A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF THE MOUNT VERNON CITY COUNCIL

HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2026.

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.***

Derrick Thompson, President

PRESIDING:

OTHERS:

Nicole Bonilla, City Clerk; Jordan A. Riullano, Deputy City Clerk; Antoinette

Anderson, Legislative Aide; Johan Powell, Deputy Corporation Counsel; Greg Bailey,

Asst. Corp. Counsel.

CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Led by Councilwoman Turnquest - Jones

Council President Derrick Thompson 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 Thompson explained the 3-minute-plus-1 public comment rule. He 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).

AWARDS / PRESENTATIONS

TMP

-2002

Code:

STATION PLAZA Presentation to City Council 3-11-26_FINAL2

Attachments:

Councilman Wallace - requested that the project put in writing they they will not ask for any

PILOTs. Discussed past promises on a prior project. Provided a recommendation to the other

council members to hold the item until in writing about not going to request a PILOT.

Joseph Apicella - agreed in writing to not ask for PILOTs for this project

Councilwoman Turnquest-Jones: expressed the concern with Mount Vernon West Train Station.

Mount Vernon Avenue and MacQuesten Pkwy. could be beautified.

Councilman Boxhill: expressed that on the face the project seems beneficial for the city.

Councilwoman Gleason - explained the SEQRA progress and explained what being “lead

agency” means. Also expressed how the piece of property is pristine and needs to be developed.

Council President Thompson - provided further discussion on the process of lead agency and

that the city council will be reviewing the application and the process. City Council does not

approve PILOTs, that is through the IDA (Industrial Development Agency).

Brad Schwartz - spoke on the declare to intent to lead agency and explained the process. It starts

a 30-day clock for the council to circulate and get feedback from other agencies. This declaration

starts the SEQRA process.

Honorees:

Claudette Giles, business owner in Mount Vernon and her Non-for-Profit - honored by

Councilmember Boxhill

Kodi - honored by Councilmember Turnquest-Jones

Adrianne - honored by councilmember Gleason

PUBLIC COMMENT

1.) Brenda M. Johnson - 8:18 pm NO SHOW

2.) Wilma Frank - 8:24 pm

Spoke on Memorial Field being closed and the betterment of Mount Vernon

3.) David Reich - 8:23 pm NO SHOW

4.) Lisa Copeland - 8:23 pm NO SHOW

5.) Francine Rosario - 8:24 pm

Spoke on the proposed legislation regarding the taxi industry

6.) Zachary Robinson - 8:27 pm

Spoke on housing for working class citizens

7.) Hurdy Walter - 8:32 pm

Spoke on housing for working class citizens

8.) Enid Hay - 8:37 pm

Spoke on housing for working class citizens

9.) William Sharif Al - Malik - 8:40 pm

Spoke on Taxi legislation

10.) Imani Lawrence - 8:44 pm NO SHOW

11.) Devaron King - 8:44 pm NO SHOW

Council Response:

Councilwoman Gleason:

- asked follow up questions to Francine Rosario and was in agreement that the legislation needs to be

discussed with the Taxi Commission

- invited Rick Wright - Director at Memorial Field to address the lighting and daylight savings time

and the track not being open on holidays, Sundays and the staff that opens and how he speaks to the

public. The average energy bill is $10K a month in electricity

- addressed the speakers on working class, middle income and affordable housing in the city.

