Mayor & Village Board of Trustees

VILLAGE OF PELHAM BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2025, 8:02 PM MUNICIPAL CENTER - 200 FIFTH AVENUE, PELHAM, NY 10803 Join by Zoom Video: https://zoom.us/j/98917409392?pwd=U09KN2MxTnJHWEU2Nm9ndWxQSEgwZz09 Join by Telephone: (929) 205-6099 Meeting ID: 989 1740 9392 Passcode: 030699 AGENDA ITEMS 1. Call to Order 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Roll Call 4. Village Trustees’ Reports 5. Village Administrator’s Report 6. Mayor’s Report 7. Public Comments Non-Recurring Items 8. Resolution Authorizing the Hiring of Joel R. Dichter of Dichter Law LLC as Special Counsel to Represent Participating Westchester Municipalities in Con Edison’s Electric and Gas Rate Case Before the Public Service Commission 9. Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Contract with T2 Systems, Inc., for the Acquisition of a New Parking Enforcement and Permit Management Software for the Village of Pelham 10. Other Business – NYCOM Annual Meeting, Woodland Park Revitalization Recurring Items 11. Authorizing Accounts Payable 12. Authorizing Minutes of: March 11, 2025 Work Session and Regular Meeting 13. Adjournment Next Regularly Scheduled BOT Meetings: Tuesday, April 8, 2025 (Note: Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Tentative Budget) Tuesday, April 22, 2025 (Note: Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Adoption) Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Item # 1 - Meeting Called to Order: Mayor Mullen called the meeting to order at 8:02 PM. Item # 2 - Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Mullen led the pledge at 8:02 PM. Item # 3 - Roll Call: Attendee Name Present Absent Late Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ Deputy Mayor Carpenter ☒ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Howell ☒ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Mohan ☒ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Otondi ☒ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon ☒ ☐ ☐ Village Administrator Scelza ☒ ☐ ☐ Item # 4 - Village Trustees’ Report: Village Trustee Eldahry – nothing to report. Village Trustee Howell – The Arts Council is currently planning the Juneteenth event and are also working with Administrator Scelza to place artwork through the Municipal Center. They are also working on dates for the Summer Concert and Movie Series which will be in July and August. Village Trustee Mohan – Our Natural Resources Inventory is winding up, and the Village was successful on receiving another $150,000 grant from New York State, now totaling $160,000 for electric vehicles and mowers. A thank you to the Sustainability Advisory Board for their work! Village Trustee Otondi – nothing to report. Village Trustee Solomon – nothing to report. Deputy Mayor Carpenter – Thank you to the Pelham Chamber who hosted a webinar on the Downtown Improvement Grant Program last Thursday. They are now in the field and looking for applications, so all those who are interested can visit pelhamnychamber.com for more information. Applications are due by April 15th. Item # 5 - Village Administrator’s Report: A reminder to the Mayor and Board that we will be accepting bids related to the Flood Mitigation Projects for North Pelham and Highbrook Avenue this Thursday, at 10:30 AM. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Item # 6 - Mayor’s Report Two weeks ago, student musicians from our high school’s music program performed at a Nashville Music Festival and brought home a silver rating for the jazz band and chamber chorus, and a gold rating for the orchestra, while students Elliot Levine and Rachel Solomon, daughter of Village Trustee Solomon, won soloist awards. Congratulations to our students for their hard work! Joe Marty, our Planning Board Chair, has submitted his resignation letter. The Picture House and Village are discussing possible additions of office space or more theaters, and are currently coming up with other ideas as well. Mayor Mullen is hoping to appoint someone to fill that vacancy, and we wish Joe Marty well! Finally, the Sound Shore Saint Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Saturday, March 29 th. It will kick off in Mamaroneck at 1:30 PM and go down Mamaroneck Avenue. The Grand Marshall this year will be Matt McCauley, long time champion for 9/11 first responders, and the parade itself is dedicated to honoring first responders as well as celebrating Irish heritage. Item # 7 - Public Comments No public comment noted. