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, September 24, 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 September 24, 2025 A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF THE MOUNT VERNON CITY COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 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 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 15 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 24, 2025 PUBLIC COMMENT 1. Melissa Cardany, Mount Vernon, NY Topic: French Day event 7:03 pm Councilman Gleason - wished the event well. 2. Pastor Richard Garnor Topic: Hazardous traffic conditions 7:04 pm 3. Karen Witherspoon, Mount Vernon, NY submitted written comments via Toni Gamils Topic: Hazardous conditions 7:08 pm 4. Toni Hunter Gamils, Mount Vernon, NY Topic: unsafe conditions near 22 Brookfield Rd 7:08 pm 5. Susan Risenzweig, Mount Vernon, NY Topic: Building permits and other concerns 7:12 pm 6. Christian Raftopol, Mount Vernon, NY No Show 7:17 pm 7. Elena Raftopol, Mount Vernon, NY No Show 7:17 pm 8. Marie Rizzo, Mount Vernon, NY Topic: Afraid to leave house due to chaotic traffic conditions and dangerous drivers7:19 pm 9. Linda Finn, Mount Vernon, NY Topic: Friday's near 22 Brookfield 7:22 pm 10. Christopher Goad, Mount Vernon, NY No Show 7:03 Eric Crump - Constituent Services spoke regarding the parking situation during events at the Westchester Islamic Center, he discussed how he observed over 200 cars illegally parked. Mayor and Eric met with Islamic Center to and discussed the available parking that are empty. However, the Friday prayer block during the mid-day. We have given them options. Tickets were given out this past Friday. Car owners told the officers to give them the ticket and they did not move the cars. DPW is doing a study on the traffic and the parking. It is a safety hazard, a school bus could not get around the corner. An EMS truck could not get through with the double park cars and cars parking on both sides of the narrow block. Spoke with Mosque leaders on spreading out the services. A suggestion is to change the parking signs to “no parking”. PD will start towing Council President Browne - witnessed a judge dismiss every ticket because the officer was not present. We need to have an officer that can represent the city. Board member of the Mosque spoke on the situation and the agreement with the school district and the use of their parking lots and agreed with PD giving tickets to the “bad apples” not following the rules. Does not have objections to the suggestions from the Council and they want to fully comply, but they don’t want to be blamed for a few. Don’t want to be restricted from the Friday prayer schedule from noon to 3 pm. Councilman Gleason - hire an officer, like Con Ed does and they are stationed there. Or hire security to help with the traffic situation Councilman Thompson - suggested using municipal parking and hiring a shuttle. Commissioner Rausse - Spoke on the draft of the Comprehensive Plan and the next steps. Council presented a resolution to 2 honorees 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 Page 2 of 15 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 24, 2025 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 -1630 Code: LPW Attachments: Approval of VMware support contract and payment Davenport group EstimateOnly-DG15765 - Mount Vernon NY - VMWare - 1 Year Term 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 2. TMP -1637 Code: LPW Attachments: Authorization for the Mount Vernon City staff to attend OpenGov training 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 3 of 15 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 24, 2025 3. TMP -1624 Code: LPW Attachments: MOU with CEEP Pledge to Support and Participate in CAPI 2025 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 -1644 Code: LPW Attachments: Referral Letter 091925 Supporting Docs 091925 - agenda_WET_FacilitatorAttendee_Sep25_Syracuse 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 -1625 Code: LPW Attachments: Referral letter for three staff to attend OpenGov training in Huntington on 10-01-2025 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 4 of 15 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 24, 2025 Nay: None Absent: None 6. TMP -1645 Code: LPW Attachments: Resolution George Brown 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 7. TMP -1646 Code: LPW Attachments: Resolution Curtis Nelson Jr. 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 5 of 15 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 24, 2025 8. TMP -1632 Code: HR Attachments: revised pumpkin fest letter PD Response DPW Response Recreation Response Moved: Councilman Thompson, Seconded by Councilman Gleason 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 9. TMP -1638 Code: HR Attachments: S.Mills Street conaming Referral ltr 9.22.2025 Moved: Councilman Thompson, Seconded by Councilman Gleason 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 PUBLIC SAFETY AND CODES Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: Page 6 of 15 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 24, 2025 10. TMP -1603 Code: PSC Attachments: Building Safety Inspections Referral Letter (1) Multi-dwelling-Legislation Moved: Councilman Poteat, Seconded by Councilman Thompson 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 -1610 Code: PSC Attachments: MVPD Trunk-or-Treat Authorization PD Trunk