OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

New Rochelle City Council Committee of the Whole and Public Hearing – April 14, 2026

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, April 14, 2026
BodyNew Rochelle, New York
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, April 14, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:24:16

Transcript — Verbatim
0:21

Good afternoon and welcome to the April 2026 committee of the whole meeting.

0:26

Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

0:28

Mayor Ramos Herbert here.

0:30

Councilmember Lopez.

0:32

Councilmember Tarantino.

0:34

Here.

0:34

Councilmember Peters.

0:36

Councilmember Assile.

0:38

Councilmember K here and Council Minister.

0:40

Here.

0:41

Good afternoon again, and on this glorious day, welcome to our committee of the whole meeting.

0:46

The first two items on our agenda are presentations by the Department of Public Works.

0:51

We have a deck, and I believe we'll have a presentation.

0:55

Yes.

1:01

Copy.

1:03

Good evening.

1:05

Thank you.

1:07

Before we start, I just wanted I just realized this is the first time have the opportunity to introduce you to our new, although not so new, city engineer.

1:16

Gino, he joined us back in August last year.

1:18

And he's he brought the excellent experience for exactly what we needed in our department.

1:24

So thank you, Gene.

1:26

Happy to be here.

1:27

Thank you.

1:28

Thank you.

1:31

All right.

1:34

All right, good.

1:36

Excellent.

1:39

So thank you to uh Mayor and City Council for me to present to you the flood mitigation uh update for 2026.

1:50

Um during this presentation, I'm going to offer a brief overview of completed projects, um, those anticipated to begin construction during this fiscal year.

2:03

Projects currently in the engineering design phase that are expected to be completed and ready for public bidding by late 2026 or early 2027.

2:12

Uh I'll focus on providing project highlights and details on anticipated construction and design efforts for this fiscal year.

2:19

I'll summarize the current status of flood mitigation program.

2:22

Alvaro is going to discuss challenges we're facing and outline proposed adjustments to improve how we evaluate and prioritize future projects.

2:33

I'll review our awarded grants, our anticipated grants for this fiscal year and upcoming funding opportunities for 2027 and future years.

2:58

Summarize our next steps forward, and provide a question and answer opportunities for any questions at the end.

3:07

So starting to date, we've successfully completed a total of six construction projects and two engineering studies between late 2024 and early 2026, targeting flood-prone areas throughout the city.

3:20

These efforts focused on installing new and upgraded drainage infrastructure, improving system conveyance, and restoring critical stormwater capacity.

3:44

And increased over 62,000 cubic feet of flood storage capacity within the upper Hutchison River system.

3:51

Engineering studies in the Interlaken and Emerson area areas further advanced long-term strategies and locations surrounded by wetlands and FEMA floodplains.

4:18

Again, it is located in a wetland area in a FEMA floodplain, but we were able to at least provide some small benefit in this area.

5:00

For 2026, our targeted projects continue to advance our flood mitigation and drainage improvement projects with the intent of reducing flood risk, improving stormwater conveyance, and enhancing infrastructure resilience across the multiple priority areas.

5:16

Nine of the 11 projects that you see in front of you listed projects, they span various stages, including conceptual planning, design permitting, bidding, and early construction.

5:27

These projects reflect multi-year capital effort and the majority of the construction activities scheduled between 2026 and 2027.

5:36

Permanent efforts are largely focused on engineering design, however, several projects, such as the Wiltshire Road, Sheldrake River culverts, and Pelham Road, Whitewood Avenue have progressed to bid phases and contract award and will be in construction this fiscal year.

5:52

The City Park, Ashland Avenue, Sunhaven, Stevenson's Brook Projects are currently in engineering design with the anticipation of construction either late 2026 or early 2027.

6:05

We continue to advance our efforts with the link drainage and Quaker Ridge Road projects.

6:10

We anticipate our engineering design efforts to be finalized for the linked stormwater components upon completion of the phase 1A.

6:19

Our eventual design will be localized drainage improvements to the Prince Street and Brook Street area.

