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, July 9, 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 July 9, 2025 A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF THE MOUNT VERNON CITY COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 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: Danielle Browne, President OTHERS: Nicole Bonilla, City Clerk; Jordan A. Riullano, Deputy City Clerk; Antoinette Anderson, Legislative Aide; Johan Powell, Deputy Corporation Counsel. CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Lead by Deputy Corporation Counsel Powell 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”. 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 13 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final July 9, 2025 PUBLIC COMMENT 1. Annette Shands *declined Council Responses: a. Councilman Boxhill - Thank you for you points on this, we’ll look into this b. Councilman Poteat - is the issue on the 9th ave building the knocking down the building? We will look into that more 2. Malcom Clark 55 Ehrbar Ave, Mount Vernon, NY 10552 [Charter Review Commission] Council Responses: a. Council President Browne - I do find it hypocritical this is, and the lack of process, but we as a council do not hold the power to dissolve the commission, and we also don’t have the ability to make them do something in particular. We do have the power to investigate and we can come up with a resolution on the matter. b. CM Boxhill - The citizens are the most important factor and I thank you for bringing this forward in front of everyone. I cant support this without the support of the citizens c. CM Thompson - I expect our residents come out and I expect tomorrows meeting goes how its supposed to. We need to gather facts and vote without emotion. We will use tomorrow to gather info and understand what is being asked. d. CM Poteat - The lack of public scrutiny and public input is at large. I look forward to our meeting tomorrow on this issue so that we can uncover these problems 3. Makeda Sabree 10 South 2nd Ave, Mount Vernon, NY 10550 [Concern with parking every Friday for religious service from 12 noon to 3:00 pm to allow them to have meters blocked to worship] Council Responses: a. CP Browne - Maybe we can meet with other councilmen to discuss a period where there is no ticketing. I do understand the worshiping period so we will work to find a solution to this matter. b. CM Boxhill - I also not sure how much we can do on this matter c. CM Gleason - I’m not sure we can do much about this issue. But I will reach out to the lot near by and see if we can work something out. d. CM Thompson - Police commissioner is working on it, and hopefully we have some result of it later this week e. CM Poteat - I will sit down with Police DEpartment to resolve this matter 4. Delores Mack 55 Ehrbar Ave, Mount Vernon, NY 10552 [The better of Mount Vernon] Council Responses: a. CP Browne - we put out an Request For Proposals about the item. We have selected a contractor, but I will follow up and see where we are with that. As far as the sidewalks goes, the property owners are responsible to repair the sidewalks. It is a larger problem, but Department of Public Works is working on it. b. CM Boxhill - I agree that the mice situation is ridiculous, and we definitely need to look into this more. c. CM Gleason - We are doing a city-wide sidewalk survey, so they will map out the area. We are developing more creative ways for larger developments. We just ask when these developments come, the people of mount Vernon pay attention Page 2 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final July 9, 2025 5. Lynn Cheek 333 Hawthorne Terrace, Mount Vernon, NY 10552 Council Responses: a. CP Browne - I agree, and the same issues was spoken about. The perception was that more people were for it than not. I’m not in favor of it, and believe there are other locations for this event that should be explored. b. CM Boxhill - I went to the event last year and I enjoyed the event but your voice is heard c. CM Gleason - I understand your concern, and why it was at Traphagen in previous years. My concern is, we work for you all. I believe that there was plenty that came out tonight in opposition of it, and I understand people don’t want their homes blocked off on a holiday. d. CM Thompson - Some residents are in favor of the event happening and some who don’t. We want to respect the people and their property and their privacy. We did look into the school like previous years but the funding was less than previous years. So we will look into more talks about the matter before the next meeting e. CM Poteat - I believe you are correct, and I believe the Wakanda celebration is a nuisance. We will work with the applicants and see if there is another location. The same issues arising from before, are the same issue we are hearing now 6. Steven Horton 107 Villa St., Mount Vernon, NY 10552 Council Responses: a. CM Boxhill - The public really needs to chime in. I haven’t seen a realistic timeline for this change and I need to understand this more. b. CM Gleason - Both types of governments are going to have the same issues. If we decide to go with this government you will not have a voice. The reason we work so well is because you all’s voice is heard here. Yes, we have deficiencies, but that is because we cannot be everywhere all at once. We need your voices to know how to operate better. 