City Council - Regular Meeting

So I would like to, I don't know if we're moving a little fast, but since he just walked in, I'll let him say it himself. But submitted the local law for surveillance technology and oversight.

For surveillance technology and oversight. And that was sponsored, that was council led by Councilman Shakur and I.

Also, I don't see it here, but I wanted to add, 1% for our legislation I know that was something we have been discussing 1% for our legislation. The art and cultural. Commission because I noticed that there's a lot of development going on there's a lot of um revitalization affordable housing and infrastructure upgrade and and most importantly i think that um There's a strong, strong art community here in the city of Newburgh. And if we can revisit that 1% for art legislation, we may potentially, with the time that I have remaining on city council, be able to get it up and going so that we can

Thank you, Mayor. I do believe and support the fact that Juneteenth should be a designated paid holiday, or however you want to term that. This is something, as the Mayor said, is nationally recognized, so I would like to keep that on there on the list. Councilman Shakur.

I do know that it is. I know different contracts and negotiations are coming up, but I agree that it should be a day off for everyone. Yeah, and I think that would make you stronger.

And you would have we talked about the technology oversight so okay, what does your radar right before you came in.

One of the deletes that was brought to my attention, Councilmember Monteverde just reminded me, the moratorium on street excavations, if we could delete that, I don't think that's no longer a legislative priority. I do want to speak quickly to the standardized garbage containers, 96 gallons. sort of as an addendum to that uh... if we could include the newberg street sweepers program i know that uh... we have funded the newberg street sweepers uh program but i think if we can add it to standardized garbage containers 96 gallons and then as an addendum to that legislative priority um include uh

all right so then we don't need to add it to the list it's more of a budget item legislative item and also um oh sorry are you done last year when i did point out the uh standardized garbage cans to mr todd benning he mentioned that this is something that we could budget on the council so i just want to make sure that we're all aware if that's the case that we need to do this during our budget hearings

but I would like to know all right so one of the things that it is a budget item councilman Shakur so what we'll do is when we get to the budget hearings because we're hoping that the street sweeper program will be a feeder to giving guys full-time employment you know if they do well in this program so we can work on that councilmember Martinez

With the designation of Crystal Lake, I know that the council is for that or is in agreement with that, but I do know that there were some things that were going on with Crystal Lake. Could we um get a refresher on that I know uh the former city manager had had did a whole presentation on that I believe but um I would like to get a refresher on what the issues were and um you know the pitfalls and everything like that that were going on with Crystal Lake

Thank you. Also, if, I don't know what the food truck, that's something that you did, if you wanted to explain that so I know exactly what's going on with that. Yeah, this is you. It says colds or something. Was there an issue or?

Yep. I remember talking to Mr. Venning about this last year, and he said that it was just a matter of us, as a council, requesting that we put this in the budget to add additional staff for support.

I didn't hear what he said. I didn't hear what you said. I'm sorry.

Yes. Regarding economic development and small business assistance, I'm constantly being asked about this. I don't know if we want to include the bid on here as a legislative priority action item because I do get a lot of questions about that and when is that going out? What's the status on that? Also, if there's anything that, you know, in economic development, if we can include any type of grant or funding assistance for small businesses, I know that we do the small signs already are, I'm sorry, not the small signs, the sign, signage, but if there's anything else we can do, maybe perhaps out

Thank you Jason. Going over the list that was here from 2025. I just wanted to touch base on some of them that I would definitely like to see move forward one of them is the exclusionary zoning and inclusionary zoning and also the designation for Crystal Lake not sure what needs to be done I just heard you talk about the wetland designations and how all of those things are rolled back so what would be the next steps for us if.

uh you know it's not a one foot in front of the other process okay okay that's really helpful to know um because i think we should think about starting whatever the next step is or taking that next step or whatever that first phase would look like and figuring it out from there is it possible to get a copy of the survey

Is it? OK. Thank you. The next, I'm sorry, go ahead, Ramona. No, go ahead. The other one was the short-term rentals, I'm sorry, for the rental registry. The rental registry, I know this is a part of mine. I see that it's connected to rent, so I have a list of stuff. um one of the things that i was concerned about um even going through the issues with the born and kenny was the rental registry and the code enforcement gaps that we underwent i think that is really important for us to address the gaps and code enforcement that's tied to our rental registry. Reason being that that is one of the re

