Mayor & Village Board of Trustees

VILLAGE OF PELHAM BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2025, 8:04 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. Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Tentative Budget 9. Resolution Authorizing the Award of Contract # 2025-01 for Highbrook Avenue Watershed Borings (bid deadline and opening 3/27/25, 10:30 a.m.) 10. Resolution Authorizing the Award of Contract # 2025-02 for North Pelham Watershed Borings (bid deadline and opening 3/27/25, 10:30 a.m.) 11. Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Memorandum of Agreement with the Village of Pelham Professional Firefighters, Inc., Local 2213, AFL-CIO (June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2029) 12. SEQRA Type II Resolution for Renovations to Woodland Park Including the Purchase and Installation of Equipment 13. Resolution Appointing Planning Board Member 14. Other Business – Ribbon Cutting for Municipal Center Recurring Items 15. Authorizing Accounts Payable 16. Authorizing Minutes of: March 25, 2025 Regular Meeting 17. Adjournment Next Regularly Scheduled BOT Meetings: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 Tuesday, April 29, 2025 (Note: Special Meeting for Budget Adoption) Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Item # 1 - Meeting Called to Order: Mayor Mullen called the meeting to order at 8:04 PM. Item # 2 - Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Mullen led the pledge at 8:04 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 – nothing to report. Village Trustee Mohan – nothing to report. Village Trustee Otondi – Our DPW will be picking up leaves until the end of April and have cleaned the parks as well. In June, they will be fixing the broken drain pipe on Fifth Ave which will help with the flooding that has been occurring there. Village Trustee Solomon – nothing to report. Deputy Mayor Carpenter – A reminder that anyone looking to apply for the Downtown Improvement Grant, the deadline for applications is next Tuesday. Item # 5 - Village Administrator’s Report: A reminder that next week there will be no recycling or garbage collection on Friday, April 18 th due to the holiday. Instead, there will be Village Wide Recycling on Thursday, April 17th. Currently, we are working on 4 grant applications related to our flood mitigation projects. Two of these grants are US Congressional Community Project funding requests, while the others are a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Resilient Watersheds Grant and a New York State Department of State Coastal Rehabilitation and Resilience Project Grant. At the end of February, the Village submitted the FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Community Grant for both North Pelham and Highbrook Ave as well as FEMA's Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant. We hope to hear news in the Fall regarding these two grants, and in June regarding the 4 mentioned earlier. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Item # 6 - Mayor’s Report On March 20th and April 3rd, Mayor Mullen attended two meetings to share details of the Pelham House Project. One of these meetings was the Building and Realty Institute's March General Membership Meeting and the other was the Welcome Home Westchester, the Pace University Land Use Law Center meeting. There were various discussions that took place, such as providing elected officials with housing information, the BDFC, how the Village approached our outdated zoning, and the housing crisis that is at the center of nearly every challenge in many municipalities. Yesterday, Mayor Mullen joined County Executive Ken Jenkins for his weekly Municipal Update which takes place every Monday at 2 PM. A municipal leader is invited every week so that they can share what is happening locally, and this week Mayor Mullen shared news of our Downtown Improvement Grant, the completion of the move into the Municipal Center, and an update on the Flood Mitigation plans. Thank you to Ken Jenkins for the invitation! Finally, thank you to Steve Robins from Rockwells as well as our Department of Public Works for our brand-new picnic tables. The old tables are going to be removed, and the ones that are still in good condition will be repurposed and moved. Item # 7 - Public Comments Morgan, External Relations Associate: Morgan is from the Senate Majority and works with Senator Nathalia Fernandez and would like to give a few legislative updates as well as upcoming events in the Westchester area. Senator Fernandez, along with other state and city elected officials, have called on New York's Congressional Delegation to end the freeze on Federal Funds. A letter was sent out to Governor Hochul requesting the allocation of funds for 60 days to prevent any disruptions until a long-term solution becomes established. As for upcoming events, there will be a paper shred event at the New Rochelle train station on April 11th from 10 AM to 1 PM. There will also be free mammograms taking place in Castle Hill at the Boys and Girls Club. Finally, there will be a partnership with the American Red Cross to spread the word regarding smoke alarm installations in New Rochelle on May 3 rd from 9 AM to 4 PM. If you have any questions, feel free to call 718-822-2049. Addison Keating and Sophia Matsuna: For their community project, Addison and Sophia are partnering with the North Westchester Community Center to donate school supplies. The donation drive will take place at 445 Manor Ridge Road. