[00:00:03]
I CALL THIS FEBRUARY 2ND MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS.[Call to Order]
TO ORDER, I WILL ASK COUNCIL MEMBER EVELYN SANTIAGO TO LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE.I PLEDGE PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.
ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
MADAM CLERK, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? MR. FRY PEARSON HERE.
ITEM ONE APPOINTS VALERIE SIMMONS AS A COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS.
[1. Communication from the President of the Common Council requesting the appointment of Valerie Simmons as a member of the Common Council.]
I MOVE THAT THE COMMUNICATION BE FILED AND SPREAD IN FULL UPON THE MINUTES.I RECOMMEND THE APPOINTMENT OF VALERIE SIMMONS AS COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ALL OPPOSED? CARRIED.
BELIEVE IT OR NOT, WE'RE NOT EVEN DONE YET.
YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A LOT OF LEGAL PROCEDURES, AND IF WE MESS THEM UP, THEN VALERIE SIMMONS MIGHT NOT BE A COUNCIL PERSON.
MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE.
CALL THE ROLL? MR. FRY PEARSON? YES, EMPHATICALLY.
UH, BEFORE, UH, MISS SIMMONS IS SWORN IN.
DOES ANYONE WISH TO COMMENT? OKAY.
VALERIE SIMMONS IS A LIFELONG WHITE PLAINS RESIDENT AND COMMUNITY ADVOCATE WITH MORE THAN THREE DECADES OF PUBLIC SERVICE.
HE WAS EDUCATED IN THE WHITE PLAINS PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
SHE BEGAN HER CAREER THROUGH THE AMERICORPS VISTA PROGRAM.
SHE SPENT TEN YEARS WITH THE WHITE PLAINS COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM, PLAYING A KEY ROLE IN ADVOCATING FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE SLATER CENTER.
FOLLOWING THE LOSS OF THE CARVER COMMUNITY CENTER, SHE LATER JOINED THE WHITE PLAINS HOUSING AUTHORITY AND WAS AFTER 36 YEARS OF SERVICE.
SHE RETIRED AND REMAINS ACTIVE WITH THE CSA.
LOCAL 921 A LONG TIME BEHIND THE SCENES ADVOCATE.
VALERIE HAS DEDICATED HER LIFE TO SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES IMPACTED BY SYSTEMIC AND BUREAUCRATIC BARRIERS.
SHE REMAINS DEEPLY COMMITTED TO PRESERVING WHITE PLAINS AS A VIBRANT, INCLUSIVE AND DIVERSE CITY WHERE ALL COMMUNITIES ARE INFORMED, ENGAGED, AND REPRESENTED.
AND I AM SO HAPPY TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE ALONGSIDE HER.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ECHO VICKI'S SEDIMENTS AND TELL YOU THAT VAL'S MOTHER AND MY MOTHER WENT BACK TO THE DAYS AT EASTVIEW AND WHEN WE WERE GROWING UP, AND HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR SO MANY YEARS, WHEN I WAS A COMMISSIONER ON THE WHITE PLAINS HOUSING AUTHORITY, I WORKED CLOSELY WITH VAL ALL THE TIME, AND WE GRADUATED FROM WHITE PLAINS HIGH SCHOOL TOGETHER.
UM, SO I AM SO EXCITED TO BE WORKING WITH HER AND HAVING HER ON THE COUNCIL WITH US.
AND I JUST CAN'T TELL YOU IT JUST MEANS SO MUCH TO ME, AS I SAID BEFORE.
I'M VERY EXCITED FOR VALERIE TO JOIN US ON THE COUNCIL.
VALERIE AND I HAVE WORKED TOGETHER ON GOOD CAUSE ISSUES FOR A LONG TIME, INCLUDING ON THE YOUTH BOARD, AND I DON'T WANT TO REPEAT ALL THE NICE THINGS MY COLLEAGUES ARE GOING TO SAY BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL TRUE.
BUT I JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT A COUPLE QUALITIES VAL HAS THAT ARE GOING TO MAKE OUR CITY A BETTER PLACE.