So if I can just clarify about the short-term rental registry, that was for... Oh, that was the Airbnbs. For Airbnbs, the short-term ones. So I think we talked about that when we were In the beginning when, right, they were buying up houses, investors, and doing Airbnbs. And we were having, of course, obviously we have a housing crisis. And I know that other municipalities have done this where if you live in the house and you have a two or three unit building, you can do one Airbnb, but you have to occupy the building. That's my understanding. In terms of the rental registry, I think that we h

It seems like everything leads back to codes, right? All things and all roads a lot of time leads back to codes. I recently got a report and on the report there was one big missing piece and I was speaking to Jason about that missing component and it was this area or this this category where we did not have a place to show the follow-up so there was no closeout of the actual item that was listed under code maybe it was a complaint about no heat no hot water and it showed that there was something that was it was addressed but it didn't show up in the report that it was addressed and it didn't s

I just want a point of clarification on what's legislative what are legislative priorities because some of the things that the councilman has mentioned are more project based so if you could just give us

all right a live stream is up so this is the city of Newburgh City Council meeting September 14th 2026 it is now five minutes after the hour we're going to start with a moment of silence and I'm going to ask being that September 11 was a few days ago if we can In our moment of silence, think about the families that were afflicted and harmed that very day 25 years ago. September 11th marks a tragic day in the history of the United States of America. And we shall never forget that day. So we can have a moment of silence thinking about the families, the first responders that were involved in that

Next on the agenda we move to communications and under communications we go to item number 4 item number 4 we need an approval of the minutes from the City Council meeting of August the 10th 2026 so move first motion is said to by Councilman Shakur do we have a second second by Councilman McLemore roll call on the motion please

Thank you very much, Mr. Morris. Appreciate the City Manager's Update every meeting we have. So, I have a special request and I want, the special request is to suspend the rules in taking item number 210 out of order and I need approval on unanimous consent of the city council due to unforeseen family circumstances I have once again a request to suspend the rules to take item number 210 which is number 30 on our agenda uh out of order and i need uh an approval from the city council with unanimous consent and uh yes or no to approve uh this um and so we'll go with martinez yes or no uh yes to m

First motion is said by Councilmember Martinez. Do I have a second? Second. Seconded by Councilmember Monteverde. Roll call on the motion, please.

I'm sorry, a request for a discussion is granted. Council Member Martinez before the roll call.

And I would like to also add to that, para la familia de Francisco, felicidades para tú y para toda la familia. Su negocio es muy importante para mí y para toda la gente en esta ciudad también. Felicidades, tu eres mi corazón para siempre. Dios te bendiga. So I also want to thank Councilmember Martinez, Councilman Zoria, and all the city council who support your business. We love your business. We love the work that you all are doing on Mill Street, which is around the corner from where I live. It's in my neighborhood. And as Councilmember Martinez mentioned that Hispanic Heritage Month, Septe

um you want to okay excellent so we're gonna we're gonna do a motion on uh on the uh resolution and then if if it's okay with francisco and his family we'll do a quick photo and then we'll get back to the schedule program is that okay all right so roll call on the motion please aye councilmember mclemore yes

All right. So if I can get the family to come up and the council to come join you and we will be at your ribbon cutting and we will have a certificate of recognition for you and your family for your street naming. All right. We'll coordinate the date on that. Date and time.

Say a few words. Okay. Okay, okay. Congratulations.

All right, before we continue with our agenda, I'd be remiss not to mention we have an amazing dignitary here with us tonight. Our Assemblyman Chris Ekes is here. So let's give the Assemblyman a hand for coming out tonight. I think you're the hundred and fifth? What is it, the hundred and fifth district? Oh, the ninety-ninth district. Um, Chris Eacus represents the uh... ninety-ninth assembly district and uh... he's a former colleague of mine, uh... New Bird Free Academy for many years and uh... good friend, so we just want to acknowledge the assemblymen and say thank you for coming out. All r

I'm sorry, can you state your name again?

All right, so it looks like we got two speakers standing, and Tracy is speaking as well. So we got four speakers. Anyone else? If you're able to get on the line so that we can kind of gauge our time. Okay.

