Peekskill Common Council Meeting - September 8, 2025: Work Session, Public Hearings, and Resolutions
Peekskill Common Council Work Session and Meeting - September 8, 2025
The Peekskill Common Council convened on Monday, September 8, 2025, for a work session followed by a regular council meeting. The work session focused on the appointment of a new city engineer. The regular meeting included five public hearings, adoption of 18 resolutions, and a lengthy public comment period on a proposed cannabis manufacturing facility at 710 Washington Street. Key outcomes included the appointment of CPL as city engineer, adoption of amendments to the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) law, and the continuation of the public hearing on the parking payment-in-lieu program and the cannabis facility.
Consent Calendar
- Resolution J1 (Bond for sewer improvements) – authorized issuance of up to $11,347,952 in serial bonds for sewer system improvements; passed unanimously.
- Resolution J2 (Donation acceptance) – accepted a $500 donation from Team Terry for senior nutrition; passed unanimously.
- Resolution J3 (Street closure – Lincoln Exedra centennial) – authorized closure for October 25, 2025; passed unanimously.
- Resolution J4 (Street closure – Virgen del Cisne) – authorized closures for September 13, 2025; passed unanimously.
- Resolution J5 (Street closure – Brown St. filming) – authorized closure for September 10, 2025; passed unanimously.
- Resolution J6 (MOU with Nor West for culinary training) – authorized an agreement for fall 2025; passed unanimously.
- Resolution J7 (Apply for LIFT and Project Elevate grants) – authorized Youth Bureau grant proposals; passed unanimously.
- Resolution J8 (Westchester County Flood Mitigation Fund application) – authorized application for Lockwood Drive culvert; passed unanimously.
- Resolution J9 (WIIA EFC water grant application) – authorized grant application for riverfront sewer improvements; passed unanimously.
- Resolution J10 (Declare rescue truck surplus) – declared a 2006 fire truck surplus for sale; passed unanimously.
- Resolution J11 (Handicapped space – 696 Harrison Ave) – established one handicap parking space; passed unanimously.
- Resolution J12 (STOP-DWI agreement) – authorized retroactive intermunicipal agreement; passed unanimously.
- Resolution J13 (Verizon franchise agreement) – scheduled a public hearing for October 14, 2025; passed unanimously.
- Resolution J16 (Request bids for time and material services) – authorized DPW to solicit bids for various services; passed unanimously.
- Resolution J17 (Appointment of City Engineer) – approved appointment of CPL as city engineer effective immediately through December 31, 2025; passed unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Section 8 Annual Plan (Public Hearing 1): No public comments; hearing closed.
- Tree Advisory Board (Public Hearing 2): Multiple speakers expressed support for the creation of a tree advisory board. Garrett Dowd criticized the city's tree removal policy, citing Pugsley Park and Monument Park. John Hodgins asked if a certified arborist would be on the board. Tyrone Patterson urged focusing on oxygen-producing trees and soil retention.
- Payment in Lieu of Parking (Public Hearing 3): Garrett Dowd argued the program would shift parking burdens to residents and businesses. John Hodgins feared reduced parking for residents in winter months. Lena Walker asked if the program could include on-street parking; planning director clarified it was limited to off-street garages. Tyrone Patterson criticized winter parking ticket policies and requested affordable options. Hearing kept open for additional written comments until October 14, 2025.
- Civilian Complaint Review Board (Public Hearing 4): Valerie Eaton (Peekskill NAACP) urged quick implementation and ongoing updates. Tyrone Patterson raised concerns about police conduct but was redirected. Another speaker praised the conflict-of-interest changes. Hearing closed and resolution adopted unanimously.
- Cannabis Manufacturing Facility (Public Hearing 5): Extensive testimony both for and against. Opponents (Gina Bronzez, Zarya Bailey, Ricardo Brownson, and others) cited odor, noise, proximity to residences/churches/schools, equity concerns, and lack of community benefit; they argued the building was unsuitable and the location too close to residential areas. Supporters (Tabitha, Scott DeTusco, Joseph McDonald, and others) emphasized job creation, tax revenue, state oversight, and modern filtration technology; they argued the location is legal and the business would bring economic benefits. The building owner clarified the facility would be in the brick portion, not the metal shed. The public hearing was closed for oral comment but kept open for written comments until October 14, 2025.
- Citizens Desiring to Be Heard: John Hodgins (CPA) questioned the delay in publishing the city's audited financial report for 2024; city manager said it should be completed in weeks. Wendy Tallio updated on the Paul Robeson project. Lena Walker asked about McKenley Street Park grants; work is near contractor award. Priscilla (NAACP) requested updates on youth bureau renovations (RFP to be issued in fall) and asked about the impact of lawsuits on taxpayers; city manager acknowledged underbudgeting for legal expenses but noted changes in legal representation and a shift to a professional municipal law firm. Jen Zuwaki raised concerns about scaffolding at 901 Main Street, suggested a commercial vacancy tax, and asked for better maintenance of Monument Park. Another speaker asked about pedestrian and bike safety committee. Councilman Fernandez and others debated budget and legal spending.
Discussion Items
- Appointment of City Engineer: City Manager Matt Alexander proposed separating the city engineer and DPW superintendent roles and appointing CPL (already serving as planning commission engineer) as city engineer at hourly rates of $170 for senior engineer and $205 for professional engineer through year-end. He noted approximately $80,000 in saved salary funds available. Council members expressed support and asked about budget and immediate priorities. The appointment was approved via Resolution J17.
