Council schedules multiple ordinances and briefly meets in executive session to discuss settlements

The City Council’s March 24 work session reviewed the tally sheet for the next council meeting and called multiple items to the floor, including a resolution to hire special counsel (Joel R. Dichter of Dichter Law LLC) for participating Westchester municipalities in the Con Edison Electric and Gas rate case, appointments to the Cable Television Advisory Committee, an ordinance to standardize tree planting in the municipal right‑of‑way (called for but with a section the council said was incomplete), a proposed retroactive contract with Bonanza Contracting LLC for renovations to the Mount Vernon Police Department, and a proposed upgrade to the city’s street‑lighting management software from CityTouch to Interact City (Signify North America Corporation), which the clerk said would be at no cost to the city.

Public safety items included a proposed agreement with the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services for a Gun Violence Elimination grant and participation in the Edward Byrne JAG program to purchase Motorola APX radios; finance items included authorization for local bonds to finance DPW equipment and adoption of a final audit for fiscal year 2019. The tally sheet also included a recreation ordinance to co‑sponsor a Latin Cultural Festival on May 18 at Hartley Park.

Council questions: Members asked why certain items (a municipal parking‑garage assessment RFP) were held, why a contract appeared retroactive and whether additional quotes had been solicited, and how some public‑safety procurements would be funded in later grant years.

Executive session and vote: Councilwoman Gleeson moved to go into executive session to discuss settlements with law counsel, Councilman Thompson seconded, and the council proceeded on a roll call with four members voting aye and one member absent. The council later voted to exit the executive session by roll call with all recorded ayes.

Ending: The work session concluded with closing remarks and adjournment; the clerk agreed to follow up on several procurement and policy questions ahead of the formal meeting.