Newburgh City Council Meeting - October 26, 2026

The Newburgh City Council convened on October 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM, with Mayor Harvey presiding. The meeting included approval of minutes, a city manager's update, public comments, and a series of resolutions and a local law, all passed with near-unanimous support except for one abstention and one nay vote. Key topics included water infrastructure contracts, tax certiorari settlements, the Newburgh Colored Burial Ground project, and resident concerns about housing conditions, traffic safety, and senior services.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (October 13, 2026): Approved unanimously (motion by Councilman Shakur, seconded by Councilmember Monteverdi, all in favor).
• Resolution 239-2026: Award of bid to Gallo Construction Corp. for Water Filtration Plant Filter and SCADA Improvements Project ($7,768,650). Unanimous approval.
• Resolution 240-2026: Authorization for Arcadis to prepare Brown’s Pond water withdrawal alternatives analysis ($49,850). Unanimous.
• Resolution 241-2026: Authorization for Arcadis to prepare Lutheran Street fire flow analysis ($7,500). Unanimous.
• Resolution 242-2026: Request for Orange County tax exemption for city reservoir and filter plant properties for 2028. Unanimous.
• Resolution 243-2026: Declaration of DPW and police vehicles as surplus. Unanimous.
• Resolution 245-2026: Authorization for 2026-2027 Youth Employment Program agreement with Orange County. Unanimous.
• Resolution 246-2026: Agreement with Orange-Ulster BOCES for storage of archived municipal records. Unanimous.
• Resolution 247-2026: Acceptance of K9 ballistic vest donation from Spike's K9 Fund. Unanimous.
• Local Law B-2026: Authorizing property tax levy in excess of GML Section 3 limit. Enacted unanimously.
• Resolutions 249-259: Approval of consent judgments in tax certiorari proceedings for 11 properties owned by Newburgh SHG LLC entities (157, 230, 160, 224 Broadway; 84 William St; 296 Liberty St; 81 Chambers St; 189, 145 Grand St; 42 Farrington St; 84 Overlook Pl). All passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• George Carr (city resident, father of buyer): Expressed concern that the city council was not allowing his son to close on a property at 30 Bankard Avenue despite a clear-to-close and deposit. Requested explanation and support to move forward.
• Pastor Rosie (Ward 1 resident): Raised concerns about the proposed salary increases for mayor and council members, noting that council votes on its own compensation, which she argued lacks independent oversight. Urged consideration of a more transparent process via the Charter Review Commission.
• Tammy (city resident): Highlighted the struggles of seniors with technology and accessing services, urging the city to create a senior hotline and provide better support. Mentioned that many seniors are afraid to come out at night.
• Michael LeBron (Grand Street resident): Expressed full support for full-time mayor and council salaries ($85,000 for council, $135,000 for mayor), stating "full-time pay for full-time work." Also criticized the mayor's approach to city property disposition, claiming that middle-class buyers of color are choosing not to buy in Newburgh due to city policies. Referenced a book and urged policy changes.
• Deacon Donald Fryer (city resident, senior): Complained about inhumane conditions at Lake Street high-rise (rats, roaches, rent issues), calling for citations, fines, and lawsuits. Also expressed concern about homelessness, noting immigrants needing food and water.
• Amanda (Beacon Street resident): Reported a safety hazard from a tree on her electrical line, which Central Hudson refused to trim, and the city arborist was unresponsive. Asked for DPW assistance.
• Boyd (Prospect Street resident): Demanded speed bumps (rubber type) on Prospect Street due to reckless driving and accidents. Also criticized the Armory events for serving alcohol and allowing drunk driving, urging permit accountability.
• Brenda McPhill (Lake Street resident): Described fire escape dangers, lack of security, and poor maintenance (ceilings, floors, elevators) at Lake Drive senior building, stating it was never properly upgraded. Called for city action.

Discussion Items

• City Manager Update (Jason Morris): Reported federal arrests of 8 individuals for crack cocaine sales in West Parmenter Street area; a family-friendly Halloween event on October 28; Charter Review Commission first meeting on November 12; early voting locations; sanitation schedule changes for Election Day; September solid waste (868.6 tons) and recycling (97.32 tons) totals; 33 sanitation warnings; DPW paving schedule; land use board application statistics; zoning updates for 2027; police calls (3,034 in September) and a 18% reduction in part-one crime (23% in violent crime, 15% in property crime) year-to-date.
• Resolution 244-2026 (Newburgh Colored Burial Ground Project SEQRA): City attorney Michelle Kelsen explained that the council was declaring itself lead agency and issuing a negative declaration. Councilmember Stewart clarified that remains are currently at SUNY New Paltz and will be reinterred after memorial construction. Councilman Shakur voted no, objecting to the term "colored" and asking "Define who we are burying." Approved 4-1.
• Resolution 248-2026 (Public Hearing for Charter Amendment on Salaries): Scheduled public hearing for November 9, 2026, to consider a local law increasing mayor and council salaries. Councilmember Stewart abstained. Approved with one abstention.
• Old Business: Council requested updates on: soccer field fees (Monteverdi), Penrose housing (Martinez), Harvey Burger street naming and block camera (Shakur), legislative priority list (Stewart), senior advisory committee (Stewart), code enforcement process for senior buildings (Stewart).
• New Business: Councilmember Zorilla requested updates on South/Prospect Street traffic safety, streaming board meetings, urban forest management plan, and climate smart coordinator. Councilmember Stewart requested an emergency notification system for large developments and re-subscription to Code Red alerts. Councilmember Martinez requested parking lines at Ebenezer Baptist Church and a street dedication policy. Councilmember Shakur requested completion of the 2025 city audit and state comptroller report.

Key Outcomes

• All resolutions and local law B were approved with the following exceptions: Resolution 244 (colored burial ground) passed 4-1 (Shakur nay); Resolution 248 (public hearing on salary) passed with Stewart abstaining. All other items were unanimous.
• Consent judgments for 11 tax certiorari cases were approved, settling property tax challenges with Newburgh SHG LLC entities.
• Public hearing scheduled for November 9, 2026, at 7:00 PM on the proposed charter amendment for mayor and council salaries.
• City manager directed to follow up on multiple resident requests: property sale at 30 Bankard Ave (Carr), senior building conditions (Lake Street), tree trimming (Amanda), speed bumps (Boyd), and emergency notification system.
• Council agreed to prioritize items via email and schedule discussion items for the next work session, with a focus on the legislative priority list and green light rules.
• Climate smart coordinator proposal is under review and will be brought forward shortly.
• Charter Review Commission first meeting set for November 12, 2026, at 7:00 PM at the Activity Center (401 Washington St).
• Senior karaoke night announced for November 7, 2026, at the Activity Center.