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, April 24, 2024 7:00 PM CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CITY HALL City Council TANESIA M. WALTERS, J.D., M.P.A. City Clerk NICOLE J. BONILLA, M.B.A. Deputy City Clerk City Council Meeting Minutes April 24, 2024 A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF THE MOUNT VERNON CITY COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 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: Danielle Browne, Esq., Acting President OTHERS: Tanesia M. Walters, City Clerk; Antoinette Anderson, Legislative Aide; Brian G. Johnson, Corporation Counsel; Johan Powell, Deputy Corporation Counsel. CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Lead by Councilmember Thompson. PRESENTATIONS 2017 Annual Independent Audit Presentation by PKF O'Connor Davies Scott Oling joined by Rob Danielle presented a Powerpoint presentation for the 2017 audit results for the City of Mount Vernon. Commissioner Morton spoke on the on-going plan to be audit ready for the 2018 audit. Acting Council President Danielle Browne, 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”. Acting Council President Browne 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). Page 1 of 9 City Council Meeting Minutes April 24, 2024 PUBLIC COMMENT Susan Rosenwood, 23 Carwall Ave, Mount Vernon, NY - The speaker spoke on the Bronxville Sports Club and the establishment not being a "good neighbor", nor respecting the neighboring Mount Vernon homeowners. Donna Odwire, 15 Carwall Ave, Mount Vernon, NY- The speaker addressed several nuisance brought on by the Bronxville Sports Club. Gabrielle Thompson, 33 Raynor Ave, Mount Vernon, NY - Speaker addressed MS4 or municipal Separate Storm Sewer and the Bronxville Sports Club creating nuisances to the neighboring homeowners. The speaker accused the City of Mount Vernon failing to hold the club accountable to avoid litigation. Donna Wimple, 11 Denman Pl, Mount Vernon, NY - The speaker spoke on her rescinding her membership to the Bronxville Sports Club based on the findings of a letter references. She implored the Council to take action against the club. Responses: Councilmember Boxhill - Been working on the storm water issue and an investigation. Some of these issues are new to me. Request a formal letter with all the complaints and get a formal response from the club. Councilmember Thompson - Government does not work at a fast pace as much as I would like to shut some places down, I know that is not how things work. It is a slow pace. I will personally stop by the club to get a visual. The city is at work. Requested speakers leave their information with the legislative aide. Councilmember Gleason - I am in constant communication with Gabe Thompson. Explained that there needs to be more communication back to the community regarding Bronxville Field Club. Acting Council President - Aware that an outside consultant was hired to look at the club. One point that is, the club has to be caught in the act of a process. For example, during an event we can send an inspector to capture the violations, we are not allowed to use videos to give citations. Jeff Monroe, no address given - The speaker address multiple criticisms of the council. The speaker spoke on the warfare on civilians in Gaza. Questioned why the council would not make a cease fire statement. The speaker left before the council could respond. REFERRAL SESSION Roll Call administered by City Clerk Tanesia M. Walters PRESENT: Councilmember Jaevon Boxhill, Pro Tempore Danielle Browne Esq., Acting Pro Tempore Derrick Thompson, and President Cathlin Gleason ABSENT: Councilmember Edward Poteat REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND ACTION THEREON Page 2 of 9 City Council Meeting Minutes April 24, 2024 To the Council: The LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC WORKS Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: () 1. TMP -549 Code: LPW Attachments: Referral Letter - DMA Champion of Democracy Summit.p Democratic Mayors Assoc. Summit Agenda.pdf Moved: Councilmember Boxhill, Seconded: Councilmember Thompson On the question: Acting Council President Browne-What is the Mayor attending? Response: Councilmember Boxhill - The Democratic Mayors Association “Champions of Democracy Summit”. adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: Councilmember Poteat () 2. TMP -548 Code: LPW Attachments: Referral Letter - NYCOM 2024 Annual Member Conferenc NYCOM - 2024 Annual Meeting Agenda.pdf Moved: Councilmember Boxhill, Seconded: Councilmember Thompson On the question: none Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: Councilmember Poteat Page 3 of 9 City Council Meeting Minutes April 24, 2024 () 3. TMP -559 Code: LPW Attachments: Referral Letter - EPA LGAC Public Meeting.pdf Moved: Councilmember Boxhill, Seconded: Councilmember Thompson On the question: none Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: Councilmember Poteat () 4. TMP -553 Code: LPW Attachments: Legislation for DPW WEEK 2024.pdf Moved: Councilmember Boxhill, Seconded: Councilmember Thompson On the question: none Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: Councilmember Poteat () 5. TMP -552 Code: LPW Attachments: community baby shower -new.header date.pdf Moved: Councilmember Boxhill, Seconded: Councilmember Thompson On the question: none Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Page 4 of 9 City Council Meeting Minutes April 24, 2024 Nay: None Absent: Councilmember Poteat () 6. TMP -563 Attachments: Cultrual Celebration.pdf PD Response.pdf Moved: Councilmember Boxhill, Seconded: Councilmember Thompson On the question: none Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: Councilmember Poteat () 7. TMP -562 Code: HR Attachments: Cinco de Mayo 2024.pdf Moved: Councilmember Boxhill, Seconded: Councilmember Thompson On the question: none Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: Councilmember Poteat () 8. TMP -547 Code: LPW Attachments: Procurement Repeal.pdf Moved: Councilmember Boxhill, Seconded: Councilmember Thompson On the question: none Response: none adopted Page 5 of 9 City Council Meeting Minutes April 24, 2024 Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: Councilmember Poteat To the Council: The HUMAN RESOURCES Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: () 9. TMP -550 Code: HR Attachments: BITTS -Flying Classroom .pdf Moved: Councilmember Thompson, Seconded: Councilmember Gleason On the question: none Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: Councilmember Poteat () 10. TMP -551 Code: HR Attachments: Break Bread Not Hearts by Chef Green.pdf Moved: Councilmember Thompson, Seconded: Councilmember Gleason On the question: none Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: Councilmember Poteat Page 6 of 9 City Council Meeting Minutes April 24, 2024 () 11. TMP -560 Code: HR Attachments: Referral to NARME Summit 6.23 - 6.26.24 .pdf 2024 NARME Workshop Schedule (002).pdf Moved: Councilmember Thompson, Seconded: Councilmember Gleason On the question: none Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: Councilmember Poteat To the Council: The PUBLIC SAFETY AND CODES Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: () 12. TMP -546 Code: PSC Attachments: ReferralLetter-ICCConference.pdf ICC Annual Conference 2024 Meeting.PNG Moved: Councilmember Gleason, Seconded: Councilmember Thompson On the question: none Response: none *Item needs a second vote.* held Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, and Acting Pro Tempore Thompson Nay: President Gleason Absent: Councilmember Poteat Page 7 of 9 City Council Meeting Minutes April 24, 2024 () 13. TMP -564 Code: PSC Attachments: Retroactive Referral.pdf Moved: Councilmember Gleason, Seconded: Councilmember Thompson On the question: none Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: Councilmember Poteat () 14. TMP -533 Code: PSC Attachments: REVISED Consensual Encounters Moved: Councilmember Gleason, Seconded: Councilmember Thompson On the question: Acting Council President Browne-Did we ever figure out why this is retroactive? Response: Councilmember Gleason-Yes, the police commissioner was here the other night and someone in leadership forgot to put the paperwork in and the service members were told that they could go and they just forgot to put the referral letter in. *Item passes, as this is the second vote.* adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: Pro Tempore Browne Absent: Councilmember Poteat To the Council: The FINANCE AND PLANNING Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: Page 8 of 9 City Council Meeting Minutes April 24, 2024 () 15. TMP -569 Code: FP Attachments: COMP2024-08 - Acceptance of the 2017 Annual Independ .pdf Final 2017 City of Mount Vernon FS.pdf Moved: Councilmember Boxhill, Seconded: Councilmember Thompson On the question: none Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: Councilmember Poteat OTHER BUSINESS/CLOSING COMMENTS Councilmember Thompson-Inform the community to visit the website, there are several upcoming events this month. Flyers are also on my social medias to make them available as well. Councilmember Gleason-Congratulations to Sabrina Powell and 914Lock on actually securing enough funds to start the mobile free food truck that will be operating on Saturday, Sunday and Monday's. Councilmember Boxhill- I would like to second that, that is awesome. Councilmember Thompson- District Attorney debate at Macedonia Church at 6pm. That debate will be for all district attorney canidates. Motion to adjourn. Moved: Councilmember Gleason, Seconded: Councilmember Thompson approved Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: Councilmember Poteat There being no other further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:32 p.m. Nicole Bonilla, MBA Deputy City Clerk Page 9 of 9