City Council

CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JULY 12, 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, JULY 12, 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, Danielle Browne, Lisa A. Copeland, Cathlin Gleason and Edward Poteat ABSENT: Derrick Thompson PRESIDING: Danielle Browne, Council President OTHERS: Tanesia M. Walters, City Clerk; Brian G. Johnson, Corporation Counsel CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President Danielle Browne called the meeting to order at 7:06pm. 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 Councilwoman Cathlin Gleason to lead the council in the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC PRESENTATION: 1. Wilma Frank, MVNY – Complained about landlord/tenant issues. 2. Jane Curtis, MVNY – Discussed the Comprehensive Plan process, scaling back large building projects. 3. Marlene Wertheim, MVNY – Discussed the Comprehensive Plan process, and a development project 4. Irwin Billy, MVNY – Discussed grants, discussed Board of Education. Public Library, and elections. 5. Thomas Keller, MVNY – Discussed landscaper registration and legislation. Council members responded to constituents. 5 minute break. Motion to enter Executive Session by Poteat regarding Taxes and Potential Litigation, Seconded by Thompson, enter into executive session at 7:48 pm. Motion to exit executive session by Thompson, seconded by Poteat, ALL AYES. Exited at 8:45pm.  City Council Meeting Agenda July 12, 2023 Commissioner Bush addressed the Council regarding paving over 166 streets, and installing handicap ramps. On the agenda is a change order to continue this work. Ric Wright from the Recreation Department addressed the Council regarding FlickIt ticket company to automate Memorial Field ticketing. REFERRAL SESSION Council President Browne explains the agenda and items. There was a reading of the Tally Sheet and Roll Call. We have a quorum. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND ACTION THEREON To the Council LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC WORKS PERMISSION 1. An ordinance requesting permission to use Parking Lot #11 (between 1st Street and East Prospect Avenue, near Foodtown) for a special religious event – (Christ Apostolic Church International on Saturday, August 5, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (rain date: Saturday, August 12, 2023). Moved by Copeland, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None PERMISSION 2. An ordinance requesting permission for Department of Recreation to co-sponsor along with the Jamaica Independence Planning Committee the “61st Anniversary of Jamaica’s Independence” in Hartley Park (Sunday, August 6, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.) Moved by Copeland, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None PERMISSION 3. An ordinance requesting permission to establish Minority and Women Business Enterprise Goals and Minority Workforce Participation Goals. Moved by Copeland, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None CURB CUT 4. An ordinance requesting permission for a curb cut at 48 Mersereau Avenue ($10.00 per linear foot, amounting to $2,080.00). Moved by Copeland, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None Page 2 City Council Meeting Agenda July 12, 2023 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 Copeland, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None REQUEST FOR 6. An ordinance requesting permission for the QUALIFICATIONS Department of Public Works (“DPW”) to release a Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”) for professional consultant engineering services for all public facilities. Moved by Copeland, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None REQUEST FOR 7. An ordinance requesting permission for the PROPOSALS 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 Copeland, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None REQUEST 8. An ordinance requesting permission for the FOR PROPOSALS Department of Public Works (“DPW”) to release a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for “performing for City- wide rat and rodent abatement. Moved by Copeland, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: Councilman Poteat commented on MWBE legislation that opens opportunities to minority businesses. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None REQUEST 9. An ordinance requesting permission for the FOR PROPOSALS 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 Copeland, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: Councilwoman Gleason noted that the police station will be repaired, Commissioner Bush expanded on the project. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None AMENDMENT 10. An ordinance amending §46-10 of the Code of the City of Mount Vernon, New York entitled “Estimate of Expenses to be Submitted.”. Moved by Copeland, Seconded by Gleason Page 3 City Council Meeting Agenda July 12, 2023 On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Poteat, Nays: Gleason, Thompson, Browne ORDINANCE DOES NOT PASS PERMISSION 11. 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 incidental expenses incurred, both to be expensed to Account Code A1010.402, Travel Expense). Moved by Copeland, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: Copeland RESOLUTION 12. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring Andria Brown-DuBose. Moved by Copeland, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None RESOLUTION 13. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring Jeffrey Shah Holliday. Moved by Copeland, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None RESOLUTION 14. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring George Tyrone Jamison. Moved by Copeland, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None CHANGE ORDER 15. An ordinance authorizing the Mayor to issue Change Order No. 1 – PCI INDUSTRIES – 550 FRANKLIN AVENUE ($2,222,483.89 - Funds for this project are available under the New York State Department of Transportation CHIPS Program (Consolidated Local Street & Highway Improvement Program), PAVE-NY, Extreme Weather Recovery (EWR), State Touring and NYS Pave Our Potholes (POP) - H5110.203.C931, which is 100% reimbursable to the City of Mount Vernon). Moved by Copeland, Seconded by Gleason Page 4 City Council Meeting Agenda July 12, 2023 On the Question: CP Browne asked if this meets the threshold. Commissioner Bush explained the timing relates to paving season, and the plant closure due to weather. Justification for the change order relates to the 14 additional streets. This money is 100% reimbursable, no cost to taxpayers. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Nays: None ABSTAIN: Browne; needs to be more comfortable with the information. RESOLUTION 16. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York mourning the loss and commemorating the life and legacy of Doris Carolyn (Jones) Mann. Moved by Copeland, Seconded by Gleason On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None HUMAN RESOURCES PERMISSION 17. An ordinance requesting permission to collaborate with Curly Girl Nonprofit Organization and In-Kind Donation of advertising on Memorial Field Video Board. Moved by Thompson, Seconded by Poteat On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None PERMISSION 18. An ordinance requesting permission for the Department of Recreation to host the Pinelands Basketball Team for the Third (3rd) Annual Basketball Invitational - (Wednesday, August 2nd – Saturday, August 12, 2023) – (Funds for this event will be charged to the Budget Code: 7310.458 (Recreation Youth Programs) and not expected not to exceed $2,000.00). Moved by Thompson, Seconded by Poteat On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None PERMISSION 19. An ordinance requesting permission set prices for advertisement banners to be displayed at Memorial Field. Moved by Thompson, Seconded by Poteat On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None PERMISSION 20. An ordinance requesting permission for the Mayor to enter into a 36-month agreement with Flicket Limited - (Funds will be deposited into Revenue Code A2001.21 (Memorial Field Revenue). These funds will aid us in reaching our projected budget goal of $850,00.00 for Memorial Field).HELD FROM THE FLOOR Page 5 City Council Meeting Agenda July 12, 2023 PERMISSION 21. An ordinance requesting permission for the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Community Pass for online credit card payments – (The agreement will go into effect on or before July 31, 2023, and will last for a term of one year, at an renewal rate of $450.00 per year. Funds will be deposited into Budget Code A7310.458, Other Expenses, and any funds received will go into Budget Code A2001.5). Moved by Thompson, Seconded by Poteat On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Nays: None ABSTAIN: Browne; did not receive information PERMISSION 22. An ordinance requesting permission for four (4) staff members from the Youth Bureau to attend the Healthy Marriage Relationship Fatherhood Stability Summit in Washington D.C. (August 8th to August 11, 2023. Funds are to be accounted for in Revenue Code A4820.4 with the appropriations in budget codes: A7335.458, Travel Expense and A7311.423, Conference Expense. The total summit is not expected to exceed $4,700.00). Moved by Thompson, Seconded by Poteat On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None RECEIVE FUNDS 23. An ordinance requesting permission for the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Westchester / Putnam Workforce Development Board (“WPWDB”) for the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau (“MVYB”) to receive funds for summer youth employment and training program, retroactively – ($72,800.00 for Summer Youth Employment Program and Training, retroactively from May 1, 2023 and concluding on September 30, 2023). Moved by Thompson, Seconded by Poteat On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None PERMISSION 24. An ordinance requesting permission for the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Westchester Community College (“WCC”) – (July 5, 2023 through August 11, 2023. The total cost for the six (6) week period, will not exceed $4,500.00. The Mount Vernon Youth Bureau will pay $1,500.00 and funds should be allocated from Budget Code A7319.458. The remaining balance of $3,500.00 will be paid directly to WCC by KNC by a donor who wishes to remain anonymous.) Moved by Thompson, Seconded by Poteat On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None Page 6 City Council Meeting Agenda July 12, 2023 PERMISSION 25. An ordinance requesting permission for the month of July to be proclaimed as National Parks and Recreation Month in perpetuity in the City of Mount Vernon, New York and the County of Westchester. Moved by Thompson, Seconded by Poteat On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None PUBLIC SAFETY AND CODES RESOLUTION 26. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring Captain Juan Peralta, Jr. Moved by Gleason, Seconded by Copeland On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None Motion to take a block vote for Items 27 – 29. ALL AYES on the Block Vote. RESOLUTION 27. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring Pastor Bejoy Samuel. Moved by Gleason, Seconded by Copeland On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None RESOLUTION 28. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring William Taubner. Moved by Gleason, Seconded by Copeland On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None RESOLUTION 29. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York recognizing and honoring Anthony Terranova. Moved by Gleason, Seconded by Copeland On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None AMENDMENT 30. An ordinance amending the classifications of prohibited smoking products in city-owned parks and playgrounds in Chapter 186 entitled “Parks and Playground” Section 18 of the Code of the City of Mount Vernon. Moved by Gleason, Seconded by Copeland On the Question: None. Response: None. Page 7 City Council Meeting Agenda July 12, 2023 Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None PERMISSION 31. 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 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 Gleason, Seconded by Copeland On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None PERMISSION 32. 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 Gleason, Seconded by Copeland On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None AMENDMENT 33. An ordinance amending Ordinance No. 26, adopted on May 10, 2023, entitled “AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO CONVEY TITLE TO PROPERTY OWNED BY THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON, AND NOT NEEDED FOR MUNICIPAL USE (145 South Fulton Avenue). Moved by Gleason, Seconded by Copeland On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None Page 8  City Council Meeting Agenda July 12, 2023 FINANCE AND PLANNING RESOLUTION 34. 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: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None RESOLUTION 35. 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: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None RESOLUTION 36. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon issuing a Notice of Completion and scheduling a public hearing on the Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Downtown Transit Oriented Arts District (DTOAD). Moved by Poteat, Seconded by Thompson On the Question: None. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None PERMISSION 37. An ordinance requesting permission for the Mayor to enter into a contract with Geocove to conduct a GIS needs assessment for the City of Mount Vernon - ($9,750.00 to be paid out of the Department of Planning and Community Development Budge Line A8020.405, Contracted Outside Services (including Comprehensive Plan). Moved by Poteat, Seconded by Thompson On the Question: Discussion on GIS services in the past, and how Planning Dept is moving forward. Response: None. Ayes: Copeland, Gleason, Thompson, Poteat, Browne Nays: None The agenda was completed at 10:15PM. FURTHER BUSINESS: Motion to adjourn by Copeland in honor of Nancy E. Fitch and Carole Morris, second by Poteat. All Ayes on adjournment. Moment of Silence. Adjourned 10:15 PM. Submitted Deputy Clerk Jackson 07/12/2023 Page 9