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Non-Recurring Items Item # 8 – Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Tentative Budget VILLAGE OF PELHAM NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Scheduling a Public Hearing for the Tentative Budget of the Village of Pelham for Fiscal Year 2025-26 The Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham hereby schedules a public hearing to be held at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. This meeting will be held in the Municipal Center at 200 Fifth Avenue and virtually on Zoom and members of the public wishing to present comments may do so online during the public comment phase of the hearing by accessing the meeting at: *** https://zoom.us/j/98917409392?pwd=U09KN2MxTnJHWEU2Nm9ndWxQSEgwZz09 Join by Telephone: (929) 205-6099 Meeting ID: 989 1740 9392 Passcode: 030699 *** A copy of the budget is available at the office of the Village Clerk and on the Villages’ website at http://www.pelhamny.gov in compliance with New York State Law. Any interested person may inspect the Tentative Budget or request a copy during normal office hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. As required by New York State Law, notice is hereby made that the compensation of the Mayor and Village Board of Trustees is as follows: Title Positions Annual Compensation Mayor (1) $5,000 Trustees (6) $2,000 * Note: The Budget Hearing may be continued for more than one meeting, but must be adjourned on or before April 22, 2025. By New York State Village Law, the Budget must be adopted on or before May 1, 2025. By order of Mayor Chance Mullen and Village Board of Trustees Adriana Rugova, Village Clerk Publication Date: April 3, 2025 Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Vote Record - Item # 8 – Resolution to Open the Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Tentative Budget – 8:27 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Deputy Mayor Carpenter ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Amended Village Trustee Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Village Trustee Howell 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Village Trustee Mohan ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Vote Record - Item # 8 – Resolution to Close the Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Tentative Budget – 8:28 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Deputy Mayor Carpenter ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Amended Village Trustee Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Village Trustee Howell 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Village Trustee Mohan ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Item # 9 – Resolution Authorizing the Award of Contract # 2025-01 for Highbrook Avenue Watershed Borings (bid deadline and opening 3/27/25, 10:30 a.m.) Whereas, the Village of Pelham (“Village”) issued a notice to bidders in request for bids under Contract # 2025-01 for Highbrook Avenue Watershed Borings; and Whereas, a public notice was duly published in the Journal News, an official newspaper of the Village and on the Village’s website pursuant to New York State General Municipal Law § 103 (2); and Whereas, at 10:30 a.m. E.S.T., on Thursday, March 27, 2025, the Village Clerk and Village Administrator publicly opened and read aloud one proposal in Village Hall; and Whereas, on reviewing the proposal, the bid was as follows: Total Base Bid 1. Soil Testing, Inc. $107,500.00 Whereas, the Village’s consulting Engineers and the Village Administrator have determined that the lowest responsible bid that meets the requirements is Soil Testing, Inc. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham hereby awarded Contract # 2025-01 for Highbrook Avenue Watershed Borings at the total base bid cost one hundred seven thousand five hundred dollars ($107,500.00) to Soil Testing, Inc.; and Be it further resolved, that the Village Administrator is hereby authorized to execute Contract # 2025-01 with said Soil Testing, Inc. and to undertake administrative acts as may be required under said Agreement. Vote Record - Item # 9 – Resolution Authorizing the Award of Contract # 2025-01 for Highbrook Avenue Watershed Borings (bid deadline and opening 3/27/25, 10:30 a.m.) – 8:29 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 8, 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 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Item # 10 – Resolution Authorizing the Award of Contract # 2025-02 for North Pelham Watershed Borings (bid deadline and opening 3/27/25, 10:30 a.m.) Whereas, the Village of Pelham (“Village”) issued a notice to bidders in request for bids under Contract # 2025-02 for North Pelham Watershed Borings; and Whereas, a public notice was duly published in the Journal News, an official newspaper of the Village and on the Village’s website pursuant to New York State General Municipal Law § 103 (2); and Whereas, at 10:30 a.m. E.S.T., on Thursday, March 27, 2025, the Village Clerk and Village Administrator publicly opened and read aloud two proposals in Village Hall; and Whereas, on reviewing the proposals, the bids were as follows: Total Base Bid 1. Eastern Environmental Solutions, Inc. $82,408.00 2. Soil Testing, Inc. $189,585.00 Whereas, the Village’s consulting Engineers and the Village Administrator have determined that the lowest responsible bid that meets the requirements is Soil Testing, Inc. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham hereby awarded Contract # 2025-02 for North Pelham Watershed Borings at the total base bid cost one hundred eighty-nine thousand five hundred eighty-five dollars ($189,585.00) to Soil Testing, Inc.; and Be it further resolved, that the Village Administrator is hereby authorized to execute Contract # 2025-02 with said Soil Testing, Inc. and to undertake administrative acts as may be required under said Agreement. Vote Record - Item # 10 – Resolution Authorizing the Award of Contract # 2025-02 for North Pelham Watershed Borings (bid deadline and opening 3/27/25, 10:30 a.m.) – 8:30 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 8, 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, April 8, 2025 Item # 11 Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Memorandum of Agreement with the Village of Pelham Professional Firefighters, Inc., Local 2213, AFL-CIO (June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2029) Whereas, the Village and Union are parties to a Collective Bargaining Agreement for the term June 1, 2005 through May 31, 2009, as amended by an Interest Arbitration Award for the term June 1, 2009 through May 31, 2011, as amended by a Memorandum of Agreement for the term June 1, 2011 through May 31, 2015, as amended by a Memorandum of Agreement for the term June 1, 2015 through May 31, 2019, as amended by a Memorandum of Agreement for the term June 1, 2019 through May 31, 2024 (collectively “CBA”); and Whereas, changes to the terms and conditions of employment were agreed upon by the parties and placed in the form of a Memorandum of Agreement dated April 4, 2025 (attached hereto and made apart hereof); and Whereas, the membership of the Union approved the terms and conditions contained in the Memorandum of Agreement; and Whereas, the Memorandum of Agreement between the Village and the Union regarding the terms and conditions of employment for the period of June 1, 2024 through and including May 31, 2029, is being presented for approval by the Village Board of Trustees. