Board approves multiple ordinances, grants and contracts; conference trip withdrawn

The Board of Estimate and Contract of the City of Mount Vernon voted on multiple ordinances, resolutions and agreements at its April 15, 2025 meeting. Most items were approved by roll call; one travel authorization was withdrawn and a settlement item was described as time‑sensitive and involved an announced abstention by a member of the body.

Key approvals and notes

- Resolution (Item 1): The board authorized the mayor to retain Joel R. Dieter of Dieter Law LLC as special counsel to represent participating Westchester municipalities in Con Edison’s electric and gas rate case before the New York Public Service Commission. Board discussion noted total counsel fees of $100,000 to be split among participating municipalities; speakers discussed per‑municipality cost estimates (example figures ranged between $26.76 and $27.50 per community based on current participation). The motion passed by roll call (Comptroller Morton — Aye; Council President Brown — Aye; Mayor Patterson Howard — Aye).

- Ordinance (Item 2): The board authorized an extension of a contract with the National Civic League to assist the 2024 Mount Vernon Charter Review Commission. Budget and line‑item questions were raised; the item passed by roll call (Comptroller Morton — Aye; Council President Brown — Aye; Mayor Patterson Howard — Aye).

- Travel (Item 3): An ordinance authorizing the mayor to attend the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative annual conference (May 14–16, 2025 in Milwaukee) was withdrawn by the sponsor and not considered for approval.

- Donation acceptance (Item 4): The board approved an ordinance authorizing installation of a “total wellness” sensory room on City Hall’s first floor, funded by Social Butterfly LLC; the item passed by roll call (Comptroller Morton — Aye; Council President Brown — Aye; Mayor Patterson Howard — Aye).

- Grant acceptance, traffic signal study (Item 5): The board authorized acceptance of a $127,920 technical assistance voucher from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program for a citywide traffic signal study. Members discussed aging traffic‑signal infrastructure and the direct‑pay nature of the voucher. The item passed by roll call (Comptroller Morton — Aye; Council President Brown — Aye; Mayor Patterson Howard — Aye).

- Events and community partnerships (Items 6, 9, 10): The board approved hosting the 2025 Arbor Day celebration with Alpha Kappa Alpha (Zeta Nu Omega Chapter), cosponsoring Rolling Into Peace in Hartley Park (June 14) with police‑affiliated organizers, and cosponsoring the Cinco de Mayo celebration with Westchester Latinos Unidos (May 5). Each passed by roll call with the three named officials recorded as Aye.

- Stormwater/storm‑sewer staffing and training (Items 7 and 8): The board approved budget line transfers and ordinances funding internal training for staff responsible for MS4 stormwater obligations and federal consent‑decree work. Members noted that the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation had funded a related position and that internal training will build capacity. Both items passed by roll call (Comptroller Morton — Aye; Council President Brown — Aye; Mayor Patterson Howard — Aye).

- Green infrastructure and capital projects (Item 11): The board authorized acceptance of a grant under the Environmental Protection Fund (Green Infrastructure/GRAMa program) for the South Fourth Street Park Green Infrastructure Project (project number 2152), including execution of required agreements; the board confirmed the grant is reimbursable and discussed potential fronting of costs via matching funds and timing (anticipated later in the year). The motion passed by roll call (Comptroller Morton — Aye; Council President Brown — Aye; Mayor Patterson Howard — Aye).

- Youth and recreation contracts (Items 12 and 13): The board authorized a $45,000 agreement with the Flying Classrooms for the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau’s Solar Go‑Kart Summer Academy (July 8–Aug. 14, 2025) and a $10,000 agreement with Kershner Shaw (Wellness with Kershner) to provide mental‑wellness sessions for the Ready for Life program (April 18–July 11, 2025). Both passed by roll call.

- Public safety contracts and reimbursements (Items 14 and 16): The board authorized reimbursements from Westchester County (prisoner transportation services for 2023–2024 totaling approximately $500,000 across the two years) and authorized a contract with city court marshals for booting services (expanding booting capacity). Members discussed negotiation of future prisoner‑transport contracts for 2025–26. Both items passed by roll call.

- Administrative items (Items 15, 18, 19): Transfers within the Department of Assessment for remapping and tax settlement motions for small amounts (examples: $17.54 and $1,002.52) were approved by roll call.

- Settlement (Item 17): The board discussed a proposed settlement of a claim by Brenda Smith for $15,000. A member stated they would abstain because they had not had a chance to consult with legal counsel before the meeting; the chair explained the matter was time‑sensitive because of an upcoming court date. The transcript records the abstention comment and the time sensitivity but does not show a clear final tally for this item in the public record included here.

Ending: Most agenda items on April 15 were routine approvals enacted by roll call; the travel authorization was withdrawn and the towing‑services bid opening was handled separately as a procedural matter and forwarded to departments for evaluation.