New Rochelle Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee Meeting - September 28, 2026

The City of New Rochelle's Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee (PDSC) met on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the City Council Conference Room at New Rochelle City Hall. Deputy City Manager Todd Costello called the meeting to order with a roll call. Members present included Christina Demino, John Agulary, Lauren Hurwitz, Victor Bowman Jr., Matt Stern, Gino Frabasile, and Mikita Lewis. Staff in attendance included Todd Costello and Director of Communications John Jones.

Consent Calendar

• The committee unanimously approved the minutes from the June 30, 2026, meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Olivia Morgado (Healthy Yards): Presented a detailed visual proposal to transform Huguenot Park using native pollinator gardens, a rain garden, sunset vista seating, enlarged picnic areas, and an outdoor classroom space. She expressed full support for using these spaces to support local ecology and community well-being, offering maintenance support from local clubs and a willingness to start with smaller components.

Discussion Items

• Promotions and Marketing Update: John Jones (Director of Communications) reported on the integrated outreach campaign using postcards, yard signs, social media, a video with Councilmember Matt Stern, city e-news, and the local paper. The committee noted 48 total idea submissions so far. Members expressed that in-person event tabling (with iPads and QR codes) was highly effective at explaining the process. Lauren Hurwitz noted the lack of deep institutional collaboration (schools, libraries, civic groups) as a key area of need for the next cycle.
• Future Engagement and Idea Submission Deadline: The committee strategized ways to increase participation before closing the idea portal. Victor Bowman Jr. suggested utilizing the remaining promotion budget (roughly $19,000 to $20,000) for concrete incentives (e.g., ice cream at parks). Mikita Lewis proposed integrating with school social studies classes and student government. The deadline for ideas was set for October 9, 2026 to allow for a final push at the Brews & Views event. Todd Costello noted that November is a busy budget season for staff and requested the committee's help with outreach for the voting phase.
• Voting Period and Format: The committee agreed to a voting window of November 9 to November 20, 2026 (before Thanksgiving) to avoid conflicting interest with the general election and holiday schedules. A hybrid model was adopted: online voting using the free Stanford Participatory Budgeting platform, and in-person voting at City Hall (rotunda, city clerk's office). A potential voting event/kickoff at an external location (e.g., Boys & Girls Club) was discussed. Members supported incentivizing voting with prizes (subject to procurement rules) and using social media frames or stickers to build buzz.
• Review of 48 Submitted Ideas: Gino Frabasile presented a feasibility review of the 48 ideas, grouped by theme. 14 submissions focused on walking paths and access around the Twin Lakes; 8 on recreation and fitness; 6 on playgrounds and shade; 10 on trees, gardens, and landscaping; 4 on trash and litter; and 6 on street and traffic safety. Several major projects (full lake restoration, public restrooms, splash pads, ice skating rink) were deemed infeasible due to cost or existing city programs. Feasible elements included paved pathways, fitness stations, community gardens, native plantings, art installations, improved trash cans, gazebos, and shade structures. Staff committed to consolidating these themes into a shortlist of costed, feasible ballot options.

Key Outcomes

1. Idea Deadline: October 9, 2026.
2. Voting Period: November 9 to November 20, 2026.
3. Voting Methods: Online (Stanford PB platform) and in-person at City Hall. Staff will explore a kickoff event and ballot security protocols.
4. Marketing: Final promotion push for ideas (Brews & Views countdown, school outreach). A comprehensive "Get Out the Vote" campaign (social media, mailers, community partner drop-boxes) will launch in late October.
5. Next Steps: Staff to develop consolidated, costed ballot proposals from the 48 ideas. Target date for the next meeting: late October 2026 to finalize the ballot.