[00:05:01]
SHE CARES ABOUT EVERYONE, AND SHE SEES EVERYONE.IF YOU EVER WALK INTO A ROOM IN WHITE PLAINS WITH VALERIE SIMMONS, SHE'S LIKE NICK WOLF.
BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM, THEY KNOW EVERYONE, BUT SHE SEES EVERYONE AND SHE CARES ABOUT THEM.
AND SHE'S ALSO SMART, AND SHE'S WILLING TO WORK LONG AND HARD TO MAKE THINGS BETTER FOR PEOPLE.
AND THAT'S WHAT THIS JOB IS ABOUT.
AND I'M SO HONORED AND EXCITED THAT SHE'S GOING TO BE JOINING US.
SO THERE ISN'T MUCH LEFT TO SAY EXCEPT THAT I KNOW VAL, NOT JUST AS A FRIEND OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, BUT AS A NEIGHBOR ON LAKE STREET.
SO I'M GLAD THAT WE'RE REPRESENTING LAKE STREET TOGETHER ON THE COUNCIL.
I KNOW HER BROTHER DONNIE AND HER SISTER IN LAW.
I MEAN, THEY LIVED IN MY BUILDING FOR OVER 20 YEARS, AND I KNOW THE QUALITY OF THIS FAMILY.
I KNOW THE QUALITY OF THE PERSON THAT VAL IS.
I WELCOME HER PERSPECTIVE IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, BRINGING A DIVERSE VIEWPOINT TO THE COUNCIL AS WELL, BECAUSE THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT AS WELL.
AND I KNOW SHE'S GOING TO MAKE AN EXCELLENT ADDITION.
AND I WELCOME WORKING WITH HER AS A COLLEAGUE.
THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BATTING CLEANUP IS EVERYONE HAS SAID EVERYTHING THAT YOU WANTED TO SAY.
BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS, IS LIKE EVERYONE HERE, I'VE WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH VALERIE FOR MANY YEARS, AND SHE HAS THE MOST IMPORTANT QUALITIES TO BECOME A COUNCIL MEMBER.
SHE'S SMART, SHE'S HARDWORKING, SHE CARES, SHE'S HONEST, AND SHE'S REALLY GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY MAKING SURE TO MAKE PRACTICAL DECISIONS TO HELP AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.
I'VE SEEN HER STAND UP, AND SHE DOES IT IN A RESPECTFUL WAY TO HELP AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE, AND THAT'S EXACTLY THE KIND OF PERSON WE NEED TO JOIN OUR COUNCIL.
I'M EXTREMELY GRATEFUL THAT YOU'VE TAKEN ON THIS RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP OUR CITY.
SO WITH THAT, I WILL CALL UP VALERIE'S DAUGHTERS, SHELBY AND SHAY, SO WE CAN HAVE A SWEARING IN CEREMONY.
OH, THE VALERIE SIMMONS AS COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS.
THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, THE.
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS.
THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS.
AND THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF.
AND THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF.
THE OFFICE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL, THE OFFICE OF MEMBER OF THE COMMON COUNCIL, TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
MY. TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
OKAY, SO NOW COMES THE BEST PART.
VALERIE IS GOING TO CHANGE OUR GLASSES.
AND WE ARE THE LUCKY ONES WHO GET TO HEAR.
WE GET TO HEAR A FEW WORDS OF INSPIRATION FROM VALERIE.
WE ARE THRILLED BEYOND BELIEF THAT YOU'RE JOINING THE TEAM AND, WELL, YOU'VE BEEN PART OF THE FAMILY FOR A WHILE IS THE TRUTH.
WHEW. OKAY, WELL, I AM PRIVILEGED AND HUMBLED STANDING HERE BEFORE MAYOR BRASH, MY FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS, MY FAMILY, MY FRIENDS, RELATIONS, AND ESPECIALLY TO OTHER RESIDENTS I MAY NOT KNOW PERSONALLY, BUT SINCERELY PLEDGED TO REPRESENT ALL PERSONS AND COMMUNITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS GREAT CITY OF WHITE PLAINS.
TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY IN THE CAPACITY AS A COUNCILWOMAN, FILLING THE SHOES OF MY FRIEND JAN PUJA, WHO TOLD ME SHE COULD NOT MAKE IT TONIGHT IS NO EASY TASK, BUT ONE TO WHICH I LOOK FORWARD TO.
