City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR
TO EXECUTE A FIRST CONTRACT AMENDMENT
WITH MERCY UNIVERSITY TO EXTEND THE
PERFORMANCE PERIOD OF THE MOUNT VERNON
FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT CENTER PROGRAM AND
TO INCORPORATE LEGACY PLANNING SERVICES
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon, in partnership with Westchester County, established the Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center (“MVFEC”) to provide free, high-quality financial counseling and empowerment services to City residents; and
Whereas, on or about February 2024, the City of Mount Vernon entered into a professional services agreement with Mercy University to operate the MVFEC for a two-year service period; and
Whereas, although the contract commenced in February 2024, the MVFEC officially launched services in December 2024 due to the time required for staff recruitment, onboarding, and training; and
Whereas, as a result of the delayed service launch, staffing and related expenditures were realized later than originally projected, resulting in sufficient funds remaining within the approved contract budget; and
Whereas, the City now seeks to extend the contract performance period with Mercy University through December 31, 2026, in order to allow for full program delivery and utilization of the originally approved funds, without requiring any additional funding from the City of Mount Vernon; and
Whereas, the City further seeks to amend the contract to incorporate Legacy Planning services into the MVFEC program, thereby expanding the scope of services available to residents to include asset protection and long-term financial planning; and
Whereas, the Legacy Planning services will be funded through Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) in new funding provided by the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund, and will not result in any additional financial obligation to the City; and
Whereas, the addition of Legacy Planning services will enhance the MVFEC’s role as a comprehensive financial empowerment hub and further advance the City’s wealth-building and financial stability goals for residents; and
Whereas, the City Council has reviewed the proposed First Contract Amendment, the Legacy Planning budget, and the original contract with Mercy University;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Authorization
The Mayor of the City of Mount Vernon is hereby authorized to execute a First Contract Amendment with Mercy University to extend the performance period of the Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center program through December 31, 2026.
Section 2. Scope of Amendment
The First Contract Amendment shall further authorize the incorporation of Legacy Planning services into the Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center program, as more fully set forth in the amendment documents presented to the City Council.
Section 3. Funding. The contract extension authorized herein shall be fully supported by the original contract budget and shall not require any additional funds from the City of Mount Vernon. The Legacy Planning services shall be funded by an external grant in the amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) from the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund.
Section 4. Authority to Take Necessary Actions. The Mayor, Comptroller, Corporation Counsel, and all other appropriate City officials are hereby authorized to take any and all actions necessary to implement the provisions of this Ordinance.
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 by the City Council and subsequent approval by the Board of Estimate & Contract.