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, September 11, 2024 7:00 PM CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CITY HALL City Council NICOLE J. BONILLA, M.B.A. Deputy City Clerk City Council Meeting Minutes September 11, 2024 A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF THE MOUNT VERNON CITY COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 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; Nicole J. Bonilla, Deputy City Clerk; Antoinette Anderson, Legislative Aide; Johan Powell, Deputy Corporation Counsel. CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Pledge lead by Council President Gleason PRESENT: Councilmember Jaevon Boxhill, Pro Tempore Danielle Browne Esq., Councilmember Edward Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Derrick Thompson, and President Cathlin Gleason ABSENT: None 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). Clerk Walters read the notices for the two public hearings. Page 1 of 14 City Council Meeting Minutes September 11, 2024 PUBLIC COMMENT 1. Ray Copeland 236 Bedford Ave, Mount Vernon, NY Speaker addressed reckless driving, crumbling infrastructure and homes not appropriately zoned for the area. CM Thompson - addressed what is wrong and what is right with Mount Vernon and that he frequently drives around the city. CM Poteat - Thanked the speaker for their insight. CM Boxhill - Agreed that there are problem with reckless driving but that the issue is not limited to Mount Vernon. CM Browne - Agreed with the reckless driving and that the law department needs to work with the police department CP Gleason - Requested a list of properties that should be addressed by DPW and that the legislative aide will follow up. 2. Ayanna Armstrong, Mount Vernon, NY armstrong@nysassembly.gov Speaker spoke of an incident that occurred on July 23, 2024 where the Mount Vernon Police Department breached her confidentiality. CM Thompson - Thanked the speaker for bringing this to the attention of the council. Will follow up with police department. CM Poteat - Thanked the speaker and apologized for the mishap. CM Boxhill - Apologized to the speaker for the incident. CM Browne -Asked additional questions to the speaker for clarification CP Gleason - Acknowledged that this was difficult to hear and will speak with police department. 3. Rev James D. Robinson Jr, Mount Vernon jd.robinson1@verizon.net Speaker spoke of speaking near the Graham School and the paving schedule. CM Thompson - Acknowledged there is an existent speeding issue in Mount Vernon. CM Poteat - Thanked the speaker and addressed the street paving schedule CM Boxhill - Informed the speaker of the speed zone home rules law CM Browne -The speed zone law was approved by council. CP Gleason - Spoke with Police Commissioner to do a traffic study. 4. Dolores Mack, 55 Sheridan Ave, Mount Vernon, NY No show at 7:57 pm Page 2 of 14 City Council Meeting Minutes September 11, 2024 REFERRAL SESSION Short-Term Rentals Clerk Walters read the three correspondences regarding Short-Term Rentals 1. Richard Hyman - Chair of Westchester County Planning Board - No objection 2. Darryl Selsey - Planning Board Chair Mount Vernon - No objection 3. James Rausse - Commissioner Planning Board Mount Vernon - No objection. Public Speaker: For 1. Raymond Copeland Public Speaker: Against 2. Michael Sklar Code Enforcement Program Public Speaker: For 1. Michael Sklar 2. Raymond Copeland Public Speaker: Against None Clerk Walters read the one correspondences regarding the Code Enforcement Program 1. Mayor Patterson-Howard - No objection Motion to Close Public Hearing approved 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 To the Council: The LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC WORKS Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: Page 3 of 14 City Council Meeting Minutes September 11, 2024 () 1. TMP -853 Code: LPW Attachments: Approval of budget transfer of $30769.90 from Data Proce A1680.486.