or Treat Letter Trunk or Treat DPW Response Moved: Councilman Poteat, Seconded by Councilman Thompson 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 -1628 Code: PSC Attachments: Agenda Letter 9-15-25 Taj Bridgers .pdf Moved: Councilman Poteat, Seconded by Councilman Thompson On the question: none. Response: none. adopted Aye: President Browne, Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Page 7 of 15 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 24, 2025 Nay: None Absent: None 13. TMP -1642 Code: PSC Attachments: Agenda Letter Engine Loaner.pdf Yonkers Fire Engine Loaner MOU Moved: Councilman Poteat, Seconded by Councilman Thompson 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 -1626 Code: PSC Attachments: Mutual Aid and Rapid Response Plan Letter Moved: Councilman Poteat, Seconded by Councilman Thompson 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 FINANCE AND PLANNING Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: Page 8 of 15 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 24, 2025 15. TMP -1613 Code: FP Attachments: MAP Amended CC letter for 545 So. Fulton Ave 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 16. TMP -1621 Code: FP Attachments: Resolution - Adoption & Neg Dec (Health Clubs) 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 17. TMP -1620 Code: FP Attachments: Referral Letter Concerning Municpal Code Amendment of Chapter 267 - Health Clubs Ordinance - Health Clubs 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 Page 9 of 15 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 24, 2025 Nay: None Absent: None 18. TMP -1623 Code: FP Attachments: Referral Letter Concerning Municpal Code Amendment of Chapter 10 and Chapter 267 - Expiration of approvals Resolution - Adoption (Land Use Approval Expiration) Ordinance - Land Use Approval Expiration REVISED 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 19. TMP -1629 Code: FP Attachments: Comp Plan 2025 Referral Letter PCD Final Full EAF Pt 1 (Comp Plan) Full EAF Pt 2 (Comp Plan) Resolution - Lead Agency, Referral, Public Hearing (Comp 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 Page 10 of 15 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 24, 2025 20. TMP -1636 Attachments: Opengov Training Referral Letter 9.16.25 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: 21. TMP -1647 Code: LPW Attachments: Frenchy Day DPW Response Frenchy Day PD Response Frenchy Day FD Response Frenchy Day 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 PUBLIC SAFETY AND CODES Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: Page 11 of 15 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 24, 2025 22. TMP -1652 Code: PSC Attachments: Marvin Church Moved: Councilman Poteat, Seconded by Councilman Thompson 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 23. TMP -1653 Code: PSC Attachments: Dr. Diana Williams Moved: Councilman Poteat, Seconded by Councilman Thompson 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 LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC WORKS Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled legislation: 24. TMP -1640 Code: LPW Attachments: Release of RFQ NO08.25 copy Moved: Councilman Boxhill, Seconded by Councilman Poteat On the question: none. Response: none. adopted Page 12 of 15 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 24, 2025 Aye: President Browne, Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: None 25. TMP -1631 Code: LPW Attachments: Bid Acceptance-Various Public Works Construction Rentals Moved: Councilman Boxhill, Seconded by Councilman Poteat On the question: none. Response: Abstain - Council President Browne (I did not have time to review it) adopted Aye: Pro Tempore Poteat, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, Councilperson Boxhill, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: None Abstain: President Browne Page 13 of 15 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 24, 2025 26. TMP -1656 Code: LPW Attachments: Street Re Naming Referral Street Re Naming Policy Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Thompson On the question: none. Response: Abstain - Boxhill, Poteat Councilman Boxhill - the person has to be deceased? Council President Browne - council can make an exception Councilman Boxhill - signature threshold? Council President Browne - viewing neighboring police Councilman Poteat - would like to change it to “must” from “preferably,” and the council should not make a recommendation on a renaming. Council - disagreed. Councilman Boxhill - want more time to review and to get public input. Councilman Poteat - does this have to pass right now? Councilman Gleason - I don’t feel comfortable passing the event for Friday without the policy. (*item will require a 2nd vote*) approved Aye: President Browne, Acting Pro Tempore Thompson, and Councilperson Gleason Nay: None Absent: None Abstain: Pro Tempore Poteat, and Councilperson Boxhill OTHER BUSINESS/CLOSING COMMENTS Councilman Thompson - discussed upcoming city events. Councilman Gleason - moment of silence for deceased members of the community Councilman Browne - acknowledged deceased Page 14 of 15 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final September 24, 2025 Motion to Adjourn Moved: Councilman Gleason, Seconded by Councilman Thompson 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 9:15 pm. Jordan Riullano, JD Deputy City Clerk Page 15 of 15