City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER
INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE WESTCHESTER-PUTNAM
LOCAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD TO ACCEPT
FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $180,000 FOR THE WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY FOR YOUTH (WDAY) PROGRAM
Whereas, by correspondence dated October 3, 2025, the Executive Director of the Youth Bureau formally requested authorization for the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Westchester-Putnam Local Workforce Development Board to accept reimbursable grant funding in the amount of One Hundred Eighty Thousand Dollars ($180,000) to support the operation of the Workforce Development Academy for Youth (WDAY) Program administered by the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau; and
Whereas, the Workforce Development Academy for Youth (WDAY) is a year-round program that provides educational and employment services to eligible youth ages sixteen (16) through twenty-four (24) throughout Westchester and Putnam Counties; and
Whereas, the WDAY Program provides valuable opportunities to out-of-school youth (OSY) to obtain a high school equivalency diploma, explore career pathways, pursue higher education, and secure employment; and
Whereas, the WDAY Program delivers a comprehensive range of youth services including tutoring, alternative secondary school services, paid and unpaid work experience, occupational skills training, leadership development, concurrent education and workforce preparation, supportive services, adult mentoring, follow-up services, financial literacy training, comprehensive guidance and counseling, entrepreneurial skills training, access to labor market information, and transition to post-secondary education; and
Whereas, the Westchester-Putnam Local Workforce Development Board has made available to the City of Mount Vernon Youth Bureau reimbursable grant funding in the total amount of One Hundred Eighty Thousand Dollars ($180,000) over a four-year period to support the operation of the WDAY Program, serving forty (40) at-risk youth annually; and
Whereas, this grant will be used to support youth education, job readiness, and employment initiatives within the City of Mount Vernon, consistent with the goals of the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau and the City’s commitment to workforce and community development; and
Whereas, this grant is fully reimbursable and does not require any matching funds from the City; and
Whereas, the revenues from this grant are to be recorded in revenue code A4790.6, and expenditures shall be made under the following budget codes:
• A6295.101 (Salaries)
• A6295.104 (Part-Time)
• A6295.402 (Travel Expense)
• A6295.405 (Contracted Outside Services)
• A6295.458 (Miscellaneous)
• A6295.467 (Program Supplies);
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, in regular session convened, as follows:
Section 1. Authorization. The Mayor is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with the Westchester-Putnam Local Workforce Development Board to accept reimbursable grant funding in the amount of One Hundred Eighty Thousand Dollars ($180,000) to support the operation of the Workforce Development Academy for Youth (WDAY) Program administered by the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau.
Section 2. Purpose of Funds. The funds shall be used exclusively to implement and operate the WDAY Program, providing educational, workforce development, and supportive services to eligible youth between the ages of sixteen (16) and twenty-four (24).
Section 3. Budget Codes. Grant revenues shall be recorded in A4790.6, and expenditures shall be appropriated to the following budget lines:
• A6295.101 - Salaries
• A6295.104 - Part-Time
• A6295.402 - Travel Expense
• A6295.405 - Contracted Outside Services
• A6295.458 - Miscellaneous
• A6295.467 - Program Supplies
Section 4. Reimbursement and Matching Funds. This grant is a reimbursable grant and does not require any matching funds from the City of Mount Vernon.
Section 5. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon approval and adoption by the City Council and subsequent approval by the Board of Estimate & Contract.