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Memorandum of Agreement between the Village and the Union dated April 4, 2025, regarding the terms and conditions of employment for the period of June 1, 2024 through May 31, 2029 is hereby approved; and Be it further resolved, that the Village Administrator and the Village’s Labor Counsel are hereby authorized to execute a Memorandum of Agreement for the period of June 1, 2024 through May 31, 2029, between the Village and the Union incorporating terms and conditions of said Memorandum of Agreement. Vote Record - Item # 11 – Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Memorandum of Agreement with the Village of Pelham Professional Firefighters, Inc., Local 2213, AFL-CIO (June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2029) – 8:33 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Deputy Mayor Carpenter ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Amended Village Trustee Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Village Trustee Howell 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Village Trustee Mohan ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Item # 12 - SEQRA Type II Resolution for Renovations to Woodland Park Including the Purchase and Installation of Equipment Whereas, the Village of Pelham proposes to renovate Woodland Park including the purchase and installation of equipment; and Whereas, the proposed renovations would be located in an existing public park, and would be a customary accessory structure common to many public parks; and Whereas, the proposed renovations have been designed to be minimally disruptive to the existing topography and vegetation. Now, therefore, be it resolved, pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (the “SEQRA Act”) and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto by the Department of Environmental Conversation of the State of New York, being 6 NYCRR Part 617, as amended (the “Regulations”), the Project constitutes a “Type II Action” under 6 NYCRR § 617.5(c)(2) and no further action under the SEQRA Act and the Regulations is required. Vote Record - Item # 12 – SEQRA Type II Resolution for Renovations to Woodland Park Including the Purchase and Installation of Equipment – 8:34 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Deputy Mayor Carpenter ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Amended Village Trustee Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Village Trustee Howell 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Village Trustee Mohan ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Item # 13 – Resolution Appointing Planning Board Member Whereas, Joseph Marty tendered his resignation as Chairman and member of the Planning Board effective March 25, 2025. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that Ciro Greco is hereby appointed as a member and Chairman of the Planning Board expiring December 4, 2028, or until such time as a successor is appointed. Vote Record - Item # 13 – Resolution Appointing Planning Board Member – 8:24 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Deputy Mayor Carpenter Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Amended Village Trustee Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Village Trustee Howell ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Village Trustee Mohan 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Item # 14 – Other Business Ribbon Cutting for Municipal Center: Mayor Mullen will be reaching out to the Board of Trustees regarding possible dates for our ribbon cutting ceremony. He is hoping for some time in May, and will discuss in further detail with Administrator Scelza. Due to the requests of residents asking to use our Municipal Center, we are aiming for an open date in May. Village Trustee Solomon suggests a date of June 1st, as we will also be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Village of Pelham. Although Mayor Mullen is not opposed to this, he suggests that residents be able to use the building ahead of that date. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Recurring Items Item # 15 - Authorizing Accounts Payable Deputy Mayor Carptenter 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) $ 62,306.31 Capital Projects Fund (H) $ 305,887.84 Trust & Agency (T) $ 0.00 Private Purpose Trust Fund (TE) $ 0.00 Grand Total $ 368,194.15 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 # 15 – Resolution Authorizing Accounts Payable – 8:42 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Deputy Mayor Carpenter ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Amended Village Trustee Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Village Trustee Howell 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Village Trustee Mohan ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Item # 16 - Authorizing Minutes of: March 25, 2025 Regular Meeting Vote Record - Item # 13 – Resolution Authorizing the Minutes of March 25, 2025 Regular Meeting – 8:43 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 8, 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 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Item # 17 - Adjournment A motion was made by Village Trustee Solomon, seconded by Village Trustee Mohan, voted unanimously at 8:44 PM to adjourn for the evening. Respectfully submitted, Adriana Rugova, Village Clerk