A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF THE MOUNT VERNON CITY COUNCIL
HELD ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 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
Lead by Deputy City Clerk Nicole Bonilla
President Danielle Browne Esq., Acting Pro Tempore Derrick Thompson,
PRESENT:
Councilperson Jaevon Boxhill, and Councilperson Cathlin Gleason
Pro Tempore Edward Poteat
ABSENT:
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. Tamara Steward, Mount Vernon, NY (No Show 7:05 PM)
Topic - curb cuts at Westchester Plaza
Council Response: Councilman Gleason - discussed how she spoke with this constituent already and
DPW will assist with the application process.
2. Paul Colley, Mount Vernon, NY (No Show 7:05 PM & 7:10 PM)
Topic - City issues
3. Chris McDonough, Mount Vernon, NY (7:05 PM)
Topic - Constance G. Post appointment
Council Response:
Councilman Boxhill - expressed his concern with the appointment of Constance Post to the Mount
Vernon Economic Development Task Force (EDTF) and that he did not add this to the agenda, the
co-chair override and added this appointment to the agenda.
Councilman Gleason - I understand the concern and appreciate you reaching out. I don't think peoples
past dictates their future and I believe in second chances. I will always stand up for someone who has
done something in their past and has made a change. She has valuable information and knowledge to
help the city of Mount Vernon. I have worked with her in the past and he has institutional knowledge
and has worked with a lot of the developers in the city.
Councilman Thompson - I agree with CM Gleason, everyone deserves a second chance. We can't judge
someone on the past mistakes they have made. Unfortunately, they have a record but we should not hold
back everything else they can be an asset to, regardless of the mistakes. We have elected officials who
have made mistakes who have made a change and are doing good things with their second chances.
There should be oversight but we have to give people second chances. Mr. McDonough you are on the
school board, some might say you should not be on the school board because of your outburst and