Thank you, Carter. all right so that's gonna conclude and I'm I'm really really excited because to hear from my colleagues because there was some amazing comments made tonight so we'll go to comments from the City Council we ask everyone to stay to please listen to those responses and we're gonna start with Councilmember Martinez

Thank you very much. Next, we'll hear from Councilman McLemore.

I have so much to say, Mayor, so I'll need about 10 minutes at it. But first of all, I want to say to my family that we are still in prayer and we will continue the memory of my cousin, Linda Mayor Grayling, who passed away on 9-11 in the attack. Also, this weekend, I supported Newberg Tools, which is a great organization. Also, the Community Family and Friends Day on William Street, which some of the council sponsored. And also, those who attended the Law Enforcement Symposium. that was impactful and informational and we plan on doing another one as well. And thank you to the chief as well fo

Thank you. And thank you everybody who came out tonight. Lots of good information. Great to hear from you. What's concerning you? You know, I know that flock is an ongoing issue. We are, as you know, we're trying to work it out so that we can get out of it. And that is coming and it will be soon, I hope. So I do like the idea of once we do away with FLOC and we no longer fund it, putting the black trash bags over it. I know that there are other municipalities that are doing different things so that it cannot continue to track our vehicles and track us as we're walking around. So again, we're w

Thank you very much, Councilman Shakur. Next, we hear from Councilmember Stewart.

Thank you. Thank you all for staying. I always encourage everyone to stay to hear the resolutions because if you want to know anything about what's going on in the city, where the money is going, you listen to the resolutions. The comments are great. The public comments are great. Our response is great. But if you are tracking and want to pay attention to where the money is going, you listen to the resolutions. with that said I wanted to just make some remarks on what was talked about before us today the bid I do know that everyone is waiting for that RFP and I do believe we were waiting for o

Thank you, Councilman Zaria. I want to also thank everyone for coming out and especially those that had the courage to come up and speak publicly about the things that are very important to them as they are important to us. I think there was a missed opportunity on Saturday for everyone speaking passionately about flock. councilman Macklemore held a police symposium and flock came up and we had police chiefs from various different municipalities of the Mid-Hudson Valley and they gave a perspective on flock and surveillance that's very similar to how people feel about having guard rails, making

Thank you yes, we need a motion for city ordinance number 2. That's 2026. So move first motion to set the by Councilman shakur to have a second. Second by Councilman Macklemore roll call on a motion, please.

We have a motion for resolution number 1, 8, 8, that's 2026. So move. First motion is by Councilman Shakur. Do we have a second?

Seconded by Councilman Zoria. Roll call on the motion, please.

Do I have a motion for resolution number 189-2026? So moved. First motion is settled by Councilman Shakur. Do we have a second? Second. Second by Councilman McLemore. Roll call on the motion, please.

Second. Seconded by Councilman Shakur. Roll call on a motion please.

Do we have a motion for resolution number 191, 2026? First motion accepted by Councilmember Monteverde. Do we have a second? Second. Second by Councilman McLemore. We'll call on a motion, please.

Oh, first motion is set to that council member of the Verde. Do we have a second second about Councilman Macklemore roll call on the motion, please.

So moved. First motion is accepted by Councilman Shakur. Do we have a second? Second. Seconded by Councilman McLemore. Roll call on the motion, please.

We have a motion for resolution number one, nine, four, that's 2026. So moved. First motion is set up by Councilman Shakur. Do we have a second? Second by Councilman McLemore. Roll call on a motion.

Do we have a motion for resolution number 191-2026? So moved. First motion is settled by Councilman Shakur. Do we have a second?

First motion is set up by Councilman McLemore. Do we have a second? Second. Seconded by Councilman Zoria. Roll call on the motion, please.

Do I have a motion for resolution number one nine seven dash twenty twenty six. Yes. First motion is by Councilman Shakur. Do we have a second? Second. Second by Councilman McLemore. Roll call on the motion please.

Do we have a motion for resolution number 198-2026? So moved in discussion. First motion is said by Councilman Shakur. We have a second? Second. Second by Councilman McLemore. Discussion granted to Councilman Shakur.

