A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF THE MOUNT VERNON CITY COUNCIL
HELD ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2025.
Scheduled for 7:00 pm in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, Mount Vernon, New York.
*** This meeting was held in the City Council Chambers, with virtual participation via ZOOM and
CMVNY Facebook. The meeting was not closed to the public.***
Danielle Browne, President
PRESIDING:
OTHERS:
Nicole Bonilla, Deputy City Clerk; Antoinette Anderson, Legislative Aide; Johan
Powell, Deputy Corporation Counsel.
CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Deputy City Clerk Bonilla
Council President Danielle Browne 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 Browne 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).
PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Terry Anne Lee, Mount Vernon, NY Topic: A proposed plan to move the noise abatement 7:04 pm
CM Boxhill - we’ll research about moving the time in the ordinance.
CM Gleason - will look into it
CM Thompson- I encourage the public to let us know what is happening in the city
CM Poteat- we do have a time set on the books. There needs to be better monitoring and enforcement
of the law. We’ll speak to PD about the law on the books.
CP Browne- it is an enforcement issue. Poteat will follow up with PD on enforcement.
2. Jessica Saul, Bronx, NY No Show 7:07 pm & 7:15 pm
3. Gabriel Thompson, Mount Vernon, NY Topic: Low-income housing, speed limits, embarrassing
work by the council and law department 7:07 pm
CM Boxhill- there is room for improvement
CM Gleason- I have contacted DPW. Just because a group comes to speak does not mean a project
gets approved. I will get an update on the speed limit. I believe we all work very hard on the council; I
showed up when other people did not.
CM Thompson- It is not ok to be called names and belittled, and the language used towards us is not
acceptable, and you can speak respectfully. I will no longer tolerate people who speak to the council
disrespectfully and speak down to us.
CM Poteat- we are public servants, so thank you for your criticisms, and I am proud of the work we have
done since I’ve been here for the past three years. The comp plan is the best way to get heard because
the council is not here to stay but that way the public can have input.
CP Browne- we brought DPW to present and we asked about the consultant and engineer to certify as
per state law. There is no staff available to certify. We can continue to call them and ask them the same
questions.
4. Geoff Munroe, Mount Vernon, NY Topic: Columbus Avenue (7:11 pm no show) 7:15pm
CM Boxhill- there is room for improvement
CM Gleason- looking for more people to join Cable, we’re accepting resumes
CM Poteat- there were a lot of voices for and against Columbus Day. As a city we have a referendum
and let the people decide and not the decision be made by the council.
CP Browne - Columbus ave is a state road, we can change the holiday, but not the avenue