AS A LIFELONG WHITE PLAINS RESIDENT, I TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN THIS PROGRESSIVE CITY AND UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF OUR NEW MAYOR.
ALONG WITH THE SEASON AND NEWLY ELECTED COUNCIL MEMBERS, IT'S MY BELIEF WE CAN WORK TO ADDRESS WELL-KNOWN CONCERNS VOICED BY RESIDENTS, SUCH AS THE MEANS TO SECURE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
REMAINING VIGILANT WITH IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CITY'S INFRASTRUCTURE, INCLUDING ALL PARKING GARAGES, PARKING CONCERNS, MAINTAINING GREEN SPACE, YOUTH AND SENIOR
[00:10:02]
PROGRAMS, AND WORKING WITH INVESTORS TO UNDERSTAND AND IMPLEMENT DEVELOPMENT THAT SUPPORT THE NEEDS AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF OUR CITY.AS A RETIRED CSEA EMPLOYEE AND FORMER ELECTED UNION OFFICER, I REMAIN A STRONG SUPPORTER OF LABOR AND OUR PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS.
PROUD TO SAY I AM A CURRENT MEMBER OF THE CSC.
MY INTENTIONS ARE TO BE VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE NOT ONLY TO RESIDENTS WHO MAY HAVE FELT MARGINALIZED, BUT TO ALL RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITIES THAT MAKE UP THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY, WHICH IS WESTCHESTER COUNTY SEAT.
I WANT TO THANK THOSE WHO ENCOURAGED ME TO PURSUE THIS PATH.
THE WHITE PLAINS DEMOCRATIC CITY COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR THEIR STRONG ENDORSEMENT AND GOD FORGIVE ME, THE CAPACITY TO MAKE IT TO THIS POINT.
SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND LOVE TO MY TWO BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS, SHELBY AND SHAY, AND TO ALL MY LOVING FAMILY.
A LOT OF COUSINS, CLOSE FRIENDS AND RELATIONS SUPPORTERS WHO ARE PRESENT AND WATCHING.
I CLOSE RIGHT NOW SHARING MY FAVORITE ATHLETE, MUHAMMAD ALI'S FAMOUS TWO WORD POEM, ME.
WE WILL MAKE WHITE PLAINS A SHINING STAR WITHIN WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
I WANT ELIZABETH CLEARY TO GET ONE OF US.
CAN I ASK YOU? THE BEAUTIFUL THING.
ARE YOU READY TO GET IT? I WANT TO TAKE A COUPLE OF THEM FREE.
YES. WHAT DO YOU SEE? WATCH THIS.
ALL RIGHT, EVERYBODY, WATCH THIS.
YOU KNOW, I WAS TIRED, BUT IT WORKED.
WHY DON'T YOU GO LOOK UP HERE? LOOK UP.
ARE YOU READY TO DO THAT? THERE YOU GO.
VALERIE SIMMONS IS AN OFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE WHITE PLAINS COUNCIL.
SO NOW SHE HAS TO GET TO WORK.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE A COUNCIL MEETING.
[00:15:01]
GET TO WORK.OKAY, NOW WE GOTTA THROW JEFF JEFFERSON OUT.
OKAY, NOW WE HAVE ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL THING WE'RE ABOUT TO DO RIGHT NOW, EVERYBODY.
THE SECOND ITEM ON OUR AGENDA IS THE APPOINTMENT OF A CITY COURT JUDGE POSITION THAT BECAME VACANT WHEN JUDGE JOHN
[2. Communication from the Mayor recommending action on the appointment to the position of City Court Judge. ]
COMBS WAS SWORN IN AS A SUPREME COURT JUDGE.THE JUDICIAL REVIEW COMMITTEE REVIEWED AND REPORT ON THE QUALIFICATIONS OF CANDIDATES FOR THE POSITION AND MADE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COUNCIL.
WE WILL BE VOTING ON THE SELECTION OF A CANDIDATE WHO WILL HAVE A TEN YEAR TERM COMMENCING FEBRUARY 23RD, 2026.
