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 - Final Wednesday, March 26, 2025 7:00 PM CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CITY HALL City Council NICOLE BONILLA, MBA City Clerk JORDAN A. RIULLANO, JD Deputy City Clerk City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 26, 2025 A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF THE MOUNT VERNON CITY COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY, WEDNESDAY 26, 2025 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: Edward Poteat, Acting President OTHERS: Nicole Bonilla, City Clerk; Antoinette Anderson, Legislative Aide; Johan Powell, Deputy Corporation Counsel. CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Lead by Councilman Derrick Thompson Acting Council President Edward Poteat 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 Poteat explained the 3-minute-plus-1 public comment rule. He then asked a Councilperson to lead the council in the Pledge of Allegiance. Acting Council President then proceeded to the Public Speakers session of the evening (listed below as public comment). Page 1 of 12 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 26, 2025 PUBLIC COMMENT 1. Mayor Shawyn Patterson - Howard: Mount Vernon, NY Topic: Federal Minority and/or Woman Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Changes 2. Donna Bell - Mount Vernon, NY Topic: Residents rights on South Terrace Avenue 3. Barbara Ortiz Howard - Mount Vernon, NY Topic: Zoning Change 4. Tricia Fraser - Mount Vernon, NY Topic: Health fair in October 2025 5. Peter Tsachalis - Mount Vernon, NY Topic: Non responsive government and taxation 6. Judy William Davis - Mount Vernon, NY Topic: Grace House 229 South 7th Avenue 7. Lincoln Edwards - Mount Vernon, NY Topic: Grace House 229 South 7th Avenue 8. Geoff Monroe - Mount Vernon, NY Topic: Public Access Council Response: The council addressed the issues brought up by Mr. Monroe and commented on changes in M/WBE. CM Poteat will reach out to Police Department and buildings department to resolve the issues with zoning and the house on 229 South 7th Avenue. CM Boxhill spoke speaker Peter Tsachalis on taxation. REFERRAL SESSION Roll Call administered by City Clerk Nicole Bonilla PRESENT: Pro Tempore Edward Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Derrick Thompson, Councilperson Jaevon Boxhill, and Councilperson Cathlin Gleason ABSENT: President Danielle Browne Esq. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND ACTION THEREON Enter into Executive Session at 8:22 PM go into Executive Session Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: President Browne Page 2 of 12 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 26, 2025 Exit Executive Session at 8:35 PM approved Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: President Browne To the Council: The LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC WORKS Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: 1. TMP -1250 Code: LPW Attachments: REFERRAL LETTER - Retaining Special Counsel for Con Edison Rate Case 1 J Dichter - Con Ed rate case Resolution - PSC Con Ed Special Counsel Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill On the question: none. Response: Mayor Patterson - Howard (zoom): spoke on the need to hire special counsel for the increases imposed by Con-Edison and to join other municipalities to file a joint motion. The cost goes down as more municipalities join in. adopted Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: President Browne 2. TMP -1255 Code: LPW Attachments: Cable TV Adivsory Appointment Letter - Jahi Lafeyette and George McClendon Jr - Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill On the question: none. Response: none adopted Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Page 3 of 12 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 26, 2025 Absent: President Browne 3. TMP -1247 Code: LPW Attachments: Policy for Tree Planting in the Municipal Right of Way Standard for Tree Planting in the Municipal Right-of-Way Policy Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill On the question: none. Response: none adopted Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: President Browne 4. TMP -1251 Code: LPW Attachments: Bonanza Contracting Letter Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill On the question: none. Response: Deputy Corporation Counsel Powell: spoke with Commissioner Bush on the procurement policy. There were quotes received. Councilman Gleason: policy was explained to the Commissioner. We should add quotes to legislation adopted Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: President Browne 5. TMP -1267 Code: LPW Attachments: Municipal Buildings- Pest Control Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill On the question: none. Response: Commissioner Bush: there was a bid, the lowest bidder was still too high. We plan on re bidding. We have the funding to do municipal buildings. adopted Page 4 of 12 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 26, 2025 Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: President Browne 6. TMP -1279 Code: LPW Attachments: Permission for Mayor to Enter into agreement with Signify Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill On the question: none. Response: none adopted Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: President Browne 7. TMP -1280 Code: LPW Attachments: Bid - Year 2- Sewer System Cleaning and Investigation ( Outfall 15, 30, 31,43, 48,53 and 34 Drainage Areas) Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill On the question: none. Response: none adopted Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: President Browne 8. TMP -1282 Code: LPW Attachments: Latin Cultrual Festival Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill On the question: none. Response: none adopted Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Page 5 of 12 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 26, 2025 Nay: None Absent: President Browne To the Council: The HUMAN