6:25

And we've also expanded the scope of our Quaker Ridge Road projects as the effective drainage area was much larger than originally anticipated.

6:34

We have a limited right-of-way, high groundwater table, high bedrock elevation.

6:39

So all the components that really make a successful project are right here.

6:45

But we're looking further upstream to kind of incorporate a little bit more of storage area and retention for a successful project.

6:54

We anticipate completion of a design and potential bidding in early Q1 2027.

7:02

So with the nine drainage improvement projects, either in queue for construction in this fiscal year or various stages of engineering design.

7:10

We decided to move forward with two additional projects for 2026.

7:14

First is a third effort that we've dubbed mini drainage.

7:18

We basically select one project from each watershed, something that's kind of small but put together, encompasses a larger drainage project, and that's very more effective because it's more visible citywide.

7:31

We're not just focused and hyper focused on one area.

7:33

We're using smaller drainage infrastructure projects, but spreading it throughout the city.

7:39

The second is a larger project, Sub Basin 5, that's going to focus on drainage improvements along the East Chester Road and North Area.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████████████████████29%
Public Engagement████████████12%
Zoning And Land Use████████████12%
Water And Wastewater Management█████████9%
Public Safety██████6%
Affordable Housing█████5%
Procedural████4%
Fiscal Sustainability████4%
Economic Development████4%
Summary of Proceedings

New Rochelle City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting and Public Hearing – April 14, 2026

The meeting convened at 9:00 AM with a Committee of the Whole session, featuring presentations from the Department of Public Works (DPW) on flood mitigation progress and snow/pothole management, followed by consideration of multiple legislative items. The evening session (7:00 PM) included a public hearing on the proposed 2026 Downtown Overlay Zone (DOZ) amendments and a citizens-to-be-heard period. The public hearing remains open for written comments until April 24, 2026.

Consent Calendar

  • Item 4: Negative declaration regarding acquisition of 38 First Street (parking). Moved to consent unanimously.
  • Item 5: Amendment to city code on property tax exemption for veterans with 100% service-connected disability (verbal amendment to clarify language). Moved to consent unanimously.
  • Item 6: Authorization to execute intermunicipal agreement with Westchester County for BPL-26 stormwater grant (Sub Basin 5 project). Moved to consent unanimously.
  • Item 7: Acceptance of New York State grant for Reservoir No. 1 (Lake Isle Dam) – $4.1 million. Moved to consent unanimously.
  • Item 11: Amendment to 2026 budget for NYS DHSES Tactical Team Grant ($75,000). Moved to consent unanimously.
  • Item 12: Amendment to 2026 budget for NYS DHSES Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant ($60,000). Moved to consent unanimously.
  • Item 13: Acceptance of additional NYS Office of Mental Health funding ($10,000/year for peer support training). Moved to consent unanimously.
  • Item 14: Amendment to 2026 capital budget (reallocating ARPA funds to paving contracts; verbal amendment to move $417,593.43 into paving project code). Moved to consent as amended unanimously.
  • Item 15: Transfer of Councilmember Albert Tarantino’s stipends ($2,500 each to New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence and Hudson Park Children’s Greenhouse). Moved to consent unanimously.
  • Item 17: Authorization to award consulting contract (MPAC Collective) for innovative finance and asset scan related to Reconnecting Communities TOD. Moved to consent unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

