City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 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, FEBRUARY 22, 2023 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: Danielle Browne, Esq., Derrick Thompson, Lisa A. Copeland, Cathlin Gleason and Edward Poteat ABSENT: None PRESIDING: Danielle Browne 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 Pro Tempore Derrick Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:08pm. Councilman Thompson 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 explained that Council President Browne is acting Mayor asked Councilwoman Gleason to lead the council in the Pledge of Allegiance. He then explained the Public Speaking procedures. PUBLIC PRESENTATION NONE PUBLIC COMMENT 1. Ann Mitchell, Mount Vernon, NY (ON ZOOM): Ms. Mitchell came and discussed information on a bingo hall. 2. Christopher McDonough, Mount Vernon, NY. Forwarded ideas to council: tracking questions asked at public meetings, the Council legislative agenda, public art and economics, computation of democracy, and National Bureau of Economic Research The Councilmembers responded. City Council Meeting Agenda February 22, 2023 LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC WORKS AMENDMENT 1. An ordinance amending Ordinance No. 2 adopted on February 2, 2023, entitled “AN ORDINANCE REQUESTING PERMISSION TO TRANSFER FUNDS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO FACILITATE PAYMENT TO A+ TECHNOLOGY & SECURITY SOLUTIONS” ($52,990.92 – from [Budget Code A1680.486, Technology Upgrades – Leases of Servers and Shared Systems to A1680.203 (Equipment)] to Budget Code A1680.405, Outside Contracted Services. Moved by Copeland, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: : President Browne, Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat Nays: None PERMISSION 2. An ordinance requesting permission for the Mayor to enter into a lease agreement 1978 Third Avenue, LLC and 11285 AV, LLC – (for office space located at 6 Gramatan Avenue, Suite 203, commencing March 1, 2023 through February 28, 2025. Base Rent and Utilities, with a 3% increase for Year 2: • Year l - $54,000.00 • Year 2- $55,620.00 Funding for this project is available via the New York State Environmental Corporation (“NYSEFC”) in the aggregate amount of $500,000.00. The funds will be deposited into Revenue Code A3902 to be appropriated to DPW Budget Code A1440.405 throughout the contract period and paid in monthly or quarterly amounts at the discretion of the lessee). Moved by Copeland, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: : President Browne, Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat Nays: None RESOLUTION 3. A resolution establishing the standard workdays and reporting guidelines for elected and appointed officials. Moved by Copeland, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: : President Browne, Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat Nays: None RESOLUTION 4. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring Jean C. Anderson. Moved by Copeland, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: : President Browne, Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat Nays: None Page 2 City Council Meeting Agenda February 22, 2023 MOTION BY THOMPSON TO TAKE 5-13 as a BLOCK VOTE, seconded by Poteat, ALL AYES ON THE BLOCK VOTE RESOLUTION 5. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring Congresswoman Yvette Diane Clarke. RESOLUTION 6. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York honoring and celebrating Trustee Una S. T-Clarke. RESOLUTION 7. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring Dr. Alexandria Connally. RESOLUTION 8. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. RESOLUTION 9. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York honoring and celebrating Meredith L. Henderson. RESOLUTION 10. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring Alicia L. Hyndman. RESOLUTION 11. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring Edith Phyllis Bly Jenkins. RESOLUTION 12. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring Subomi O. Macaulay. RESOLUTION 13. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring Phyllis M. Shelton. Moved by Copeland, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: Council President Browne honored these individuals at the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus Breakfast. Response: None. Ayes: : President Browne, Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat Nays: None Page 3 City Council Meeting Agenda February 22, 2023 PUBLIC SAFETY AND CODES PERMISSION 14. An Ordinance requesting permission for one (1) Member of Service from the Department of Public Safety to attend the Recruiting for Law Enforcement Course - (a department vehicle will be utilized to and from said training course at the Town of Fishkill Police Department, located at 801 Rt. 52, Fishkill, New York 12524, from February 27th - February 28th, 2023. The cost for this training will not exceed $425.00 and will be satisfied in Budget Line A3120.451 (Training). Reimbursement for travel expenses, meals, incidentals, and miscellaneous expenses is further authorized upon presentment of receipts). Moved by Gleason, Seconded by Copeland On the Question: Copeland noted she will vote no, due to lack of reports. Response: None. Ayes: President Browne, Thompson Nays: Copeland, Gleason ABSTAIN: Poteat LEGISLATION DOES NOT PASS PERMISSION 15. An Ordinance requesting permission for three (3) Members of Service from the Department of Public Safety to attend the three (3) day Less Lethal Instructor Certification Training - (conducted by the Rockland Sheriff’s Department, 55 New Hempstead Road, New City, NY from March 28th – March 30th, 2023. The cost for this training will not exceed $2,6855.00 and will be satisfied from Budget Line A3120.451 (Training). Reimbursement for travel expenses, meals, incidentals, and miscellaneous expenses is further authorized upon presentment of receipts for travel expenses, meals, incidentals, and miscellaneous expenses is further authorized upon presentment of receipts). HELD FROM THE FLOOR FINANCE AND PLANNING EMERGENCY 16. An ordinance declaring an emergency situation at DEMOLITION 145 South Fulton Avenue which requires immediate demolition - (the Building Commissioner will work with the Department of Public Works Commissioner to identify an appropriate contractor to perform the demolition and all costs will be charged to A1364.466 (Expenses on Properties Acquired by Taxes). Moved by Poteat, Seconded by Thompson On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: : President Browne, Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat Nays: None Page 4  City Council Meeting Agenda February 22, 2023 REFUND OF 17. An Ordinance requesting permission for the OVERPAYMENT Comptroller to refund an overpayment for the first half of 2023 City taxes to “Fox Party Rental” ($18,452.12 to be accounted for in Budget Code A690, related to Block 1076, Lot 14). Moved by Poteat, Seconded by Thompson On the Question: Gleason asked about overpaid taxes; Comptroller Morton responded. Response: None. Ayes: President Browne, Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat Nays: None PERMISSION 18. An ordinance requesting permission for the Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Community Development to attend the American Planning Association National Conference - (Philadelphia, PA at the Philadelphia Convention Center from March 31st through April 4th, 2023 / $2,154.65 to be satisfied in Budget Code A8020.423, Conference Expense) Department of Planning and Community Development 2023 Budget). Moved by Poteat, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: President Browne, Copeland, Thompson, Poteat Nays: Gleason The Agenda was concluded at 7:50 pm. FURTHER BUSINESS: Councilman Poteat discussed the Comprehensive Plan and the procurement process. Councilman Thompson asked for a moment of silence for Vicky Benjamin, a Mount Vernon resident. Councilwoman Gleason asked for a moment of silence for the young man killed on East Lincoln Avenue at Columbus. Motion to adjourn by Copeland, second by Poteat, Roll call on Adjournment all ayes. 7:50Pm meeting adjourned. Submitted Deputy Clerk Jackson 02/22/2023 Page 5