The New Rochelle City Council held its regular legislative meeting on December 9, 2025, at 11:15 AM. The meeting was moved a week earlier due to the December holidays. The council approved a late agenda item (stipend transfer for Councilmember Asilayan) by unanimous consent. The meeting included the consent agenda, several stipend transfers, a major presentation on the Downtown Overlay Zone (DOZ) amendments, settlements of two lawsuits, and adoption of the 2026 budget.
The city manager, commissioner, and consultants (Sarah Yackee, Kevin Kane) presented a comprehensive proposal to refine the DOZ, which has been in place since 2015. The update aims to address development fatigue, improve retail performance, create “missing middle” housing, and integrate sustainability. Key elements include:
Conflict of Interest Discussion: Councilmember Tarantino raised a potential conflict of interest regarding Councilmember Peters, who owns property in the downtown area (including a now-closed store at Main and Center streets). Peters disclosed his ownership and stated that former corporation counsel and city managers had determined the DOZ’s broad scope did not require recusal. Tarantino argued that new data shows development concentrated around Peters’ property, but Peters countered that his store is closed and he gains no financial benefit. Councilmember King noted that disclosure and recusal are separate; Peters chose to disclose but not recuse. The council proceeded to a vote without further action on the conflict.
Vote on Item 9: Roll call – 7 in favor (Lopez, Peters, Asilayan, Kay, Stern, King, Mayor) and 1 opposed (Tarantino). The resolution passed.
A resolution authorizing settlement of a lawsuit. Approved unanimously by voice vote.
A resolution amending prior settlement authority, increasing the amount from $130,890 to $230,890 (additional $100,000). Approved unanimously.
An ordinance levying taxes, solid waste fees, and sewer/stormwater fees for 2025. Roll call vote: 6 in favor (Lopez, Peters, Asilayan, Kay, Stern, Mayor), 1 opposed (Tarantino). Tarantino stated he was uncomfortable with the fee structure, but this item was separate from the budget. Passed.
Ordinance adopting the 2026 City of New Rochelle budget. Roll call vote: 6 in favor (Lopez? Actually Lopez voted yes? Check transcript: Councilmember Lopez voted yes on item 14? Transcript: Councilmember Lopez initially said "yes" but then later? Wait, need to re-check. From transcript: "Councilmember Lopez. Uh yes, can I ask short question?" Then after clarification she said "Yes"? Actually later: "Councilmember Terry knows. Okay, I'll repeat what I said before." That is Tarantino. Then roll call: Councilmember Lopez: Yes (implied by her asking question then voting yes). Councilmember Tarantino: No (with statement). Councilmember Peters: Yes. Councilmember Asilayan: Yes. Councilmember Kay: Yes. Councilmember Stern: Yes. Mayor: Yes. So 6-1. Tarantino argued the budget reaches maximum debt service and minimum fund balance, leaving no cushion for emergencies, risking credit rating downgrade. The finance director clarified that the city’s Moody’s rating is Aa2 (highest classification). Mayor noted the rating is strong. Budget adopted.
Good evening and welcome to the December 2025 regular legislative meeting. Madam City Clerk, please call the role. Mayor Remels Herbert here. Council Member Loja. Councilmember Tarantino. Here, Councilmember Peters. Councilmember Asilayan. Council Member King. And Council Member Stern. Here. Thank you so much. And again, good evening. Welcome to the December meeting held a week earlier in observance of holidays for the month of December. Just some promotion. Don't forget the holiday market is happening through December 14th for all of you that are watching. It helps support our small business vendors at New Rock, free parking, and it's very warm. I'm advised that we have a new agenda item as a result of a late submission by one of our colleagues. Ashen Louye and K, all in favor say aye. Any opposed? Thank you so much for that collegiality. And the committee of the whole session for Wednesday, November 12th, 2025. May I have a motion to end the second adopting the approval of the minute for those meetings. All in favor say aye. Any opposed. And I'll note the submission of minutes for the regular legislative meeting for Tuesday, November 18th, and the committee of the whole session of Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025. The next item on our agenda, items two through five were previously moved and seconded to be a part of our consent agenda. Are there any questions or comments on items two through five? Hearing none, they have a motion and a second adopting items two through five, please. Kay and Lopez, all in favor say aye. Any opposed. Brilliant. Moving on to now a series of um resolutions. The first resolution is the proposed transfer of city council member Sarah Kay's stipend, um, authorizing the city manager to transfer $5,000 to feeding Westchester from City Council Member Sarah Kay's 2025 stipend to count. Council Member Kay, anything you'd like to add to this? No. Great. Motion then the second adopting item number six, please. Kay and Peters, all in favor say aye. Any opposed. Item number seven is a proposed transfer of city council member Matthew A. Stern stipend. Resolution authorizing the city manager to transfer $2,500 to United Community Center of Westchester and 2,500 to the Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle Mascaro branch, specifically for the High Wall do you know me program from City Council Member Matthew Stern stipend to count uh council member Stern. Anything you'd like to add on this matter? Just uh thank you for the work that she's nonprofits do, and uh the good work I'm excited for council members with her initiative as well. Thank you so much. Thank you very much. Uh a motion and a second adopting item number seven, please. Uh I would think Stern would want to be one. Stern and Peters, all in favor say aye. Any opposed.