Yeah, he texted me as well. Anyone else? I'm excited about the possibility here. If no one has another comment, roll call on this motion.

resolution number 199-2026 newberg colored burial ground seeker lead agency in declaring the action an unlisted coordinated review we have a motion for resolution number 199-2026 first motion is accepted by councilman mclemore do we have a second second second by council member monteverde uh discussion granted to councilman mclemore

So I wanted to say that this is something that is positive. I'm glad we're moving forward with this. And the committee, thank you for being patient with us. And I'm glad this is progressing forward. And that's all I wanted to say. Thank you.

Anyone else? Comments? I have a quick comment on this I want to thank our council members and I'm not counting eggs before they hatch but I just want to thank the council members for joining the committee and we had a couple variations of the committee because some of the original committee members have transitioned and passed over now ancestors and this is something that was really really really long time in the work in the work since I remember 2006 2007 when I was a member of the art and cultural commission and So I'm super super excited about the possibilities of moving this thing forward

Do we have a motion for resolution number 200-2026? So moved. First motion accepted by Councilman Shakur. Do we have a second? Seconded by Councilman McLemore. Roll call on a motion, please.

Do I have a motion for resolution number 201-2026? So moved. First motion is accepted by Councilman Shakur. Do we have a second?

Seconded by Councilman Zoria. We'll call on a motion please.

Do we have a motion for resolution number 202-2026? First motion accepted by Councilmember Monteverde. Do we have a second? Seconded by Councilmember Martinez. Roll call on the motion, please.

Do we have a motion for resolution number 203-2026? So moved. First motion is set by Councilman Zoria. Do we have a second?

Thank you. Right. And I believe I know this gentleman from a long time ago, but anyone else? If not, roll call on the motion, please.

We have a motion for resolution number 2, 0, 4, that's 2026. So move. First motion is said by Councilman Shakur. Do we have a second? Second. Seconded by Councilman McLemore. Roll call on the motion, please.

We have a motion for resolution number 205 that's 2026. First motion is set by Councilman Macklemore. Do we have a second? Second. Second by Councilmember Monteverde. Roll call on the motion please.

Do we have a motion for resolution number 206-2026?

First motion accepted by Council Member Stewart. Do we have a second? Second. Seconded by Council Member Monteverdi. Discussion granted to Council Member Stewart and Macklemore and Monteverdi.

this a question was asked about black line safety monitoring service before we enter this agreement this was discussed at our work session on Thursday at length in regards to what it would be used for the technology that is being used and it is really essentially a push-button technology and push-button technology is like when it you know how the commercial where I fall I fell I've fallen and I can't get up that commercial. It's push button alarm. So it's only activated if it's pushed and there is a sensor on it that if you have a fall or something, it can sense that because it's body worn. th

No, Councilwoman Stewart beat me to it once again. I feel like the family feud. I'm just a little late pushing the button, so she did it. God bless. And if Wayne wants to explain it a little bit more or anything, I think she did it eloquently. But if you want to explain or put anything on it, any sauce on it, that's good. But other than that, she explained it all.

Thank you very much. Anyone else? Council Member Martinez?

Thank you. Thank you very much, Councilman Shakur. Anyone else? OK, Monteverde.

Safety first. Thank you, Wayne, for bringing this to our attention and for keeping your staff safe.

Yeah, I might as well had something I want to I want to thank everyone that spoke on this Wayne as well. And this particularly Councilman so the by saying what he said regarding questioning technology, figuring out the process in terms of having guardrails whenever new technologies are introduced so that we can properly vet those new technologies and you know decide collectively whether the new technology is harmful or whether the new technologies for safety so yeah I think that's a that's a great point that was made and yeah you know we are a democracy and hearing the public speak passionatel

Do I have a motion for resolution number 207 as 2026? So moved. Motion by Councilman McLemore. Do we have a second? Second. Second by Councilmember Monteverde. Discussion granted to Councilman McLemore.

I just want to say thank you to the person who donated the ADA wheelchair. I think it's important that we have these tools and things to help those who need them, and so thank you for your thoughtful donation, and I wanted to make sure that that was said.

Thank you very much, Councilman McLemore. Any other comments? If not, roll call on a motion, please.

