Board of Estimate and Contract:
RESOLVED, that an Ordinance adopted by the City Council on May 13, 2026, and signed by the Mayor on May 15, 2026, authorizing the Office Relocation, Space Optimization, and Renovation Plan for the Department of Recreation and the Department of Buildings, and Authorizing Related Expenditures - (expenditure of funds in an amount not to exceed Thirty-Four Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($34,800.00 from Account No. A1620.405 - Department of Public Works, Maintenance of City Hall and Court (Outside Contracting) for purposes related to the implementation of the office relocation and renovation project authorized herein); be, and the same is hereby approved.
City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE OFFICE
RELOCATION, SPACE OPTIMIZATION, AND
RENOVATION PLAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF
RECREATION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF
BUILDINGS, RELATED EXPENDITURES, AND
AUTHORIZING RELATED EXPENDITURES
Whereas, in correspondence dated May 24, 2026, the Mayor formally requested authorization of a proposed office relocation, space optimization, and renovation initiative involving the Department of Recreation and the Department of Buildings, to be undertaken in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Management Services; and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon is committed to modernizing municipal operations, improving service delivery, and ensuring that City departments are equipped to effectively serve residents, contractors, and stakeholders; and
Whereas, after careful review of the operational and spatial needs of the Department of Buildings and the Department of Recreation, it has been determined that the current office configuration no longer adequately supports efficient daily operations; and
Whereas, the Department of Buildings has experienced substantial operational growth over several years and has outgrown its existing office space, resulting in overcrowding and operational inefficiencies that have negatively impacted staff functionality and public interaction; and
Whereas, both members of the public and departmental staff have documented concerns regarding overcrowding, accessibility, workflow limitations, and the overall functionality of the current Department of Buildings office location; and
Whereas, the proposed office relocation and renovation initiative would relocate the Department of Recreation to the current office location occupied by the Department of Buildings; and
Whereas, the Department of Buildings would be relocated to the ground floor of City Hall, thereby positioning the department closer to the primary public entrance and internal security post to improve accessibility, public safety, customer service, and operational efficiency; and
Whereas, during the transition period, the Department of Recreation shall temporarily operate from the Doles Center in order to ensure continuity of services to the public; and
Whereas, the Department of Public Works and Management Services has coordinated with the affected departments to develop and implement a comprehensive transition and renovation plan designed to maximize existing municipal resources and reduce project costs by performing a substantial portion of the work in-house; and
Whereas, the Department of Public Works, Maintenance of City Hall and Court Division, has identified the use of Outside Contracting funds to support the completion of the proposed project and related renovations; and
Whereas, funding in the amount of Thirty-Four Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($34,800.00) has been identified from Account No. A1620.405 - Department of Public Works, Maintenance of City Hall and Court (Outside Contracting) for purposes associated with the office relocation and renovation plan; and
Whereas, the proposed renovations and space reconfiguration are intended to ensure that each departmental location is functional, code-compliant, professional in appearance, and conducive to providing high-quality municipal services; and
Whereas, the City Council finds that authorizing the proposed office relocation, space optimization, and renovation plan is in the best interests of the City of Mount Vernon and its residents.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Authorization of Office Relocation Plan. The City Council hereby authorizes and approves the proposed office relocation, space optimization, and renovation plan involving the Department of Recreation and the Department of Buildings, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Management Services.
Section 2. Relocation of the Department of Buildings. The Department of Buildings is hereby authorized to relocate its operations to the ground floor of City Hall, subject to all necessary administrative coordination and implementation procedures.
The purpose of said relocation shall include, but not be limited to:
1. Improving public accessibility and customer service;
2. Enhancing operational efficiency and workflow;
3. Increasing safety and security through proximity to the main public entrance and security post; and
4. Providing additional space necessary for departmental operations and staffing needs.
Section 3. Relocation of the Department of Recreation. The Department of Recreation is hereby authorized to relocate to the current office space occupied by the Department of Buildings upon completion of the approved transition process.
During the relocation and renovation period, the Department of Recreation shall be permitted to temporarily conduct operations from the Doles Center in order to maintain uninterrupted public services.
Section 4. Authorization of Renovations and Space Improvements. The Department of Public Works and Management Services is hereby authorized to coordinate, oversee, and implement all necessary renovations, repairs, construction activities, furniture relocation, space reconfiguration, and related improvements associated with this initiative.
Such work shall include any renovations deemed necessary to ensure that the affected facilities are functional, safe, compliant with applicable codes and regulations, and suitable for municipal operations.
Section 5. Funding Authorization. The City Council hereby authorizes the expenditure of funds in an amount not to exceed Thirty-Four Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($34,800.00) from Account No. A1620.405 - Department of Public Works, Maintenance of City Hall and Court (Outside Contracting) for purposes related to the implementation of the office relocation and renovation project authorized herein.
Section 6. Authorization to Execute Necessary Documents. The Mayor, Commissioner of Public Works, Commissioner of Buildings, Commissioner of Recreation, Comptroller, and any other appropriate City officials are hereby authorized to execute and file any and all documents, agreements, purchase orders, work authorizations, or related instruments necessary to carry out the intent and purposes of this Ordinance.
Section 7. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, 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 specific provision directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered.
Section 8. 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.