City of Mount Vernon, New York  
1 ROOSEVELT SQ. RM. 104  
CITY HALL, MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK 10550  
& VIA FACEBOOK.COM/MOUNTVERNONNY  
Meeting Minutes  
Tuesday, August 20, 2024  
4:00 PM  
MAYOR'S CONFERENCE ROOM - 1st FLOOR  
Board of Estimate & Contract  
Call to Order: At 4:19 PM by Acting Mayor Cathlin B. Gleason  
Roll Call and reading of agenda items administered by City Clerk Tanesia M. Walters.  
Noticed in the Journal News.  
Roll Call:  
Comptroller Darren Morton, President Cathlin Gleason, and Danielle Browne Esq.  
Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard  
PRESENT  
ABSENT  
OTHERS:  
Acting Mayor Caitlin Gleason, Acting City Council President Danielle Browne, City  
Clerk Tanesia M. Walters, Deputy Clerk Nicole J. Bonilla, Comptroller Darren Morton  
Assistant Comptroller (attending remote in New Orleans, Louisana), Condell Hamilton,  
Commissioner Damani Bush, Procurement Manager Keith G. Eversley, City Engineer  
Curtis Woods, Commissioner James Rausse, Mayor Patterson-Howard, Mayor  
(attending the meeting remote, not voting)  
ADMINISTRATION OF THE AGENDA  
OPENING OF TWO (2) BIDS FOR DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS  
Clerk read aloud the meetings notice and the RFQ and the two (2) bids for the Department of Public  
Works.  
"Resurfacing of Various Streets in the City of Mount Vernon, New York - 2024" and " Construction  
Equipment Rentals."  
Bids were advertisement in The Journal News and on bidnet.com on July 29th closing Aug 16th at 2:00  
pm.  
*These bids and the RFQ were not opened today. *  
Date of the next meeting - Special BOE August 29th at 8:30 am  
Code:  
LPW  
Attachments:  
Code:  
LPW  
Attachments:  
Council President Gleason - How many times it was advertised in Journal news?  
Purchasing Agent Eversley - Once.  
Council President Gleason - So, this does not qualify for public notice. Requested guidance from  
Corporation Counsel.  
Corporation Counsel Johnson - This does not legally comply, it should not be open.  
Comptroller Morton - Who put notice in the newspaper?  
Purchasing Agent Eversley - I did. Was not aware of the qualifications.  
Comptroller Morton - When did we abandon the process of the City Clerk posting all notices?  
Acting Council President Browne - The City Clerk does not put in all notices. They have their own  
secretary who does their notices.  
Clerk Walters - Land Use and URA put in their own advertisement. We used to for DPW, not sure when  
the transition happened  
Comptroller Morton - We should go back to city clerk putting in all city notices to make sure it is done  
properly. The city clerk is the official record keeper. This is not legally noticed; it should go back out.  
Acting Council President Browne - how all municipalities are doing this there is a lack of training and  
we know the laws and regulations.  
Commissioner Bush -So, to recap the entire process, been with the city 15 years along with Curtis  
woods. Morton is correct. Public and advertisement part, it went through the clerk’s office. Journal  
news accounts being frozen. If we do not open today and wait, we can’t pave the streets.  
Mayor Patterson-Howard - I agree with our comptroller, this is a conversation we were having back and  
forth. There were 6 or 7 accounts and we had to track down which accounts were paid. We did discuss  
that it would be through city clerk. Right now, we have HUD paving money and it is time sensitive, if  
we do not spend it, we lose it. We have three bids, it was noticed in the Journal News.  
Corporation Counsel Johnson - The bids are sealed, they are unopened. Send a letter to the companies  
that submitted that the date will be changed. They do not need to re-submit. The only difference is that  
other companies will have an opportunity to submit. Comply with the second notice in the journal news,  
then have the opening.  
Clerk Walters - Same issue with RFQ, all three can be noticed.  
RESOLUTIONS APPROVING ORDINANCES  
1.  
Code:  
LPW  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: none  
Response: none  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
2.  
Code:  
LPW  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: none  
Response: none  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
None  
Aye:  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
3.  
Code:  
LPW  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: Acting Council President Browne - My vote is for the council as a whole and  
not my individual vote.  
Commissioner Morton - Why was this retro?  
Response: Clerk Walters - Director Allen received short notice on the convention and it was in  
between meetings.  
Mayor Patterson-Howard - Director Allen found out after the July meeting Council Woman  
Browne explained to Director Allen that if occurrences happen in between meetings, he should  
let his chair know. This is the first time anyone in Mount Vernon has attended the conference.  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
4.  
Code:  
LPW  
Referral - 3rd Annual Hispanic Heritage 2024.pdf  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: Commissioner Morton - Budget code is being split between recreation and the  
Mayor's Office?  
Response: Mayor Patterson-Howard - Yes, it always has.  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
5.  
Code:  
LPW  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: Comptroller Morton - To cover the staffing?  
