Mayor & Village Board of Trustees

VILLAGE OF PELHAM BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2025, 8:05 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. Site Plan Application and Declaration of Intent to Develop at 404 Fifth Avenue (SBL 163.28- 2-41) 9. Resolution Authorizing the Promotion of a Firefighter to Fire Lieutenant in the Village of Pelham Fire Department 10. Mayor’s Presentation: Village Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 11. Resolution Authorizing Renewal of Grant Consulting Agreement with Millenium Strategies, LLC. 12. Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Stipulation of Settlement with Employee ID # 5320 13. Other Business – Municipal Center Meeting Room Guidelines Recurring Items 14. Authorizing Accounts Payable 15. Authorizing Minutes of: May 13, 2025 Work Session and Regular Meeting 16. Adjournment Next Regularly Scheduled BOT Meetings: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Tuesday, June 24, 2025 Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, May 27, 2025 Item # 1 - Meeting Called to Order: Mayor Mullen called the meeting to order at 8:05 PM. Item # 2 - Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Mullen led the pledge at 8:05 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 – absent. Village Trustee Mohan – absent. Village Trustee Otondi – nothing to report. Village Trustee Solomon – Thank you to Joe Durnan and the Legion for coming out to our Memorial Day Parade! Deputy Mayor Carpenter – nothing to report. Item # 5 - Village Administrator’s Report: The Village will commence subsurface geotechnical investigations in the North Pelham watershed, lasting about 20 days, followed by investigations in the Highbrook Avenue watershed. There will be some noise when the drilling begins for the borings, but there will be no disruptions to traffic. Item # 6 - Mayor’s Report Mayor Mullen would like to extend an invitation to our Building Dedication Ceremony on Sunday, June 1st at 1:00 PM. It will take place in front of the Municipal Center, and afterwards there will be a public tour of the building. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, May 27, 2025 Thank you to Hutchinson Elementary School’s fourth grade class for joining us in a tour of the Municipal Center. A thank you to Fire Chief Benkwitt and Officers Magnotta and Paris as well for assisting in the tours of the Fire and Police Stations. A final thanks to Joe Durnin and the American Legion for an excellent Memorial Day Parade, it was a job well done! Congratulations to all businesses in the Village who received Downtown Improvements Grants. Approximately 17 storefronts will be improved over the summer, and we will notify the public as soon as we can. Mayor Mullen gives a final reminder that he and Village Trustee Solomon will be headed to the New York Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting on May 28th. Item # 7 - Public Comments Congressman George Latimer: Congressman Latimer visited the Village of Pelham to discuss the impact of recent federal budget cuts and policy changes on local government. He explained that the House-passed budget proposal could affect Medicaid benefits for 200,000 residents in his district, reduce food assistance programs, and roll back environmental protections. The Village is currently in the engineering phase of a flood mitigation project and has submitted multiple grant applications, including to FEMA. They are also considering applying for SAFER grants to hire additional firefighters. The Village relies on state and county funding rather than direct federal funding, but concerns were raised about potential cuts to HUD programs that could affect local residents relying on housing vouchers. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, May 27, 2025 Non-Recurring Items Item # 8 – Site Plan Application and Declaration of Intent to Develop at 404 Fifth Avenue (SBL 163.28-2-41) The Village Board heard from the applicant of a proposed 18-unit mixed-use redevelopment project at 404 5th Avenue. Under the Business District Floating Zone, the only permitted use in the Business- 3 District is townhouses. Members of the board expressed interest in seeing development north of Lincoln, and the mayor encouraged the applicant to discuss next steps with staff. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, May 27, 2025 Item # 9 – Resolution Authorizing the Promotion of a Firefighter to Fire Lieutenant in the Village of Pelham Fire Department Whereas, the Westchester County Department of Human Resources has certified to the Village of Pelham a list of eligible candidates for the permanent appointment position of Fire Lieutenant; and Whereas, Michael Mullen is ranked on the foresaid list of eligible candidates. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham hereby confirms the Mayor’s promotional appointment of Michael Mullen of Scarsdale, NY, to the position of Fire Lieutenant, Job Class Code 0105-01, from Westchester County Civil Service Eligible List # 74- 306, effective Saturday, May 31, 2025, at annual salary of $123,369.00, pursuant to the applicable provisions of New York State Civil Service Law and for a probationary period of one (1) year. Vote Record - Item # 9 – Resolution Authorizing the Promotion of a Firefighter to Fire Lieutenant in the Village of Pelham Fire Department – 8:07 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, May 27, 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 ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, May 27, 2025 Item # 10 - Mayor’s Presentation: Village Request for Qualifications (RFQ) TO BE DISTRIBUTED The Village is issuing a request for qualifications to find a development partner for a master plan of several sites, focusing on revitalizing an underutilized area with challenges including parking, pedestrian safety, and blight. The desired outcomes include a mixed-use development with public, commercial, and residential components, prioritizing parking, affordable housing, community spaces, and sustainability. The Village is considering a partnership with the Picture House, which is also planning revitalization projects, and aims to address the area's issues through a comprehensive master plan rather than individual developments. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, May 27, 2025 Item # 11 - Resolution Authorizing Renewal of Grant Consulting Agreement with Millenium Strategies, LLC. Whereas, via Resolution dated June 11, 2024, the Village Board of Trustees approved a Grant Consulting Agreement with Millennium Strategies, LLC; and Whereas, the Grant Consulting Agreement expires on May 31, 2025; and Whereas, on May 14, 2025, Millennium Strategies, LLC., made a proposal to renew an agreement with the Village of Pelham to continue provide grant consulting services; and Whereas, the Village of Pelham seeks to renew an agreement with Millennium Strategies, LLC. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham hereby authorizes the Village Administrator to sign an agreement with Millennium Strategies, LLC., in an amount of $39,600.00 per year to assist the Village in securing grants starting June 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026. Vote Record - Item # 11 – Resolution Authorizing Renewal of Grant Consulting Agreement with Millenium Strategies, LLC. – 9:09 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, May 27, 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, May 27, 2025 Item # 12 - Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Stipulation of Settlement with Employee ID # 5320 Be it resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham herein authorizes the Village Administrator to execute a Stipulation of Settlement with Employee ID # 5320. Vote Record - Item # 12 – Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Stipulation of Settlement with Employee ID # 5320 – 9:10 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, May 27, 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 Regular Meeting Tuesday, May 27, 2025 Item # 13 – Other Business Municipal Center Meeting Room Guidelines: Deputy Mayor Carpenter suggests that the Village Clerk create an application online for the public to request to use the meeting room in the Municipal Center. The online form will be published by Friday, and one of the requirements included will be a deposit to be dropped off at Village Hall Offices. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, May 27, 2025 Recurring Items Item # 14 - Authorizing Accounts Payable Village Trustee Howell 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) $ 69,923.48 Capital Projects Fund (H) $ 157,901.76 Trust & Agency (T) $ 0.00 Private Purpose Trust Fund (TE) $ 0.00 Grand Total $ 227,825.24 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 # 14 – Resolution Authorizing Accounts Payable – 9:15 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, May 27, 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 Regular Meeting Tuesday, May 27, 2025 Item # 15 - Authorizing Minutes of: May 13, 2025 Work Session and Regular Meeting Vote Record - Item # 15 – Resolution Authorizing the Minutes of May 13, 2025 Work Session and Regular Meeting – 9:15 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, May 27, 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 # 16 - Adjournment A motion was made by Village Trustee Solomon, seconded by Village Trustee Eldahry, voted unanimously at 9:15 PM to adjourn for the evening. Respectfully submitted, Adriana Rugova, Village Clerk