[{"_1":2,"_120":-5,"_121":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6093812,"mediaKeyId","2845332-264898f15a83c50487946c776cde1568","parentId",2845332,"title","Comptroller: city is catching up on delayed audits; 2019 issued, 2020 expected by spring","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",4458000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2845332-264898f15a83c50487946c776cde1568&start=4458&end=4458","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2845332-264898f15a83c50487946c776cde1568/thumbnail_4458000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6093812/Mount-Vernon/Westchester-County/New-York/Comptroller-city-is-catching-up-on-delayed-audits-2019-issued-2020-expected-by-spring","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093812-8d82d5d5514d67f4374c1666bfbfcb18/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167395&Signature=EhAPRR~HzjKGkwSKcuvSbwvxj3INvEs0YBRaYtfKI8RWHjgtIZOzDOaKDsdWqwd2CTuRcfy178Ah4VPU5EYA96yc7mP4TWcRUj4pTRxRSs8vjw3nBMK6CzAXmVUDGRL04U9T8OPXehuhIApDpMD3m3eaFhCxhQAMQUgjqoig319WuAuI7hCy8INop8kIjSF7xGkeuPSX86Yp4qDFY14g47w34rBv-pywjzfDwAwfeHresoBhMkvjUIp46l11ecf2ICCvDtp~WI~fojra01W00TpMNikG8lnl3gcmQnKLUsoFuPMsnF~70X3BN4eb76EP1y24chzX-8gVIhOAP0zj-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CMVNY TV","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","Comptroller Morton briefed the board Feb. 18 on the status of the city's financial audits and said the city has issued the 2019 audit, completed fieldwork for 2020 and expects to finish the 2020 audit by March or early April. He said the work is complex because several legacy accounting and software issues, interactions with Urban Renewal Agency (URA) accounting and water‑department software transitions created reconciliation challenges.

Morton said the single‑audit (federal) process is tied to the annual financial report and that auditors cannot finalize the city audit until certain agency audits and reconciliations are complete. He noted some prior inter‑agency payments and administrative cost reallocations traced back to HUD that required extra reconciliation.

Morton said corrective measures are underway, including accrual and compensated‑absences adjustments and that 2021 audit work is scheduled to follow. He told the board that auditors and accountants will present publicly in March to answer resident questions about the audits and related records. He said doing so helps build public confidence and provides an independent voice to explain audit results.

Several elected officials praised the comptroller’s office and staff for work to clear up legacy accounting issues and said timely audits are critical for unlocking grant funds and other external funding. The board discussed continuing engagement with external auditors and the state comptroller’s office and asked staff to continue prioritizing the outstanding audit schedule.

Morton added that the audit delays had real operational consequences, including withheld reimbursements and delayed grant flows; the board asked for aggressive follow‑through to restore normal reporting cadence.

The board scheduled continued attention to audits and anticipated a public presentation by the auditors and accountants in March.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mount Vernon Board of Estimate & Contract Meeting | February 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Mount Vernon’s comptroller told the board the city has issued the 2019 audit, completed fieldwork for 2020 and expects the 2020 audit to be complete by March–April; other audits and federal single-audit work were described as ongoing and necessary for grant flows.","taxTitle","Mount Vernon, Westchester County, New York","taxId",12530,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6093817,"Board approves custodial accounts for development projects; officials stress accounts do not equal project approval",437,3199000,3636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2845332-264898f15a83c50487946c776cde1568&start=3199&end=3636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2845332-264898f15a83c50487946c776cde1568/thumbnail_3199000.jpg","/articles/6093817/Mount-Vernon/Westchester-County/New-York/Board-approves-custodial-accounts-for-development-projects-officials-stress-accounts-do-not-equal-project-approval","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093817-5e31a1ee6a95f0dc9a368977638f88aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167395&Signature=So-qR4qORAUI2F3-iUhA-eV9jcC6KiyL43k8p7InGsJ766TgKH~jz7RGLMcdaJTUj~13wetaeufHTX5nsQFPLV3UAQkwMEP8~WF9nBHGo7FA4cHjtjedRSnSS--9JYwhPuqoD8LqeSSnup0sYbBfJbAhcf7zIot0XmBmZl-U-zwqLJZTv1llywDGgdd2deagGvYhTOF0egl4oZRaG6pkk0K7jwXT-MjoLLwBCgtZ8f1mMeBjdoYF0iZOgLNP4H2KoJaPPEhy9qVFvJe7gaYMhOVuZCu-~tBXAicX~8kIyM3~PDM2gHYU2maxWaTwyN0a0QDLFeF0PZFXmDS3R2KHSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Estimate and Contract approved an ordinance Feb. 18 establishing custodial accounts for property-development projects (listed in the meeting as 22 West First Street and a Boys & Girls Club project). Staff and elected officials used the discussion to explain how custodial accounts function and why the city has been formalizing them.