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Non-Recurring Items Item # 8 – Resolution Authorizing the Hiring of Joel R. Dichter of Dichter Law LLC as Special Counsel to Represent Participating Westchester Municipalities in Con Edison’s Electric and Gas Rate Case Before the Public Service Commission Whereas, on January 31, 2025, Con Edison filed a petition with the New York Public Service Commission to increase electric and gas rates as of January 1, 2026; and Whereas, under this petition, electric rates would rise by 18% with residential delivery charges increasing by 25.1%, and natural gas delivery rates rising by 19.1%; and Whereas, this Con Edison rate hike proposal comes after an increase of 20% in rates over the past three (3) years and any further significant increases would have negative financial impacts on residents and businesses within Westchester County; and Whereas, the Public Service Commission is currently reviewing Con Edison’s petition for an electric and gas rate increase; and Whereas, it is in the best interest of the Village of Pelham be represented in this matter to ensure the concerns of local governments and its residents are adequately addressed; and Whereas, Joel R. Dichter of Dichter Law LLC has the necessary experience and expertise to represent the interests of the participating municipalities in this case and has submitted a proposal dated February 13, 2025 to represent participating municipalities; and Whereas, the proposal includes intervening in the rate case, conducting discovery, retaining expert witnesses, preparing briefs, and attending all hearings and any settlement negotiations at a total cost that shall not exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) which would be split equally among all of the participating municipalities that accept to his representation in this rate case; and Whereas, such representation will only proceed if at least twenty (20) municipalities agree to be represented by Joel R. Dichter of Dichter Law LLC. Now, therefore, be it resolved, by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham as follows: 1. The Village of Pelham hereby authorizes the hiring of Joel R. Dichter of Dichter Law LLC as special counsel to represent participating Westchester municipalities in Con Edison’s Electric and Gas Rate Case before the Public Service Commission; and 2. The Village of Pelham’s share of the legal fees shall be determined based on an equal division among all participating municipalities, with the total amount of such representation not to exceed $100,000 (example: ($100,000 / 20 municipalities = $5,000 each); and 3. This authorization shall only take effect if at least twenty (20) municipalities agree to be represented by Joel R. Dichter of Dichter Law LLC in this matter. 4. The Village Administrator is hereby authorized to take all necessary actions to execute agreements and related documents and make payments in furtherance of this Resolution. 5. This Resolution shall take effect immediately. Be it further resolved, that the Village of Rye Brook shall coordinate the payment to Joel R. Dichter of Dichter Law LLC on behalf of the participating municipalities for representation in this Con Edison electric and gas rate case. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Vote Record - Item # 8 – Resolution Authorizing the Hiring of Joel R. Dichter of Dichter Law LLC as Special Counsel to Represent Participating Westchester Municipalities in Con Edison’s Electric and Gas Rate Case Before the Public Service Commission – 8:12 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Deputy Mayor Carpenter ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Amended Village Trustee Eldahry 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Village Trustee Howell ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Village Trustee Mohan ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Howell recused themselves from both the discussion and vote on the Resolution Authorizing the Hiring of Joel R. Dichter of Dichter Law LLC as Special Counsel due to a conflict of interest. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Item # 9 – Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Contract with T2 Systems, Inc., for the Acquisition of a New Parking Enforcement and Permit Management Software for the Village of Pelham Whereas, following a comprehensive review of Passport’s parking permitting and enforcement platform, applications and operational workflows, the Village of Pelham has determined it is in the best interest to acquire a new Parking Enforcement and Permit Management Software; and Whereas, after investigating alternate service providers and discussing the use of these services with other municipalities, the Village Administrator believes that the service provided by T2 Systems, Inc., will provide enhanced efficiency, an improved user experience as well as ensure the highest level of service for Village residents, businesses and visitors; and Whereas, the Village of Pelham wishes to enter into a Master Customer Agreement with T2 Systems, Inc., for the acquisition of Parking Enforcement and Permit Management Software. