Board of Trustees

BOARD OF TRUSTEES February 26, 2024 PRESENT: Mayor Monachino Lapey Trustee Owen-Michaane Trustee Case Trustee McLaughlin Attorney Cornachio Manager Luft ABSENT: Trustee Bennett PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND FIRE SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT Mayor Monachino Lapey led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance and notified those in attendance where the fire safety exits were located. ----------- OPENING REMARKS Mayor Monachino Lapey opened the meeting and welcomed everyone. The Mayor said that the Village cannot get to every loss in the Village, but announced another sad passing. Mary Gallagher died a few days ago. She was involved in many not for profit organizations like the Manor Club and the International Garden Club which is now the Bartow- Pell Conservancy. She was an educator and also the wife of former Mayor Brian Gallagher. Mayor Monachino Lapey said that she and the Village Manager met at the Senior Center. She introduced Manager Luft to the Senior population. Manager Luft said that it was a great group to meet and a wonderful opportunity to see some new faces. Trustee Case said that he attended an outdoor meeting to go over the dangers at the Glover Field intersection. Town officials, students, George Latimer and Amy Paulin were in attendance. He said that the crossing is a challenge. Trustee Case said that the County Executive is looking at ways to finance improvements. He said that there are some challenges because it is a County road located in the City of Mount Vernon. The Mayor said that intermunicipal collaboration was very important. Trustee Owen-Michaane said the Village is working on a one hundred fifty-thousand- dollar SAM grant through Assemblywoman Amy Paulin. It is for a specialized catch basin machine. It is currently going through the stages of approval. The Mayor said that it is being worked on, but it has not been approved yet. Mayor Monachino Lapey said that Trustee Bennett is traveling with her family on business. The Mayor said that Trustee Bennett will attend a conference on Friday on climate issues. ---------- MINUTES Mayor Monachino Lapey asked if there were any comments or questions on the minutes from the Regular Meeting on February 12, 2024. There were no comments or questions. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously 1  RESOLVED, that the minutes from the Regular Meeting on February 12, 2024 be and hereby are approved. ---------- REPORTS Mayor Monachino Lapey, in the absence of Police Commissioner Bennett, discussed the monthly report with Chief Atkins. She said that January was a very busy month. Chief Atkins said that the department was active with petty crimes, leaf blower summonses and the ATM robbery. The Chief said that the Police got there right away. He said that multiple jurisdictions, such as Yonkers and New York City were involved. The Mayor reminded people to notify the Police first before going on social media. She said that the Village also had a home invasion. The Chief said that there was a residential burglary. The residents heard a noise. He said if you’re worried about hearing a strange noise, call the Police. The officer will check the exterior of the house and the interior if necessary. The Chief said that two cars, a Mercedes and Range Rover, were stolen. The Mercedes was found in the Bronx by the NYPD and the Range Rover was recovered in New Jersey. The Chief said that some cars that were left unlocked were gone through. Nothing was stolen, but he reminded residents not to leave their fobs or keys in their cars. The Mayor and Board thanked Chief Atkins for his report. The Village Manager discussed the Village Treasurer’s report. Manager Luft said that the opening balance was ten million three hundred sixty-three thousand dollars. The significant revenue was seven hundred twenty thousand five hundred ninety-two dollars and ninety-three cents which was reimbursement from an old DASNY grant for sanitary sewer work. The Village will get an additional one hundred thirteen thousand dollars from this grant. Trustee Owen-Michaane said that you have to spend the money first and then get reimbursed. The Village reinvests in infrastructure. Trustee Owen-Michaane asked if the grant was done in house and was told yes. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Police and Village Treasurer reports be and hereby are adopted. ----------- CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL FOR PROJECT COMMUNITY TO HOST THE COLOR RUN Dr. Anne Frost asked that Project Community be allowed to host the annual Color Run on Sunday, May 19, 2024. The Mayor asked if they have met with the Police Department to discuss the route. Manager Luft said that the group has met with the Police department. She said that the map shows the same route that they have used for many years. The Mayor said that this is a very respectful group that does amazing work. Trustee Owen-Michaane said that this is an amazing community event. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously 2  RESOLVED, that Project Community be and hereby is approved to host the Color Run on Sunday, May19, 2024 from ten o’clock in the morning until noon. --------- RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE PROPOSED CAPITAL BUDGET AMENDMENTS The Mayor asked the Village Manager to give an overview of this proposal. Manager Luft said that this is a proposal to move funds within the Capital budget. She said that there were funds left over from the line for a roof on the Volunteer headquarters. Those funds can be moved to fund some rehabilitation by the Police Booth at the Four Corners. This work would include removing some trees and vegetation by the Police Booth. It’s a nice area to highlight and it would add some life to that area. Across the street there is a brick median in the Right of Way. She said that black poles and fixtures need to be replaced. Manager Luft said that there was a slight overage of three thousand dollars for fire apparatus. This amendment would pay for that. Trustee Owen-Michaane asked about the Four Corners median. The Manager said that she still has to confirm that piece is only an exit. The Mayor said that the CVS parking lot is before the Planning Board. The Manager said that the median is fully municipally owned. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Capital Budget amendments to fund the Four Corners Renovation and the balance for fire equipment be and hereby are approved. ---------- RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN INCREASE IN AIM FUNDING Mayor Monachino Lapey asked the Manager to speak about the request from the New York Conference of Mayors. Manager Luft said that NYCOM is seeking to get an increase in the Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) funding. She said that funding hit a peak in two thousand ten and there has been no change since two thousand twelve when aid was decreased. The resolution states the need for increased funding. The Mayor said that the Governor has called for flat funding in the 2024-2025 State budget. She said that this resolution may address that. After discussion upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Village Board of Trustees supports NYCOM’s petition for an increase in Aim Funding. ------------ RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN ABSTRACT OF VOUCHERS NUMBERS 32123-32176 After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Mayor be and hereby is authorized to sign Vouchers Numbers 32123-32176. --------- PUBLIC COMMENT The Mayor asked if there were any comments or questions from the public. 3 There were no comments or questions from the public. ---------- EXECUTIVE SESSION The Mayor said that there was an issue regarding the employment of a particular person. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Board be and hereby is authorized to conduct an Executive Session to discuss the following: Employment of a particular person No action was taken in Executive Session. ---------- ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned. ---------- Clerk 4