Comptroller Morton explained that custodial accounts (formerly handled as trust and agency accounts) were changed to be recorded within the city’s accounts under accounting standards and that the city requires project proponents to place funds in these accounts to cover upfront soft costs. \"These types of accounts would be deemed trust and agency accounts. There has since been changes ... and now they have to be accounted for within the city fund,\" he said.

Council President Brown emphasized that establishing a custodial account does not signal approval of a project. \"Because there's a custodial account does not mean that the project's been approved,\" Brown said, stressing that escrow is simply a way to ensure applicants pay the soft costs associated with review, legal counsel or technical studies so taxpayers do not absorb those expenses.

Board members said the accounts provide transparency — custodial activity is included in quarterly reports — and allow the city to charge the applicant for consultant work, planning reviews and legal expenses associated with proposed projects. Staff described the typical information required to open an account: project title, account manager, and a project description.

The board approved the ordinance by roll call. Officials said project approvals (zoning, lead agency determinations, and any IDA incentives) remain separate processes and will continue to follow their normal review and public-notice procedures.","The board approved establishing custodial (escrow) accounts for two development projects and officials reiterated that creating an account to capture a developer’s soft‑cost payments is a procedural step and does not signify project approval.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6093822,"City orders cleanup cost recovery after illicit cooking‑oil discharge; vendor identified",343,1308000,1651000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2845332-264898f15a83c50487946c776cde1568&start=1308&end=1651","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2845332-264898f15a83c50487946c776cde1568/thumbnail_1308000.jpg","/articles/6093822/Mount-Vernon/Westchester-County/New-York/City-orders-cleanup-cost-recovery-after-illicit-cookingoil-discharge-vendor-identified","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093822-347b8e0aefec0d8397a9b6a77eee5094/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167395&Signature=AQHpdWkOjrsVmltxGM2z41K06UIvvVcFINqfexMAu~1w8E87fgn8GR2VzyXlfomQGBczlgMX1riGcI-WdI~FI0ueQr9WgnhQf4zt-lWlQ4qp9Nm3oKxZJiWyaNMOoQqrDGQRPq0aoQymCUTMQEi56qDXY22gtM4sxkH5-gUasD2vZBML803TU-vDjUY~-sBSp9gdSpOswqxi98iHY17dh1OOpnHW1lmC0IX43Z9PjYqPv-6F5YIhOt1Dyn6ox9cFegjXVtGCyQ-sFnAgNYbQthAiOLJT8h3KD~uKTxEqk3DA56dkQqc8~U4ctVP3d1PFjf~NoWTGr5~ifAa7IwRupw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Estimate and Contract approved an ordinance Feb. 18 authorizing the city to recover costs for an illicit sewer discharge response. Meeting documents describe an incident in which a contractor hired to remove used cooking oil was observed discharging fats, oils and grease into a municipal storm/sewer system. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s spill response team responded and worked with city Department of Public Works crews to mitigate the discharge.

