Board of Estimate & Contract:
RESOLVED, that an Ordinance adopted by the City Council on November 25, 2025, and signed by the Mayor on November 26, 2025, authorizing the Establishment of a List of Qualified Vendors for Third-Party Inspection Services for the Department of Buildings, initially consisting of:
1. LaBella Associates
2. Ettinger Engineering Associates
Fees:
A. The Department of Buildings is authorized to continue collecting an initial inspection fee of $150.00, comparable to neighboring jurisdictions, to support the administrative and oversight functions associated with third-party inspections.
B. Fees charged by third-party vendors for their services shall be set independently by the vendors and paid directly by the property owners.
; be, and the same is hereby approved.
City Council:
AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH A LIST OF
QUALIFIED VENDORS FOR THIRD-PARTY
INSPECTION SERVICES FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS
Whereas, in correspondence dated November 24, 2025, the Commissioner of the Buildings Department formally requested authorization for the Department of Buildings to establish and maintain a list of qualified third-party inspection vendors for use by property owners and constituents seeking specialized or general code inspections and related services; and
Whereas, the Department of Buildings is responsible for ensuring compliance with the New York State 2020 Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, the Energy Code, and all applicable City of Mount Vernon ordinances; and
Whereas, property owners and constituents often require specialized or general technical inspections, consultations, report preparation services, and other construction-related services to ensure compliance with state and local codes; and
Whereas, the Department of Buildings issued Request for Qualifications (RFQ) #005 - DOB Third-Party Inspection Services on August 29, 2025, seeking qualified vendors capable of providing a broad range of third-party inspection and construction-related services; and
Whereas, two responses were received to RFQ #005, from LaBella Associates and Ettinger Engineering Associates; and
Whereas, each submission was evaluated for responsiveness, responsibility, and pricing, including completeness, required forms, acknowledgments, professional experience, capacity, references, and compliance with applicable insurance and prevailing wage requirements; and
Whereas, the Department of Buildings has determined that LaBella Associates and Ettinger Engineering Associates are responsible, qualified vendors capable of performing the inspections and related services outlined in RFQ #005; and
Whereas, the use of such third-party inspectors will be fee neutral or fee positive, as property owners will pay vendors directly and the Department of Buildings will collect its standard initial inspection fee of $150.00, similar to the practices of neighboring municipalities; and
Whereas, establishing an approved list of qualified vendors will expand inspection capacity, assist property owners, and support code compliance without creating a financial burden on the City;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York, as follows:
Section 1. Purpose. The purpose of this Ordinance is to authorize the Department of Buildings to establish and maintain a list of qualified third-party inspection vendors for use by property owners and constituents seeking specialized or general code inspections and related services.
Section 2. Authorization to Establish Qualified Vendor List. The Department of Buildings is hereby authorized to formally establish a list of qualified vendors, initially consisting of:
3. LaBella Associates
4. Ettinger Engineering Associates
These vendors have been evaluated and determined to be qualified in accordance with the criteria set forth in RFQ #005.
Section 3. Use of Third-Party Vendors.
A. The approved vendor list shall be made available to property owners and constituents solely as an optional resource for obtaining third-party inspection services.
B. The City shall incur no cost for services provided by these vendors; all payments shall be made directly by property owners to the selected vendor.
C. The Department of Buildings shall maintain oversight of all inspections conducted by third-party vendors to ensure compliance with applicable laws and standards.
Section 4. Fees.
C. The Department of Buildings is authorized to continue collecting an initial inspection fee of $150.00, comparable to neighboring jurisdictions, to support the administrative and oversight functions associated with third-party inspections.
D. Fees charged by third-party vendors for their services shall be set independently by the vendors and paid directly by the property owners.
Section 5. Amendments to the Vendor List. The Department of Buildings may update, expand, or modify the list of qualified vendors as additional RFQs are issued or as future evaluations deem necessary. All such revisions shall be reported to the City Council for acknowledgment.
Section 6. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, or provision of this Ordinance shall be adjudged invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall not affect the remainder of this Ordinance.
Section 7. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon passage and adoption by the City Council and subsequent approval by the Board of Estimate & Contract.