I MOVE THAT THE COMMUNICATION BE FILED AND SPREAD UPON THE MINUTES.
IS THERE A NOMINATION? YES, MR. MAYOR.
I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE MICHAEL.
OKAY. ARE THERE ANY OTHER NOMINATIONS? HEARING NONE, I MOVE TO CLOSE NOMINATIONS FOR CITY COURT JUDGE.
I WILL ASK THE CLERK TO PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
THE NOMINATIONS ARE CLOSED ON THE QUESTION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF MICHAEL PETER RUBIN.
IS THERE A MOTION? I MOVE TO APPOINT MICHAEL PETER RUBIN FOR CITY COURT JUDGE.
I WILL NOW ASK THE CLERK FOR A FINAL ROLL CALL VOTE.
OKAY. CONGRATULATIONS TO MICHAEL PETER RUBIN.
HE WILL BE ASSUMING THE OFFICE ON FEBRUARY 23RD.
I SUSPECT THAT OUR NEXT MEETING ON MARCH 4TH, WE WILL BE HAVING HIM HERE FOR A SWEARING IN.
NOW, BEFORE WE PROCEED, DOES ANYONE WISH TO COMMENT ON THE APPOINTMENT OF MICHAEL PETER RUBIN, COUNCIL MEMBER FREY? PIERSON.
I'LL BE RELATIVELY QUICK, BUT I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THE RULE OF LAW IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT IN OUR CITY AND IN OUR COUNTRY AND THE JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS ARE SOMETHING THAT WE TAKE REALLY SERIOUSLY.
WE HAD A LOT OF QUALIFIED APPLICANTS THAT WE LOOKED AT, AND JUDGE RUBEN IS INCREDIBLY WELL QUALIFIED.
HE SERVES AS A CLERK RIGHT NOW FOR A JUDGE FOR WHO'S AN EXCELLENT SUPREME COURT JUSTICE IN NEW YORK STATE.
JUDGE RUBEN'S VALUES ARE WELL.
HE'S A HARD WORKER, AND HIS VALUES INCLUDE ALWAYS FOLLOWING THE RULE OF LAW AND COMPASSION FOR THE LEAST AMONG US.
AND I BELIEVE HE'S GOING TO BE AN EXCELLENT JUDGE.
AND I'M REALLY EXCITED THAT WE'VE DONE THIS WORK TO APPOINT HIM TO THE BENCH.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS? I WILL MAKE ONE COMMENT.
AS SOMEONE WHO PRACTICES IN THESE TYPES OF LAW PRACTICE, IN THESE TYPES OF LOWER COURTS FOR MANY YEARS, AND THE MOST IMPORTANT QUALITY, IN MY OPINION, IS SOMEONE WHO KNOWS HOW TO WORK CALMLY AND PRACTICALLY AND RESPECTFULLY WITH ALL PEOPLE AND LAWYERS.
AND MICHAEL RUBIN, WHO WE KNOW AS MIKE IS AN EXTREMELY HARD WORKING, DECENT PERSON WHO WILL LISTEN AND HELP AND REALLY ASSIST AND PERFORM THIS JOB WITH THE AND TREAT PEOPLE WITH THE DIGNITY AND RESPECT THAT THEY'RE ENTITLED TO AND SEEK JUSTICE IN A VERY SENSIBLE WAY.
SO I AM EXTREMELY HAPPY ABOUT THIS PROCEDURE, AND I DO WANT TO REITERATE WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER FRED PEARSON SAID.
THIS IS ONE OF THE HARDEST PARTS OF THIS JOB IS PICKING THESE JUDGES, BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY QUALIFIED PEOPLE COME BEFORE US AND THEN AND WE HAVE AN INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE THAT GIVES US THE BEST OF THE BEST, AND A LOT OF TERRIFIC PEOPLE COME BEFORE US.
AND IT'S A SHAME WE CAN'T NOMINATE ALL THESE PEOPLE AS JUDGE.
SO WE WANT TO CONGRATULATE JUDGE RUBIN.
AND WITH THAT, WE WILL CONTINUE OUR MEETING.
NOW, COUNCILWOMAN PRESSER, DO YOU HAVE A CONSENT AGENDA? INDEED WE DO.
