City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE
OF SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS, TEMPORARY
STREET CLOSURES, TRAFFIC CONTROL
MEASURES, AND PUBLIC SAFETY SUPPORT
FOR THE GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH
JUNETEENTH RESOURCE FAIR AND
ANNUAL 5K RUN/WALK FOR EDUCATION
Whereas, Grace Baptist Church, located at 52 South 6th Avenue, Mount Vernon, New York, through its Sankofa Social Justice Ministry, has requested approval for a Special Event Permit and temporary street closure in connection with its Juneteenth Resource Fair to be held on June 13, 2026, with June 20, 2026, designated as the rain date; and
Whereas, the Juneteenth Resource Fair is intended to commemorate the National Juneteenth Holiday and provide a community-centered event where residents may access resources related to healthcare, education, childcare, economic development, social services, and community engagement; and
Whereas, the event will include participation by nonprofit organizations, healthcare providers offering free screenings, testing, and vaccinations, local businesses, food vendors, and community organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life of Mount Vernon residents; and
Whereas, Grace Baptist Church has requested the temporary closure of South 6th Avenue between West 1st Street and West 2nd Street, including the closure of the South 6th Avenue entrance and exit to the municipal parking lot, together with police support and traffic control measures necessary to ensure public safety during the event; and
Whereas, Grace Baptist Church has further requested approval for its Annual 5K Run/Walk for Education, scheduled for July 18, 2026, for the purpose of promoting physical fitness, community engagement, and raising funds for the MOCCA Scholarship Fund, which has supported higher education opportunities for students for more than thirty (30) years; and
Whereas, the proposed route for the 5K Run/Walk will begin at Grace Baptist Church, proceed along Gramatan Avenue, turn around at Centre Street, return along Gramatan Avenue, and conclude at Grace Baptist Church; and
Whereas, the organizers have requested supplemental police presence along the entire route to ensure the safety of participants, spectators, motorists, and residents; and
Whereas, the Department of Public Works has indicated its willingness to provide six (6) road buffers on South 6th Avenue between West 1st Street and West 2nd Street and to install temporary “No Parking” signage on the left side of the affected roadway; and
Whereas, the Mount Vernon Fire Department has reviewed the proposed events and has expressed no objection thereto; and
Whereas, the Office of Emergency Management has reviewed the proposed events and has expressed no objection thereto, provided that all public safety protocols are strictly followed and all applicable City ordinances, local regulations, and New York State laws are fully complied with; and
Whereas, the City Council finds that the proposed events serve a valid public purpose by promoting education, public health, civic engagement, community development, cultural awareness, and charitable activities within the City of Mount Vernon;
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Authorization of Special Event Permits. The City Council hereby authorizes the issuance of all necessary Special Event Permits to Grace Baptist Church for:
A. The Juneteenth Resource Fair to be held on June 13, 2026, with June 20, 2026, designated as the rain date; and
B. The Annual 5K Run/Walk for Education to be held on July 18, 2026.
Section 2. Authorization of Street Closure for Juneteenth Resource Fair. The City Council hereby authorizes the temporary closure of South 6th Avenue between West 1st Street and West 2nd Street on June 13, 2026, and June 20, 2026, in the event of inclement weather, during such hours as may be required for event setup, operation, and cleanup.
The South 6th Avenue entrance and exit to the municipal parking lot shall also be temporarily closed during the event as deemed necessary by the City’s public safety officials.
Section 3. Police Services and Traffic Control. The Mount Vernon Police Department is authorized to provide such traffic control, crowd management, road closure enforcement, and public safety assistance as may be necessary for the safe conduct of both events.
The Police Department is further authorized to assign Community Affairs personnel and supplemental officers, subject to departmental staffing availability and operational requirements.
Section 4. Authorization of 5K Run/Walk Route. The City Council hereby approves the proposed route for the Annual 5K Run/Walk for Education beginning at Grace Baptist Church, proceeding along Gramatan Avenue to Centre Street, and returning to Grace Baptist Church, subject to final review and approval by the Mount Vernon Police Department, Fire Department, and Office of Emergency Management.
Section 5. Department of Public Works Support. The Department of Public Works is authorized to provide six (6) road buffers on South 6th Avenue between West 1st Street and West 2nd Street and to install temporary “No Parking” signs and any additional traffic control devices deemed necessary for public safety and event operations.
Section 6. Compliance with Applicable Laws. Grace Baptist Church shall comply with all applicable federal, state, county, and local laws, regulations, permit requirements, insurance requirements, health and safety standards, and directives issued by the Mount Vernon Police Department, Fire Department, Department of Public Works, and Office of Emergency Management.
Section 7. Indemnification and Liability. As a condition of the issuance of permits authorized herein, Grace Baptist Church shall maintain any insurance coverage required by the City and shall hold harmless and indemnify the City of Mount Vernon, its officers, employees, and agents to the extent required by law.
Section 8. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or provision of this Ordinance is declared invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such determination shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance.
Section 9. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect upon approval by the City Council and filing of the above-described documents in the office of the City Clerk of Mount Vernon.