OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Work Session Meeting – October 6, 2025: Budget Presentations & Regular Agenda

Meeting Portal — Monday, October 6, 2025
BodyPeekskill, New York
SessionMeeting Portal
DateMonday, October 6, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:01:57

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Clock starting point because we're doing budget presentations as well as a full agenda and then executive session.

0:06

Not sure if it'll be in that order, but executive session tonight will be 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.

0:26

And for discussion of matters related to proposed acquisition, sale, or lease of real property.

0:30

So at this time I'll turn it over to our city manager, Mr.

0:33

Alexander.

0:34

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

0:35

Good evening.

0:37

First up tonight, we have two budget presentations, and I'd like to ask Chief Seymour if he would address the council relating to his fire department budget.

1:03

And you can find that on page 48 in your third 4851.

1:11

That's the only one.

1:15

This is open to the fire department.

1:44

Okay, forget it.

2:37

If you're ready for the chief, he'll go ahead and start.

2:40

Good.

2:41

Yes.

2:41

Okay.

2:42

Good evening, everyone.

2:43

Good evening.

2:44

Good evening.

2:45

So I have a uh brief presentation for you tonight that I'll kind of go through and please fire away, ask questions during, after, uh, whenever.

2:55

Uh so I always like to start with uh either our mission statement or certainly what I have on the screen in front of you right now or on page two is just our organizational structure.

3:07

Uh so you could see uh our uh organization starts at the top with myself, certainly over top of me, which is not pictured is our city manager, and you as the council, uh, my assistant fire chief, uh Jim Sniffin, our department surgeon, and then we're comprised of the four shifts, right?

3:24

And each shift has a shift lieutenant.

3:27

Uh we recently made two promotions, a fifth lieutenant's position, and then a newly promoted sixth lieutenant's position.

3:36

Uh those two positions are uh Lieutenant Pat McGuinness, who is the relief officer for shifts one and two, uh Lieutenant Chris Rim, who is the relief officer for shifts three and four, our career firefighters are volunteer firefighters and our volunteer officers there round out the organization.

3:53

So right now, currently we are at not including myself, uh 33 career staff and 33 volunteer staff.

4:02

So we're pretty much split 50-50 right down the middle.

4:07

Uh a little bit of a budget update for uh for this year, as you could see on the left hand side, uh our year to date, so our 100 lines, our personnel lines.

4:17

We're running at uh about sixty-seven point five one percent.

4:21

And I should just mention this is as of um September 30th, right?

4:25

So a few days ago.

4:26

Our 400 lines are at 75 percent, our 800 lines are 74 percent.

4:33

Uh so what I do every month is certainly I look at okay, what month are we in?

4:38

So halfway through the year I want to be at 50 percent.

4:41

At this point, since we're three quarters uh through the year, that's 75 percent is is where I want to be, or certainly below.

4:49

Uh, what's cut off a little bit on the right hand side is you can see our projections.

4:54

So projecting out for the rest of the year.

5:00

So projecting out for the rest of the year, uh we are projected at 98 percent, 97 percent, 98 percent, uh, respectively are 100 through 800s.

5:06

So my goal is that the entire fire department budget be under budget um of our allocated funds for the year.

5:14

So that's that's where we are as of a few days ago.

5:19

Uh when we take a look at uh our responses to date, uh again uh September 30th, uh our total responses are 2,102.

5:29

So we were we are up already from where we were last year.

5:33

Last year we finished at 1,983.

5:36

We're already at 2102, and then certainly below that you could see a breakdown of all of the categories, what we call our 100 series all the way through our 900 series.

5:47

Uh what I would also say at this point, or like to point out is the picture that you see in the slide are four of our career members who attended the New York State Swiftwater training in Ariskany, New York uh a few months back.

6:03

Um, and we were able to get a picture of that event, and now they are Swiftwater technicians in the eyes of New York State.

6:13

Some response projections.

6:14

Again, I mentioned how we finished at 1983 last year, and we look like projected based on the first three quarters, we're gonna be about two thousand six hundred and twenty-seven.

6:25

So we're gonna be certainly about six hundred uh, you know, more calls than we responded to last year.

6:33

Uh I would say that the biggest reason for the uptick or the increase in calls, I'll point to the 300 series, those EMS calls.

6:41

We have changed our response protocols.

6:44

Uh we used to wait a little bit to get a response from the ambulance corps to see if they were responding with a full crew.

6:51

Uh, what we decided to do is we respond simultaneously now with the ambulance corps, and what we have noticed is we are getting first responders to those emergency scenes even quicker, which means faster patient quick care and quicker transport to our local hospitals.

7:10

So something that we're certainly our numbers increase, but we're happy about that increase in what it means.

7:17

Um picture there in the background, just to point that out.

7:22

Uh, we had a fire a few months ago on um Smith Street.

7:27

Um, and that picture are the firemen um ventilating and overhauling the attic at that particular fire.

