New Rochelle City Council Regular Legislative Meeting - October 20, 2026

The New Rochelle City Council held its regular legislative meeting on October 20, 2026, at 11:15 AM. All council members were present. The meeting covered approval of prior meeting minutes, a contested mid-year budget amendment (Item 7), a lawsuit settlement, and several public hearing items including garbage regulations, school speed zone cameras, property maintenance, and site plan administration.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: Unanimously approved minutes from the regular legislative meeting of July 21, 2026, and the committee of the whole session of September 8, 2026.
• Items 2–6 (Consent Agenda): Moved and seconded as a block; adopted unanimously.
• Items 8–10 (Consent Agenda): Moved and seconded as a block; adopted unanimously.

Discussion Items

• Item 7 – Budget Amendments (Mid-Year 2026 Corrections): Councilman Tarantino raised extensive concerns, characterizing the amendments as highly unusual. He questioned why revenue projections were being increased mid-year, noting the state aid increase of $2.1 million was being used to balance the 2026 budget rather than reserved for 2027. He pointed to a total adjustment of approximately $11.469 million, suggesting it revealed a "hole" in the budget. He also questioned increases in refuse and stormwater fees that had already been collected via January tax bills. City Manager Will and Finance Deputy James explained the amendments as a mid-year reconciliation to correct over-budget lines, using surplus revenues and reducing expense lines where vacancies existed, with no net impact on fund balance. Councilmember Lopez viewed the adjustments as a positive recognition of unanticipated revenue (e.g., cannabis taxes, new property taxes). Councilmember Peters sought clarity that the process was within accounting procedures. Councilmember Asilay emphasized precise language, stating the $11 million decrease in expense line items was not a "hole" but an adjustment, and flatly rejected the notion of defunding police, attributing police and fire reductions to staffing vacancies. Councilmember Kay queried health insurance adjustments and noted overtime needs due to vacancies. Mayor echoed that voting no would not absolve the city from covering the expenses—the amendments would still need to be addressed by year-end. Final Vote on Item 7: 6–1 (Councilman Tarantino voted no; all others yes).
• Item 11 – Lawsuit Settlement: Proposed settlement in the matter of Monica Yala and Mateo Cortes Perez v. City of New Rochelle for $145,000. Previously discussed in executive session. Council adopted unanimously.
• Item 12 – Amendments to Garbage, Rubbish, and Refuse Code: Minor edits made for consistency. Adopted unanimously.
• Item 13 – School Speed Zone Camera Demonstration Program: Councilman Peters stressed ensuring data collection for the Lincoln Avenue corridor to address historical exclusionary outcomes. Councilman Asilaye thanked state officials for enabling the program and identified the target corridors: Webster Avenue, Quaker Ridge, and Wayman Avenue. Data collection is required as a pilot program. Adopted unanimously.
• Item 14 – Property Maintenance Amendments (Rodents, Pet Waste, Waste Storage): Accepted with thanks to city staff. Adopted unanimously.
• Item 15 – Site Plan Administration Amendment (Chapter 331): Adopted unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Item 7 Budget Amendments: Approved 6–1; corrections to 2026 budget using surplus revenues and expense reductions; net neutral effect on fund balance; adjustments intended to provide a clearer baseline for 2027 budget preparation.
• Lawsuit Settlement (Item 11): Approved; authorization to settle for $145,000.
• Public Hearing Items (Items 12–15): All approved unanimously; new regulations on garbage, school zone speed cameras (pilot), property maintenance, and site plan administration.
• Executive Session: Council moved to super executive session to evaluate the city manager; no return to public meeting anticipated.