City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2023, AT 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, JUNE 28, 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., Council President, Derrick Thompson, Cathlin Gleason -online via Zoom, and Edward Poteat ABSENT: Lisa A. Copeland PRESIDING: Danielle Browne, Council President OTHERS: Comptroller Darren Morton, Tanesia M. Walters, City Clerk; Donna M. Jackson, Deputy City Clerk; Brian G. Johnson, Corporation Counsel, Alyssa Gillespie, Assistant Corporation Counsel, Khush Kam-Au, Legislative Aide; constituents and guests CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President Danielle Browne called the meeting to order at _____pm. She 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 Browne asked Deputy to lead the council in the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC PRESENTATION: 1. Ray Copeland “Remarks about Shah Holliday” 236 Bedford Avenue Mount Vernon, NY Noted he is a proud citizen of MV and former commissioner of DPW under Mayor Davis. Notes that Shah as an employee made his job very easy. Hailed them “valedictorians” of our city and expressed his pride. 2. Yazmine Oregel “Neighbors constantly with noise, selling food and 353 North High Street alcohol during the summer for the last Mount Vernon, NY couple of years Lived in MV for 20 years. She noted increasing noise complaint. Persons in her area use amplifiers, loud music, and alleges the selling of food and beer. It creates parking issues. People coming onto her property  City Council Meeting Agenda June 28, 2023 via her side yard. They have tried to speak to the owners, to no avail. 3. Patricia Richards “Homeless Problem” 137 South Fulton Avenue Mount Vernon, NY Spoke online via zoom; noted several concerns including zombie house on Fulton Avenue, sidewalk issues, Homeless members of the community, and issues of stolen packages from homes. 4. Jamie Pessin “Shah Holiday/George Tyrone Jamison” 49 Elm Avenue Mount Vernon, NY Spoke about Shah and Tyrone. Always assisting and helping. Spoke about “Operation Clean Up Mount Vernon”. Shah and Tyrone are passionate about their jobs. Many people complain, and sometimes the complaints fall on deaf ears. But there are many that uplift our community every day. Commended the Council for recognizing its citizens. 5. George Brown “Shah Holiday/George Tyrone Jamison” 52 South 2nd Avenue Mount Vernon, NY Spoke about Shah and Tyrone; submitted a letter for the council record and expressed appreciation for them. COUNCIL RESPONSES 1. Councilman Poteat asked if the Council would allow former Clerk George Brown to speak; the councilmembers voted and agreed. 2. Councilman Thompson thanked the public for voting for him. He encouraged citizens to take pride in their city. He thanked Shah and Tyrone for their work. He addressed Ms. Richards, noting the city is still addressing zombie homes. He drives around the city often. He noted when it comes to sidewalks, citizens are responsible for sidewalks directly in front of the property. He Discussed trees and sidewalk issues. Asked Ms. Richards and Ms. Oragel to connect with Eric Crump and Legislative Aide Khush Kam-Au. Mr. Thompson will stop by the home to connect with the neighbors regarding the noise issues. 3. Council President Browne noted that the City has a quality-of-life task force and will have them follow up as well with Ms. Oragel. She will also work with councilwoman Gleason regarding a patrol to ensure cars are not double parked. She deferred Ms. Richards issue to corporation counsel. Corp Counsel Johnson noted that the zombie home on Fulton was recently sold. The new owner is required to demolish the property within a delineated number of days. There was rodent remediation done in that area. He will look further into the sidewalk issue. Ms. Richards clarified the sidewalk issue. CP Browne will have Legislative Aide Kam-Au provide an update. Regarding south Fulton and Howe Park. The people in the park are not necessarily homeless. The Guidance Center is a partner with the city managing homeless issues and providing services. CP Browne will see if the MVPD can get a directed patrol there, if that is the location Ms. Richards is discussing. She will work with Planning and MVPD. CP Browne thanked Mr. Copeland, Mr. Pessin, Mr. Brown for speaking on the record about Shah Holliday and Tyrone Jamison. REFERRAL SESSION Council President Browne explains the agenda and items. There was a reading of the Tally Sheet at 7:57pm. Roll Call at 7:59pm. We have a quorum. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND ACTION THEREON To the Council LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC WORKS PERMISSION 1. An ordinance requesting permission for the Department of Public Works (“DPW”) to release a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for city-wide rat and rodent abatement. Moved by Thompson, Seconded by Poteat On the Question: none Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes minus Copeland (absent) Nays: None Page 2 City Council Meeting Agenda June 28, 2023 PERMISSION 2. An ordinance requesting permission for the Department of Public Works (“DPW”) to release a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for “appraisal, repair, and preventive maintenance of H.V.A.C. systems of designated city-owned buildings.” Moved by Thompson, Seconded by Poteat On the Question: none Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes minus Copeland (absent) Nays: None PERMISSION 3. An ordinance requesting permission for the Department of Public Works (“DPW”) to release a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for “performing repairs and/or replacement of roof finishes at various city-owned properties.” Moved by Thompson, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: none Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes minus Copeland (absent) Nays: None CREATION OF 4. An ordinance requesting permission for the OFFICE Department of Public Works (“DPW”) to release a Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”) for” professional consultant engineering services for all public facilities.” Moved by Thompson, Seconded by Poteat On the Question: none Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes minus Copeland (absent) Nays: None CURB CUT 5. An ordinance requesting permission for a curb cut at 22 South Sixth Avenue ($10.00 per lineal foot, amounting to $2,450.00). Moved by Thompson, Seconded by Poteat On the Question: none Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes minus Copeland (absent) Nays: None CURB CUT 6. An ordinance requesting permission for a curb cut at 48 Mersereau Avenue ($10.00 per lineal foot, amounting to $2,080.00). Moved by Thompson, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: none Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes minus Copeland (absent) Nays: None PERMISSION 7. An ordinance requesting permission for City Council President Danielle Browne to attend the City Summit 2023 Conference in Atlanta, Georgia (November 15-18, 