Public Hearing – 2026 Downtown Overlay Zone (DOZ) Amendments

  • Aisha Cook (NewRoar) urged codification of community benefits, local hire, green space, true affordability, and enforcement of penalties for developers not meeting job creation targets.
  • Dr. Bruce Soloway (former resident) called for required labor standards, compliance oversight, and transparent reporting of community benefits bonus funds; noted that AMI should be compared to local census tract AMI.
  • Michael Yellen (New Rochelle Alliance for Justice) argued that the SDGEIS wage projection ($101,230/year) is inconsistent with actual wages paid ($20–$25/hr to New Rochelle residents); urged project labor agreements and apprenticeship requirements.
  • Dominic Casanelli Jr. (VP, Teamsters Local 456; Recording Secretary, Westchester Putnam Building Trades Council) said development has not created enough local, family-sustaining jobs; called for Project Labor Agreements, local hiring, and enforceable apprenticeship standards.
  • Anthony Umbro (39-year operator engineer, lifelong resident) described being locked out of local construction work; criticized tax abatements without wage requirements.
  • James O’Toole (60-year resident) opposed DOZ expansion, citing oversaturation, poor construction quality, increased police incidents, loss of parking, and inadequate bus stop maintenance.
  • Jim Calorin (Enough is Enough) criticized lack of homeownership, green space, and bike lanes; said developers control the development department.
  • Steve Mayo (38-year resident) asked where promised retail and tax relief are; called transit-oriented development a failure for residents.
  • John Delfs (Residents Park Neighborhood Association) urged requirements for green space (10% of lot area), 15-foot clear sidewalks with tree canopy, and a dedicated downtown parking fund.
  • Michael Cammer expressed concern that developers are clawing back PILOT payments retroactively, affecting school and library budgets; called for investigation and prohibition of such practices, plus local and union labor requirements.
  • Michael Umbro (lifelong resident) emphasized that unions build careers and families, unlike developers who use and discard labor.
  • Marion Whitaker (Enough is Enough) said high-rise development has not provided real green space or affordable homeownership; traffic studies already showed failing levels of service by 2021.
  • Lisa Burton (Center Ave) urged council to use the amendment to move from incentives to enforceable requirements; cited hidden fees on “affordable” units (water, heat, garbage).
  • Serge Becker (25 Leroy Pl) noted that DOZ residential units have soared from 5,500 (2015) to 6,400 in DOZ2 alone; the proposed 2,800 additional units would exceed studied limits; no real traffic/parking studies have been done.
  • Sean Wyowatsky (25 Leroy Pl) called for a moratorium on DOZ2 development; criticized carved-out “vested properties”; asked for parking cost caps, halving maximum heights, and halting the process until approved projects are built.
  • Alison Rivers (147 Storer Ave) said promised tax benefits never materialized; her taxes increased; union labor (IBEW) enables her family to live in the city.
  • Paul Martin (55 Decatur Rd) objected to the rushed process and exclusion of Councilmember from district 2; fiscal analysis excludes PILOTs; parking incentives should be removed; opposed conversion of River Street commercial area to residential.
  • Matt Rooney (66 Decatur Rd) asked who requested the amendments and why the rush; criticized lack of local hire and apprenticeship programs; questioned removal of waterfront access fees.
  • Miriam DeSim (Mountjoy) called for elimination of overlay zones entirely, saying they remove citizen input and have priced out residents; opposed any expansion.
  • Joe Cinquamani (115 Harding Dr, Republican congressional candidate) criticized one-party rule, tax abatements, and lack of union labor; advocated for large employer to anchor downtown.
  • Unnamed speaker (Ortega) urged council to empathize with homeowners facing high-rise construction next to their properties.
  • Sarah Longstreth (young professional) said development has not delivered promised amenities (bookstore, theater, queer-friendly spaces); the city needs third spaces.