MR. MAYOR, I OFFER THE CONSENT AGENDA OF ITEMS THREE THROUGH 68 AND REQUEST UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO CONSIDER FOR ACTION THE ORDINANCES ON A FIRST READING, I FURTHER MOVE TO ADOPT THOSE ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS, FILE AND SPREAD ALL COMMUNICATIONS, APPROVE ALL APPOINTMENTS, REFER THOSE MATTERS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO THE APPROPRIATE CITY DEPARTMENTS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, AND FILE ANY ATTACHMENTS.
[00:20:02]
THANK YOU.MADAM CLERK, COULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? MR. FRY PEARSON.
YES, MISS PRESSER? YES, MRS. SANTIAGO? YES, MISS.
NOW, ON TO THE BUSINESS PORTION OF OUR MEETING.
TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS.
[Consent Agenda]
HUDAK AS ACTING BUILDING COMMISSIONER.NUMBER FOUR APPOINTS MEMBERS TO THE WHITE PLAINS LIBRARY BOARD.
AMEND THE OPERATING BUDGET AND AMEND THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND BY ESTABLISHING CAPITAL PROJECT NUMBER C5678, ENTITLED RENOVATIONS TO CITY FACILITIES FY 26? NINE THROUGH 12.
AMEND THE OPERATING BUDGET TO AMEND THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND BY ESTABLISHING CAPITAL PROJECT NUMBER C5679, ENTITLED CITYWIDE ALARM SYSTEM UPGRADE.
NUMBERS 13 THROUGH 16 AMENDS THE OPERATING BUDGET AND AND AMENDS THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND BY ESTABLISHING CAPITAL PROJECT C5680.
ENTITLED GAS BOY FUEL SYSTEM REPLACEMENT ITEMS 17 THROUGH 21 AMENDS THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND BY ESTABLISHING CAPITAL PROJECT C5681 ENTITLED PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING INTERIOR REPAIRS.
NUMBERS 22 THROUGH 23 AMENDS THE OPERATING BUDGET AND AMENDS THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND BY ESTABLISHING CAPITAL PROJECT NUMBER W5682, ENTITLED CHECK VALVE REPLACEMENT AT CAPS 24 THROUGH 25 AUTHORIZES AN AGREEMENT CONCERNING THE WHITE PLAINS CITY CENTER GARAGE.
THING THAT WE HEAR QUITE FREQUENTLY FROM RESIDENTS IS THAT WE HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB WITH CITY CENTRE, AND IN PARTICULAR WITH THE CITY CENTRE GARAGE.
AND THAT ISSUE HAS BEEN COMPLICATED BECAUSE THE CITY HAS NOT HAD OWNERSHIP OF THE CITY CENTRE GARAGE.
WE'VE HAD TO WORK WITH KITE REALTY AND I THINK TO BE RESPECTFUL ABOUT IT.
KITE REALTY HAS NOT DONE A GREAT JOB IN CITY CENTRE RECENTLY.
UM, WE ARE GOING TO AT A VERY GOOD DEAL FOR THE CITY, ACQUIRE OWNERSHIP OF THE GARAGE, WHICH MEANS WE CAN FIX IT AND MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS.
AND I'M GRATEFUL TO MAYOR BRASCH AND HIS ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM FOR TAKING THOSE STEPS.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO BEING ABLE TO TELL THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY THAT WE'VE MADE THINGS BETTER IN THAT GARAGE.
YES. UM, JUST TO REITERATE SOME OF WHAT COUNCILMAN FREY PEARSON SAID, UM, ONE OF THE TOPICS THAT KEPT COMING UP DURING MY CAMPAIGN WAS, IN FACT, THE CITY CENTRE.
AND THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, THE ELEVATORS AND THE ESCALATORS WEREN'T WORKING.
THE THE GARAGE ITSELF HAD SOME PROBABLY CLEANLINESS AND AESTHETICS ISSUES AND THERE WAS ISSUES OF SECURITY.
AND I WANT TO I JUST WANT TO REITERATE THAT WE ARE LISTENING, AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL BE ABLE TO MOVE QUICKLY ON THIS AND HAVE OWNERSHIP OF THAT GARAGE SO WE CAN REMEDY IT.