7:38

So we'll talk about next year's.

7:40

We talked about this year, let's get into next year.

7:42

So uh our requested stage, and then on the right hand side, recommended by the city manager.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing████████████████16%
Fire Department Budget███████████████15%
Public Safety██████████10%
Procedural█████████9%
Parking Management███████7%
Community Engagement█████5%
Personnel Matters████4%
Budget Equity Analysis████4%
Parks and Recreation████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Work Session Meeting – October 6, 2025

The Peekkill Common Council held a work session on October 6, 2025, beginning at 6:15 p.m. The meeting featured budget presentations from the Fire Department and Section 8, followed by a full agenda covering planning initiatives, grant approvals, and community celebrations. The council concluded with an executive session on personnel and real property matters.

Fire Department Budget Presentation

  • Chief Seymour presented the 2025‑26 budget, requesting $5.5 million (city manager recommended $5.4 million). Year‑to‑date expenditures were at 67.5 % (personnel), 75 % (equipment), and 74 % (supplies) as of September 30. Response calls are projected to reach about 2,627 by year‑end, up from 1,983 in 2024, driven by new simultaneous EMS dispatching.
  • Chief highlighted a 50‑50 career‑volunteer split (33 each), overtime reductions (2023: $525K, 2024: $501K, 2025 YTD: $167K), and successful grant awards: a $688,000 port security grant for a rescue boat and a pending $20,000 Leary Firefighters Foundation grant. The department also completed the Mini Attack 36 UTV, hired three career firefighters, promoted two lieutenants, and now has six to seven bilingual members.
  • City Manager Alexander noted the recommended budget cut ($100,000) reflects future pension costs for six firefighters funded by a grant expiring in 2027. Council members praised the improved department culture and expressed concern about the impact of cuts on turnout gear and safety equipment.

Section 8 Budget Presentation

  • Jessica Gannis, Section 8 Director, presented the department’s budget. Key statistics: 564 leased vouchers, a budget utilization rate of 106.81 % (exceeding HUD’s planning budget), and landlord growth from 125 in 2020 to 212 in 2025. The cost allocation plan for 2025 totals $54,769, down from $170,000 previously, due to HUD’s changed methodology and the office relocation.
  • Gannis noted staffing challenges (two vacancies: program specialist and housing inspector, the latter now contracted through CVR for about $27,000/year). The Family Self‑Sufficiency program is grant‑funded but needs a new budget line. Council discussed impacts of the federal government shutdown on HUD communications and the difficulty of retaining Section 8 staff due to provisional appointments.

Payment in Lieu (PILOT) Parking Update

  • Carol Samuels, Planning Director, reported that the public hearing on the PILOT program would continue on October 14. Based on planning commission feedback, the proposed text was revised to allow developers to meet only one of two criteria for on‑site parking waivers, permit flexibility after a five‑year rent‑up period, and a mechanism to adjust parking permit requirements based on actual usage. Councilmember Douglas expressed concern about ongoing complexity but supported the five‑year window. No vote was taken; adoption is expected in late October or early November.

Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Application

  • Samuels requested approval to submit a letter of intent for the next DRI round, due next week, to obtain technical assistance from the state. Council agreed, with discussion about focusing on the waterfront and possible coordination with Buchanan.

Waterfront TOD Cumulative Environmental Impact Report (CEIR) – Final Scope

  • Samuels presented revised scope items, including new sections on aesthetics/viewsheds, historic/archaeological resources, community facilities, and socioeconomic impacts (gentrification, business displacement). The scope will be paused pending developer negotiations; no council action was required.

Branding and Logo Update

  • Samuels reported that over 400 residents participated in the logo/brand survey. No single option prevailed; the design team will refine concepts based on feedback and return with updated designs.

Police & School Programs

  • Chief Deluski presented:
    • LEAP Program Renewal: Peekkill School District will reimburse the city $7,333.04 for officers two days/week (4:00‑5:30 p.m.) from October 14 to May 1, 2026.
    • Canine Program Grant: $15,000 from NYS Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services for two police canines.
    • Tactical Emergency Response Services Grant: $75,000 from same source for training and equipment.
    • Governor’s Traffic Safety Grants: $13,518 for enforcement (seatbelts, distracted driving, school bus safety) and $1,300 for child passenger safety (car seat installation). Council expressed support; resolutions will be brought back next week.

Lincoln Exedra Centennial Celebration

  • City Manager Alexander reported a coordinated event on October 25 with the Lincoln Society. The city will issue a proclamation and allow burial of a commemorative time capsule to be opened in 100 years. A resolution will be presented next week.

DePew Park Design Professional RFQ

  • Alexander outlined phase one of DePew Park improvements, funded by a $675,000 grant and CREST money. Work includes stormwater infrastructure, pavilion and basketball court upgrades (combined with a mini‑pitch), landscaping, paths, and playground resurfacing. A resolution authorizing an RFQ for design services will be voted on next week.

