City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE TEMPORARY
CLOSURE OF A PORTION OF SOUTH FOURTH
AVENUE FOR THE THIRD ANNUAL “FRENCHY
DAY” COMMUNITY MEMORIAL FUNDRAISER
Whereas, by correspondence received from Melissa Cardany, on behalf of the Frenchy Day Committee, a request was made for authorization to temporarily close the portion of South Fourth Avenue directly in front of 226 South Fourth Avenue, Mount Vernon, New York, on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., for the purpose of hosting the Third Annual Frenchy Day Community Memorial Fundraiser; and
Whereas, the organizers of the Third Annual Frenchy Day have requested permission to conduct a nonprofit community memorial fundraiser on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 226 South Fourth Avenue, Mount Vernon, New York; and
Whereas, Frenchy Day is held annually in memory of Michael “Frenchy” Bonéy and serves to celebrate his life and legacy by bringing together family members, friends, local businesses, civil service personnel, riders, and community supporters in a spirit of remembrance, fellowship, and community service; and
Whereas, proceeds and activities associated with Frenchy Day support charitable and community-focused initiatives that benefit the residents of the City of Mount Vernon; and
Whereas, the event is expected to attract approximately 150 to 200 attendees and will include family-friendly activities, music, raffles, food vendors, and a limited number of tents located immediately in front of the event site; and
Whereas, the organizers have requested the temporary closure of the portion of South Fourth Avenue directly in front of 226 South Fourth Avenue from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026, in order to safely accommodate event participants and activities; and
Whereas, the organizers have said that volunteers will be present throughout the event to assist with setup, traffic management within the event area, attendee safety, and post-event cleanup, and that neighboring residents and businesses will receive advance notice of the temporary street closure; and
Whereas, previous Frenchy Day events have been conducted safely and successfully with the cooperation of volunteers, local businesses, community organizations, and civil service members; and
Whereas, the City Council finds that authorizing the requested temporary street closure serves a valid public purpose by promoting community engagement, honoring the memory of a respected community member, and supporting charitable activities while ensuring that appropriate public safety measures are maintained.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon as follows:
Section 1. Authorization of Temporary Street Closure. The City Council hereby authorizes the temporary closure of the portion of South Fourth Avenue directly in front of 226 South Fourth Avenue, Mount Vernon, New York, on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., for the purpose of conducting the Third Annual Frenchy Day Community Memorial Fundraiser.
Section 2. Authorized Event Activities. The organizers are authorized to conduct family-friendly event activities, including, but not limited to:
1. Memorial and community gathering activities;
2. Music and entertainment;
3. Food service and concessions, subject to all applicable permits and health regulations;
4. Raffles conducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations;
5. The placement of a limited number of tents directly in front of the event location; and
6. Other activities reasonably associated with the approved community fundraiser.
Section 3. Conditions of Approval. This authorization is expressly conditioned upon the organizers:
A. Obtaining all required permits, licenses, and approvals from the appropriate City, County, and State agencies;
B. Coordinating with the Mount Vernon Police Department, Fire Department, and any other applicable municipal departments regarding public safety, emergency access, and traffic control;
C. Maintaining unobstructed emergency vehicle access at all times;
D. Providing adequate volunteer staffing for crowd management, event operations, and cleanup;
E. Notifying affected residents and businesses in advance of the temporary street closure;
F. Complying with all applicable City ordinances, health regulations, fire safety requirements, and noise control regulations; and
G. Restoring the public right-of-way to its original condition immediately following the conclusion of the event.
Section 4. Public Safety Authority. The Mount Vernon Police Department, Fire Department, Department of Public Works, and all other appropriate City departments are authorized to implement reasonable traffic control measures and impose any additional public safety requirements deemed necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of event participants and the general public.
Section 5. Indemnification and Insurance. As a condition of this authorization, the event organizers shall obtain and maintain any insurance coverage required by the City of Mount Vernon and shall execute any indemnification agreements required by the Corporation Counsel or other authorized City officials prior to the event.
Section 6. Compliance with Law. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as waiving compliance with any federal, state, county, or local law, rule, regulation, permit requirement, or public safety directive applicable to the event.
Section 7. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its adoption, passage, and approval by the City Council and only upon the filing of documents in the office of the City Clerk of Mount Vernon and shall remain in effect solely for the dates and times authorized herein.