Board of Estimate and Contract:
RESOLVED, that an Ordinance adopted by the City Council on May 13, 2026, and signed by the Mayor on May 15, 2026, authorizing the Mayor to Retroactively Execute a First Contract Amendment with Mercy University for the Transitional Continued Operation of the Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center (MVFEC) During a Transition Period - (pursuant to the terms of the First Contract Amendment, Mercy University shall receive compensation in an amount not to exceed One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00), payable at a monthly rate of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00), to be paid from funds previously appropriated and approved for the MVFEC program); be, and the same is hereby approved.
City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE
MAYOR TO RETROACTIVELY EXECUTE
A FIRST CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH
MERCY UNIVERSITY FOR THE CONTINUED
OPERATION OF THE MOUNT VERNON
FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT CENTER
(MVFEC) DURING A TRANSITION PERIOD
Whereas, by correspondence dated April 14, 2026, the Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Community Development formally requested for the Mayor to retroactively execute a First Contract Amendment with Mercy University for the continued operation and administration of the Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center for the period commencing April 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026, together with such other documents as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Ordinance; and
Whereas, in correspondence submitted for consideration at the April 22, 2026, meeting of the City Council, the administration formally requested retroactive authorization for the Mayor to execute a First Contract Amendment with Mercy University for the continued operation of the Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center (“MVFEC”) during a transition period while the City identifies a new service provider; and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon and Mercy University have mutually agreed to establish a temporary transition period in order to ensure continuity of financial empowerment services to City residents while the City conducts a thoughtful and competitive procurement process for future program operations; and
Whereas, pursuant to the terms of the proposed First Contract Amendment, Mercy University shall continue operating the MVFEC through September 30, 2026, at a monthly rate of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00); and
Whereas, the total cost for the transition period shall not exceed One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00), to be funded through the previously approved MVFEC budget; and
Whereas, the Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center, in partnership with Westchester County, officially launched services in December 2024 and has since provided residents with access to financial counseling, debt reduction assistance, and other economic empowerment services designed to improve financial stability and economic opportunity; and
Whereas, the City Council finds that maintaining uninterrupted operations of the MVFEC during the transition period is necessary and in the best interests of the residents of the City of Mount Vernon; and
Whereas, the City Council further finds that authorizing the proposed First Contract Amendment will support an orderly and responsible transition process while preserving the progress and community engagement achieved through the MVFEC program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Authorization of Contract Amendment. The Mayor is hereby authorized to retroactively execute a First Contract Amendment with Mercy University for the continued operation and administration of the Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center for the period commencing April 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026, together with such other documents as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Ordinance.
Section 2. Compensation and Funding. Pursuant to the terms of the First Contract Amendment, Mercy University shall receive compensation in an amount not to exceed One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00), payable at a monthly rate of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00), to be paid from funds previously appropriated and approved for the MVFEC program.
Section 3. Purpose of Transition Period. The transition period authorized herein shall allow the City sufficient time to conduct a competitive procurement and evaluation process to identify and select a future provider for the Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center while ensuring uninterrupted delivery of services to residents.
Section 4. Implementation. The Mayor, Comptroller, Corporation Counsel, and any other appropriate City officials are hereby authorized and directed to take all actions necessary to implement the provisions of this Ordinance.
Section 5. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part of this Ordinance shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered.
Section 6. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption by the City Council and subsequent approval by the Board of Estimate and Contract.