Board of Estimate & Contract:
RESOLVED, that an ordinance adopted by the City Council on September 11, 2024, and signed by the Mayor on September 12, 2024, authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with the Center for Governmental Research (CGR) for the Operational Analysis of the Department of Law and Department of Buildings - ($37,000, shall be paid from Budget Line A1010.405 (Contracted Outside Service)), be and the same is hereby approved.
City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO
ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE CENTER
FOR GOVERNMENTAL RESEARCH (CGR) FOR THE
OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE DEPARTMENT
OF LAW AND DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS
Whereas, by letter dated September 5, 2024, City Council Member Danielle Browne, Esq. has requested legislation authorizing and directing the Mayor to enter into a contract with the Center for Governmental Research (CGR) for the operational analysis of the Department of Law and Department of Buildings, as outlined in the proposal provided by CGR; and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon seeks to improve the operational efficiency and effectiveness of its Department of Law and Department of Buildings; and
Whereas, the City Council recognizes the critical importance of ensuring that these departments are sufficiently staffed and properly equipped to handle service demands in an efficient and effective manner; and
Whereas, CGR (Center for Governmental Research), a nonprofit consulting organization with over 100 years of experience in governmental strategic and analytic services, has been identified as the most suitable consultant to perform an operational analysis of the Department of Law and Department of Buildings; and
Whereas, the proposed analysis will focus on assessing current workloads, workflows, and turnaround times for key tasks, evaluating appropriate staffing levels, benchmarking peer municipalities, and providing actionable recommendations to improve service delivery and efficiency; and
Whereas, the total cost for CGR’s services is $37,000, to be covered by budget line A1010.405 (Contracted Outside Service); and
Whereas, the City Council deems it to be in the best interest of the City to authorize the Mayor to enter into a contract with CGR for the operational analysis of the Department of Law and Department of Buildings; Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved That
The City of Mount Vernon, in City Council convened, does hereby ordain and enact:
Section 1. Authorization to Enter into Contract. The Mayor of the City of Mount Vernon is hereby authorized and directed to enter into a contract with CGR (Center for Governmental Research) for the operational analysis of the Department of Law and Department of Buildings, as outlined in the proposal provided by CGR.
Section 2. Definitions:
• Operational Analysis - A comprehensive review and assessment of a department's current workflows, staffing levels, and operational efficiency.
• CGR (Center for Governmental Research) is a nonprofit consulting firm that specializes in providing strategic and analytic services to governmental entities.
• Benchmarking - The process of comparing one organization’s performance, operations, and budgets against similar organizations or peers.
Section 3. Scope of Services. CGR’s services under this contract shall include but are not limited to:
1. Assessing current workloads, workflows, and turnaround times for critical tasks within the Department of Law and Department of Buildings.
2. Evaluating whether current staffing levels are appropriate for the service demands of the city.
3. Benchmarking peer municipalities such as New Rochelle, White Plains, and Yonkers to compare departmental sizes, operations, and budgets.
4. Providing actionable recommendations to improve operational efficiency and ensure these departments are best equipped to serve the city’s needs.
Section 4. Funding. The total cost for CGR’s services, not to exceed $37,000, shall be paid from budget line A1010.405 (Contracted Outside Service).
Section 5. Timeline. CGR shall complete the operational analysis and submit its final report to the City Council. The report will include detailed options and recommendations to guide decision-making for the 2025 budget. The report's timely completion is necessary for the City to make informed budget decisions.
Section 6. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect upon its approval by the Board of Estimate & Contract.