Councilwoman Turnquest - Jones:

- suggested that Wilma Frank speak with commissioner of Recreation

- addressed the taxicab drivers in-house, her family history with taxi and her dad driving a cab

- addressed the speaker regarding working class middle class population and that speaking with the

Grace project to keep the residents of Mount Vernon in Mount Vernon due to income not being able to

afford to live in Mount Vernon and to attract people to move to Mount Vernon

Councilman Wallace:

- addressed the inspections that the Police Department does with the speaker and asked follow up

questions

- addressed affordable housing and that the GRace Project requires a PILOT and Station Plaza does

not

- addressed memorial field and the austerity budget and the operational expenses

Councilman Boxhill:

- Echoed sentiments of council members

- willing to hold off on voting due to lack of information on how it will affect the taxicab drivers

- agreed the need for middle - class affordable housing and addressing Westchester's AMI of 60%

and that $35K is minimum wage

Council President Thompson:

- addressed the inspections of the taxicab commission and the inspections. Maybe we can require a

designated shop that all cabs have to get their inspections to avoid fraud

- addressed the memorial field and the turf field. The commissioner will address her staff and

customer service

REFERRAL SESSION

Roll Call administered by City Clerk Nicole Bonilla

Council President Derrick Thompson, Pro Tempore Jaevon Boxhill, Acting Pro

Tempore Cathlin Gleason, Councilmember Cynthia Turnquest-Jones, and

Councilmember Andre Wallace

PRESENT:

None

ABSENT:

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND ACTION THEREON

To the Council:

The LEGISLATION AND PUBLIC WORKS Committee recommends for ADOPTION the

following entitled legislation:

TMP

-1967

Code:

LPW

Canal St Lift Purchase 2025

Attachments:

Moved: Councilwoman Gleason, Seconded by Councilwoman Turnquest - Jones

On the question: none.

Response: none.

adopted

Council President Thompson, Pro Tempore Boxhill, Acting Pro Tempore

Gleason, Councilmember Turnquest-Jones, and Councilmember Wallace

None

Aye:

Nay:

None

Absent:

TMP

-1974

Code:

LPW

Transfer of Funds- Highway Maintenance Emergency Repairs

Attachments:

Moved: Councilwoman Gleason, Seconded by Councilwoman Turnquest - Jones

On the question: none.

Response: none.

adopted

Council President Thompson, Pro Tempore Boxhill, Acting Pro Tempore

Gleason, Councilmember Turnquest-Jones, and Councilmember Wallace

None

Aye:

Nay:

None

Absent:

TMP

-1979

Code:

LPW

2.18.26 Emergency Declaration West Broad Street

Attachments:

Moved: Councilwoman Gleason, Seconded by Councilwoman Turnquest - Jones

On the question: none.

Response: Councilman Wallace: IS the escrow paying for this?

Councilwoman Gleason: Yes, this is just the emergency ones. There are others in agreement

with 42 Broad, but I would have to review the agreement and give you the accurate updated

information.

adopted

Council President Thompson, Pro Tempore Boxhill, Acting Pro Tempore

Gleason, Councilmember Turnquest-Jones, and Councilmember Wallace

None

Aye:

Nay:

None

Absent:

TMP

-1982

Code:

LPW

Arcadis Uninterrupted Consent Order Compliance

Attachments:

Moved: Councilwoman Gleason, Seconded by Councilwoman Turnquest - Jones

On the question: none.

Response: none.

adopted

Council President Thompson, Pro Tempore Boxhill, Acting Pro Tempore

Gleason, Councilmember Turnquest-Jones, and Councilmember Wallace

None

Aye:

Nay:

None

Absent:

TMP

-1990

Code:

LPW

3.3.26 C+D Notice of Award West Shore Trucking

CMVNY_Notice to Award_3.5.26

Attachments:

Moved: Councilwoman Gleason, Seconded by Councilwoman Turnquest - Jones

On the question: none.

Response: none.

adopted

Council President Thompson, Pro Tempore Boxhill, Acting Pro Tempore

Gleason, Councilmember Turnquest-Jones, and Councilmember Wallace

None

Aye:

Nay:

None

Absent:

TMP

-1997

Code:

LPW

122022-2 Change Order Referral Letter and Change Order 1

Attachments:

Moved: Councilwoman Gleason, Seconded by Councilwoman Turnquest - Jones

On the question: none.

Response: Councilwoman Gleason: This request went before the Board of Estimate and

Contract (BOE) and was approved based on the austerity budget.

