City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF
MOUNT VERNON RECREATION DEPARTMENT TO
CO-SPONSOR THE “LIVING MY BEST LIFE”
COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR ON OCTOBER 3, 2026,
AT HARTLEY PARK
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon Recreation Department has requested authorization to co-sponsor the “Living My Best Life” Community Health Fair in partnership with T. Fraser Productions; and
Whereas, the “Living My Best Life” Community Health Fair is a day-long wellness and empowerment festival intended to promote self-care, mental health, physical fitness, wellness, and community connection among residents of the City of Mount Vernon; and
Whereas, the event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Hartley Park, with a rain date of Sunday, October 4, 2026; and
Whereas, the event is anticipated to attract approximately two hundred fifty (250) participants and will feature workshops, fitness demonstrations, live performances, vendors, food trucks, panel discussions, and other activities designed to uplift, educate, and inspire residents of all ages; and
Whereas, the Recreation Department will assist with obtaining and coordinating the use of Hartley Park and will support the development of a “Children’s Village (Kid Zone),” including bouncy houses and games; and
Whereas, the Mount Vernon Police Department has been requested to provide a patrol car in the vicinity of the event and an Auxiliary Police presence within Hartley Park, as applicable, in order to promote public safety and maintain appropriate security; and
Whereas, the Department of Public Safety has recommended approval of the event and has requested that the sector car and supervising personnel give special attention to the area and be authorized to incur overtime, if necessary, subject to applicable City policies and budgetary requirements; and
Whereas, the Department of Public Works will assist with blocking off Hartley Park, placing barricades at appropriate park entry points as determined by Recreation Department event leadership, and providing event-related cleanup services; and
Whereas, the Mount Vernon Fire Department has reviewed the proposed event and has indicated that it has no additional comments or concerns; and
Whereas, the Office of Emergency Management has reviewed the proposed event and has no objection to the event taking place, provided that all applicable public safety protocols are strictly followed; and
Whereas, the event application indicates that no alcoholic beverages will be served or sold at the event; and
Whereas, the City Council finds that the proposed Community Health Fair will provide a beneficial recreational, educational, wellness, and community-building opportunity for Mount Vernon residents; and
Whereas, the City Council further finds that authorization of the event is in the best interests of the residents of the City of Mount Vernon, subject to compliance with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, permits, and public safety requirements;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Authorization of Community Health Fair. The City of Mount Vernon hereby authorizes the Recreation Department to co-sponsor the “Living My Best Life” Community Health Fair, in partnership with T. Fraser Productions, to be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Hartley Park, with a rain date of Sunday, October 4, 2026, subject to all applicable City requirements and approvals.
Section 2. Recreation Department Responsibilities. The Recreation Department is authorized and directed to coordinate the City's participation in the event, including:
1. Assisting with obtaining and coordinating the use of Hartley Park;
2. Coordinating the development and operation of the “Children’s Village (Kid Zone),” including bouncy houses, games, and related children's activities;
3. Coordinating with T. Fraser Productions and participating City departments concerning event logistics and operations; and
4. Ensuring that the event is conducted in accordance with all applicable City park rules, permits, ordinances, and operational requirements.
Section 3. Police and Public Safety Support. The Mount Vernon Police Department is authorized, as deemed appropriate and subject to available resources, to provide a patrol car in the vicinity of Hartley Park and Auxiliary Police presence within the park during the event.
The sector car and supervising personnel are authorized to give special attention to the area during the event. Overtime may be authorized when operationally necessary, subject to applicable City policies, procedures, and budgetary authorization.
Section 4. Department of Public Works Support. The Department of Public Works is authorized to provide reasonable event-related support, including:
1. Blocking off Hartley Park for the event;
2. Placing barricades at appropriate park entry points, as determined by Recreation Department event leadership and the Department of Public Works; and
3. Providing reasonable cleanup services following the event.
All such activities shall be subject to the availability of City personnel, equipment, and resources.
Section 5. Fire Department and Emergency Management. The Mount Vernon Fire Department and Office of Emergency Management may provide such assistance, guidance, or oversight as they deem necessary to promote public safety and compliance with applicable emergency management and fire safety requirements.
The event organizer shall comply with all requirements and directives issued by the Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management, Police Department, and other appropriate City agencies.
Section 6. Permits, Safety Requirements and Compliance. The event organizer, T. Fraser Productions, and all participating parties shall obtain and maintain all permits, licenses, approvals, insurance, and other authorizations required by the City of Mount Vernon, Westchester County, New York State, and any other applicable governmental authority.
All public safety protocols shall be strictly adhered to. The event shall remain in full compliance with all applicable City ordinances, local laws, New York State laws and regulations, fire and emergency management requirements, and applicable park rules.
The applicant shall be responsible for ensuring that all necessary safety measures, permits, operational guidelines, and other requirements are satisfied before and throughout the event.
Section 7. No Alcoholic Beverages. No alcoholic beverages shall be served, distributed, or sold at the event, consistent with the representations contained in the event application, unless otherwise expressly authorized by the City and all required governmental authorities.
Section 8. Attendance and Event Activities. The event is anticipated to have approximately two hundred fifty (250) participants. The event may include wellness workshops, fitness demonstrations, live performances, vendors, food trucks, panel discussions, children's activities, and related programming, provided that all such activities comply with applicable City requirements.
Section 9. Authority to Coordinate. The Mayor, Commissioner of Recreation, and/or their designees are hereby authorized to execute such documents and take such administrative actions as may be necessary and appropriate to implement this Ordinance and facilitate the City's participation in the event, subject to the approval of the Corporation Counsel as to form and legality where required.
Section 10. No Waiver of Requirements. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as waiving any requirement imposed by any provision of the Mount Vernon City Code, any other applicable City ordinance or local law, or any applicable Westchester County or New York State law, rule, regulation, permit, license, or safety requirement.
Section 11. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section, or part of this Ordinance shall be adjudged invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such adjudication shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, section, or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered.
Section 12. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect upon adoption by the City Council and filing of the above-described documents in the office of the City Clerk of Mount Vernon.