The board-approved recovery is intended to cover overtime, contractor and equipment costs the city incurred during emergency mitigation; the amount listed in the meeting paperwork is $1,938.54. City staff said the discharge was performed by Aid & J Hood Cleaners, which the city identified as the responsible party; the establishment that hired that vendor was identified in the ordinance paperwork as Chicken Hut. Staff told the board the city would charge the responsible party for actual cleanup costs rather than issuing only a statutory ticket that might be lower than the mitigation cost.

DPW staff and board members noted that the city offers an established used-cooking-oil drop-off program at fire stations and has arrangements for hauling such waste, and that businesses had been informed of that option. The board approved the ordinance by roll call; staff will invoice the responsible party and may seek recovery through available administrative or legal remedies.

The ordinance authorizes fees to reimburse the city for response and cleanup costs and does not, on its face, describe separate criminal or civil penalties beyond the cost recovery; staff indicated enforcement and any additional fines would proceed under applicable city code and state law where appropriate.","The board approved an ordinance to recoup cleanup costs stemming from an illicit discharge of fats, oils and grease; meeting materials list the cleanup cost as $1,938.54 and identify the discharging contractor as Aid & J Hood Cleaners, hired by a local establishment.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6093823,"Board delays mayoral travel transfer after broader debate over travel priorities",724,39000,763000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2845332-264898f15a83c50487946c776cde1568&start=39&end=763","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2845332-264898f15a83c50487946c776cde1568/thumbnail_39000.jpg","/articles/6093823/Mount-Vernon/Westchester-County/New-York/Board-delays-mayoral-travel-transfer-after-broader-debate-over-travel-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093823-549af3e0ffb7463f1ba04f879820b191/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167395&Signature=VBZuinoQyI~BG8arWqoOeQoE4h8EeEI5rIUng3N7VR0jW78ZcGtH7~migK1I0e1CU2u4zqOwUkOQLGohnLd1e5rYhcczUJE36HiDor6TBTfv43JSgbr-WoAbfMWMUdX71mpf-fmUXekQCKtPLc2UaSH~jVcHJmSxc5n4QkjMPeXl3x0FLheI6Gse21r03S1i53Y-kYlo63rvBIrM3685Wy1uNqcLJ4BrMQNawml2mvqcjwHXIC196x9n89C249Bo6~HTK3MNhmeAVBVmJQ6Hy3miI8jDiYksofywQeAQP2B8JTtI8P-4wwJ7BkV6kqzfHZvqtq0eoOql5lsVbDYSWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A proposed ordinance to transfer funds into the mayor’s travel and future-purchase budgets was withdrawn Feb. 18 after an extended discussion about city travel policy and tight cash-flow conditions.

Mayor Patterson Howard explained that, historically, much of her travel expenses were paid through outside organizations when she served on national organizations; that has shifted and she has begun using city travel funds. The mayor described several upcoming conferences that city officials aim to attend for federal‑policy briefings and grant-related information. “This is the very conference where we're going to be focusing on communities like ours,” she said, describing the African American Mayors Association meeting as important for majority‑minority jurisdictions.

Council President Brown and other board members pressed for a reconciliation of travel spending before authorizing a transfer, citing concern about overall cash flow and the need to prioritize essential travel. Brown asked departments to provide lists of travel that is essential for credential maintenance, grant requirements or critical infrastructure work so the board could plan and forecast.

After staff agreed to reconcile recorded travel expenditures and return with a forecast of anticipated needs, a motion was made and seconded to withdraw the transfer request; the withdrawal was adopted by roll call. Staff told the board they expect to bring a reconciliation and a recommendation back later in the year, with preliminary timing around July or August.

The board noted that training and credentialing travel (for code enforcement, building officials, fire and police credentialing) may remain essential and that the review should distinguish mandatory training from optional conferences.