Citizens to Be Heard

  • James O’Toole (230 North Ave) complained about businesses placing garbage bins on sidewalks, lack of enforcement of snow parking bans, and alternateside parking hindering plowing.
  • Jim Calorin (25 Leroy Pl) highlighted New Rochelle’s last-place ranking in homeownership; criticized lack of bike lanes; opposed proposed bike lane on Quaker Ridge; urged bringing a large employer to fill empty retail.
  • Steve Mayo (55 Decatur Rd) said developers brag about lax parking requirements and local governance.
  • Lisa Burton (257 Center Ave) acknowledged downtown vibrancy but said her sons cannot afford to buy in the city; urged council to prioritize homeownership and affordability.
  • Miriam DeSim (Mountjoy) reiterated opposition to overlay zones; criticized the city’s “math” that favors developers; cited rent increases in existing affordable housing (City Park, Carrington Arms).
  • Jackie Mills (2 Lemke Pl, Rochelle Heights) said the city is oversaturated; worried about impacts on historic districts, deer population, traffic, and public safety; urged council to listen.
  • Paul Martin (55 Decatur Rd) urged council not to rush the DOZ amendments; pointed to optics of a developer receiving a pilot extension the same week the amendments were announced; said the process lacks adequate public input.
  • Sheila Small (historic district resident) said residents do not want development abutting their neighborhoods; offered a homeownership program developed during a prior city study.

Discussion Items

DPW Flood Mitigation Update (Gino & Alvaro)

  • Presented completion of six construction projects and two engineering studies (2024–2026), adding over 62,000 cubic feet of flood storage in the Upper Hutchinson River system.
  • Nine active projects in various stages; three major projects (Sheldrake River culverts, Wiltshire Road, Pelham/Whitewood Avenue) to begin construction in 2026.
  • Sub Basin 5 (East Chester Rd/North Ave) awarded $1M Westchester County grant; engineering design to start Q3 2026.
  • Introduced a proposed drainage model (USGS compound flood hazard tool) to prioritize improvements within distinct corridors; pilot planned for Quaker Ridge corridor.
  • Grant highlights: $4.2M total grants received; City Park project (90% design) may qualify for a $5M RISK construction grant.
  • Councilmembers asked about permitting timelines (Sheldrake: 30 days for Army Corps permit), utility conflicts, integration with Complete Streets projects (Quaker Ridge), and the need to address tidal backflow at outfalls.
  • Councilmember Peters pressed for a pathway to advance flood mitigation in the Lincoln Avenue area and integrate the new drainage model into project selection.

DPW Snow Removal & Pothole Update

  • Winter 2025–2026 had nearly twice the snowfall of 2021 and four times that of recent years, with sustained low temperatures.
  • DPW managed 13 snow routes with in-house and contracted resources; challenges included weekend storm timing, equipment breakdowns, parked vehicles, and salt shed location.
  • Improvements implemented: coordination with school district, cloud-based complaint tracking, early towing enforcement, staff radios, and driver training with edge markers.
  • Road damage: 47 water main breaks (Veolia), 1,800 potholes repaired (24% increase over prior year), 82 streets still in queue.
  • Future plans: pre-winter education campaign, GPS tracking (public-facing option considered), deployment of a blacktop crew for enhanced repairs, and potential capital upgrades (PTOs, salt shed partnerships).
  • Councilmembers praised responsiveness and suggested using local contractors, communicating plow routes, and addressing bus stop clearance.

Other Discussion Items

  • Item 3 (Public hearing notice for DOZ amendments): Councilmember Lopez requested keeping the hearing open if public input is substantial; Councilmember Kay asked for integration of green standards into the amendments. City Manager Cook said a final Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS) with responses to all comments will be presented in June.
  • Item 5 (Veterans tax exemption): Verbal amendment to correct qualifying language; moved to consent.
  • Item 8 (Grant application for Prem Book Blvd): $11.4M NYS DOT grant with $600K city match; council voted to authorize submission unanimously.
  • Item 14 (Capital budget amendment): Verbal amendment to reallocate ARPA funds to paving; approved.
  • Item 16 (Climate Vulnerability Assessment): Adopted as amended (correction to figure A26 – misidentified housing).
  • Items 18 & 19 (CDBG reallocation): Public hearing set for May 12, 2026.

