City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER
INTO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH
THE GUIDANCE CENTER OF WESTCHESTER - CENTER
FOR COLLEGE & CAREERS IN COMMUNICATIONS
SUPPORT ASSOCIATE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Whereas, in correspondence dated January 20, 2026, the Deputy Chief of Staff formally requested authorization for the Mayor to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with The Guidance Center of Westchester - Center for College & Careers for the purpose of establishing and supporting the Communications Support Associate Internship Program within the City’s Department of Management Services; and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon is committed to supporting educational initiatives that provide meaningful experiential learning opportunities for students and emerging professionals; and
Whereas, The Guidance Center of Westchester - Center for College & Careers (“Guidance Center”) administers programs designed to prepare students for post-secondary education and career pathways through structured internships and professional development opportunities; and
Whereas, the City’s Department of Management Services seeks to participate in a Communications Support Associate Internship Program that will expose interns to municipal communications, public relations, media coordination, and community engagement under City supervision; and
Whereas, the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) between the City of Mount Vernon and the Guidance Center formalizes the terms and conditions of this partnership; and
Whereas, the MOU establishes that participation in the internship program constitutes an educational experience and does not create an employment relationship between the City and the interns; and
Whereas, the MOU further provides that the City shall have no financial obligation for stipends, wages, insurance, or any other compensation or benefits related to the internship program; and
Whereas, the City will provide mentorship, supervision, and professional development opportunities to participating interns as part of its commitment to workforce development and civic engagement; and
Whereas, the City Council finds that entering into this MOU serves a valid public purpose and is in the best interests of the City of Mount Vernon;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON:
Section 1. Authorization. The Mayor is hereby authorized to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with The Guidance Center of Westchester - Center for College & Careers for the purpose of establishing and supporting the Communications Support Associate Internship Program within the City’s Department of Management Services.
Section 2. Nature of the Internship Program. The internship program established under the MOU shall be strictly educational in nature and shall not be deemed to create an employer-employee relationship between the City of Mount Vernon and any participating intern.
Section 3. Financial Obligations. The City of Mount Vernon shall incur no financial obligation under the MOU, including but not limited to payment of wages, stipends, benefits, insurance, or other related costs associated with the internship program.
Section 4. Administration. The Department of Management Services, in coordination with other appropriate City departments, shall oversee implementation of the internship program and ensure that interns receive appropriate supervision, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
Section 5. Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions.
Section 6. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption and subsequent approval by the Board of Estimate & Contract.