Council President Thompson: I will be proposing legislation regarding training soon

adopted

Council President Thompson, Pro Tempore Boxhill, Acting Pro Tempore

Gleason, Councilmember Turnquest-Jones, and Councilmember Wallace

None

Aye:

Nay:

None

Absent:

TMP

-1965

Code:

LPW

Referral Letter post Austerity BOE -OpenGov Cert Conference request

letter NStephens

Attachments:

Signed Open Gov Austerity Request- N. Stephens

Moved: Councilwoman Gleason, Seconded by Councilwoman Turnquest - Jones

On the question: none.

Response: none.

adopted

Council President Thompson, Pro Tempore Boxhill, Acting Pro Tempore

Gleason, Councilmember Turnquest-Jones, and Councilmember Wallace

None

Aye:

Nay:

None

Absent:

TMP

-1968

Code:

LPW

Referral Letter Post Austertiy BOE - NYCOM 2026 request letter to

BOE

Attachments:

Signed NYCOM Austerity Request- N. Bonilla K. Joshua

Moved: Councilwoman Gleason, Seconded by Councilwoman Turnquest - Jones

On the question: none.

Response: Councilwoman Gleason: This request went before the BOE and was approved based

on the austerity budget.

adopted

Council President Thompson, Pro Tempore Boxhill, Acting Pro Tempore

Gleason, Councilmember Turnquest-Jones, and Councilmember Wallace

None

Aye:

Nay:

None

Absent:

TMP

-1969

Code:

LPW

Referral Letter Post Austerity BOE - IIMC 2026 Summer Education

Program Request

Attachments:

Signed IIMC CLERK Austerity Request- N. Bonilla

Save the Date Flyer & Schedule

Moved: Councilwoman Gleason, Seconded by Councilwoman Turnquest - Jones

On the question: none.

Response: Councilwoman Gleason: This request went before the BOE and was approved based

on the austerity budget and the majority of the cost will be covered by scholarship.

Clerk Bonilla: correct

adopted

Council President Thompson, Pro Tempore Boxhill, Acting Pro Tempore

Gleason, Councilmember Turnquest-Jones, and Councilmember Wallace

None

Aye:

Nay:

None

Absent:

10.

TMP

-1992

Code:

LPW

Referral Letter Revamped AIM resolution March 2026

Revamped AIM resolution March 2026

Attachments:

Moved: Councilwoman Gleason, Seconded by Councilwoman Turnquest - Jones

On the question: none.

Response: none.

adopted

Council President Thompson, Pro Tempore Boxhill, Acting Pro Tempore

Gleason, Councilmember Turnquest-Jones, and Councilmember Wallace

None

Aye:

Nay:

None

Absent:

To the Council:

The HUMAN RESOURCES Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled

legislation:

11.

TMP

-1986

Code:

2026 Annual Easter Egg Hunt Referral Letter

Attachments:

Support Letter_OEM Auxiliary Police Unit - Easter Egg Hunt

Moved: Councilwoman Turnquest - Jones, Seconded by Councilwoman Gleason

On the question: none.

Response: none.

adopted

Council President Thompson, Pro Tempore Boxhill, Acting Pro Tempore

Gleason, Councilmember Turnquest-Jones, and Councilmember Wallace

None

Aye:

Nay:

None

Absent:

12.

TMP

-1991

Code:

Request for co-sponsorship from MVFARYP for Rec. & YB's events

Attachments:

Moved: Councilwoman Turnquest - Jones, Seconded by Councilwoman Gleason

On the question: none.

Response: Council President Thompson: thanked the Youth Bureau, friends of Mount Vernon

and the recreation department for this partnership.

adopted

Council President Thompson, Pro Tempore Boxhill, Acting Pro Tempore

Gleason, Councilmember Turnquest-Jones, and Councilmember Wallace

None

Aye:

Nay:

None

Absent:

To the Council:

The PUBLIC SAFETY AND CODES Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following

entitled legislation:

13.