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham hereby authorizes the Village Administrator to execute a Master Customer Agreement with T2 Systems, Inc., for the acquisition of Parking Enforcement and Permit Management Software; and Be it further resolved, that the Village of Pelham is hereby authorized to terminate its current contract with Passport Labs, Inc., and request the Village of Pelham data for purposes of migration and onboarding with T2 Systems, Inc; and Be it further resolved, that the Village Administrator is herein authorized to undertake all administrative acts required pursuant to the terms of the Agreement. Vote Record - Item # 9 – Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Contract with T2 Systems, Inc., for the Acquisition of a New Parking Enforcement and Permit Management Software for the Village of Pelham – 8:13 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Deputy Mayor Carpenter ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Amended Village Trustee Eldahry 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Village Trustee Howell ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Village Trustee Mohan ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Item # 10 – Other Business Mayor Mullen reminds the Board that NYCOM is approaching and asked the members interested in going, to respond no later than Thursday, March 27th. Amanda Star: Amanda has attended tonight’s meeting to discuss the revitalization of Woodland Park Playground. The park was created about 10 years ago by the Junior League and all the equipment has been heavily used. They are currently looking to modernize and expand the playground by adding a toddler playground as well as green initiatives. The Chair of the Junior League Sustainability Project, Allison Anderson, is looking to add a butterfly garden with plants to support the biodiversity and beautification of the playground, as well as removing invasive plants. Along with this, Allison hopes to add a bioswale which is an engineered landscape design to naturally filter stormwater runoff, and raised herb and vegetable garden beds. Village Trustee Mohan suggests reaching out to the seniors for their expertise in gardening. Deputy Mayor Carpenter also brings up the issue of possible conflicts arising regarding maintenance of the garden, and Allison states that they are having conversations about possible 2-year maintenance agreements to avoid this. Finally, another possible addition to the park would be a water bottle refilling station with an additional drinking fountain for adults, children and pets. Mayor Mullen questions where the plumbing would be located, and Amanda replies that it would have to be based on this location. Administrator Scelza states that it might require tapping into the water main on Wolfs Lane, and although it is doable, it may be too costly of a job to be feasible. Amanda shares that the install date is May 16th, and they are trying to meet that deadline. In order to do that, they must collect all quotes for submission to Assembly Member Amy Paulin’s office to hopefully move the grant approval process along. Mayor Mullen and the Board of Trustees express their appreciation for the project and offer their support in the process. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Recurring Items Item # 11 - Authorizing Accounts Payable Village Trustee Solomon is auditing the Accounts Payable. Whereas, pursuant to § 5-524 of the New York State Village Law, the Board of Trustees shall audit all claims against the Village. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham after audit of the following vouchers, authorizes payment for services rendered and materials received, for the following items that have been submitted to the Treasurer's Office for payment and authorized by the Village Administrator/Treasurer and Deputy Village Treasurer: Fund Name: Amount General Fund (A) $ 367,117.62 Capital Projects Fund (H) $ 204,861.75 Trust & Agency (T) $ 4,750.00 Private Purpose Trust Fund (TE) $ 0.00 Grand Total $ 576,729.37 Be it further resolved, that the Village Board of Trustees hereby approves payment of the above- mentioned claims and authorizes payment thereof. Vote Record - Item # 11 – Resolution Authorizing Accounts Payable – 8:56 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Deputy Mayor Carpenter 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Amended Village Trustee Eldahry Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Village Trustee Howell ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Village Trustee Mohan ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Item # 12 - Authorizing Minutes of: March 11, 2025 Work Session and Regular Meeting Vote Record - Item # 13 – Resolution Authorizing the Minutes of March 11, 2025 Work Session and Regular Meeting – 8:56 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☐Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒Approved as Deputy Mayor Carpenter ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Amended Village Trustee Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Village Trustee Howell ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Village Trustee Mohan ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Item # 13 - Adjournment A motion was made by Village Trustee Mohan, seconded by Village Trustee Solomon, voted unanimously at 8:57 PM to adjourn for the evening. Respectfully submitted, Adriana Rugova, Village Clerk