Key Outcomes

  • Flood Mitigation: Three projects (Sheldrake, Wiltshire, Pelham/Whitewood) on schedule for 2026 construction; Sub Basin 5 design to begin Q3 2026; drainage model RFP planned.
  • Snow & Potholes: GPS tracking and radio communications to be deployed; blacktop crew to start enhanced repairs in May 2026; budget adjustment request to follow.
  • Consent Agenda Items: All moved items approved unanimously.
  • Grant Authorization: Approved submission of NYS DOT grant for Prem Book Boulevard (unanimous).
  • Climate Vulnerability Assessment: Adopted as amended (unanimous).
  • Public Hearings Set: May 12, 2026 for vehicle impoundment code amendment (Item 9/10) and CDBG reallocation (Item 18/19).
  • DOZ Public Hearing: Held on April 14; written comments accepted until April 24; SGEIS with responses due in June 2026.
  • Executive Session: Council moved to executive session to discuss pending litigation (no details released).

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon and welcome to the April 2026 committee of the whole meeting. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Mayor Ramos Herbert here. Councilmember Lopez. Councilmember Tarantino. Here. Councilmember Peters. Councilmember Assile. Councilmember K here and Council Minister. Here. Good afternoon again, and on this glorious day, welcome to our committee of the whole meeting. The first two items on our agenda are presentations by the Department of Public Works. We have a deck, and I believe we'll have a presentation. Yes. Copy. Good evening. Thank you. Before we start, I just wanted I just realized this is the first time have the opportunity to introduce you to our new, although not so new, city engineer. Gino, he joined us back in August last year. And he's he brought the excellent experience for exactly what we needed in our department. So thank you, Gene. Happy to be here. Thank you. Thank you. All right. All right, good. Excellent. So thank you to uh Mayor and City Council for me to present to you the flood mitigation uh update for 2026. Um during this presentation, I'm going to offer a brief overview of completed projects, um, those anticipated to begin construction during this fiscal year. Projects currently in the engineering design phase that are expected to be completed and ready for public bidding by late 2026 or early 2027. Uh I'll focus on providing project highlights and details on anticipated construction and design efforts for this fiscal year. I'll summarize the current status of flood mitigation program. Alvaro is going to discuss challenges we're facing and outline proposed adjustments to improve how we evaluate and prioritize future projects. I'll review our awarded grants, our anticipated grants for this fiscal year and upcoming funding opportunities for 2027 and future years. Summarize our next steps forward, and provide a question and answer opportunities for any questions at the end. So starting to date, we've successfully completed a total of six construction projects and two engineering studies between late 2024 and early 2026, targeting flood-prone areas throughout the city. These efforts focused on installing new and upgraded drainage infrastructure, improving system conveyance, and restoring critical stormwater capacity. And increased over 62,000 cubic feet of flood storage capacity within the upper Hutchison River system. Engineering studies in the Interlaken and Emerson area areas further advanced long-term strategies and locations surrounded by wetlands and FEMA floodplains. Again, it is located in a wetland area in a FEMA floodplain, but we were able to at least provide some small benefit in this area. For 2026, our targeted projects continue to advance our flood mitigation and drainage improvement projects with the intent of reducing flood risk, improving stormwater conveyance, and enhancing infrastructure resilience across the multiple priority areas. Nine of the 11 projects that you see in front of you listed projects, they span various stages, including conceptual planning, design permitting, bidding, and early construction. These projects reflect multi-year capital effort and the majority of the construction activities scheduled between 2026 and 2027. Permanent efforts are largely focused on engineering design, however, several projects, such as the Wiltshire Road, Sheldrake River culverts, and Pelham Road, Whitewood Avenue have progressed to bid phases and contract award and will be in construction this fiscal year. The City Park, Ashland Avenue, Sunhaven, Stevenson's Brook Projects are currently in engineering design with the anticipation of construction either late 2026 or early 2027. We continue to advance our efforts with the link drainage and Quaker Ridge Road projects. We anticipate our engineering design efforts to be finalized for the linked stormwater components upon completion of the phase 1A. Our eventual design will be localized drainage improvements to the Prince Street and Brook Street area. And we've also expanded the scope of our Quaker Ridge Road projects as the effective drainage area was much larger than originally anticipated. We have a limited right-of-way, high groundwater table, high bedrock elevation.

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