Okay, we're definitely going to have a discussion on this. But do I have a motion for resolution number 208-2026. So moved. First motion accepted by Councilman McElmore. Do we have a second? second seconded by councilman shakur we're going to definitely open this up for discussion because it's a technology grant and we want to make sure the public and the council and everyone uh understands the uh intricacies or the details of this councilman macklemore

So I believe the chief gave a he spoke about this on last Thursday. I believe this is for the drones. And what else was it for chief? The drone and the technology drone. The light tower, the drones and light tower. So this is advanced technology on the drones and also light towers, especially those that, you know, when we have significant incidents in the areas, the light towers are there to light up the area. which was used in the mullins and used on lander street in different areas uh in our um in our uh city uh the light towers are used as a deterrent uh as well uh it lights up uh the area

Councilman Julia, thank you. Councilmember Martinez.

Yes, thank you. So this is also just kind of underscoring the need for the Surveillance Technology and Reporting Act that we'll work on for legislative priority so that everyone knows that there will be a process and protocol that Every piece of legislation or resolution in regards to technology will go through and the public will be aware and they will have an opportunity to get information and give feedback on any technology that the council adopts moving forward.

Thank you for that, Council Member Stewart. Yes, Councilman Zaria.

thank you for that point of clarification is really important that the narrative is correct with facts and I do appreciate everyone that has spoken to this particularly council member Stewart who made the recommendation with councilman Macklemore about codifying legislation making sure that that legislation that we're working on and as a city ordinance will do the proper create the proper parameters and guardrails around all of our technology, not only flock, but also any type of surveillance technology that we have moving forward. So if there's no other comments, then we'll go ahead and roll

First motion accepted by Councilman Shakur. Do we have a second? Second. Seconded by Councilman Zaria. Roll call on the motion, please.

authorizing a settlement of in rem property for 453 robinson avenue do we have a motion for resolution number two one one dash twenty twenty six so we'll move first motion accepted by council missouri do we have a second second second by councilman shakur roll call on a motion please council members martinez aye mclemore

We have a motion for resolution number 2, 1, 2, that's 2026. So moved. First motion is said by Councilman Shakur. Do we have a second? Second. Second by Councilman McLemore. Roll call on the motion, please.

Do I have a motion for resolution number 213-2026? So moved. First motion is said by Councilman McLemore. Second. Seconded by Councilman Zoria. And discussion. Okay, discussion granted to Councilman Zoria.

All right. Any other comments? Can you explain exactly what it is and what's happening as far as with this litigation?

It was a class action lawsuit and we purchased

Thank you. I think it's important for the public to know exactly what's going on as far as with the litigation is concerned. And thank you, Chief, for bringing it forward as well.

Anyone else? I also want to say to Councilwoman Stewart, you got me on this one. I didn't see this one coming, and I totally did not know that this was happening. I don't know your sources, but thank you for bringing it forward because this is fire chief. Thank you for... yeah i didn't know this was this was a shock to me at the work session but it's cool it's cool it's cool it was a great day so anyway without further ado uh i want to thank you all for that um roll call on the motion please council members martinez aye mclemore yes monteverde yes stewart yes yes mayor harvey yes moving on to

Excellent, so do we have a motion under old business for resolution number 177-2026?

So do I have a motion to take resolution number 177-2026 off the table?

First motion is said by Councilman McElmore. Do we have a second? Second. Seconded by Councilman Zoria. So there's a motion to take off resolution number 177-2026. Roll call on the removal from this resolution from the table. Roll call.

All right. Mr. Morris, does that conclude your... No, now it's off the table.

First most of the second in discussion, OK first most of the said that by Councilman Macklemore second by Councilman Zuniga and discussion discussion granted.

Any other comments? Councilman McElmore?

