AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR
TO EXECUTE A SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE
SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH MERCY UNIVERSITY TO
EXTEND THE PROGRAM PERFORMANCE PERIOD FOR
THE MOUNT VERNON FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT
CENTER THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026
Whereas, in correspondence dated September 1, 2026, the Department of Planning and Community Development formally requested authorization for the Mayor to execute, on behalf of the City of Mount Vernon, a Second Amendment to the Service Agreement with Mercy University for the Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center, substantially in the form submitted to and reviewed by the City Council, for the purpose of extending the program performance period through December 31, 2026; and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon, in partnership with Westchester County, established the Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center (“MVFEC”) to provide residents with access to professional financial counseling and other financial empowerment services; and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon entered into a Service Agreement with Mercy University in February 2024 for the provision of services in connection with the Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center; and
Whereas, the MVFEC officially launched services in December 2024; and
Whereas, the commencement of services occurred several months later than the initial contract start date due to the time required for staff hiring, onboarding, and training; and
Whereas, as a result of the delayed commencement of program services, staffing expenditures were incurred later than initially projected, thereby creating sufficient availability within the previously approved contract budget to permit an extension of the program performance period; and
Whereas, the City has determined that extending the program performance period will permit Mercy University to continue providing financial empowerment services through the MVFEC and maximize the use of funds previously appropriated for the program; and
Whereas, the proposed extension will not require any additional funds from the City of Mount Vernon and will be fully supported through the original contract budget, together with an additional Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) in Legacy Planning funding provided by the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund; and
Whereas, the City Council has reviewed and considered the proposed Second Amendment to the Service Agreement with Mercy University and finds that extending the program performance period is in the best interests of the residents of the City of Mount Vernon; and
Whereas, the City Council desires to authorize the Mayor to execute the Second Amendment to the Service Agreement with Mercy University to extend the program performance period for the Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center through December 31, 2026.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Authorization to Execute Second Amendment. The Mayor of the City of Mount Vernon is hereby authorized and directed to execute, on behalf of the City of Mount Vernon, a Second Amendment to the Service Agreement with Mercy University for the Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center, substantially in the form submitted to and reviewed by the City Council, for the purpose of extending the program performance period through December 31, 2026.
Section 2. Purpose of Extension. The extension authorized herein is intended to permit the continued operation and delivery of financial empowerment services through the Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center and to allow the City and Mercy University to fully utilize the funds available under the existing agreement and supplemental Legacy Planning funding.
Section 3. Funding. The extension of the performance period authorized by this Ordinance shall be accomplished without any additional financial obligation or additional appropriation from the City of Mount Vernon. The costs associated with the extended performance period shall be supported by the remaining balance of the original contract budget and the additional $50,000.00 in Legacy Planning funding provided by the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund, as applicable.
Section 4. Compliance with Agreement. All other terms, conditions, obligations, and provisions of the original Service Agreement with Mercy University, as previously amended, shall remain in full force and effect except as expressly modified by the Second Amendment authorized herein.
Section 5. Authority to Execute Related Documents. The Mayor, Corporation Counsel, Comptroller, and such other City officials as may be necessary are hereby authorized to execute all documents and take such further actions as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the purposes of this Ordinance and the Second Amendment authorized herein.
Section 6. 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, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, section, or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered.
Section 7. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the City Council and subsequent approval by the Board of Estimate and Contract.