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 () 2. TMP -813 Code: LPW Attachments: Referral - 2024 Cities United Convening.pdf 2024 Convening Agenda.pdf Moved: Councilmember Browne, Seconded: Councilmember Boxhill On the question: CM Browne-Mayor updated referral letter to include the names of three members attending. Chief of Staff Malcome Clarke, Eric Crump Constituent services, (named) Neighborhood & Safety Director. I do not know why constituent services is going at all. Spoke with Mayor, have not completed safety plan from attending other conferences. Response: none NOT ADOPTED **Item needs a second vote** Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Councilmember Poteat, and Acting Pro Tempore Thompson Nay: Pro Tempore Browne, and President Gleason Absent: None Page 4 of 14 City Council Meeting Minutes September 11, 2024 () 3. TMP -849 Code: LPW Attachments: Referral Letter - Budget Transfer 8-28-24.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 () 4. TMP -817 Code: LPW Attachments: Green Innovation Grant Program.pdf $150M Signed Endorsement of MOA CMV CoW001.pdf MtV-4thStreetPark-SchematicSitePlan.pdf GIGP Acceptance Letter.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 5 of 14 City Council Meeting Minutes September 11, 2024 () 5. TMP -841 Code: LPW Attachments: RFP-DPW Uniforms.pdf Moved: Councilmember Browne, Seconded: Councilmember Boxhill On the question: CP Gleason-This is a request for proposal, it does not mean we are going for this at this time. Response: none adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None () 6. TMP -863 Code: LPW Attachments: Environetics - Revised September 9, 2024.pdf DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY FOR MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS.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 () 7. TMP -830 Code: LPW Attachments: WTR-Referral-Letter08152024.pdf Moved: Councilmember Browne, Seconded: Councilmember Boxhill On the question: none Response: none adopted Page 6 of 14 City Council Meeting Minutes September 11, 2024 Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None () 8. TMP -865 Code: LPW Attachments: Referral - CGR Contract_Law_Buildings.pdf CGR-ProposalforOperationalAnalysis.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 Motion to take items 9-11 as a block vote Moved: Councilmember Browne, Seconded: Councilmember Boxhill take items as block vote Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None () 9. TMP -874 Code: LPW () 10. TMP -873 Code: LPW adopted () 11. TMP -875 Code: LPW adopted Page 7 of 14 City Council Meeting Minutes September 11, 2024 approved the Consent Agenda Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None () 12. TMP -877 Code: LPW Attachments: Transfer BOE 2023 Chargeback.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 To the Council: The HUMAN RESOURCES Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: () 13. TMP -848 Code: HR Attachments: Nutrition leg letter.pdf Rec- 2024 Title IIIC-1 & IIIC-2 Nutrition Contract Moved: Councilmember Thompson, Seconded: Councilmember Poteat On the question: CM Browne - question if the contract was reviewed by Counsel. Response: Assistant Corporation Counsel Powell - Confirmed but wants to have additional conversations with the Commissioner. NOT ADOPTED **Item needs a second vote** Page 8 of 14 City Council Meeting Minutes September 11, 2024 Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None () 14. TMP -810 Code: HR Attachments: SYEP- Presbyterian referral letter 2023 $17,224.pdf YTH-Printer - award letter.pdf Moved: Councilmember Thompson, Seconded: Councilmember Poteat On the question: none Response: CM Thomspon- This is for Mount Vernon Youth to accept funds to pay the youth workers. adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None (Resolution of the City Council of 15. TMP -846 the City of Mount Vernon, NY Recognizing and Honoring James Frank Rowson) Code: HR Attachments: Resolution of the City of the City Council of the City of Mo honoring James Frank Rowson.pdf Moved: Councilmember Thompson, Seconded: Councilmember Poteat On the question: none Response: CM Thompson - Read the resolution into record adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None Page 9 of 14 City Council Meeting Minutes September 11, 2024 To the Council: The PUBLIC SAFETY AND CODES Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: () 16. TMP -854 Code: PSC Attachments: Referral Letter-Demo19 STerrace-Zombie Homes .pdf 19STerrace-Photo1.jpg 19STerrace-Photo2.jpg 19Terrace Ave Photo3.jpg 19 South Terrace Ave - Demolition 7-24-24.pdf 19 South Terrace Avenue Quote.pdf 19 S TERRACE-Quote.pdf 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 () 17. TMP -859 Code: PSC Attachments: ReferralLetter-FeesUpdated.pdf Referral-Legislation.9-11-2024 Meeting.pdf Moved: Councilmember Poteat, Seconded: Councilmember Browne On the question: CM Poteat - Questioned the pricing for 15 units. Response: DC Mamak - Yes, and rounded up the fee would be $500.00 adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None Page 10 of 14 City Council Meeting Minutes September 11, 2024 Motion to amend item #18 Moved: Councilmember Poteat, Seconded: Councilmember Browne On the question: none Response: none Fourth whereas, second part of that sentence strike the line appointing from the legislation and strike the entire section two of the legislation. Adjust the third and forth to be section two and three. approved Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None () 18. TMP -864 Code: PSC Attachments: Leave of absence referral letter.pdf Moved: Councilmember Poteat, Seconded: Councilmember Browne On the question: CP Gleason - Leave of absence and appointment, are we allowed? Response: CM Browne - Confirmed the importance of Corporation Counsel to review contracts before the Council votes. adopted as amended Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None () 19. TMP -835 Code: PSC Attachments: Transfer of Funds to Cover Negative Balances Moved: Councilmember Poteat, Seconded: Councilmember Browne On the question: none Response: none adopted Page 11 of 14 City Council Meeting Minutes September 11, 2024 Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None () 20. TMP -796 Code: PSC Attachments: Taxi Fare Increase.pdf 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 To the Council: The FINANCE AND PLANNING Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: () 21. TMP -852 Code: FP Attachments: COMP2024-12-NYCOM 2024 Fall Training.pdf COMP2024-12-NYCOM 2024 Fall Training Agenda.pdf COMP2024-12-NYCOM 2024 Fall Training Hotel.pdf COMP2024-12-NYCOM 2024 Fall Training Registration.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 Page 12 of 14 City Council Meeting Minutes September 11, 2024 ADD-ON To the Council: The HUMAN RESOURCES Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: () 22. TMP -882 Code: HR Moved: Councilmember Thompson, Seconded: Councilmember Poteat On the question: CM Thompson - read the resolution into record Response: CP Gleason - Spoke about the celebration and spoke on his background. adopted Aye: Councilmember Boxhill, Pro Tempore Browne, Councilmember Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and President Gleason Nay: None Absent: None To the Council: The PUBLIC SAFETY AND CODES Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: () 23. TMP -885 Code: PSC Attachments: Allotment of Firefighters.pdf 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 13 of 14 City Council Meeting Minutes September 11, 2024 OTHER BUSINESS/CLOSING COMMENTS Poteat - God Bless our firefighters on the courage they had that day and every day. Boxhill - second that to all our first responders, fire, police EMS. I respect it and appreciate them Clerk - remind that local voter registration takes place at city hall 9/28 and 10/10 noon - 9pm. Sororities working with Eric Crump, planning to have local registration event 9/17 noon - 3pm on the plaza. Early voting 10/26 and City Hall and Doles Center Browne - today we remember and honor those who lost lives on 9/11 they live on in our hearts and actions. We lost people from MV. Gives us an opportunity to reflect on today. Thompson - posted on social media to recognize today and reminds us to have that togetherness. Tomorrow is not promised. Be kind to one another. People are losing their lives every day, we have to be there for one another. We lost Frankie Beverly. The other day James Earl Jones. We lose people in our community every day, we have to cherish life. Browne- desperate need of board members. Economic development task force. We need about 30 people, please send in resumes. December 31 to allocate ARPA funds. Get the RFP’s out. Gleason - A lot of our first responders died because of 9/11 related. Labor force not to be forgotten. Nextel was the only radio was working. It was an act of terrorism, we’re always under attack, Voting is important. Not telling you who to vote for but register to vote. Drive an elderly if you can. 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 9:42 p.m. Nicole Bonilla, MBA Deputy City Clerk Page 14 of 14