City Council

City of Mount Vernon, New York 1 ROOSEVELT SQ. RM. 104 CITY HALL, MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK 10550 & VIA FACEBOOK.COM/MOUNTVERNONNY Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 27, 2024 7:00 PM CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CITY HALL City Council TANESIA M. WALTERS, J.D., M.P.A. City Clerk City Council Meeting Minutes March 27, 2024 A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF THE MOUNT VERNON CITY COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2024. Scheduled for 7:00 pm in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, Mount Vernon, New York. *** This meeting was held in the City Council Chambers, with virtual participation via ZOOM and CMVNY Facebook. The meeting was not closed to the public.*** PRESIDING: Cathlin B. Gleason, President OTHERS: Tanesia M. Walters, City Clerk; Johan Powell, Deputy Corporation Counsel; Antoinette Anderson, Legislative Aide Council President Cathlin B. Gleason called the meeting to order and 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 Gleason explained the 3-minute-plus-1 public comment rule. She then asked a Councilperson to lead the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council President then proceeded to the Public Speakers session of the evening (listed below as public comment). CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Lead by Councilmember Browne. Page 1 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes March 27, 2024 PUBLIC COMMENT Cory Roberts, no address given - Representing Bethpage Solar regarding the lack of progress with solar panel installation applications for homes in Mount Vernon. The speaker also spoke on the lack of communication from the Buildings Department. The speaker handed documents to the City Clerk. Responses: Council Member Boxhill - Requested to speak with Mr. Roberts offline. Councilmember Poteat - Will ask Deputy Commissioner to Speak. Agreed there is an issue with the former solar permits. Deputy Commissioner Mamak - Will work with Mr. Roberts on refunding for initial applications and work with current permits being in the system and will expedite. Councilmember Browne - Apologized for the archaic process and the DC will make sure things are done correctly. Council President Gleason - sit with DC Mamak Gabriel Thompson, 33 Raynor Ave, Mount Vernon, NY 10552 -The speaker address Bronxville Field Club and their un permitted access to the municipal storm sewer system and that the city did not have all the records. The speaker disclosed that his conversation with Buildings Commissioner Holder was not aware of the undisclosed work. The speaker gave documents to the City Clerk. Responses: Councilmember Boxhill - Agreed that the issues are problematic and suggested a sit down with all parties. Councilmember Thompson - Will look more into it and will stay on top of it. Councilmember Browne - We have been going through this awhile. A license official is needed to determine that it is an impervious surface. We have outsourced. Will work with the Law department and outside council to see if we have le way to open a permit that has been closed already. I was told that a closed permit could not be re-opened. When it comes to the parking, I will give you my phone number, so that when the parking happens we can have an inspector come out and a violation can be issued. Get the information from Antoinette. Council President Gleason - Thank you for new information and than the process is going so slow. Sabrina Powell, 20 E 1st, Mount Vernon, NY 10550 - The speaker wanted to ask the council for help with 914Lock Inc. A local non-profit started in Mount Vernon that supports the community, seniors, homeless and the youth. Responses. Requested fee's to be waived. Councilmember Boxhill - Thanked Ms. Powell for her hard work and dedication. Will research county funding Councilmember Poteat - Offered help and donation to Ms. Powell. Councilmember Thompson - Going to look into to seeing on how we can better assist going forward. Offered to cook meals for the truck. Councilmember Browne -I will make a donation. Reach out to the Recreation Department to partnership because they have partnership and programs. Council President Gleason -The idea on doing it on the weekends because it fills the gap. Offered to split the fee with you. Councilmember Browne - I'll cover the other half of the fee. Erwin Billy, no show Page 2 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes March 27, 2024 Thomas Keller, 12 Pasadena Pl, Mount Vernon, NY 10552 - Speaker spoke on articles in the Journal News. Speaker spoke on the passing of Joe Lieberman. Speaker spoke on salaries of staff making more than the mayor and comptroller by paid overtime. Responses: Councilmember Boxhill - Thanked Mr. Keller for being over zealous with his concerns and suggested to speak offline. Councilmember Poteat - Thanked Mr. Keller for keeping the council informed. Councilmember Browne - Thanked Mr. Keller for coming out. We addressed many of these topics last time. It is difficult to take the words that you say and keep moving. When addressing council members and other officials as "pigs" it is hard to get your message, when you insult people. I encourage you to chose better language when addressing human beings. Council President Gleason - When using "you people", it is insulting. It is important for the residents to tell us what is going on, but chose better words going foward. Mr. Monroe requested to speak. Councilmember Boxhill agreed, but it was not the pleasure of the other council members. REFERRAL SESSION Roll Call administered by City Clerk Tanesia M. Walters PRESENT: Councilmember Jaevon Boxhill, Pro Tempore Danielle Browne Esq., Councilmember Edward Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Derrick Thompson, and President Cathlin Gleason ABSENT: None REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND ACTION THEREON LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC WORKS To the Council: The LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC WORKS Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: () 1. TMP -511 Code: LPW Attachments: Agenda Letter Amendment CBA CSEA.pdf Moved: Councilmember Browne, Seconded: Councilmember Boxhill On the question: none Response: none adopted Page 3 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes March 27, 2024 Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None () 2. TMP -501 Code: LPW Attachments: AV RFP Request City Council 3-15-2024.pdf Moved: Councilmember Browne, Seconded: Councilmember Boxhill On the question: none Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None () 3. TMP -507 Code: LPW Attachments: Referral Letter - NLC Opportunities Forum.pdf CoO Solutions