Mayor & Village Board of Trustees

VILLAGE OF PELHAM BOARD OF TRUSTEES SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2025, 6:04 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 Non-Recurring Items 4. Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Adoption (All Resolutions A-E) Recurring Items 5. Adjournment Next Regularly Scheduled BOT Meetings: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Tuesday, May 27, 2025 Village Board of Trustees Special Meeting Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Item # 1 - Meeting Called to Order: Deputy Mayor Carpenter called the meeting to order at 6:04 PM. Item # 2 - Pledge of Allegiance: Deputy Mayor Carpenter led the pledge at 6:04 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 (Virtual) ☒ ☐ ☐ Village Administrator Scelza ☒ ☐ ☐ Deputy Mayor Carpenter shares that Mayor Mullen is unable to join tonight’s meeting due to a Village Business, A.G. Williams, being inducted into the Business Council of Westchester’s Hall of Fame. A.G. Williams is a 4th generation family-owned business built by immigrants to this country, and has been passed down through generations. In the mid-nineties, they purchased the lot on Fifth Avenue and have been there ever since. We are proud to support them, and the recognition for their accomplishments over 100 years in the making is well deserved. A thank you from Deputy Mayor Carpenter for all the work done by Village Hall staff, Administrator Scelza, and all the Department Heads throughout this budget process. Tonight is a result of the shared priorities and multiple discussions that took place, and we look forward to the budget’s adoption! Village Board of Trustees Special Meeting Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Non-Recurring Items Item # 4 – Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Adoption (All Resolutions A-E) Budget Resolution (A) Resolution Amending and Revising the Tentative 2025-26 Village Budget for Finalization as Adopted Budget Whereas, the Village of Pelham Board of Trustees has met at the times and place specified in the Notice of Public Hearing on the proposed budget and heard all persons desiring to be heard thereon; and, subsequently consulted with the appropriate Village officials on the contents thereof and determined that certain modifications would be desirable; and Whereas, the Tentative Budget was reviewed and amended at Budget Work Sessions held on March 25, 2025, March 26, 2025, April 3, 2025 and April 22, 2025. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Tentative Budget be amended and revised as follows: SEE ATTACHED BUDGET CHANGES FORM Vote Record - Item # 4A – Resolution Amending and Revising the Tentative 2025-26 Village Budget for Finalization as Adopted Budget – 6:07 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Special Meeting Tuesday, April 29, 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 Special Meeting Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Budget Resolution (B) Resolution Adopting a Budget for the Fiscal Year Commencing June 1, 2025 and Ending May 31, 2026 Making Appropriations for the Conduct of the Village Government and Establishing the Rates of Compensation for Officers and Employees for Such Period Whereas, the Village of Pelham Board of Trustees has met at the time and place of April 8, 2025, as specified in the Notice of Public Hearing on the tentative budget and heard all persons desiring to be heard thereon; and Whereas, the Tentative Budget has been amended as specified in Budget Resolution (A). Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the budget as amended at Budget Work Sessions held on March 25, 2025, March 26, 2025, April 3, 2025, April 22, 2025, and as presented at the Budget Public Hearing on April 8, 2025, as hereinafter set forth is hereby adopted and the salaries and wages stated in the Salary Schedule of the budget are fixed at the amounts shown and are effective June 1, 2025, unless provided for by other means. Vote Record - Item # 4B – Resolution Adopting a Budget for the Fiscal Year Commencing June 1, 2025 and Ending May 31, 2026 Making Appropriations for the Conduct of the Village Government and Establishing the Rates of Compensation for Officers and Employees for Such Period – 6:08 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Special Meeting Tuesday, April 29, 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 Special Meeting Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Budget Resolution (C) Resolution Levying the 2025 Village Tax, Establishing the Tax Rate and Fixing Dates of Payment Note: In accordance with § 1420 of the Real Property Tax Law, upon completion of the budget, but not later than May 15th, the Village Board of Trustees shall determine and levy the tax for the ensuing fiscal year. Whereas, pursuant to § 5-508 of the New York State Village Law, the Board of Trustees has adopted the Village Budget for the fiscal year commencing June 1, 2025 and ending May 31, 2026; and Whereas, such budget as adopted establishes a general Village Property Tax Levy of $13,797,247.00 for this period. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that there are levied and assessed the sum of $13,797,247.00 against all taxable real property and special franchise in the Village, pursuant to this budget, as adopted, and the 2025 Village Tax Rate is set at $6.5124356 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation for Homestead Properties and $9.0327521 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation for Non-Homestead Properties. The Receiver of Taxes for the Town of Pelham is hereby authorized and directed to extend and carry out upon the 2024 Tax Roll the amount to be levied against each parcel of real property and each special franchise shown thereon; and Be it further resolved, that pursuant to § 1432 of the Real Property Tax Law, taxes levied as aforesaid are due June 1st, and payable by June 30, 2025, and the dates and rates of interest shall be set as follows: Vote Record - Item # 4C – Resolution Levying the 2025 Village Tax, Establishing the Tax Rate and Fixing Dates of Payment – 6:10 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Special Meeting Tuesday, April 29, 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 ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Special Meeting Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Payment Due: June 1, 2025 From June 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025 – No Interest on July 1, 2025 – 5% will be added and 1% additional on the first day of each month thereafter until paid. Budget for the Village of Pelham for the Fiscal Year June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026 General Fund: General Government Support $2,234,124.00 Public Safety $7,158,430.00 Transportation $ 467,556.00 Culture and Recreation $ 425,357.00 Home and Community Services $1,199,047.00 Employee Benefits $5,989,580.00 Debt Service $1,143,575.00 Transfer to Capital Fund $ 0.00 Total $18,617,669.00 Less Estimated Revenue $4,820,422.00 Property Tax Levy $13,797,247.00 Assessed Valuation: Homestead $1,760,122,164.00 Tax Rate per Thousand: Homestead $6.5124356 Assessed Valuation: Non-Homestead $258,455,205.00 Tax Rate per Thousand: Non-Homestead $9.0327521 The total amount of local assistance to the General Fund anticipated to be received from the State of New York during the Fiscal Year 2025-26 $73,154.00 PLEASE NOTE: It is the taxpayer’s responsibility to remember the due date of the tax payment – June 1, 2025 payable without interest until June 30, 2025. SENIOR CITIZENS: You may be eligible for tax exemption if you are age 65 and over. For more information, please call or write: Town Receiver of Taxes or Town Tax Assessor 34 Fifth Avenue 34 Fifth Avenue PELHAM, NY 10803 PELHAM, NY 10803 914-738-1642 914-738-2878 Village Board of Trustees Special Meeting Tuesday, April 29, 2025 THIRD PARTY NOTIFICATION Under New York State Law (Chapter 758, Laws of 1986) if you are either 65 years of age or older or disabled and own and occupy a 1, 2, or 3 family residence, you may designate a consenting adult third party to receive duplicate copies of your tax bills and notice of unpaid taxes until further notice. Applications may be obtained in person from the Tax Office, 34 5th Avenue, Pelham, New York 10803 or by mail if you include with your request a self-addressed stamped envelope. Applications for third party notification must be filed with the Receiver of Taxes no later than June 1, 2024. TAX SCHEDULE JANUARY: Second Half School Taxes Town of Pelham APRIL: Town Taxes Town of Pelham JUNE: Village Taxes are due w/o interest by July 1st To: Village of Pelham (Town Receiver of Taxes) SEPTEMBER: First Half School Taxes Town of Pelham The data used to calculate real property taxes due is shown in Appendix 4 of the 2025-26 Village of Pelham Budget. The Village of Pelham, Assessed under Full Valuation by the Town of Pelham, shall submit assessment information in compliance with the applicable Section of the Real Property Tax Law. If you feel your assessment is too high, you have the right to seek a reduction in the future. Applications for challenging your assessment and a copy of the booklet “How to File a Complaint about Your Assessment” are available at the Assessment Office. Any tax questions can be answered by calling the Town of Pelham Tax Assessor at 738-2878 or the Town of Pelham Receiver of Taxes at 738-1642 for Village, School or Town tax information. Village Board of Trustees Special Meeting Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Budget Resolution (D) 2025-26 Village of Pelham Budget Authorization for Investments Be it resolved, that the Village Administrator/Treasurer and/or Deputy Village Treasurer, during the Fiscal Year beginning June 1, 2025, are authorized to invest monies not needed for immediate expenditure in accordance with the provisions of the General Municipal Law, the Local Finance Law and the Village’s Investment Policy. Vote Record - Item # 4D – 2025-26 Village of Pelham Budget Authorization for Investments – 6:11 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Special Meeting Tuesday, April 29, 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 ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Budget Resolution (E) 2025-26 Village of Pelham Budget Resolution Authorizing the Levy and Collection of Additional Taxes Upon Termination of Exempt Status Be it resolved, that the Town Assessor and Receiver of Taxes for the Town of Pelham, during the Fiscal Year beginning June 1, 2025, are authorized to levy and collect additional Village taxes upon termination of exempt status of real property in accordance with provisions of § 494 of the Real Property Tax Law. Vote Record - Item # 4E– 2025-26 Village of Pelham Budget Resolution Authorizing the Levy and Collection of Additional Taxes Upon Termination of Exempt Status – 6:11 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Special Meeting Tuesday, April 29, 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 # 5 - Adjournment A motion was made by Village Trustee Mohan, seconded by Village Trustee Otondi, voted unanimously at 6:12 PM to adjourn for the evening. Respectfully submitted, Adriana Rugova, Village Clerk Village Board of Trustees Special Meeting Tuesday, April 29, 2025