RESOURCES Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: 9. TMP -1208 Code: HR Attachments: turf tank leg letter Moved: Councilman Thompson, Seconded by Councilman Gleason On the question: none. Response: Councilman Poteat: need to see plan for memorial field to get numbers on what kind of revenue we can expect Councilman Thompson: KWP has a plan with the Director. They will come to first meeting in April and give us a presentation. adopted Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: President Browne To the Council: The PUBLIC SAFETY AND CODES Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: 10. TMP -1249 Code: PSC Attachments: Give Grant Acceptance Award Notice Moved: Councilman Thompson, Seconded by Councilman Gleason On the question: none. Response: none. adopted Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Page 6 of 12 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 26, 2025 Absent: President Browne 11. TMP -1260 Code: PSC Attachments: SIMSI Sole or Single Source Exemption Request Form Moved: Councilman Thompson, Seconded by Councilman Gleason On the question: none. Response: none. adopted Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: President Browne 12. TMP -1262 Code: PSC Attachments: Request to Accept JAG Grant and Purchase 3 Motorola Radios Moved: Councilman Thompson, Seconded by Councilman Gleason On the question: none. Response: none. adopted Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: President Browne 13. TMP -1263 Code: PSC Attachments: Request to Transfer Funds Moved: Councilman Thompson, Seconded by Councilman Gleason On the question: none. Response: none. adopted Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Page 7 of 12 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 26, 2025 Absent: President Browne 14. TMP -1281 Code: PSC Attachments: Full of Circle Health Referral Letter held 15. TMP -1284 Code: PSC Attachments: Prisoner Transportation Referral Letter Moved: Councilman Thompson, Seconded by Councilman Gleason On the question: none. Response: Councilman Boxhill: abstain because issue contract on behalf of the County Associate Corporation Counsel Powell: This needs to go for a second vote **NEEDS SECOND VOTE** approved Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: President Browne Abstain: Councilperson Boxhill To the Council: The FINANCE AND PLANNING Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: 16. TMP -1288 Code: FP Attachments: Comp2025-03 - Bond Ordinance to Finance Cost of Equipment Moved: Councilman Boxhill, Seconded by Councilman Thompson On the question: none. Response: Councilman Poteat: thanked Comptroller for his hard work. The rest of the audit will be done by the end of year. adopted Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Page 8 of 12 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 26, 2025 Nay: None Absent: President Browne 17. TMP -1289 Code: FP Attachments: COMP2025-02 - Acceptance of the 2019 Annual Independent Audit Moved: Councilman Boxhill, Seconded by Councilman Thompson On the question: none. Response: none. adopted Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: President Browne 18. TMP -1256 Code: FP Attachments: Appointments for Economic Development Task Force Moved: Councilman Boxhill, Seconded by Councilman Thompson On the question: none. Response: Councilman Gleason: Great approach and working with administration, and we have great people appointed to this task force to move our economic development forward adopted Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: President Browne 19. TMP -1285 Code: FP Attachments: Amendment to Ordinance 19 adopted 12.27.23 EDTF Membership EDTF Ordinance Membership Description AMENDED 3.2025aa Moved: Councilman Boxhill, Seconded by Councilman Thompson On the question: none. Response: none. adopted Page 9 of 12 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 26, 2025 Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: President Browne 20. TMP -1259 Code: FP Attachments: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 267 OF TEH CODE OF THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNOn, NEW YORK, ENTITLED ZONING (.3.6.25) Moved: Councilman Boxhill, Seconded by Councilman Thompson On the question: none. Response: Councilman Poteat: this would amend the city to create the new DTOD. The zoning is consistent with the adoption January 2024. Site plan needs to be approve by planning board adopted Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: President Browne 21. TMP -1210 Code: FP Attachments: SEQRA Statement of Findings Moved: Councilman Boxhill, Seconded by Councilman Thompson On the question: none. Response: none. adopted Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: President Browne ADD-ON To the Council: The LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC WORKS Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: Page 10 of 12 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 26, 2025 22. TMP -1294 Code: LPW Attachments: Leslie Alpert Board of Ethics Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill On the question: none. Response: none adopted Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: President Browne To the Council: The FINANCE AND PLANNING Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: 23. TMP -1295 Code: FP Attachments: County Taxes Moved: Councilman Boxhill, Seconded by Councilman Thompson On the question: none. Response: none. adopted Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: President Browne OTHER BUSINESS/CLOSING COMMENTS Councilman Gleason: Congrats to Mount Vernon Jr. knights, they won again. Councilman Boxhill: Happy birthday to me, the big 40. Motion to adjourn Moved: Councilman Thompson, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill approved Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Page 11 of 12 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 26, 2025 Nay: None Absent: President Browne There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:28 pm. Jordan Riullano, JD Deputy City Clerk Page 12 of 12