7. Sergio Rodriguez 345 Hawthorne Terrace, Mount Vernon, NY 10552 - NO SHOW 8. Hope Maribel 2 Fisher Dr., Mount Vernon, NY 10552 Council Responses: a. CP Browne - Hopefully we receive a favorable vote. b. CM Gleason - I agree with this idea, it’ll be voted on tonight c. CM Poteat - I believe Council will vote on the theatre project shortly. Thank you for you stand on Tina Sattin 9. Geoff Monroe Mount Vernon, NY 10553 Council Responses: a. CP Browne - The reason it was mandated was because it was a New York State mandated policy. We cannot do anything about that but if you want more info you can look further into that. We appreciate your comments. b. CM Gleason - When it comes to public funds, a lot of municipalities adopt this thought process. I would like to discuss further at a later time for this. c. CM Thompson - I do appreciate your input. I want to clarify that out city council chambers are better than how it used to be. Nothing will be 100% but no matter how good something is, someone will critique what has been done. Its okay for us to disagree but its not okay for us to be disagreeable. Page 3 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final July 9, 2025 10. Fab Bell 26 Euclid Ave, Mount Vernon, NY 10550 - NO SHOW REFERRAL SESSION Roll Call administered by City Clerk Nicole Bonilla PRESENT: President Danielle Browne Esq., Pro Tempore Edward Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Derrick Thompson, Councilperson Jaevon Boxhill, and Councilperson 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: 1. TMP -1474 Code: LPW Attachments: Wakanda Complete Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill **CALLED FOR** held 2. TMP -1511 Code: LPW Attachments: Hilltop completed application and responses 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: President Browne Absent: None Page 4 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final July 9, 2025 3. TMP -1512 Code: LPW Attachments: Christ Apostolic Completed application and responses Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill On the question: none. Response: none. adopted Aye: President Browne, Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: None 4. TMP -1472 Code: LPW Attachments: Mayor's Office Referral - 4th Annual Hispanic Heritage 2025 DPW Response FDMV Approval_4th Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration MVPD Approval_4th Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill On the question: none. Response: none. adopted Aye: President Browne, Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: None 5. TMP -1482 Code: LPW Attachments: Updated Street Resurfacing 25-26 Street Resurfacing Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill On the question: none. Response: none. adopted Aye: President Browne, Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Page 5 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final July 9, 2025 Nay: None Absent: None 6. TMP -1483 Code: LPW Attachments: Zonzini- Emergency at Macquesten-Devonia-Dell Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill On the question: none. Response: Boxhill - Aye Poteat - Aye Thompson - Aye Gleason - Abstain Browne - Abstain NEED 2nd Vote adopted Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and Councilperson Boxhill Nay: None Absent: None Abstain: President Browne, and Councilperson Gleason 7. TMP -1484 Code: LPW Attachments: Zonzini- Emergency at Beechwood-Columbus Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill On the question: none. Response: Councilman Boxhill - Aye Councilman Poteat - Aye Councilman Thompson - Aye Councilman Gleason - Abstain Council President Browne - Aye adopted Aye: President Browne, Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and Councilperson Boxhill Nay: None Absent: None Abstain: Councilperson Gleason Page 6 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final July 9, 2025 8. TMP -1485 Code: LPW Attachments: Zonzini- Emergency at Doles Center Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill On the question: none. Response: Councilman Boxhill - Aye Councilman Poteat - Aye Councilman Thompson - Aye Councilman Gleason - Abstain Council President Browne - Aye adopted Aye: President Browne, Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and Councilperson Boxhill Nay: None Absent: None Abstain: Councilperson Gleason 9. TMP -1437 Code: LPW Attachments: Updated Pest Management and Control Bid Acceptance Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill On the question: none. Response: Councilman Boxhill - Aye Councilman