I also thank Chief Rolla. He's taken a lot of heat, especially in these last couple of months. And to see that you're being steadfast in your fiduciary responsibilities, I appreciate what you've done. And thank you once again.

with that being said i want to encourage all of the department heads to uh use this example uh where there is a where we're in a position where we can cut costs please uh do so and follow the example that chief roller has uh set with this because it is going to save us money and we do have a fiduciary responsibility to our taxpayers without that well any further said most roll call on the motion council members Martinez nay McLemore negative Monteverde upstairs Shakur yes Stewart no zerilla no mayor harvey no it has passed or has been voted down it's been the motions defeated defeated all righ

I think we're very interested in looking at the policy and doing some updating because it was a horrific experience last winter with towing and the predatory fees there.

excellent yes so I I know there was a discussion as far as with that um especially uh last year um when this all when this all occurred uh I I think they did a presentation on that but once again I agree with Councilwoman monteverde that we should look at these companies as well that are doing the towing and how it's predatory upon our residents. So I agree with her on that. Can I go to mine?

we're going to do new or old business so we're going to we're going to do both of them either new or old so let's do it that way so i'll do i'll do the new uh once again uh during our legislative priority um council councilman um shakur and i on our three phase um process. We do have the surveillance technology oversight transparency privacy protection and public accountability. Law and that is with the corporate Council so we want to start looking at that as well so that's something that Council mention core has done as well. I do know that, as new, it was brought up, I believe, by Pastor Ros

Thank you. And I just want to quickly speak to that and then we'll go to other council members for new or old items. In my opinion, just by my years on city council, because we've set up speed zones and traps and you know and things like that to deter the high speed driving throughout the city is really an enforcement matter in my opinion because you can set the speed limit to 25 you can set it to 10 you can set it to 15. reckless drivers are going to be reckless regardless Even in our school zones, because we have school zone speed limits that are 15 and they still do it. I think it's more of

Yeah, I just wanted to say I agree. Enforcement does, you know, is critical. But I don't think there's any harm in doing a study just to see exactly, you know, what's needed and where we can go from there. So I agree.

Thank you, Councilman McLemore. Councilmember Monteverde.

new item I'd like to push to get the one Lafayette pilot on the next agenda I just got the email that they've updated it I know that a lot of several council members have been working going back and forth with them the developers and I'm hoping this time they got it right so I'd like to I know that they're under the gun in terms of their funding and it's pretty tight timeline so council member Macklemore and I have been in constant communication with them and we're hoping that we can get this resolved and get it onto the agenda.

I WANT TO AGREE WITH THAT BECAUSE I'VE BEEN IN DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH THE DEVELOPERS I DEFINITELY SAW COUNCIL MEMBER STEWART'S VIDEO ON SOCIAL MEDIA SOMEONE SENT IT TO ME AND I DEFINITELY SAW SOME OF THE COMMENTS IN THE POSTING FROM COUNCILMAN ZURIYA AND ALL OF THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WITH RESPECT AND I THINK THAT WITH DUE DILIGENCE AND WITH coordination and with our city manager and our city attorneys. The community benefits will always be a priority, especially when we're given pilots tax pilots to developers and I just want to remind everyone for the record that when we do affor

absolutely um so i definitely oh council i definitely support council member monteverde's request to get this on the next agenda uh council member stewart you have something you want to ask okay so this speaks to the ami conversation um and what what i mentioned about

like this bait and switch that happened. 30% AMI for some apartments was in the IDA proposal, but when it got to us, that is no longer there. So that is one of the provisions that need to be put back at the 30%. That's right.

also want to say to council member stewart's point uh and also uh all of the different council members whatever that i whatever those idea i think was councilman zuria that mentioned it uh online whatever those terms and conditions were for the idea they definitely have to be in the in the pilot agreement. At a minimum at a minimum if not if not other and so those things we have discussed with legal so hopefully and the updated iteration of that they will be in there. Councilman Macklemore.

I also want to say our taxpayers deserve transparency, accountability, and the strongest possible agreement when it comes to the development in our city and so I do agree that certain things needed to be it needed to mirror what was previously agreed upon and I believe I have not spoken to the other council members in regard to what their concerns were But I believe Councilwoman Monteverde is going to look and make sure we're all going to do our due diligence to make sure so that we can advance in this project. There's no weak links. There's no deals being made. Nobody on this council is getti

um all right i want to quickly move to um penrose am i am i saying that correctly uh born in kenny um i know someone had mentioned earlier um that i don't think the person is here anymore about the winners coming around the corner And I know we were right. We got to get updates in that next work session because we're coming to a quick ending of September, October, November, December. October can be cold or warm. Right. Last couple of years, it's been really cold and we don't want to. WE DON'T WANT TO RUN INTO THE SAME ISSUES WITH HOT WATER AND HEAT FOR THE KENNY APARTMENTS. NOW MY UNDERSTANDIN