BUT WE ARE LISTENING, AND I WANT TO I WANT TO REITERATE THAT AND MAKE THAT THE MESSAGE.
WE'RE LISTENING, AND WE WANT TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO MAKE THAT A BETTER SPACE FOR OUR RESIDENTS.
SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE WANT TO DO AND KNOW WE NEED TO DO ARE EXTREMELY COMPLEX.
I'VE BEEN ON THIS COUNCIL FOR SIX YEARS.
FOR SIX YEARS, I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE THE NEEDLE ON THIS VERY MUCH NEEDED PROCESS TO TAKE THE TAKE THE GARAGE OVER AND RUN IT THE WAY IT OUGHT TO BE RUN, AND I AM RELIEVED AND GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK OF OUR ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF IN MAKING THIS ONE STEP CLOSER.
I JOIN IN EVERYBODY'S GRATITUDE THAT THIS HAS FINALLY BECOME RIPE, AND THAT WE CAN TAKE THIS ACTION AND HOPEFULLY MAKE THIS GARAGE A CLEANER, BETTER AND SAFER PLACE.
I'M SURE IT'LL TAKE A WHILE, BUT THIS IS A HUGE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, AND WE NEED TO THANK ALL THE CITY STAFF THAT WORKED ON THIS.
A LOT OF PEOPLE WORK VERY HARD AND WILL CONTINUE TO WORK HARD, AND THIS IS CERTAINLY A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
ITEMS 26 THROUGH 27 AUTHORIZE THE SETTLEMENT OF CERTAIN TAX PROCEEDINGS.
ITEMS 28 THROUGH 29 AUTHORIZE THE CLOSURE OF CERTAIN PUBLIC STREETS AND AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATE RESTRICTIONS ON MARCH 14TH, 2026, FOR THE SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARADE.
FOR ARDENT BASEBALL FANS, THE FIRST SIGN OF SPRING IS WHEN PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT FOR WHITE PLAINS.
THAT SIGN IS WHEN WE APPROVE THE STREET CLOSURES FOR THE SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARADE ON MARCH 14TH THIS YEAR.
THIS ALSO GIVES ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SALUTE ONE OF OUR MANY GREAT LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, THE COMMITTEE THAT DOES THE COMPLEX WORK OF RUNNING THIS WONDERFUL
[00:25:02]
COMMUNITY EVENT.30 THROUGH 31, AUTHORIZES THE BUDGET DIRECTOR TO AMEND THE FY 2025 2026 OPERATING BUDGET TO COVER THE COST OF PROPERTY MAINTENANCE AT THE WHITE PLAINS CITY COURT, 32 THROUGH 33.
AUTHORIZES A DONATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,500 FROM THE FENWAY CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION CHARITABLE FOUNDATION.
ITEMS 34 THROUGH 35 AUTHORIZE AN AGREEMENT WITH CAPITAL MARKETS ADVISORS, LLC TO PERFORM BOND FINANCING RELATED ADVISORY AND CONSULTING SERVICES.
ITEMS 36 THROUGH 37 AUTHORIZES THE CITY TO RECEIVE A GRANT FROM THE FRIENDS OF THE WHITE PLAINS YOUTH BUREAU, INC.
FOR THE WHITE PLAINS YOUTH BUREAU'S GRANDPAS UNITED PROGRAM COUNCIL MEMBER AND YOUTH BUREAU CHAIR FRED PEARSON.
UM, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE WHO REGULARLY TUNE IN EVERY MONTH, I SING THE PRAISES OF THE WHITE PLAINS YOUTH BUREAU BECAUSE WE HAVE AN AMAZING YOUTH BUREAU THAT PROVIDES OUR KIDS WITH OPPORTUNITIES AND TAKES CARE OF KIDS IN NEED.
UM, THERE'S LIKE SIX DIFFERENT AGENDA ITEMS FOR AWESOME THINGS OUR YOUTH BUREAU IS DOING.
AND I THINK EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM WOULD HATE ME IF I MENTIONED EVERYONE AND COMPLIMENTED THEM ON EVERYONE FROM KARATE TO A BUNCH OF OTHER THINGS.
