City Council

PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PUBLIC DOWNTOWN VISION PRESENTATION WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2023 6:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS – ROOM 206 CITY HALL, MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK & VIA FACEBOOK.COM/MOUNTVERNONNY Scheduled for 6:00 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 Mayor, Danielle Browne, Esq. (ONLINE), Cathlin Gleason and Edward Poteat ABSENT: Lisa A. Copeland PRESIDING: Ed Poteat, Acting President OTHERS: Tanesia M. Walters, City Clerk; Donna M. Jackson, Deputy City Clerk; Brian G. Johnson, Corporation Counsel, MUD Workshop CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Acting Council President Ed Poteat called the meeting to order at 6:23pm. Mr. Poteat explained CP Browne is with Mayor SPH at a conference. Councilman Thompson is Acting Mayor. 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 Councilman Poteat to lead the council in the Pledge of Allegiance. Clerk Walters read the public hearing notice at 6:25 pm. The meeting was advertised in the Journal News November 5th and November 12th. Councilman Poteat gave background on Phase 1 of the Comprehensive Plan. MUD Workshop provided a presentation handout for attendees. PUBLIC PRESENTATION – BUDGET 2023 Acting Council President Poteat asks Planning Commissioner James Rausse to address the constituents. He highlighted his pride in the outreach efforts of his team and MUD Workshop. Clerk Walters took Roll Call at 6:30 PM. ABSENT: Councilwoman Copeland, PRESENT: Councilwoman Gleason, Councilman Thompson, Councilman Poteat. Shachi Pandey began presenting at 6:33pm. She described the overall process and timeline. She discussed: • Revitalization guidelines • Defining building density and uses along the downtown corridor • Reinforcing identity of Gramatan and South 4th Avenue of the downtown corridor • Making transit use an efficient, and convenient choice for residents and visitors, improving “last mile” options with taxi stands, bike options. • Repurposing underused lots with interim community uses and integrate the into the urban fabric as they await new development. • Creating a recognizable network of open spaces and pedestrian connections for a walkable downtown district • Developing a business assistance program to support existing local businesses and encouraging entrepreneurship downtown. • Downtown density and its key benefits • Sequencing recommendations Stage 1, 2 and 3, which includes an overhaul of zoning, who will live in the area, Downtown and business revitalization, and grants. Acting Council President Poteat thanked the members of the City and the volunteer Comprehensive Plan Committee. Councilman Poteat asks the public who wish to speak FOR the Downtown Revitalization Plan to speak. 4 minutes to speak. He asked 3-times (in-person and online). 1. Axel Eberman 61 Magnolia Avenue, MVNY. Resident and member of Comp Plan advisory committee. He thanked the plan. Stated he is FOR the plan, there are some aspects he is not fond of. One aspect for people wanting to maintain a small town feel, and not inundate with highrises. If we zone for highrises, we will ultimately find a way to build them. Mount Vernon does not lack cultural vibrancy. If density was an indicator for economic prosperity we would be ok! Please do not scatter Mount Vernon and make it a second part of the Bronx, which is what this plan looks like. 2. LaVerne Johnson 51 Lorraine Terrace, MVNY. She read a letter, thanking all who participated in Phase 1. This is her first hearing about the draft. She is particularly happy about the expedited process for building permits and navigating city processes. She has process concerns: School  system will be integrated in Phase II but she didn’t hear about the education system. Can the City extend the public hearings outside of the holiday week? The opportunity for public input trumps deadlines. When will the school district be included in this process? Can there be a focused effort to include college and high school students to participate, and South Side residents? She wants hard copies available at least at the library and other public locations. 3. Porsouf J. Fusime, business owner of Logic LLC and works for Reliable Taxi in MVNY.Born in Mount Vernon, lives in the Bronx. He asked about public WiFi, youth community centers. Wants to ask about storefront availability for social opportunities. 4. Ruby Olisemeka, 526 East Fifth Street MVNY. Thanked the council and the city for their work. Noted urban cities globally will expand in the future. IF we are increasing the density, how do we mitigate that? We are discussing if our infrastructure can support higher density. If you think of people consider sewage and human waste. Can the city have the capacity to manage the waste that comes with increasing the population. We have a choice on how to maintain the density so it doesn’t become an issue. Greenspace and trees are a balance for the built environment. Do we hav enough green to balance gray and brown spaces. 5. Wendy Ball Attipoe, Hudson Avenue, MVNY. She is a part of the committee and is FOR the comprehensive plan. There is a happy medium between critical mass and overbuilding. The plan needs to meet that happy medium. This plan will help provided incoming housing is market rate. The notion of Mount Vernon as a small town is done. This town has urban and suburban aspects that need balance. Acting Council President Poteat asks 3x if anyone from the public ( in person and online) who wishes to speak AGAINST the comprehensive plan. 6. George Brown, 54 South 2nd avenue, MVNY. He is for the concept but it is hard to be in support of something you cannot see, a copy can be in the clerk’s office. The Council has the authority to schedule the meetings. Shared his confusion on the process of the planning. He hates to hear the “north side, south side” concept for Mount Vernon. A real Mount Vernonite bleeds maroon and gold. Stop with the separatist discussion. He asked to be on the advisory board. He believes members of the council are doing a great job. Acting Council President Poteat asks 3x if anyone from the public (in person and online) who wishes to speak GENERALLY the comprehensive plan. 1. Ed Andratti, 29 Elm Avenue, MVNY. He amplified food trucks not being allowed on private property, and how the city regulates that. Otherwise he is in support of the plan and wants to know about “action”. He manages property across the street from Mount Vernon west location. He hopes this plan is executed and gets done. 2. Delores Mack, 55 Sheridan Avenue, MVNY. Mount Vernon. Anything that will enhance and bring a strong tax base she is in support of. She wants to see these plans executed. Acting Council President Poteat closed public comments at 7:29 PM. He noted the great things that have inspired work have been listening to constituents. We will work on incorporating the public comments Councilwoman Gleason makes a motion to adjourn public comments to November 21st. Seconded by Councilman Thompson. Roll Call on the Vote to adjourn at 7:32pm. Gleason AYE, Thompson AYE, Browne AYE, Poteat AYE. Councilman Poteat asked the councilmembers if they want to allow Mr. Justino to address the council. Councilman Thompson noted the purpose of a public hearing is to allow constituents to speak publicly. Further comments by Councilwoman Gleason noted the lateness by the consultant was disrespectful by the consultant. Councilwoman Browne noted because this is a public hearing, written comments should have been collected. Clerk Walters note one written comment was submitted. That comment will be read into the record on November 21st. Meeting adjourned to November 21st at 7:35pm. Submitted Deputy Clerk Jackson 11/15/2023