I'm so I can just answer some of what I know just 2 separate things one the acquisition has not happened as of yet there in the final stages not sure when that will happen they have to Actually acquire the property outright which there are a couple of hurdles that they're trying to overcome So hopefully within this next probably by the end of this month. They'll know if like one of their last hurdles are They are able to overcome this last hurdle so that they can access this last round of funding from the state the other issue is separate because There are several cases for the city that have

thank you for that update because the timeline in terms because we know if Penrose doesn't make the full acquisition of the two properties then they're not going to start the redevelopment and if they don't start the redevelopment we're going to run into these cold months winter months and that heat and hot water may possibly I'm only saying possibly because I know there was some work done On the on the plumbing. Right.

So there was recently a water shut off, I think maybe three weeks, three or four weeks ago, because in anticipation for the winter months to fix this boiler or bring some parts in for the boiler because it had been ordered previously. So hopefully it will hold. But, you know, it's always going to stand that if we need to get a temporary boiler and we'll bring that boiler in and

build on it later thank you yes councilman macklemore um newberg housing authority they have two vacancies um want to look into um filling those uh vacancies please

Thank you, Councilman Zoodi. I got Macklemore and then I got two from Monteverde.

Two more things, that's it. I already said the bid, right? Grant for the bid, business district, the RFP. I'm going to put that out there. Also, Newburgh Illuminated. I want to keep our minds on that and moving that forward for next year. Newburgh Illuminated.

okay old business um i'd like to get an update on where we are with the ev charging stations i know that the last thing i was told was that the specs were done um i don't know where we are with that today and then the other thing is uh an update on the four-way stops at at stop signs at southlander and south williams south williams right You know, I was wondering if we can get a date on when those will be installed. And then the DRI, if we can have a conversation on that, are we applying for that this coming year? Thanks.

Okay, if that is it then we'll conclude. Oh yeah, what's that old or new.

Yeah, I just have one for old business and that is the rules of order. Resolution green light.

Anyone else if not we'll move on to final comments from the city. Council will start with councilmember Martinez.

All right, thank you very much. Next we hear final comments from Councilman McLemore.

Thank you again for everyone who came out and spoke up. I'm really passionate about our senior community. I do have a lot that I deal with as far as seniors are concerned. We will be at, once again, the High Point Apartments on September 22nd, and the council is welcome. I haven't seen you guys at any of my events yet, but you are welcome to come. No shade. Just opening it up to each and every one of you. because I believe that if we all collaborate and we all come together there will be some type of unity that is displayed so thank you once again and those who have shown up thank you once aga

Thank you, Councilman McElmore. Next, we hear from Council Member Monteverde.

Thank you. Very short and sweet. Have a good night. Thanks for coming out. It was great to hear everybody's comments. I feel like we have a lot of work to do, and that's what I'm here for. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Monteverdi. Next, we'll hear from Councilman Shakur. Thank you for coming out. Good night. Thank you very much, Councilman Shakur. Next, we'll hear from Councilmember Stewart.

Thank you. Just in keeping with what I have considered to be normalized, tonight there was over $45 million moved in the city, a lot of which was spent on infrastructure, engineering in the city to ensure that our city is running smoothly. And the things sometimes that you don't see is actually feeding those things underneath the surface. So I just want to make sure everyone understands what it means to pay attention to those resolutions. The other thing is Senior Link Day, we have a second annual Senior Link Day that is happening on September 30th, and that is going to be at the activity cent

that we've been borrowing from our savings account to make ends meet with our budget I don't agree with that we have a very strong unrestricted fund balance and I will state for the record when I spoke to the mayor of Mount Vernon they don't have a fund balance when I speak to the mayor in Poughkeepsie they don't have a fund balance and in fact There's several cities between Westchester and the Mid-Hudson Valley that don't, they have to borrow money in order to finish their fiscal year in the fourth quarter. Mount Vernon doesn't even have a bond rating. We went from a BAA2 bond rating to an A1