No transfer was approved at the Feb. 18 meeting; the board directed the mayor’s office and finance staff to produce a reconciliation and a proposed prioritization mechanism for travel-related spending.","A proposed transfer to the mayor’s travel and future-purchase budgets was withdrawn after board members asked staff to reconcile prior travel expenditures and return with rules to prioritize essential travel amid tight cash flow.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":102,"_45":114,"_46":115,"_48":105,"_50":116,"_52":117,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":118,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":119,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6093825,"Board of Estimate and Contract approves routine ordinances, holds one transfer; settlements include $150,000 payment",4217,4256000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2845332-264898f15a83c50487946c776cde1568&start=39&end=4256","/articles/6093825/Mount-Vernon/Westchester-County/New-York/Board-of-Estimate-and-Contract-approves-routine-ordinances-holds-one-transfer-settlements-include-150000-payment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093825-52e28ed461cdfdd4ff570349683b2ea9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167395&Signature=IoxbEFkMHx9E2yxR8lsVTnlvf~5EsbfhzCMLxR0uovc4a47ILMEnqmEQaS7I9riRrPc0ANWiXzcvj8rEJs9pzOTdvewjLLnqXZAKLYAZTFi9KSZt0RDN3iYqf2FR-wEXT8q0qvdQWqLmOB6qtgNq6lDjXGjOJF3VLLaiwrBCWxejvAeFF4MeGlF8yF7hSzC02S275P1qxal5rYjJ4oQq7cFsagSfhIGXOd7nhLfbDUE9AVfVwckmNJp5kWYdHUMaPGmNWJMEx7kPPlnTFWz8kkJck0RPeccqMO9Jlkz5bESUEKrRiBIbDP~9mYKZo~VIUiyJmHx~3bB5BkZ~kMmQ5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Estimate and Contract met Feb. 18 and approved a package of ordinances and agreements covering travel approvals, consultant selections, software expansions, grant-funded mitigation work and several settlements. The board withdrew one requested budget transfer for the mayor’s office and approved a $150,000 settlement in a lawsuit listed as Henderson v. Clark.

The board recorded roll-call approvals (ayes) on most items that reached the floor. Items approved include authorization for the mayor and chief of staff to attend the African American Mayors Association conference (April 16–18, 2025); establishment of a qualified environmental/sustainability consultants list for the Department of Public Works; approval to adopt iWORK/iWERKS maintenance and inspections software and a related budget-line transfer; Board of Water Supply creation of a senior account clerk position; Department of Recreation acceptance of ACH and wire payments for Memorial Field revenue and authorization of two annual events (Easter egg hunt at Hartley Park and an outdoor summer movie series); acceptance of a $180,718 Westchester County community-based organization award to operate the Safe Haven Youth Empowerment Program for calendar year 2025; multiple mandatory and credentialing trainings for building and public-safety staff; and selection approvals tied to bridge and flood-mitigation projects funded in part by state or federal grants.

The board approved an ordinance imposing fees to recover cleanup costs from an illicit sewer discharge incident; the fee shown in the meeting paperwork was $1,938.54 and the municipality designated the vendor who performed the discharge (Aid & J Hood Cleaners) as responsible, with recovery mechanics available to seek reimbursement from the contracting establishment. The board also approved the selection of HVEA engineers for design and inspection services on the South Fulton Avenue bridge rehabilitation (BIN 2225220); the selection does not yet include a final contract amount.

On settlements and claim approvals, the board approved a $150,000 settlement in the matter listed as Henderson v. Clark and smaller settlement and tax-review payments, including $7,049.77 to Carlson Thompson and $2,058.65 to RJR 17 20 Properties LLC.

A salary resolution for the Department of Planning and Community Development was withdrawn for further review. The board also authorized a conveyance of 0 Vernon Avenue to Myrtle Jones and approved several departmental maintenance, hardware and software contracts and renewals.

