Mayor & Village Board of Trustees

VILLAGE OF PELHAM BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING MINUTES THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 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. Resolution Adopting the Adjusted Base Proportions Using the 2025 Final Assessment Roll and Rates Provided by the Town Assessor for the Village of Pelham 2026 Property Tax Levy 9. Resolution Authorizing the Termination of a Probationary Employee 10. Resolution Authorizing Special Event Request from Pelham Children’s Center (6th Annual Pumpkin Walk) 11. Resolution Authorizing Reimbursement Agreement with Pelham Green 2 LLC. 12. Other Business Recurring Items 13. Authorizing Budget Amendments and Transfers for Fiscal Year 2025-26 14. Authorizing Accounts Payable 15. Authorizing Minutes of: August 12, 2025 Work Session and Regular Meeting 16. Adjournment Next Regularly Scheduled BOT Meetings: Tuesday, October 14, 2025 Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Thursday, September 25, 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 (Virtual) ☒ ☐ ☐ Item # 4 - Village Trustees’ Report: Village Trustee Eldahry – nothing to report. Village Trustee Howell – There will be an Art Fest held by the Arts Council on October 18th, as well as an Open Mic Night on February 6th, 2026. Village Trustee Mohan – The Natural Resources Inventory is in its final draft, and is ready to be presented to the Board on October 14th. Village Trustee Otondi – absent. Village Trustee Solomon – Thank you to the Board for rescheduling the meeting to tonight instead of their normal time on Tuesday, and a Shana Tova for the Jewish New Year! Deputy Mayor Carpenter – nothing to report. Item # 5 - Village Administrator’s Report: Following the Village Board meeting on September 9th, the Board approved the execution of a Professional Service Agreement with AI Engineers to provide architectural services for the pump station at Julianne's Playground. A kickoff meeting has already taken place, and schematic drawings are expected to be completed and presented to the Village Board at its only meeting in December. Further updates will be shared as the project progresses. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Thursday, September 25, 2025 Item # 6 - Mayor’s Report It was a pleasure to host the Westchester Municipal Officials Association membership meeting last Thursday. The event was well-attended, and many guests shared positive feedback about the new venue. It was especially meaningful to welcome the New York State DEC Commissioner, a representative from the Governor's office, and numerous Westchester officials. Special thanks were extended to Administrator Scelza, and the entire Village Hall team for their hard work in organizing the event, including coordinating logistics and setting up the space. Their efforts were greatly appreciated and contributed to the event’s success. The Village of Pelham received a letter from RuthAnne Visnauskas, Commissioner of Homes and Community Renewal, announcing that the Village has been officially certified as a Pro Housing Community. This recognition follows Pelham’s successful application to New York's Pro Housing Communities program and makes the Village eligible to apply for various discretionary funding opportunities, with up to $750 million available. The certification is especially meaningful given the Village’s prior opposition to Governor Hochul’s proposed housing compact, which was seen as overly rigid and a threat to local zoning control. Instead, the Pro Housing program rewards communities like Pelham that are already working to expand housing. Special thanks were given to Administrator Scelza, Julia, and the Building Department for compiling and submitting the extensive documentation required over the summer. Their hard work was essential to achieving this important designation. Item # 7 - Public Comments No public comment noted. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Thursday, September 25, 2025 Non-Recurring Items Item # 8 – Resolution Adopting the Adjusted Base Proportions Using the 2025 Final Assessment Roll and Rates Provided by the Town Assessor for the Village of Pelham 2026 Property Tax Levy Be it resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham hereby adopts the 2025 Adjusted Base Proportions using the 2025 Final Assessment Roll and Rates provided by the Town of Pelham Assessor for the Village of Pelham 2026 Property Tax Levy, at the rates of 82.866110% for Homestead, and 17.133890% for Non-Homestead; and Be it further resolved, that the Village Administrator and the Town Assessor are authorized to take the necessary steps to affect this Resolution. Vote Record - Item # 8 – Resolution Adopting the Adjusted Base Proportions Using the 2025 Final Assessment Roll and Rates Provided by the Town Assessor for the Village of Pelham 2026 Property Tax Levy – 8:13 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Thursday, September 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 Thursday, September 25, 2025 Item # 9 – Resolution Authorizing the Termination of a Probationary Employee Whereas, Employee ID # 5346 is employed by the Village of Pelham (“Village”) as a Probationary School Crossing Guard; and Whereas, the Village has decided to terminate Employee ID # 5346 probationary employment as a School Crossing Guard. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that Employee ID # 5346 probationary employment with the Village of Pelham as a School Crossing Guard shall be and hereby is terminated effective September 26, 2025; and Be it further resolved, that a copy of this Resolution shall be delivered to Employee ID # 5346, at her last address on file with the Village of Pelham. Vote Record - Item # 9 – Resolution Authorizing the Termination of a Probationary Employee – 8 :14 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Thursday, September 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 Thursday, September 25, 2025 Item # 10 - Resolution Authorizing Special Event Request from Pelham Children’s Center (6th Annual Pumpkin Walk) Whereas, on September 9, 2025, the Pelham Children’s Center submitted a Special Event Request for the 6th Annual Pumpkin Walk in Wolfs Lane Park on October 18, 2025; and Whereas, the Pelham Children’s Center shall reimburse the Village for all costs incurred by the Village as a result of the event, including but not limited to Police Department and Department of Public Works overtime, and provide a certificate of liability insurance naming the Village as an additional insured in a form and amount satisfactory to the Village. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham herein authorizes the appropriate Village officials and staff to take the necessary and appropriate actions to allow this event to take place. Vote Record - Item # 10 – Resolution Authorizing Special Event Request from Pelham Children’s Center (6th Annual Pumpkin Walk) – 8:15 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Thursday, September 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 Thursday, September 25, 2025 Item # 11 – Resolution Authorizing Reimbursement Agreement with Pelham Green 2 LLC. Be it resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham hereby authorizes the Village Administrator to execute the attached Reimbursement Agreement with Pelham Green 2 LLC in order to satisfy any and all claims Pelham Green 2 has or may have against the Village of Pelham for reimbursement of its costs related to the Relocation of certain Telecommunications Equipment. Vote Record - Item # 11 – Resolution Authorizing Reimbursement Agreement with Pelham Green 2 LLC. – 8:16 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Thursday, September 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 Thursday, September 25, 2025 Item # 12 - Other Business No other business noted. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Thursday, September 25, 2025 Recurring Items Item # 13 - Authorizing Budget Amendments and Transfers for Fiscal Year 2025-26 Whereas, pursuant to the provisions of § 5-520 of the New York State Village Law, the Village Board of Trustees, by resolution, may increase existing appropriations by transferring funds from the unexpended balance of another appropriation, from the contingent account, from available cash surplus or unanticipated revenues within a fund, or by borrowing; and Whereas, in all cases, there are sufficient unexpended balances in other appropriation accounts, excess revenues or fund balances available to cover the amendments and transfers. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that pursuant to New York State Village Law § 5-520, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham hereby authorizes and directs the Village Administrator/ Treasurer and Deputy Village Treasurer to modify the 2025-26 Budget by making the following budget year-end amendments and transfers (items attached hereto and made part hereof). Vote Record - Item # 13 – Authorizing Budget Amendments and Transfers for Fiscal Year 2025-26 – 8:18 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Thursday, September 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 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ Village Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Thursday, September 25, 2025 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) $ 363,806.17 Capital Projects Fund (H) $ 12,185.99 Trust & Agency (T) $ 0.00 Private Purpose Trust Fund (TE) $ 0.00 Grand Total $375,992.16 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 – 8:19 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Thursday, September 25, 2025 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Deputy Mayor Carpenter 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Amended Village Trustee Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Village Trustee Howell ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Village Trustee Mohan ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ Village Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Thursday, September 25, 2025 Item # 15 - Authorizing Minutes of: August 12, 2024 Work Session and Regular Meeting Vote Record - Item # 15 – Resolution Authorizing the Minutes of: August 12, 2025 Work Session and Regular Meeting – 8:20 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Thursday, September 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 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ Village Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Item # 16 – Adjournment A motion was made by Village Trustee Solomon, seconded by Village Trustee Eldahry, voted unanimously at 8:20 PM to adjourn for the evening. Respectfully submitted, Adriana Rugova, Village Clerk