2023. Funds not to exceed $2,000.00 will be satisfied as follows: registration cost for this conference is $725.00 per person, are to be expensed to Account Code A1010.417, Education / Training. Airline transportation is $320.00, and the cost of lodging is $890.00, including Page 3 City Council Meeting Agenda June 28, 2023 incidental expenses incurred, both to be expensed to Account Code A1010.402, Travel Expense). Moved by Thompson, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: none Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes minus Copeland (absent) Nays: None RESOLUTION 8. A resolution adopting a conference policy that requires all Mount Vernon City employees and elected officials to complete reports upon their return from conferences. Moved by Thompson, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: CP Browne asked how many people have come to ask to see a written conference report? Response: No. Clerk Walters noted the reports are for the council body to review. Ayes: Poteat, Thompson Nays: Gleason, Brown ITEM DOESN’T PASS. Gleason noted that the issue for her is conferences. This does not apply to trainings where reports are required. RESOLUTION 9. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring Andria Brown-DuBose. Moved by Thompson, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: none Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes minus Copeland (absent) Nays: None RESOLUTION 10. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring Jeffrey Shah Holliday. Moved by Thompson, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: none Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes minus Copeland (absent) Nays: None RESOLUTION 11. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring Tyrone Jamison. Moved by Thompson, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: none Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes minus Copeland (absent) Nays: None HUMAN RESOURCES PERMISSION 12. An ordinance requesting permission for the month of July to be proclaimed as National Parks and Recreation Month in the City of Mount Vernon, New York and the County of Westchester. Page 4 City Council Meeting Agenda June 28, 2023 Moved by Thompson, Seconded by Poteat On the Question: None Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None PUBLIC SAFETY AND CODES RESOLUTION 13. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring Pastor Bejoy Samuel. Moved by Poteat, Seconded by Thompson On the Question: none Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None RESOLUTION 14. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring Captain Juan Peralta, Jr. Moved by Poteat, Seconded by Thompson On the Question: none Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None RESOLUTION 15. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring William Taubner. Moved by Poteat, Seconded by Thompson On the Question: none Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None RESOLUTION 16. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring Anthony Terranova. Moved by Poteat, Seconded by Thompson On the Question: none Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None PERMISSION 17. An ordinance requesting permission the Director of the Office of Emergency Management, along with, Kathleen Walker-Pinckney, Commissioner of Recreation, Vanessa Cowan, Director of the Office of Aging and Sean Paul Wade, Director of Social and Community Service to attend the upcoming FEMA “Ready Seniors” In-Person Workshop to be held on July 26, 2023, from 9:00 a.m.to 4:00 p.m. (Passaic County Police Academy, 214 Oldham Road, Wayne, New Jersey. Permission is also granted to use the OEM city vehicle to commute to and from New Jersey. There is no cost to the Page 5 City Council Meeting Agenda June 28, 2023 city for this in-person workshop – it is free for all parties attending. Receipts for meals, gas and tolls will be submitted for reimbursement, upon return, and will not exceed $300.00 to be satisfied from Budget Line A3640.417 (Education/Training). Moved by Poteat, Seconded by Thompson On the Question: none Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None PERMISSION 18. An ordinance requesting permission for the Commissioner of the Department of Buildings to use a city vehicle to attend the NYSERDA Climate Smart Communities’ Initiative. (Thursday, June 29, 2023, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Orangetown Town Hall, 26 Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, New York 10952. Reimbursement for travel expenses, meals, parking, tolls, gas, mileage and incidentals, including miscellaneous expenses not to exceed an amount of $150.00 in Budget Code A3620.461, Training). Moved by Poteat, Seconded by Thompson On the Question: none Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None FINANCE AND PLANNING RESOLUTION 19. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon authorizing the First Amendment to the Land Disposition Agreement regarding 20 S. 2nd Square CMV, LLC (Library Square). Moved by Poteat, Seconded by Thompson On the Question: Browne asked Poteat to explain. Response: Poteat noted there was a previous LDA issue in 2019 that expired. We are extending the LDA for this project. This does not approve the project, this only extends the LDA. The parties are working on zoning. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None RESOLUTION 20. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon amending a prior resolution and confirming a SEQRA Determination for the previously approved Q West Towers Project. Moved by Poteat, Seconded by Thompson On the Question: Poteat noted this was passed prior to this administration and city council. Poteat believes that the SEQRA going forward should have a cost benefit analysis to establish the benefit for the city. Response: None. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None RESOLUTION 21. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon issuing a Notice of Completion and Page 6  City Council Meeting Agenda June 28, 2023 scheduling a public hearing on the Draft Generaic Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Downtown Transit Oriented Arts District (DTOAD). Moved by Poteat, Seconded by Thompson On the Question: Poteat noted to parties, as you are fielding comments for the EIS (Environmental Impact Statement), please include the economic issues and the benefits for the city. Response: City Council does not issue PILOTS. Those are issued by the IDA. Council will give the public an opportunity to respond in public hearings to be scheduled in the future. Ayes: All Ayes Nays: None The agenda was completed at 8:27PM FURTHER BUSINESS: CP Browne thanked Councilwoman Gleason for joining us. Poteat noted tomorrow is the 2nd public meeting for the comprehensive plan, and the last public meeting. It will be at Sinai Free Synagogue. Thompson noted success of the Rolling into Peace event. Moton to adjourn by Poteat second by Thompson. Roll call all ayes. Adjourned 8:29 pm Submitted Deputy Clerk Jackson 06/28/2023 Page 7