrow to assess the unauthorized vehicle repair situation. 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: LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC WORKS PERMISSION 1. An ordinance requesting permission for two (2) members of the Law Department to attend the “Collective Bargaining for Public Safety Employees’ Seminars” (March 22nd – March 24th, 2023, at the Flamingo Las Vegas, Nevada - $6,000.00 available in Budget Code A1420.417, Education/Training). Moved by Copeland, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Copeland, Gleason, Poteat, Thompson Nays: None EXECUTE 2. An ordinance requesting permission for the Mayor to enter into a service agreement with Pipeliners of NY, Inc., dba: Mechanical Epoxy Solutions (“MES”) (for emergency roof drain inspection and permanent repairs cured in-place pipe lining - $12,850.00 available in Budget Code A1620.414, DPW Building Maintenance). Moved by Copeland, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Copeland, Gleason, Poteat, Thompson Nays: None LOCAL LAW 3. Local Law No. 1 of 2023 – Restriction and NO. 1 OF 2023 Prohibition of Unauthorized Video and Audio Recording inside City Hall. Moved by Gleason, Seconded by Copeland On the Question: Councilmember Copeland began to read the Local Law; Councilwoman Gleason continued the reading due to loss of voice/coughing. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Copeland, Gleason, Poteat, Thompson Nays: None TRANSFER 4. An Ordinance requesting permission to transfer OF FUNDS funds within the Department Lines in the Office of the City Clerk ($100,000.00 to be transferred from A1450.447, Contracted Outside Services to A1450.401, Salaries and Wages). Moved by Copeland, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Page 2 City Council Meeting Agenda January 25, 2023 Ayes: All Ayes Copeland, Gleason, Poteat, Thompson Nays: None HUMAN RESOURCES PERMISSION 5. An Ordinance requesting permission for the Department of Recreation to sponsor the opening celebration of Black History month - ($2,500.00 available in Account Code 7620.464, Cultural Civic Adult Education – Miscellaneous Expense; to be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Mount Vernon City Hall Rotunda). Moved by Poteat, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Copeland, Gleason, Poteat, Thompson Nays: None PERMISSION 6. An Ordinance requesting permission for the Department of Recreation to sponsor the “Celebration of Black Excellence - ($3,000.00 available in Account Code 7620.464, Cultural Civic Adult Education – Miscellaneous Expense; to be held on Wednesday, February 24, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Doles Center). Moved by Poteat, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Copeland, Gleason, Poteat, Thompson Nays: None AMENDMENT 7. An Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 17 adopted on October 13, 2022, entitled “AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE WESTCHESTER/PUTNAM WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD TO HAVE THE MOUNT VERNON YOUTH BUREAU PROVIDE WIOA/WDAY YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SERVICES” - (July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2023 [June 30, 2022] -- The funds for this program are to be accounted for in revenue code A4790.6 for appropriations in budget code A6295.101 (Salaries) [and Fringes)] and A6295.803, 804 & 806 (Fringes) and A6295.458 [485] (Miscellaneous- Expenses), which includes, vendors, consumables, supplies, and stipend). Moved by Poteat, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: Thompson and Clerk Walters explained the amendments in brackets and underlines. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None Page 3 City Council Meeting Agenda January 25, 2023 EXECUTE 8. An ordinance requesting permission for the Mayor to enter into an Inter-Municipal Agreement with the Westchester County Youth Bureau – ($50,000.00 per year with a CMV, NY required funding match in the amount of $26,923.00 per year for three (3) years. Contract period from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2025 – funds accounted for in revenue code A3820.3 for appropriations in budget code A7338.101 (Salaries), A7338.803 & 804 (Fringes) and A7338.458 (Miscellaneous) consumables, supplies, contractors, and stipend. The matching obligation for this grant should be accounted for in City Code A7319.458). Moved by Poteat Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Copeland, Gleason, Poteat, Thompson Nays: None EXECUTE 9. An ordinance requesting permission for the Mayor to enter into an agreement with 105 Stevens Center, LLC c/o the Hakimian Organization– (4th floor leased space will be used for the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau’s Comprehensive Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (“CAPP”) program. Contract period from January 1, 2023, through June 30, 2023. $13,980.00 can be accounted for in Budget Code A7321.405, Youth Bureau 2023 Budget). Moved by Poteat Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Copeland, Gleason, Poteat, Thompson Nays: None EXECUTE 10. An ordinance requesting permission for the Mayor to enter into an agreement with 105 Stevens Center, LLC c/o the Hakimian Organization– (lower level leased space will be used for the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau’s Ready 4 Life program. Contract period from July 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023. Expenses are $2,016.00 monthly for rent and $314.00 monthly for utilities, totaling $2,330.00 per month and $76,281.80 to be accounted for in Budget Code A7335.458, Youth Bureau 2023 Budget). Moved by Poteat Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Copeland, Gleason, Poteat, Thompson Nays: None PERMISSION 11. An ordinance requesting permission for the four (4) staff members and ten (10) youths to attend the Annual Association of New York State Youth Bureaus (“ANYSYB”) Youth Leadership Forum Mayor – (February 6th and 7th, 2023 – Latham, New York. $3,856.00 should be expensed through budget codes, A7321- 402 (CAPP), A7327.458 (GEM), A7335.458 (READY) and A7336.458 (Step Up) equally, totaling $964.00 per grant funded program). Moved by Poteat Seconded by Gleason On the Question: Poteat – youth leadership forum “Mayor” is that correct? Page 4 City Council Meeting Agenda January 25, 2023 Response: DC Jackson noted it was a typographical error. Ayes: All Ayes Copeland, Gleason, Poteat, Thompson Nays: None PUBLIC SAFETY AND CODES PERMISSION 12. An Ordinance requesting permission for two (2) Members of Service of the Fire Department to attend the ATF Fire Training & Site Visit / Tour of the Fire Research Lab - (Beltsville, Maryland on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. Costs not expected to exceed $250.00 and can be accounted for in Budget Line A3410.451, Training – 2023 Budget). Moved by Gleason Seconded by Copeland On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Copeland, Gleason, Poteat, Thompson Nays: None PERMISSION 13. An Ordinance requesting permission for one (1) Member of Service of the Department of Public Safety to attend the ATF Fire Training Center - (Beltsville, Maryland on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. Costs not expected to exceed $250.00 and can be accounted for in Budget Line A3120.451, Training 2023 Budget). Moved by Gleason Seconded by Copeland On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Copeland, Gleason, Poteat, Thompson Nays: None PERMISSION 14. An Ordinance requesting permission for one (1) Member of Service of the Department of Public Safety to attend the FBI – LEEDA Conducting and Managing Internal Affairs Investigations Training Course (Valhalla, NY, March 27th – March 31st, 2023. Total cost $795.00 available in Budget Line A3120.451, Training 2023 Budget). Moved by Gleason Seconded by Copeland On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None PERMISSION 15. An Ordinance requesting permission for two (2) Members of Service of the Department of Public Safety to attend the FBI – LEEDA Supervisor Leadership Institute Training (Valhalla, NY, July 17th – July 21st, 2023. Total cost $1,590.00 available in Budget Line A3120.451, Training 2023 Budget). Moved by Gleason Seconded by Copeland On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None Page 5 City Council Meeting Agenda January 25, 2023 PERMISSION 16. An Ordinance requesting permission for three (3) Members of Service of the Department of Public Safety to attend the FBI – LEEDA Command Leadership Institute Training (Westchester County Police Academy, September 18th – September 22nd, 2023. Total cost $2,385.00 available in Budget Line A3120.451, Training 2023 Budget). Moved by Gleason Seconded by Copeland On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None PERMISSION 17. An Ordinance requesting permission for two (2) Members of Service of the Department of Public Safety to attend the FBI – LEEDA Supervisor Leadership Institute Training (Westchester County Police Academy, December 4th – December 8th, 2023. total cost $1,590.00 available in Budget Line A3120.451, Training 2023 Budget). Moved by Gleason Seconded by Copeland On the Question: Gleason added the language from the ordinance “of the Department of Public Safety”. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None ON-STREET 18. An ordinance requesting designated on-street PARKING parking to accommodate holiday shopping at 30 Warren Place (along the property line) – (November 1, 2023, through December 30, 2023, Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.) Moved by Gleason Seconded by Copeland On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None FINANCE AND PLANNING PERMISSION 19. An Ordinance requesting permission for the Comptroller and one staff member to attend the 2023 Government Finance Officers Association (“GFOA”) Conference (Portland, OR from May 21 – May 24, 2023. $4,200.00 to be charged to Budget codes A1315.402 (Travel Expenses for travel and lodging), and A1325.417 (Education and Training for conference registration). Moved by Poteat Seconded by Gleason On the Question: Copeland noted that the Comptroller received a scholarship, so the amount will be less that what is noted in the ordinance. Gleason noted that while he received a scholarship for the registration we will still cover his travel and lodging. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None Page 6 City Council Meeting Agenda January 25, 2023 AMENDMENT 20. An ordinance amending Ordinance No. 31 adopted on September 14, 2022, entitled “AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE CONTRACT #305303 WITH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES RESEARCH INSTITUTE (“ESRI”) INC. FOR THE ACQUISITION OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (“GIS”) SOFTWARE SERVICES.” (“Period of Performance”: December 21, 2022, through December 31, 2023). Moved by Poteat Seconded by Copeland On the Question: Gleason asked who will be executing software? Will it go through management services. Upon reading the background information Gleason noted we could proceed. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None RESOLUTION 21. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring Bishop Dr. A. Thomas. Moved by Poteat Seconded by Gleason On the Question: Poteat thanked Council for hopefully allowing this to pass; noted it was one of the larger churches in Mount Vernon on the Southern side. Proud to present this resolution based on the work he is doing. Poteat reads the resolution into the record. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Copeland, Gleason, Poteat, Thompson Nays: None LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC WORKS – CONT’D PERMISSION 22. An Ordinance requesting permission to establish positions at the FY2023 Revised Salaries and transfer funds to cover the salaries within the Department of Public Works ($21,482.98 to be transferred from A8160.101 as follows: $8,125.50 to 1640.101 and $13,357.48 to 8170.101). Moved by Copeland Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Copeland, Gleason, Poteat, Thompson Nays: None FURTHER BUSINESS: Poteat discussed the comprehensive plan; the first meeting was last Wednesday, 60 people attended. There will be meetings weekly. This will be a very open process. He gave kudos to the Planning Department. Saturday, January 28th at First United Methodist Church, 227 East Lincoln Avenue at 10:30 AM will be the next meeting. Gleason noted Deputy Chief Tommy Duffy, served as a police officer and became a firefighter and recently retired. Thompson noted our departments are the hardest working in the County. Page 7 City Council Meeting Agenda January 25, 2023 Copeland commended our assistant corporation counsel about the legislation on videotaping. Commended DPW Commissioner. There is much to achieve in 2023. She asked to adjourn in a moment of silence acknowledging those who have been victims of gun violence, and lift Deputy Commissioner Lackard of the MVPD in prayer. She further noted Assessor Vanderpool was thankful for the thoughts and prayers in the loss of her sister. Thompson asked to keep those affected and lost in prayer, loved ones and families. Copeland moved to adjourn, Poteat seconded. Roll Call on adjournment. Moment of silence. Meeting Adjourned 8:41 PM Submitted Deputy Clerk Jackson 01/25/2023 Page 8