Mount Vernon council approves grants, contracts and appointments; questions raised over emergency paving procurement

The Mount Vernon City Council on March 12 approved a package of ordinances, grants, contracts and appointments covering city technology, sewer planning, pump station upgrades, street resurfacing, park infrastructure and public-safety measures.

Among the actions, the council voted to authorize an agreement with OpenGov to create a custom environment for the Fire Department; to accept a $1,000,000 New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (NYSEFC) grant for sewer cleaning and closed-circuit-television inspection to support capital planning; and to accept a $1,300,000.02 NYSEFC grant for upgrades to the Edison Avenue pump station. The council also approved payment to Petrillo Contracting, Inc., for emergency milling and paving of Bonita Vista Drive in the amount of $38,000, a budget transfer to buy a combination vacuum truck, an amendment to the local match for the South Fourth Street Park green infrastructure project, multiple appointments and a series of public-safety items including a red-light camera RFP and a vehicle-forfeiture ordinance.

Most items passed by roll call vote. The council’s roll-call roster for votes on agenda items consisted of Councilman Javon Box Hill, Councilwoman Caitlin Gleason, Councilman Ed Poteet, Councilman Derrick Thompson and Council President…