Board of estimate & contract
RESOLVED, that an ordinance adopted by the City Council on November 21, 2023, and signed by the Mayor on November 22, 2023, authorizing the Mayor to execute an Intermunicipal Agreement with Westchester County to operate the Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center at the Mount Vernon One-Stop Career Center - (contract period: December 2025 - December 2025, security personnel cost of $28,651 per year to be paid by the City), be, and the same is hereby approved.
City Council
An Ordinance Authorizing the Mayor to
Execute an INTERMUNICIPAL AGREEMENT WITH
WESTCHESTER COUNTY TO OPERATE THE Mount
Vernon Financial Empowerment Center WITHIN
THE MOUNT VERNON ONE-STOP CAREER CENTER
WHEREAS, by letter dated November 14, 2023, the Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Community Development has requested legislation be enacted authorizing the Mayor to execute an Intermunicipal Agreement with Westchester County to operate the Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center within the Mount Vernon One-Stop Career Center located at 130 Mount Vernon Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10550; and
WHEREAS, the City of Mount Vernon, New York, is committed to empowering its residents and enhancing their financial well-being and through collaborative efforts, the Department of Planning and Community Development has been working with Westchester County, Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFEF), and Mercy University to establish the Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center; and
WHEREAS, the City’s FEC staff will be co-located at the Mount Vernon One-Stop Career Center to provide financial literacy and assistance to individuals in need, many of whom may be eligible for Career Center workforce services and DSS supportive services; and
WHEREAS, financial support and in-kind contributions will be provided as follows:
• Westchester County will provide in-kind support for office space, office equipment, and supplies for two years starting in December 2023.
• Mercy University will hire three full-time FEC dedicated staff members to run the program.
• The city will cover the cost of security personnel at the career center at a cost of $28,651 per year.
WHEREAS, the Department of Planning and Community Development will provide oversight for this initiative and collaborate with community and nonprofit partners to promote the services to Mount Vernon residents, with these organizations also serving as referring partners to connect their clients with FEC services; and
WHEREAS, the FEC will enhance the financial counseling services with additional support in various areas, including housing, foreclosure prevention, workforce development, prisoner reentry, benefits access, and more; Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved That
The City of Mount Vernon, in City Council, convened, hereby ordains, and enacts:
Section 1: Execution of Service Contract. The City Council authorizes the Mayor to execute an Intermunicipal Agreement with Westchester County to operate the Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center within the Mount Vernon One-Stop Career Center located at 130 Mount Vernon Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10550.
Section 2: Term of Agreement. The agreement shall have a term of two (2) years, commencing in December 2023 and continuing through December 2025. The exact execution date of the contract shall be determined following review by the Corporation Counsel.
Section 3: Funding for Operational Budget. The FEC’s operational budget for two (2) years will be funded through a combination of sources:
• $400,000 in federal funds from the City’s American Rescue Plan Act budget.
• A $150,000 grant from the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund.
• $30,000 from the African American Mayors Association.
Section 4: Scope of Services:
• The FEC will provide free, professional, one-on-one financial counseling and coaching to residents.
• The Department of Planning and Community Development will oversee the initiative and collaborate with community and nonprofit partners to promote services and referrals.
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Section 5: Comprehensive Support Services. The FEC will supplement financial counseling with additional social services, including housing, foreclosure prevention, workforce development, prisoner reentry, benefits access, and more.
Section 6: Oversight and Promotion. The Department of Planning and Community Development shall provide oversight for this initiative and collaborate with community and nonprofit partners to promote the services to Mount Vernon residents, with these organizations serving as referring partners to connect their clients with FEC services.
Section 7: Additional Support Services. The FEC shall offer supplementary support services in areas such as housing, foreclosure prevention, workforce development, prisoner reentry, benefits access, and more.
Section 8: Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect `upon its approval by the Board of Estimate & Contract.