The Mount Vernon City Council on Oct. 8 approved a slate of ordinances, emergency contracts, appointments and property conveyances during its regular meeting after concluding public hearings.

Key council actions included authorization of emergency funds and an emergency contract for removal of dead oak trees and debris management along the Bronx River Parkway corridor, approval of an event permit for the city’s Purple Lights domestic violence awareness observance, the appointment of two members to the Cable Television Advisory Committee, and a package of city‑owned property sales.

Council members voted on multiple items by roll call. Votes recorded in the meeting transcript show unanimous approval for most items; one ordinance establishing an honorary street co‑naming policy passed with one abstention by Councilman Poteet. The council also voted to declare its intent to serve as lead agency for a petition from Grace Baptist Church seeking zoning text and map amendments (a procedural step that begins coordinated environmental review). The council read into the record a description of a separate petition for a proposed 15‑story mixed‑use project (approximately 162 affordable units plus offices and parking) and declared intent to circulate a notice of intent to other agencies — that vote was a procedural step to initiate lead agency designation under state environmental review rules.

Votes at a glance (items adopted Oct. 8):

- Use of City Hall Plaza — "Purple Lights: Mount Vernon stands against domestic violence" (ordinance): adopted (roll call: Boxhill, Gleason, Poteet, Thompson, Brown — all aye).

- DPW budget line transfer for emergency tree removal, debris management and site restoration along the Bronx River/Question Parkway: adopted (unanimous roll call).

- Emergency contract for removal of dead oak trees along the Question Parkway: adopted (unanimous roll call).

- Amendment/selection authorization for consultant services on the South Third/South Columbus Avenue flood mitigation project under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (project 4615‑0004 CMVMI): adopted (unanimous roll call).

- Director of Sustainability enrollment in the Green Project Manager (GPM‑B) certification and approval of funding: adopted (unanimous roll call).

- City honorary street co‑naming policy: adopted (roll call: Boxhill, Gleason, Thompson, Brown — aye; Poteet — abstain).

- Budget line transfer in the city clerk’s office to cover annual membership fees: adopted (unanimous roll call).

- Appointments to the Cable Television Advisory Committee (Michael Thompson and Oscar Davis): adopted (unanimous roll call where recorded).

- Resolution honoring Stephanie Mills: adopted (unanimous roll call).

- Renaming the quilting room at the Adults Recreation (Doze) Center as the Evelyn Paula Young Quilting Room: adopted (unanimous roll call).

- Addendum agreement with Passport Labs Inc. for integrated parking enforcement and mobile payment services: adopted (unanimous roll call).

- Multiple Department of Public Safety training and fund‑transfer authorizations (Westchester County Police Academy interview/interrogation course; female enforcers training; transfers for Tyler Technologies and prisoner meals): adopted (unanimous roll calls).

- Acceptance of the 2020 annual independent audit prepared by PKF O’Connor Davies: adopted (unanimous roll call).

- Resolution declaring intent to serve as lead agency for Grace Baptist Church petition seeking zoning text and map amendments and referring the petition to corporation counsel, planning board and Westchester County Planning Board: adopted (unanimous roll call).

- Amendment to contract authorization for software services with Catalyst Enterprise: adopted (unanimous roll call).

- Sale/transfer of multiple city‑owned properties (106 Hillside Ave; 224 North Seventh Ave; 234 East Fifth St; 328 South First Ave; 331 Second Ave; 467 East Fifth St; and conveyance of 16 Glen Ave to SB Management LLC): adopted (unanimous roll calls for each transfer where recorded).

Council procedure and next steps: Several agenda items were procedural authorizations that begin permitting, contract execution or environmental review (for example, declaring intent to serve as lead agency triggers circulation of a notice of intent to other agencies). Several items referred back to departments for implementation tasks, including contracting, permit coordination and escrow/accounting steps for property sales.

Ending: The council adjourned after adopting the legislative package. Several residents asked the council and city staff to follow up on specific neighborhood maintenance concerns (sidewalk and tree work); council members said they and staff would pursue follow‑up with departments.