Poteat - Aye Councilman Thompson - Aye Councilman Gleason - Aye Council President Browne - Abstain adopted Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: None Abstain: President Browne Page 7 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final July 9, 2025 10. TMP -1505 Code: LPW Attachments: Contract Amendment Request-Weathertight Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill On the question: none. Response: none. adopted Aye: President Browne, Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: None 11. TMP -1500 Code: LPW Attachments: Ammended City fest letter City Fest 2025-AMENDED-fire City Fest 25-PD DPW Updated City Fest Approval Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill On the question: none. Response: none. adopted Aye: President Browne, Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: None 12. TMP -1501 Code: LPW Attachments: buddy white projectReferral letter 2025 FD Response 2025 Buddy White Project DPW Response Buddy White Project PD Response Buddy White Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill On the question: none. Response: none. adopted Page 8 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final July 9, 2025 Aye: President Browne, Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: None 13. TMP -1506 Code: HR Attachments: Juan Peralta Sr. Plaza refferral 7.1.25 Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill On the question: none. Response: none. adopted Aye: President Browne, Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: None 14. TMP -1509 Code: LPW Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill On the question: none. Response: none. adopted Aye: President Browne, Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: None To the Council: The HUMAN RESOURCES Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: Page 9 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final July 9, 2025 15. TMP -1498 Code: HR Attachments: SP4OG_ Startup Smart up Entrepreneurship Flyer 2025 (003) Moved: Councilman Thompson, Seconded by Councilman Poteat On the question: none. Response: none. adopted Aye: President Browne, Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: None 16. TMP -1507 Code: HR Attachments: SP4OG Startup instructor Moved: Councilman Thompson, Seconded by Councilman Poteat On the question: none. Response: none. adopted Aye: President Browne, Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: None 17. TMP -1508 Code: HR Moved: Councilman Thompson, Seconded by Councilman Poteat On the question: none. Response: none. adopted Aye: President Browne, Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: None Page 10 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final July 9, 2025 To the Council: The PUBLIC SAFETY AND CODES Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: No Items To the Council: The FINANCE AND PLANNING Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: 18. TMP -1502 Code: FP Attachments: Amendment held 19. TMP -1504 Code: FP Attachments: ADOPTION OF THE PY 2025-2029 CONSOLIDATED PLAN AND 2025 ACTION PLAN Moved: Councilman Boxhill, Seconded by Councilman Poteat On the question: none. Response: none. adopted Aye: President Browne, Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: None ADD-ON To the Council: The LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC WORKS Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: Page 11 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final July 9, 2025 20. TMP -1518 Code: LPW Attachments: Transfer of Funds - Sewer Line Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill On the question: none. Response: none. adopted Aye: President Browne, Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: None 21. TMP -1517 Code: LPW Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill On the question: none. Response: none. adopted Aye: President Browne, Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: None 22. TMP -1515 Code: LPW Attachments: Tina Sattin Referral Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill On the question: none. Response: none. adopted Aye: President Browne, Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: None Page 12 of 13 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final July 9, 2025 OTHER BUSINESS/CLOSING COMMENTS Councilman Gleason: I wanted to give the Williams family on behalf of the council, our condolences because seargeant Williams, lost his wife recently Councilman Boxhill: I also want to give the Johnson family our condolences for Brian Johnson, he too lost a loved one recently. Councilman Thompson: I want to give a moment of silence for those who have passed and their families at the end of this meeting. Motion to Adjourn Moved: Councilman Thompson, Seconded by Councilman Poteat approved Aye: President Browne, Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: None There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:17 pm. Jordan Riullano, JD Deputy City Clerk Page 13 of 13