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Yonkers council approves $28.1 million energy package with Honeywell after brief debate
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Summary
The Yonkers City Council adopted a $28.1 million capital budget amendment and a SEQRA negative declaration Oct. 7 to proceed with an energy performance contract (EPC) with Honeywell International Inc.; the council voted 6-1 on the ordinance (Councilman Maranti opposed) and 7-0 on the SEQRA declaration.
The Yonkers City Council on Oct. 7 approved a special ordinance to amend the city’s 2025–26 capital budget by $28,100,000 and authorized an energy performance contract (EPC) with Honeywell International Inc., following a brief public debate and two roll-call votes.
Council President Collins Bellamy opened the special meeting and said the package covers energy-efficiency projects across city-owned buildings, including solar panels and new roofs. Bellamy explained the city is not taking a traditional bond but instead will lease equipment over 20 years under the EPC, with Honeywell guaranteeing the projected energy savings or making up any shortfall.
The council first adopted a negative declaration under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) for the related capital projects, 7-0. Councilmember Maranti opposed the subsequent ordinance and capital amendment, arguing the materials the council received were insufficient and asserting financial benefits would mainly flow to outside contractors. “The only people that are gonna make any money on this deal are the people that are gonna get the commission from Honeywell,” Maranti said.
Minority Leader Breen criticized the timing and the amount of advance information provided to council members, calling the process a “bum rush” and describing the meeting materials as inadequate. Breen nevertheless said he supported the scope of the work and the environmental benefits and voted in favor. “I am most certainly not opposed to the scope of the work,” Breen said, while also urging better notice and documentation in future budget matters.
The final roll call on the ordinance amending the FY2025–26 capital budget recorded Councilmember Marrante voting no and six members voting yes; the item was adopted 6-1. The council president noted rebates tied to some measures are set to expire at year-end, framing the EPC as a way to capture those savings and avoid bonding for projects already planned.
Votes at a glance • Waiver to add two items to the special meeting agenda (procedural): adopted 7-0. • Item 1a — SEQRA negative declaration for capital projects related to the EPC: adopted 7-0. • Item 1b — Special ordinance amending the FY2025–26 capital budget by $28,100,000 to finance the EPC with Honeywell International Inc.: adopted 6-1 (Maranti no).
What’s next: The ordinance authorizes the EPC financing package and the city will proceed with implementing the equipment leases described by staff. Collins Bellamy closed the meeting with no further business and the council adjourned.