Response: Mayor Patterson-Howard - Yes. The person has been hired, everything went through,  
civil service and council. The person starts this week at $91,494.  
Comptroller Morton - $400,000 for two years?  
Mayor Patterson-Howard - Yes, this is a direct service position so benefits can be covered.  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
6.  
Code:  
LPW  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: Comptroller Morton - Retro expense? Has the furniture been purchased and  
installed?  
Response: Mayor Patterson-Howard - This is new furniture, it has not been purchased or  
installed. This is for the Deputy Chief of Staff and the Office of Safety and Engagement. The  
office is being retrofitted for both.  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
7.  
Code:  
LPW  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: Commissioner Morton - Why are we doing this?  
Response: Mayor Patterson-Howard - The federal government mandates. This can not be done  
in bathrooms.  
Commissioner Bush - There is no other space. We were notified by HR that we had to create a  
space for a lactation pod.  
Comptroller Morton - Are we in compliance with the number of employees register at 1  
Roosevelt Sq, than other departments are registered at this address?  
Acting President Browne - Counsel?  
Corporation Counsel Johnson - We were not asked to review.  
Comptroller Morton - I am asking because of the cost, but in my position I have to check. When  
I found out that the number to fit the requirements. We do not have the number of employees  
registered at City Hall.  
Acting Mayor Gleason - How did we get this and can it be returned?  
Commissioner Bush - No.  
Mayor Patterson-Howard - It is a requirement for staff in a public building. This has to be  
opened as an option to the public. The Doles Center has a space and can be available to the  
public. The DPW canal does not have anyone working there or the public that would need a  
space. The number of staff of childbearing age is located in City Hall. This was worked on by  
HR and the Chief of Staff.  
Comptroller Morton - I do not agree, due diligence was not done.  
Acting Council President Browne - I concur with the Comptroller, I'm not sure if due diligence  
was done. We have to find a way to correct that in the future.  
approved  
President Gleason, and Browne  
Comptroller Morton  
Aye:  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
8.  
Code:  
LPW  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: Comptroller Morton - What are the cameras for?  
Response: Commissioner Bush - They're being installed at DP, Marina and City Hall interior  
and exterior.  
Acting Mayor Gleason - Do they work with the PD?  
Commissioner Bush - Yes, it is a joint effort between PD and DPW.  
Comptroller Morton - Paid for with the bands?  
Commissioner Bush - Yes.  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
9.  
Code:  
LPW  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: none  
Response: none  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
10.  
Code:  
LPW  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: none  
Response: none  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
11.  
Code:  
LPW  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: Comptroller Morton - Change in price?  
Response: Commissioner Bush - The original quote for was $22,000. Upon cleaning there was  
18 inches of additional sludge that had to be removed in order for us to be in compliance with  
the state.  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
12.  
Code:  
LPW  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: Comptroller Morton- Just changed the code?  
Response: Acting Council President Browne - We added a code.  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
13.  
Code:  
LPW  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: none  
Response: none  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
14.  
Code:  
LPW  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: Clerk Walters - We received an email from Pat Rosamunda, requesting the  
item to be held (email was read aloud). Should we hold?  
Response: Acting Mayor Gleason - We're talking about a contract, the email is about job specs.  
Acting Council President Browne - This can be brought to the special meeting.  
Comptroller Morton - Do we go forward or hold it until the special meeting?  
Acting Council President Browne - Can we as the Clerk to request further information when  
asked to hold?  
Comptroller Morton - Hold it on the floor?  
Corporation Council Johnson - We have to vote.  
denied  
President Gleason  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Comptroller Morton, and Browne  
Absent:  
Abstain:  
15.  
Code:  
LPW  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: none  
Response: none  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
None  
Aye:  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
16.  
17.  
18.  
19.  
Code:  
HR  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: none  
Response: none  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
Code:  
HR  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: none  
Response: none  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
Code:  
HR  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: none  
Response: none  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
Code:  
HR  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: none  
Response: none  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
20.  
Code:  
PSC  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: Acting Mayor Gleason - To be clear this was passed last year using a prior  
quote. The vehicle is ready adn the price has changed since last year's quote. This is not the  
approval for a new purchase only to increase the amount.  
Response: none  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
AUTHORIZATION OF PARTIAL PAYMENTS  
Motion to take items #44-47 as a block vote.  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
take items as block vote  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
44.  
45.  
Attachments:  
approved  
Attachments:  
approved  
46.  
Attachments:  
approved  
47.  
approved  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: none  
Response: none  
approved the Consent Agenda  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
RESOLUTIONS APPROVING ORDINANCES  
Motion to take items #34-36 as a block vote.  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
take items as block vote  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
34.  
35.  
Code:  
FP  
Attachments:  
approved  
Code:  
FP  
Attachments:  
approved  
36.  
Code:  
FP  
Attachments:  
approved  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: Comptroller Morton - How does all this work together? Money in this budget is for  
the remainder for the year? Is this expanded to future years?  
