A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF THE MOUNT VERNON CITY COUNCIL
HELD ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2024
Scheduled for 7:00 pm in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, Mount Vernon, New York.
*** This meeting was held in the Memorial Room, with virtual participation via ZOOM and CMVNY
Facebook. The meeting was not closed to the public.***
Cathlin B. Gleason, President
PRESIDING:
OTHERS:
Tanesia M. Walters, City Clerk; Nicole J. Bonilla, Deputy City Clerk; Bryan Johnson,
Corporation Counsel; Antoinette Anderson, Legislative Aide
CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pledge of Allegiance lead by Councilmember Boxhill.
Council President Cathlin B. Gleason called the meeting to order and provided general house-keeping
rules, including encouraging citizens to share the meeting on social media and what to do “in case of
emergency”. Council President Gleason explained the 3-minute-plus-1 public comment rule. She then
asked a Councilperson to lead the council in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council President then proceeded
to the Public Speakers session of the evening (listed below as public comment).
PRESENTATION
Councilmember Boxhill read the proclamation and presented the document to the family.
Councilmember Boxhill explained that there is currently a tree planted in Brush Park and a plaque will
be placed a the tree.
Council President Gleason stated that it is important that people who give back to the community are
honored and family is what makes Mount Vernon great.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Molly Franco, MSW, 40 East Sidney Ave, Mount Vernon, NY - ("The increasing number of tobacco
retailers in the city of Mount Vernon and its potential impact on youth and families.")
The speaker is part of a non-profit organization called Power Against Tobacco. The organization aids in
brining issues to residents and she is a public health advocate. Speaker discuss the danger of smoking
and the increase of tobacco dealers in the city. There are policies that limit flavored tobacco retailers and
cap the number of retailers. Speaker offered her services to help enact policies.
Council Responses:
Councilmember Boxhill - Would like to meet for a follow up
Councilmember Thompson - I do believe we have to do more with tobacco because most of these shops
do not respect our youth. We have 16 public schools and 2 charters. I've visited a couple of stores and
they are selling to our youth.
Councilmember Browne - I have a draft legislation for business licenses for tobacco shops, I would like
to collaborate with you to make it robust. There is a problem in Mount Vernon, and high incidents of
respiratory incidents, it is a problem. We must get ahead of it, so we do not have to grandfather all these
businesses. There is only one license shop in Mount Vernon and these shops are selling cannabis as
well.
Council President Gleason - Thank you for paying attention because you reached out to us about getting
the signs for the playground.
Kamil Choshal, 550 Locust Street, Mount Vernon, NY, kamil.ghoshal@tc.columbia.edu - ("No
parking within thirty feet of a stop sign, what are the ticket issuance practices")