Votes at a glance (item number, short description, outcome):
1 — Mayor’s budget transfer (authorizing transfer to cover future mayoral purchases): Withdrawn by motion (withdrawal approved at roll call).
2 — Mayor and chief of staff to attend AAMA conference, Washington, D.C., Apr. 16–18, 2025: Approved (aye).
3 — DPW: establish list of qualified environmental/sustainability consultants: Approved (aye).
4 — DPW: Curtis Wood, city engineer, to attend NYS Buildings Officials Conference (mandatory in‑service): Approved (aye).
5 — DPW: impose fees to recover costs for illicit sewer discharge incident (cleanup charge shown $1,938.54): Approved (aye).
6 — DPW: select HVEA engineers for South Fulton Ave. bridge rehabilitation (BIN 2225220) — selection approved; contract to follow council approval: Approved (aye).
7 — DPW: select contractor for Avenues flood mitigation under HMGP project #4615‑0004CMVNY: Approved (aye).
8 — DPW: budget line transfer to cover additional software services from Iwerks Systems Inc.: Approved (aye).
9 — DPW: adopt iWORK / technological inspection solution for DPW: Approved (aye).
10 — Board of Water Supply: establish position of senior account clerk: Approved (aye).
11 — Dept. of Recreation: accept ACH and wire payments for Memorial Field revenue: Approved (aye).
12–13 — Dept. of Recreation: authorize annual Easter egg hunt (Hartley Park) and annual summer outdoor movie series: Approved as a pair (aye).
14 — Youth Bureau: service agreement with Westchester Board of Legislators for Safe Haven Youth Empowerment Program, $180,718, 01/01/2025–12/31/2025: Approved (aye).
15 — Dept. of Buildings: require code-enforcement officials to attend NYSBOC mandatory training: Approved (aye).
16 — Dept. of Public Safety: renew NICE Inform v7 agreement with Interaction Insight Corporation: Approved (aye).
17 — Dept. of Public Safety: authorize attendance of two staff at FBI LDEDA Supervisor Leadership Institute (training): Approved (aye).
18 — Dept. of Public Safety: maintenance agreement with Cummins Allison, 02/19/2025–02/18/2026: Approved (aye).
19 — Dept. of Public Safety: purchase/replace Live Scan and mug-shot system from DataWorks Plus (support services): Approved (aye).
20 — City Council: establish custodial accounts for property project references (22 West First St. and Boys & Girls Club): Approved (aye).
21 — Law Dept.: conveyance of 0 Vernon Avenue to Myrtle Jones: Approved (aye).
22 — Salary resolution, Dept. of Planning & Community Development: Motion withdrawn/held for more information.
23 — Settlement: Carlson Thompson, property-damage settlement, $7,049.77: Approved (aye).
24 — Settlement: details not specified in package publicly (approved by roll call; amount not specified in the meeting transcript): Approved (aye).
25 — Settlement of lawsuit Henderson v. Clark: $150,000: Approved (aye).
26 — Tax-review settlement: RJR 17 20 Properties LLC, $2,058.65: Approved (aye).

Notes: For several selections (engineer selection, grant‑funded mitigation work) the board approved the selection or award but did not approve a final signed contract or a detailed contract cost at the meeting; staff indicated contracts and cost details will be returned for council or board action as required.","At its Feb. 18 meeting the Board approved a series of ordinances and agreements ranging from conference attendance and consultant lists to software and grant-funded projects; the board withdrew a proposed mayoral budget transfer and approved settlements including one for $150,000.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Comptroller: city is catching up on delayed audits; 2019 issued, 2020 expected by spring

Board approves custodial accounts for development projects; officials stress accounts do not equal project approval

City orders cleanup cost recovery after illicit cooking‑oil discharge; vendor identified

Board delays mayoral travel transfer after broader debate over travel priorities

Board of Estimate and Contract approves routine ordinances, holds one transfer; settlements include $150,000 payment