Response: Assistant Comptroller Hamilton - Yes, the money is available for this year.  
Acting Council President Browne - The full contract is for this year and next year.  
Comptroller Morton - The amount for the full contract?  
Commissioner Rausse - The services for each consultant, we have accepted the contract and they have  
begun. There is an expedience for the outreach that was already done. Cleary Consulting will be the lead  
consultant, on the comprehensive plan to oversee the process and to make sure there is a communication  
amongst the other consultants. The other two consultants are sub consultants. The numbers are for the  
entirety of their contract to last one year from adoption.  
approved the Consent Agenda  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
Code:  
21.  
22.  
23.  
PSC  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: none  
Response: none  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
Code:  
PSC  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: none  
Response: none  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
Code:  
PSC  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: Comptroller Morton - Transferring parking (budget code line) into Police?  
Response: Assistant Comptroller Hamilton - PD said they transferred too much money in the  
beginning of the year and they are putting it back.  
Comptroller Morton - Expenditures?  
Assistant Comptroller - $110,000 and they have not had any expenditures.  
Comptroller Morton to Assistant Comptroller Hamilton - Note this because we would need to  
know for budgetary purposes.  
approved  
President Gleason, and Browne  
Comptroller Morton  
Aye:  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
24.  
Code:  
PSC  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: none  
Response: none  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
25.  
Code:  
PSC  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: Comptroller Morton - Please note that there is $4,500 remaining in the grant  
after these purchase.  
Response: none  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
26.  
Code:  
PSC  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: none  
Response: none  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
27.  
Code:  
PSC  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: Comptroller Morton - $10,000? How many people are going?  
Response: Acting Council President Browne - Three.  
Mayor Patterson-Howard - I can ask them to reconsider and reduce the amount to two.  
Acting Mayor Gleason - Amendment?  
Corporation Counsel Johnson - You can authorize as is and less people go.  
Comptroller Morton - We will vote with the understanding that two are going and the expense is  
not to exceed $10,000.  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
28.  
Code:  
PSC  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: none  
Response: none  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
29.  
Code:  
PSC  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: none  
Response: none  
approved  
Aye:  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
30.  
Code:  
PSC  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: none  
Response: none  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
31.  
Code:  
PSC  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: none  
Response: none  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
32.  
Code:  
FP  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: Comptroller Morton - To provide an explanation. We are trying to catch up  
with accounting records, we had a few insufficient fund checks from 2019 in which we had folks  
that had not been notified that their checks had insufficient funds and when we went to collect,  
those properties had been sold and now have new owners and there was a transfer tax and we  
can't request the funds from the new owners. This is to clear the outstanding in the system.  
Response: none  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
33.  
Code:  
FP  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: Comptroller Morton - This is an opportunity to allow our employees to have  
opportunities to take advantage of discounts  
Response: Acting Mayor Gleason - No cost to the city?  
Comptroller Morton - Yes, no cost to the city.  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
SALARY RESOLUTIONS  
Motion to take items # 37-43 as a block vote.  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
take items as block vote  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
Attachments:  
37.  
38.  
39.  
40.  
approved  
Attachments:  
approved  
Attachments:  
approved  
Attachments:  
approved  
41.  
42.  
43.  
Attachments:  
approved  
Attachments:  
approved  
Attachments:  
approved  
approved the Consent Agenda  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
SETTLEMENTS  
Motion to take items # 48-54 as a block vote.  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
take items as block vote  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
48.  
49.  
50.  
Attachments:  
approved  
Attachments:  
approved  
Attachments:  
approved  
51.  
52.  
Attachments:  
approved  
Attachments:  
approved  
53.  
54.  
Attachments:  
approved  
Attachments:  
approved  
approved the Consent Agenda  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
55.  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: Comptroller Morton - Excess carrier?  
Response: Corporation Counsel Johnson - Yes.  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, and President Gleason  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Browne  
Absent:  
Abstain:  
TAX REVIEW SETTLEMENTS  
56.  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: Acting Mayor Gleason - Amendment?  
Response: Corporation Counsel Johnson - Assessor requested, because calculations were  
wrong.  
approved  
Aye:  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
57.  
Attachments:  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
On the question: Acting Mayor Gleason - Same issue?  
Response: Corporation Counsel Johnson - Yes.  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
Agenda was concluded at 5:49 PM  
Acting Mayor Cathlin B. Gleason asked if there was new business:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard - The city has committed $1.2 million in public safety today. This  
administration has invested in police and public safety equipment, cars and technology and the  
investments is not only about salaries.  
Acting Mayor Gleason asked for a motion to adjourn.  
Moved: Acting Council President Browne, Seconded: Comptroller Morton  
approved  
Comptroller Morton, President Gleason, and Browne  
Aye:  
None  
Nay:  
Mayor Patterson-Howard  
Absent:  
There being no other further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:51 PM.  
Nicole Bonilla, MBA  
Deputy City Clerk