- Payment in Lieu of Parking Program: Planning Director Carol described the proposed program: $15,000 per space for conversion of non-residential to residential; $30,000 per space for new construction; annual maintenance fee of $200/space plus permit fee totaling about $672/space/year ($56/month per unit). The program is optional for developments requiring fewer than 40 spaces and mandatory for those requiring more (must provide on-site 60% and use in-lieu for remainder). Council heard public comments and kept the hearing open until October 14, 2025, to allow planning commission input and written comments.
- Civilian Complaint Review Board Amendments: Corporation Counsel Eric summarized key changes: corrected legal references, revised city manager's role, clarified confidentiality and conflict-of-interest requirements, and modified time periods for investigations. The hearing was closed and Resolution J14 adopting the local law was passed unanimously.
- Cannabis Manufacturing Facility (710 Washington Street): Planning Director Carol reported the planning commission made a positive recommendation. The city engaged CPL to review odor mitigation technology; report expected by September 15, 2025. She also contacted other cities (Queensbury, NY; Michigan; Oklahoma) that reported no odor issues. After extensive public comment, the council closed the oral hearing but kept it open for written comments until October 14, 2025. The council requested the report be published and distributed to attendees.
Key Outcomes
- City Engineer Appointed: Resolution J17 approved appointment of CPL as city engineer through December 31, 2025 (unanimous).
- CCRB Local Law Adopted: Resolution J14 adopted Local Law 10 of 2025 amending Chapter 17 of the City Code (Civilian Complaint Review Board) – passed unanimously on roll call.
- Public Hearing on Payment in Lieu of Parking Continued: Hearing kept open until October 14, 2025, for planning commission recommendation and additional public written comments.
- Public Hearing on Cannabis Facility Continued for Written Comments: Hearing closed for oral testimony but open for written comments until October 14, 2025; council will consider action at a future meeting.
- Broad and Howard Development Letter of Support: Resolution J18 authorized a letter of support for a 57-unit development at Broad and Hollow Streets (amended from Howard Street). Passed on roll call 6-1 (Councilman Douglas opposed).
- Emergency Stormwater Repair Authorized: Resolution J15 authorized up to $40,000 for emergency repairs at Hamilton Avenue; Councilman Fernandez recused himself due to a personal business relationship; passed by majority.
- Financial Reports Update: City Manager stated the 2024 audited financial report (CAFR) should be completed in weeks and posted on the city website.
- Future Actions: The council will review the cannabis facility engineering report and received planning commission input on parking payment-in-lieu program at the October 14, 2025 meeting.
Meeting Transcript
My gosh. We have a short agenda and then executive session for discussion of matters concerning the medical, financial, credit, or employment history of a particular person, persons, or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal, or removal of a particular person, persons, or corporation. So at this time, I'll turn it over to our city manager. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Good evening. We had discussed this at one point. So uh in about a month ago, Chris Gross retired left the city as the city engineer slash DPW superintendent. Um since then, we have made a move to separate the job of engineer from DPW superintendent. And I would like uh to ask the council to consider appointing CPL, who has already been appointed on January 6th of 2025 as the engineer for the planning commission to fill the role of DPW superintends city engineer between tonight and the end of the year, at which time I will come up with um whether or not we're going to put that out to bid or if we're satisfied with that professional service or not. Um so we have had a working relationship with CPL. The code allows for a professional consultant to serve in the place as the city engineer, and for those reasons I would like to separate those two jobs because I think that it will put our DPW superintendent focused on what's right in front of them and not uh having to review documents for lots of different city departments as well as take care of the streets and infrastructure for the city. So I think we'll get a more focused approach. So if you're okay with that, I have included that resolution with tonight. Any questions? Matt, we're gonna use them at an hourly rate. Uh I notice there is a rate listed in the J 17. Um do we have any pressing projects or projects that we're in the middle of or anything that they need to jump on immediately? Uh so we we um we have professional consultants already engaged for the meat of those matters. I would say uh one of our most important lapses right now would be with development, and so having somebody who can advise us on development. I think that's one of the places where we need uh the services of a city engineer, and we just need general advice about strategy and um some of the projects, but we've we do have lots of uh engineers already on board doing the nuts and bolts of what we need done right now. Thank you. Anyone else? Uh how much is you gonna be the cost for that in the other question is about that thing is including in the budget or had to do in the for that? Costs are in the resolution. The costs are in the resolution, yeah. But how much? I mean, I wanted like the public judge. No, I just ask you. 170 an hour for a senior engineer and 205 an hour for a professional. And how much is suspected to be for the rest for the budget for the for the year? There are some how much is budgeted? Yeah. Yeah, so we have the rest of the salary of the city engineer. Um, so that we if you'll remember, we filled that position with uh another um position inside the city, and we haven't backfilled along the way, so we should have about eighty thousand dollars left in total to cover this um this time during the year, but we've also have most of the engineering services are covered either through the planning commission or through the project themselves. So I don't anticipate that this is gonna be uh a huge hit on the budget. So we have a 80,000 something, you don't spend like they we're gonna spend a the total. I believe that will be the savings for the payroll that has been shifted in different directions. Sounds good. Thank you. Anybody else? No. I think that's a good idea. Okay. Okay, and other than that, uh, I don't have anything. I do need to talk to you in executive session for the mini-cal. Okay. So for uh resolutions, Deputy Mayor. Yes. Public hearing one. Resolution two, eight, and fourteen.
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