Mineola trustees approve parking-kiosk purchase, 2025 pavement evaluation and several personnel moves

The Village of Mineola Board of Trustees on a series of unanimous or near-unanimous votes approved the purchase of two new parking-kiosk machines, contracted engineers to prepare a 2025 pavement evaluation, and cleared several personnel actions, including a new hire and an internal transfer.

The decisions matter because they set equipment and road-assessment work in motion and resolve staffing gaps in the clerk’s office and public works. Trustees said the moves will support forthcoming operational changes and help plan longer-term pavement work.

The board approved an amended purchase for two Flowbird solar-powered multi-space kiosks under a Sourcewell cooperative contract. According to the staff presentation, the new total price is about $17,005.86, roughly $800 higher than the prior quote; the kiosks will be compatible with the municipality’s new back-office parking software. The motion passed with trustees voting in favor.

Trustees also authorized a $21,000 contract with D&B Engineering (listed in the meeting as D and B Engineering, D.P.C.) to perform a 2025 pavement evaluation of the village’s road network. A presenter said the village has not had a comprehensive audit of its roughly 36 miles of roads in about 20–25 years and that the engineer’s report is intended to inform a multi-year pavement schedule. The board approved funding for the work from the 2024–25 general fund budget or reserve balance.

On personnel matters the board voted to hire Jaylen Bobo as a laborer in the village clerk’s office effective March 17, 2025, at the starting salary in the collective bargaining agreement. The board also approved the transfer of Richard (Rich) Viera from the clerk’s office to the sanitation division of Public Works with no change in salary.

Financial actions included approval of a budget transfer of $34,908.27 for the Mineola Fire Department. The board also approved annual lump-sum payouts to Mineola firefighters for earned credits during calendar year 2024; Trustee Casado abstained from that vote because his name appeared on the payout list, and the board recorded four affirmative votes with one abstention.

Votes at a glance: the board recorded the following formal outcomes during the meeting — all motions were passed unless noted.

- Approval of bills and payroll: passed (voice vote). - Approval of minutes for Feb. 5 and Feb. 19, 2025, and amended minutes from Jan. 22, 2025: passed (voice vote). - Permit: Mineola Portuguese Center Inc., use of Wilson Field parking lot and Field No. 2 for carnival, June 6–8, 2025: passed (voice vote). - Permit: Evening Star Quilters, monthly meetings in the Community Center Auditorium on specified Thursdays 7–9 p.m.: passed (voice vote). - Hire: Jaylen Bobo, laborer, Village Clerk’s Office, effective March 17, 2025: passed (voice vote). - Budget transfer: Mineola Fire Department, $34,908.27: passed (voice vote). - Lump-sum payouts to Mineola firefighters for 2024 earned credits: passed (4 yes, 1 abstain — Trustee Casado abstained). - Purchase: two Flowbird solar-powered kiosks via Sourcewell contract (new total about $17,005.86): passed (voice vote). - Contract: Engineering services for 2025 pavement evaluation (D&B Engineering), $21,000: passed (voice vote). - Transfer: Richard Viera to Public Works—Sanitation Division, no change in salary: passed (voice vote).

The board’s consent-calendar-style handling meant limited debate on individual items; presenters supplied funding lines or brief explanations as needed. For the pavement evaluation, a trustee emphasized that the study is intended to produce a prioritized paving schedule informed by up-to-date condition data.

The board meeting included routine approvals that typically appear on the consent agenda — payroll and minutes — followed by the operational items above. No ordinance readings or new local laws were introduced during the portion of the meeting that covered these items.

Speakers listed in the meeting record for these agenda items included Deputy Mayor Sartorius (Trustee), Trustee Casado, Trustee Soloski (Trustee), Trustee Clark, Trustee Zalowski, Village Clerk Bridal Rivera (presenter for personnel items), a fire-department presenter (identified in the transcript as John/John Chacon), and a staff presenter (identified in the transcript as Palumbo) who described the kiosk purchase and related contract information. The clerk and staff supplied supporting budget lines during votes.