Board of Estimate & Contract:
RESOLVED, that an Ordinance adopted by the City Council on December 23, 2025, and signed by the Mayor on December 24, 2025, authorizing the Mayor to Enter Retroactive into a Renewal Lease Agreement with WEST-H.E.L.P. (H.E.L.P. USA, Inc.) for City-Owned Property Located at 230 and 240 South Franklin Avenue - (COMP2025-26) - (Term of Lease. The lease shall be for a term of five (5) years, retroactive to January 1, 2025, and ending on December 31, 2029, with an option for one (1) additional five-year renewal term, subject to City approval in accordance with applicable law. Rent and Financial Obligations.
A. The Lessee shall pay annual rent in the amount of $420,000, payable in equal monthly installments of $35,000.
B. The Lessee shall be solely responsible for all taxes, assessments, utilities, insurance, maintenance, and operating expenses associated with the Premises.
C. All rental revenue shall be deposited into Revenue Account A-2420 - Rental of Real Property.
; be, and the same is hereby approved.
City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO
ENTER INTO A RETROACTIVE RENEWAL LEASE
AGREEMENT WITH WEST-H.E.L.P. (H.E.L.P. USA, INC.)
FOR CITY-OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT 230 AND
240 SOUTH FRANKLIN AVENUE (COMP2025-26)
Whereas, in correspondence dated December 22, 2025, the Comptroller formally requested authorization for the Mayor of the City of Mount Vernon to enter into retroactive a lease agreement with WEST-H.E.L.P., also known as H.E.L.P. USA, Inc., for the City-owned property located at 230 and 240 South Franklin Avenue, Mount Vernon, New York, substantially in the form presented to the City Council and the Board of Estimate and Contract; and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon (“City”) is the owner of certain real property located at 230 and 240 South Franklin Avenue, Mount Vernon, New York (the “Premises”); and
Whereas, the City and WEST-H.E.L.P., also known as H.E.L.P. USA, Inc. (“Lessee”), originally entered into a lease agreement on or about March 1, 2006, for a five-year term with renewal options; and
Whereas, the original lease expired on February 28, 2016, and the Lessee has continued to occupy the Premises pursuant to a holdover arrangement; and
Whereas, WEST-H.E.L.P., in coordination with Westchester County, utilizes the Premises to provide critical transitional housing and supportive services to homeless families, serving an important public purpose; and
Whereas, the City has undertaken a comprehensive review of the prior lease agreement and has obtained an updated appraisal, including an assessment of current market rental values for the Premises; and
Whereas, based upon such review and appraisal, the City has negotiated a new lease agreement that formalizes continued occupancy under revised and financially appropriate terms; and
Whereas, the proposed lease agreement provides for a five-year term, retroactive to January 1, 2025, and expiring on December 31, 2029, with an option for one additional five-year renewal term, subject to City approval; and
Whereas, the proposed lease requires an annual rental payment of Four Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars ($420,000), payable in equal monthly installments of Thirty-Five Thousand Dollars ($35,000); and
Whereas, under the proposed lease, the Lessee shall be responsible for the payment of all applicable taxes, assessments, utilities, insurance, maintenance, and operating costs associated with the Premises; and
Whereas, lease revenue generated pursuant to this agreement shall be credited to Revenue Account A-2420 - Rental of Real Property; and
Whereas, the City Council and the Board of Estimate and Contract find that approval of this lease agreement is in the best interests of the City of Mount Vernon, as it ensures responsible management of City-owned property while supporting essential housing services;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON:
Section 1. Authorization of Lease Agreement. The Mayor of the City of Mount Vernon is hereby authorized and directed to enter into a retroactive lease agreement with WEST-H.E.L.P., also known as H.E.L.P. USA, Inc., for the City-owned property located at 230 and 240 South Franklin Avenue, Mount Vernon, New York, substantially in the form presented to the City Council and the Board of Estimate and Contract.
Section 2. Term of Lease. The lease shall be for a term of five (5) years, retroactive to January 1, 2025, and ending on December 31, 2029, with an option for one (1) additional five-year renewal term, subject to City approval in accordance with applicable law.
Section 3. Rent and Financial Obligations.
D. The Lessee shall pay annual rent in the amount of $420,000, payable in equal monthly installments of $35,000.
E. The Lessee shall be solely responsible for all taxes, assessments, utilities, insurance, maintenance, and operating expenses associated with the Premises.
F. All rental revenue shall be deposited into Revenue Account A-2420 - Rental of Real Property.
Section 4. Approval by the Board of Estimate and Contract. Execution of the lease agreement is further subject to approval by the Board of Estimate and Contract, as required by the Charter of the City of Mount Vernon.
Section 5. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, 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.
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.