BUT GRANDPA'S UNITED IS A PARTICULARLY COOL PROGRAM THAT WE INNOVATED IN WHITE PLAINS.
IT'S BEEN PUBLICIZED NATIONWIDE, AND THAT IS GROWING NATIONWIDE, AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO FRANK WILLIAMS AND HIS TEAM AND VERY PROUD TO VOTE IN SUPPORT OF THIS.
OKAY. WE ALL LOVE THE YOUTH BUREAU.
ITEMS 38 THROUGH 39 AUTHORIZED AN AGREEMENT WITH EVELYN SCHWARTZ TO PROVIDE KARATE INSTRUCTION FOR THE YOUTH BUREAU.
ITEMS 40 THROUGH 41 AUTHORIZES AN AMENDMENT TO AN AGREEMENT WITH ECLIPSE SKY STUDIOS FOR PHOTOGRAPHY, GRAPHIC ARTS, AND SOCIAL MEDIA SUPPORT FOR THE YOUTH BUREAU.
ITEMS 42 FOUR THROUGH 43 AUTHORIZES AN AGREEMENT WITH EDMONDS, GOVTECH, INC.
FOR THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK.
ITEMS 44 THROUGH 45 AMENDS THE TABLE OF ORGANIZATION AND SECTIONS TWO, FIVE, 78 AND 2-5 80 OF THE WHITE PLAINS MUNICIPAL CODE.
ITEMS 46 THROUGH 47 AUTHORIZES REBATES FROM THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION FOR THE PURCHASE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
ITEMS 48 THROUGH 49 AUTHORIZES A GRANT FROM THE EMPIRE STATE DEPARTMENT FOR MARKETING AND PRODUCTION OF THE CITY'S SOCCER FEST EVENT.
ITEMS 50 THROUGH 51 SCHEDULES THE MARCH 26TH REGULARLY STATED MEETING FOR MARCH 4TH, 2026.
I WANT EVERYBODY TO TAKE NOTE OF THAT.
WE WILL BE MEETING ON MARCH 4TH INSTEAD OF MARCH 2ND FOR OUR REGULAR STATE COUNCIL MEETING.
THE COMMON COUNCIL DECLARING ITS INTENT TO SERVE AS THE LEAD AGENCY FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW FOR THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF THE WHITE PLAINS CITY CENTER PARKING GARAGE.
ITEMS 54 THROUGH 65 APPROVES AN APPLICATION FOR AN EXTENSION OF A SECOND AMENDED SITE PLAN APPROVAL SUBMITTED ON BEHALF OF HINDU TEMPLE OF TRI-STATE, RELATING TO THE PROPERTY KNOWN AS 390 NORTH STREET, WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK.
ITEM 66 REFERS TO AN APPLICATION FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE SITE PLAN APPROVAL FOR A PROPERTY KNOWN AS THE ELIZABETH SETON YOUTH ADULT CENTER.
67 TRANSMITS THE UNAUDITED FINANCIAL REPORT FOR SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31ST.
AND FINALLY, 68 TRANSMITS THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM STATUS REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31ST, 20, 2025.
I ONLY HAVE ONE QUICK CONCLUSION RE THING.
TODAY, COUNCIL MEMBER RICH PAYNE, WHO RECENTLY STEPPED DOWN, JUST WANTED TO SEND TO EVERYONE HIS CONGRATULATIONS TO THE COUNCIL ON BEING HERE AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, HE WANTED TO SEND CONGRATULATIONS TO COUNCILWOMAN SIMMONS ON YOUR NEW APPOINTMENT TO THE COUNCIL.
AND HE WISHES ALL OF US THE BEST OF LUCK.
AND AS EVERYBODY KNOWS, HE HAD HE WAS VERY HONORED TO SERVE AND WORK WITH US.
AND I KNOW THAT WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER RICH PAYNE FOR HIS HONEST, SINCERE AND HARD WORKING AND PRACTICAL SERVICE TO OUR CITY.
SO WITH THAT, THAT CONCLUDES OUR MEETING.
I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
WITH THAT, THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
AND I ALWAYS WANTED TO DO THIS.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.