Forum - Agenda Sessions Only (2).pdf Moved: Councilmember Browne, Seconded: Councilmember Boxhill On the question: none Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None Page 4 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes March 27, 2024 () 4. TMP -508 Code: LPW Attachments: Referral Letter - USCM Homelessness Task Force.pdf USCM - Homelessness Lobby Trip Tentative Agenda and Schedule.pdf Moved: Councilmember Browne, Seconded: Councilmember Boxhill On the question: none Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None HUMAN RESOURCES To the Council: The HUMAN RESOURCES Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: () 5. TMP -509 Code: HR Attachments: Fun filled letter.pdf Moved: Councilmember Thompson, Seconded: Councilmember Poteat On the question: none Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None Page 5 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes March 27, 2024 () 6. TMP -487 Code: HR Attachments: OCFS_BOL 20k Youth Services.pdf Moved: Councilmember Thompson, Seconded: Councilmember Poteat On the question: none Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None () 7. TMP -520 Code: HR Moved: Councilmember Thompson, Seconded: Councilmember Poteat On the question: none Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None PUBLIC SAFETY AND CODES To the Council: The PUBLIC SAFETY AND CODES Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: Page 6 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes March 27, 2024 () 8. TMP -479 Code: PSC Attachments: Amended Agenda Letter EMS Position.pdf Moved: Councilmember Poteat, Seconded: Councilmember Thompson On the question: none Response: none Councilmember Browne Abstain - We have not received the information regarding EMS operations build out. adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Councilmember Poteat, and Acting Pro Tempore Thompson Nay: President Gleason Absent: None Abstain: Pro Tempore Browne () 9. TMP -484 Code: PSC Attachments: Advanced Crisis Negotiation Course Moved: Councilmember Poteat, Seconded: Councilmember Browne On the question: none Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None () 10. TMP -485 Code: PSC Attachments: DCJS Firearms Instructor Course Moved: Councilmember Poteat, Seconded: Councilmember Browne On the question: none Response: none adopted Page 7 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes March 27, 2024 Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None () 11. TMP -503 Code: PSC Attachments: Business Electronic Referral Letter Moved: Councilmember Poteat, Seconded: Councilmember Browne On the question: none Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None () 12. TMP -504 Code: PSC Attachments: REVISED April Interview and Interrogation Training Docs- REVISED April Interview and Interrogation Interview and Interrogation Moved: Councilmember Poteat, Seconded: Councilmember Browne On the question: none Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None Page 8 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes March 27, 2024 () 13. TMP -505 Code: PSC Attachments: REVISED Interview and Interrogation Dec 2024 REVISED December Interview and Interrogation Interview and Interrogation 2 Moved: Councilmember Poteat, Seconded: Councilmember Browne On the question: none Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None () 14. TMP -506 Code: PSC Attachments: Empowering Leadership Seminar Moved: Councilmember Poteat, Seconded: Councilmember Browne On the question: none Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None Page 9 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes March 27, 2024 () 15. TMP -510 Code: PSC Attachments: Leave of Absence Referral Letter Moved: Councilmember Poteat, Seconded: Councilmember Browne On the question: Council President Gleason - I had a question before and got the answer. Response: Council President Gleason - When there is an active civil service list and a short number of people, they are able to appoint provisionally and this is what is happening here. adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None () 16. TMP -519 Code: PSC Moved: Councilmember Poteat, Seconded: Councilmember Browne On the question: none Response: Council President Gleason - Thank you Frank for your years of service. adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None FINANCE AND PLANNING To the Council: The FINANCE AND PLANNING Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: Page 10 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes March 27, 2024 () 17. TMP -514 Code: FP Attachments: COMP2024-06 - Extension of Tax Interest Amnesty Progra Moved: Councilmember Boxhill, Seconded: Councilmember Thompson On the question: none Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None () 18. TMP -517 Code: FP Attachments: COMP2024-07 - Issuance of Bonds for Collective Bargaini Claim.pdf Mount Vernon City - Settlement Bond Schedule - 3.14.24.p Moved: Councilmember Boxhill, Seconded: Councilmember Thompson On the question: none Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None ADD-ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND CODES To the Council: The PUBLIC SAFETY AND CODES Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: Page 11 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes March 27, 2024 () 19. TMP -522 Code: PSC Attachments: REVISED Motorola Public Safety Summit Referral Letter- Motorola Public Safety Summit Docs- REVISED Motorola Public Safety Summit Moved: Councilmember Poteat, Seconded: Councilmember Browne On the question: none Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None Motion to enter into Executive Session for personnel interviews. Moved: Councilmember Browne, Seconded: Councilmember Poteat On the question: none Response: none go into Executive Session Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None Motion to exit Executive Session. Moved: Councilmember Thompson Seconded: Councilmember Poteat approved Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None Page 12 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes March 27, 2024 OTHER BUSINESS/CLOSING COMMENTS Councilmember Browne - Today we extended the tax amnesty program from February to June 2024. If you know someone who is in tax arrears, let them know they have more time. They have to pay their school taxes first. Council President Gleason - Request a moment of silence for Mayor Davis' grandson, Daniel Moses Davis and the NYPD Officer Dillard who lost his life. Motion to adjourn. Moved: Councilmember Thompson, Seconded: Councilmember Poteat approved Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None There being no other further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:39 p.m. Nicole Bonilla, MBA Deputy City Clerk Page 13 of 13