Board of Estimate & Contract:
RESOLVED, that a resolution adopted by the City Council on April 9, 2025, and signed by the Mayor on April 10, 2025, authorizing the Mayor to Accept a $126,920 Technical Assistance Voucher from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program for a Citywide Traffic Signal Study - (No Direct Funding to the City. The City of Mount Vernon acknowledges that it will not receive direct funds under this voucher. The DOE will select and directly compensate a qualified vendor to perform the study, adhering to its established procurement policies); be, and the same is hereby approved.
City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR
TO ACCEPT A $126,920 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
VOUCHER FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
ENERGY’S (DOE) ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND
CONSERVATION BLOCK GRANT (EECBG)
PROGRAM FOR A CITYWIDE TRAFFIC SIGNAL STUDY
Whereas, in a letter dated March 20, 2025, the Director of Sustainability and the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works requested legislation authorizing the Mayor to accept a $126,920 Technical Assistance Voucher from the U.S. Department of Energy’s EECBG Program to conduct a citywide traffic signal study; and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon is committed to improving traffic management, energy efficiency, and sustainability; and
Whereas, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through its Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, has awarded the City a Technical Assistance Voucher valued at $126,920 to facilitate a comprehensive citywide traffic signal study; and
Whereas, this study will assess and analyze traffic flow, signal timing, energy efficiency, and opportunities for smart traffic management technologies across the City’s 367 signalized intersections; and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon will not receive direct funding, but rather the DOE will procure and directly compensate a qualified vendor to conduct the study in accordance with DOE procurement policies, ensuring transparency and competitiveness; and
Whereas, the acceptance of this voucher presents no financial or administrative burden on the City and has been reviewed and approved by the City’s Law Department; and
Whereas, the anticipated benefits of the traffic signal study include improved traffic flow and safety, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, increased energy efficiency, and data-driven support for future funding applications; Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved That
The City of Mount Vernon, in City Council convened, does hereby ordain and enact:
Section 1. Authorization to Accept Technical Assistance Voucher. The City Council authorizes the Mayor to accept the $126,920 Technical Assistance Voucher from the U.S. Department of Energy’s EECBG Program to conduct a citywide traffic signal study.
Section 2. No Direct Funding to the City. The City of Mount Vernon acknowledges that it will not receive direct funds under this voucher. The DOE will select and directly compensate a qualified vendor to perform the study, adhering to its established procurement policies.
Section 3. Scope of Traffic Signal. The study will include but is not limited to:
(a) Analyzing traffic flow efficiency and congestion patterns.
(b) Assessing current signal timing and synchronization for optimization.
(c) Identifying opportunities for LED signal retrofits and smart traffic management technologies.
(d) Exploring the feasibility of adaptive traffic control system integration.
Section 4. Expected Benefits. The traffic signal study aims to:
(a) Enhance traffic flow and improve pedestrian and vehicle safety.
(b) Reduce vehicle idling and greenhouse gas emissions, promoting environmental sustainability.
(c) Identify energy-efficient upgrades such as LED traffic signals, reducing operational costs.
(d) Provide essential data for future funding applications to modernize traffic signal infrastructure.
Section 5. Improvement and Administration. The Department of Public Works shall oversee the City’s coordination with the DOE and the selected vendor to facilitate the study, ensuring compliance with the terms and objectives outlined in this ordinance.
Section 6. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the Board of Estimate & Contract.