TMP

-1998

Code:

PSC

Taxicab Referral Letter

Taxicab Ordinance

Attachments:

Moved: Councilman Wallace, Seconded by Councilman Boxhill

On the question: none.

Response: none.

held

Council President Thompson, Pro Tempore Boxhill, Acting Pro Tempore

Aye:

Gleason, Councilmember Turnquest-Jones, and Councilmember Wallace

None

Nay:

None

Absent:

To the Council:

The FINANCE AND PLANNING Committee recommends for ADOPTION the following entitled

legislation:

14.

TMP

-1995

Code:

COMP2026-3 – Certification of the 2024 In Rem Foreclosure Listing

Mount Vernon Newspapaer Ad 1st Petition of Foreclosure

03032026

Attachments:

Moved: Councilman Boxhill, Seconded by Councilman Wallace

On the question: none.

Response: Councilwoman Gleason: Was this verified by the comptroller's office?

Councilman Boxhill: Yes

adopted

Council President Thompson, Pro Tempore Boxhill, Acting Pro Tempore

Aye:

Gleason, Councilmember Turnquest-Jones, and Councilmember Wallace

None

Nay:

None

Absent:

15.

TMP

-1985

Code:

Rescind ltr 234 East 5th Street 3.2026

Attachments:

Moved: Councilman Boxhill, Seconded by Councilman Wallace

On the question: none.

Response: none.

adopted

Council President Thompson, Pro Tempore Boxhill, Acting Pro Tempore

Aye:

Gleason, Councilmember Turnquest-Jones, and Councilmember Wallace

None

Nay:

None

Absent:

16.

TMP

-1942

Code:

Grace Baptist Church Lead Agency

Attachments:

Moved: Councilman Boxhill, Seconded by Councilman Wallace

On the question: none.

Response: Councilwoman Turnquest - Jones: want to make sure the needs of the working class

are being met and reflected in the AMI.

Brad Schwartz: Spoke on the SEQRA process and that the council can have that discourse and if

the council does not approve with the AMI, they can vote the application down.

Developer's Lawyer: spoke on the range of availability of 40-90% AMI and average of 60%

adopted

Council President Thompson, Acting Pro Tempore Gleason, and

Councilmember Turnquest-Jones

Aye:

Pro Tempore Boxhill, and Councilmember Wallace

Nay:

None

Absent:

17.

TMP

-1996

Code:

256-260 E. 3rd Street - return of escrow.3.5.2026

Attachments:

Moved: Councilman Boxhill, Seconded by Councilman Wallace

On the question: none.

Response: none.

adopted

Council President Thompson, Pro Tempore Boxhill, Acting Pro Tempore

Aye:

Gleason, Councilmember Turnquest-Jones, and Councilmember Wallace

None

Nay:

None

Absent:

18.

TMP

-1999

Code:

Station Plaza Resolution

Expedited Memo

Attachments:

Moved: Councilman Boxhill, Seconded by Councilman Wallace

On the question: none.

Response: none.

adopted

Council President Thompson, Pro Tempore Boxhill, Acting Pro Tempore

Aye:

Gleason, Councilmember Turnquest-Jones, and Councilmember Wallace

None

Nay:

None

Absent:

19.

TMP

-2000

Code:

Escrow Acct Station Plaza 3.6.2026

Attachments:

Moved: Councilman Boxhill, Seconded by Councilman Wallace

On the question: none.

Response: none.

adopted

Council President Thompson, Pro Tempore Boxhill, Acting Pro Tempore

Aye:

Gleason, Councilmember Turnquest-Jones, and Councilmember Wallace

None

Nay:

None

Absent:

OTHER BUSINESS/CLOSING COMMENTS

Council President Thompson: requested to keep family in thoughts and prayers for the passing of his

cousin

Motion to Adjourn