Council Liaison Reports & Community Updates

  • Councilman Douglas: CAC meeting Oct. 9; suggested reviewing NYC’s scaffolding penalty ordinance.
  • Councilman Fernandez: Received complaints about loitering, smoking, and inappropriate behavior on Esther Street; requested increased patrol.
  • Councilman Passett: Thanked the BID for a successful downtown history tour, Rotary for the fall festival (chili cook‑off winner pending), and noted the BID meeting Oct. 7.
  • Councilwoman McCalbot: Congratulated Paramount on a successful fundraiser (Strange Company live radio show) on Oct. 3.
  • Deputy Mayor: Senior advisory meeting Oct. 7; acknowledged the passing of longtime volunteer firefighter Vinny DuPiero (65+ years service). Noted government channel settled on Optimum 78/77.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved: DRI letter of intent to be submitted for technical assistance.
  • To be approved next week (Oct. 14): Section 8 Annual Plan and Cost Allocation Plan; LEAP renewal; four police grant resolutions; Lincoln Exedra proclamation and time capsule authorization; DePew Park Design RFQ resolution; plus previously deferred water department items (materials bid, chemicals/sludge removal bid) and recreation MOU for inclusive program.
  • Continued: Payment in lieu public hearing on Oct. 14; CEIR scope paused; branding design will be refined.
  • Council deferred: No action on fire department budget cuts; city manager will seek alternative funding sources.
  • Executive session: Held for personnel and real property discussions.

Meeting Transcript

Clock starting point because we're doing budget presentations as well as a full agenda and then executive session. Not sure if it'll be in that order, but executive session tonight will be 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. And for discussion of matters related to proposed acquisition, sale, or lease of real property. So at this time I'll turn it over to our city manager, Mr. Alexander. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Good evening. First up tonight, we have two budget presentations, and I'd like to ask Chief Seymour if he would address the council relating to his fire department budget. And you can find that on page 48 in your third 4851. That's the only one. This is open to the fire department. Okay, forget it. If you're ready for the chief, he'll go ahead and start. Good. Yes. Okay. Good evening, everyone. Good evening. Good evening. So I have a uh brief presentation for you tonight that I'll kind of go through and please fire away, ask questions during, after, uh, whenever. Uh so I always like to start with uh either our mission statement or certainly what I have on the screen in front of you right now or on page two is just our organizational structure. Uh so you could see uh our uh organization starts at the top with myself, certainly over top of me, which is not pictured is our city manager, and you as the council, uh, my assistant fire chief, uh Jim Sniffin, our department surgeon, and then we're comprised of the four shifts, right? And each shift has a shift lieutenant. Uh we recently made two promotions, a fifth lieutenant's position, and then a newly promoted sixth lieutenant's position. Uh those two positions are uh Lieutenant Pat McGuinness, who is the relief officer for shifts one and two, uh Lieutenant Chris Rim, who is the relief officer for shifts three and four, our career firefighters are volunteer firefighters and our volunteer officers there round out the organization. So right now, currently we are at not including myself, uh 33 career staff and 33 volunteer staff. So we're pretty much split 50-50 right down the middle. Uh a little bit of a budget update for uh for this year, as you could see on the left hand side, uh our year to date, so our 100 lines, our personnel lines. We're running at uh about sixty-seven point five one percent. And I should just mention this is as of um September 30th, right? So a few days ago. Our 400 lines are at 75 percent, our 800 lines are 74 percent. Uh so what I do every month is certainly I look at okay, what month are we in? So halfway through the year I want to be at 50 percent. At this point, since we're three quarters uh through the year, that's 75 percent is is where I want to be, or certainly below. Uh, what's cut off a little bit on the right hand side is you can see our projections. So projecting out for the rest of the year. So projecting out for the rest of the year, uh we are projected at 98 percent, 97 percent, 98 percent, uh, respectively are 100 through 800s. So my goal is that the entire fire department budget be under budget um of our allocated funds for the year. So that's that's where we are as of a few days ago. Uh when we take a look at uh our responses to date, uh again uh September 30th, uh our total responses are 2,102. So we were we are up already from where we were last year. Last year we finished at 1,983. We're already at 2102, and then certainly below that you could see a breakdown of all of the categories, what we call our 100 series all the way through our 900 series. Uh what I would also say at this point, or like to point out is the picture that you see in the slide are four of our career members who attended the New York State Swiftwater training in Ariskany, New York uh a few months back. Um, and we were able to get a picture of that event, and now they are Swiftwater technicians in the eyes of New York State. Some response projections. Again, I mentioned how we finished at 1983 last year, and we look like projected based on the first three quarters, we're gonna be about two thousand six hundred and twenty-seven. So we're gonna be certainly about six hundred uh, you know, more calls than we responded to last year. Uh I would say that the biggest reason for the uptick or the increase in calls, I'll point to the 300 series, those EMS calls.

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