Peekskill Common Council Work Session and Regular Meeting, October 27, 2025
Peekskill Common Council Work Session and Regular Meeting, October 27, 2025
The meeting began at 6:00 p.m. in the Common Council Chamber with a work session that included Italian American Heritage Month recognitions, a budget wrap-up and fee schedule discussion, and a proposal to override the New York State tax cap. The regular council meeting followed, featuring public hearings, unanimous resolutions, and a public comment period. Several items were continued to November 10, 2025.
Public Comments & Testimony
- John Hodgins (1014 North Division Street) questioned the city’s third consecutive tax cap override, noting that the city received a $10 million DRI grant and asking why other communities manage without overrides. City Manager Matthew Alexander explained that the DRI grant is for capital projects, not operations, and that rising costs in insurance, pensions, and materials drive the increase.
- Garrett Dowd (200 block of Nelson) expressed concern about the tax cap override and later criticized the payment-in-lieu-of-parking (PILOP) program as a “giveaway” that prioritizes developers over residents and businesses.
- Elena Walker (Mallard Way) asked about budget analysis by department, outstanding legal claims, and the kitchen incubator’s impact on the budget.
- Beverly Chang (Popular Circle) appreciated department budget presentations and asked about the percentage of mandatory spending.
- During Citizens Desiring to Be Heard, a resident voiced opposition to additional cannabis businesses, and another raised concerns about rent increases at River Point (8.4% increase) for seniors.
Discussion Items
- Italian American Heritage Month Recognitions: The council honored four individuals – Joseph Schuter, Paul Strago Sr., Reverend George Caniglio, and Anna Maria Del Monaco – with proclamations celebrating their contributions to the community.
- Budget Wrap-Up and Fee Schedule: Comptroller Tony Tracy presented the 2026 consolidated fee schedule. Council members questioned specific fees, including tree removal ($110 vs. $10 in Cortlandt), photocopy charges ($2 per page vs. $0.25 in Cortlandt), and building permit renewal fees (50% of original permit cost). The council agreed to study the permit renewal fee further. Planning Director Carol Samol explained that planning escrow fees were increased to better reflect consultant costs, noting that unused funds are refunded.
- Tax Cap Override Discussion: The proposed 2026 budget includes a 3.5% tax levy increase ($20,723,327), exceeding the state cap of 2.34% by 1.16%. The tax rate would rise from $307.11 to $316.25 per $1,000 of assessed value, an average increase of $88 per home. The council scheduled a public hearing for November 10, 2025, to consider overriding the cap.
- Payment in Lieu of Parking (PILOP): The public hearing was continued to November 10. Planning Director Carol Samol outlined changes, including neutrality on who pays permit fees, allowing upfront payment of maintenance fees for five years, and noting that affordable housing developers can opt for higher upfront fees ($30,000 per space) instead of annual fees.
- 710 Washington Street (Cannabis Microbusiness): The public hearing was continued to November 10 for written comments only, pending engineering and building reports.
- City Manager’s Report: Matthew Alexander reported that the city collected $85,000 in fines for overcrowding violations, announced an arrest in a shooting investigation, and noted a school lockdown that was unfounded. The fire department held a successful open house, and the Lincoln Monument celebrated its 100th anniversary with a time capsule.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution J8 (Override NYS Tax Cap – Set Public Hearing): Passed 6-1, with Councilman Fernandez voting no. The public hearing is scheduled for November 10, 2025.
- All other resolutions (J1–J7, J9–J12) passed unanimously:
- J1: Adopt MTA Parking Management Plan for 2026.
- J2: Street closure for Turkey Trot on November 22, 2025 (8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.).
- J3: Free holiday parking in downtown garages from November 28, 2025, through January 2, 2026.
- J4–J6: Reappoint Kecia Palmer-Cousins, Ruth Wells, and Gregory Schondelmeier to the Planning Commission.
- J7: Street closure for Holiday Tree Lighting on December 6, 2025 (8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.).
- J9: Authorize agreement with Avanti Engineering for SCADA system upgrade at the water treatment plant.
- J10: Authorize agreement with Barton & Loguidice for a water treatment plant study ($79,000).
- J11: Appoint Ruben Gray as a volunteer firefighter.
- J12: Accept FEMA Port Security Grant ($688,694) for a fire rescue vessel.
- Public hearings on the 2026 budget, PILOP, and 710 Washington Street were all continued to November 10, 2025.
- The council adjourned into executive session to discuss personnel and real property matters.
Meeting Transcript
7th, 2025. We have uh a couple of things on the agenda our Italian heritage recognition, uh our finance budget wrap-up, and then liaison reports. We also will go into 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 corporations, and discussion of matters related to proposed acquisition, sale, or lease of real property. Uh just as a note, after we do our Italian heritage uh recognition, we will then take a few minutes break, go downstairs and welcome you to have some light refreshments, and then we'll come back upstairs and continue the meeting. Mr. City Manager. Okay, good evening. Good evening. Uh so our first item of the agenda is to do our Italian heritage recognition. I would say uh congratulations to all those who are being honored, and thank you. Look at you. Oh, now said uh how long do you do that? Yeah, this must be after. It's later in the agenda. Yeah. So good evening, everyone. Our first uh honoree this evening is going to be Mr. Joseph Schuter. Whereas the month of October is known as Italian Italian American Heritage Month, the city of Peakscale proudly joins the nation to honor and recognize the centuries of achievements, successes, and valuable contributions of Italian immigrants and Italian Americans. The month is more than a celebration. It is a living tribute to the generations of Italian Americans who have preserved the Italian culture, traditions, values, and events. And whereas it is with honor and distinction that the city of Peakskill acknowledges the exceptional leadership of Joseph Schuter, and whereas Joseph is a longtime Peak Skill resident of 22 years, he is married to the love of his life, Karen Kelly. They are surrounded by the love of their family and friends. And whereas Joseph received a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. John's University, his business career spanned over 40 years, in which he worked for corporations specializing in business technology development. During his tenure, he held various positions, included senior leadership management, where he was responsible for the operations and management of regional and international organizations. And whereas Joseph is a leader in the community and has served this community in a myriad of ways, including councilman, council liaison to the youth bureau, and as a member of the Human Relations Commission. He is a contributor to society for the advancement and betterment of the Peaksville community. And whereas we celebrate Italian American Heritage Month, may we remember the spirit of community, family, and resilience that defines the Italian experience and the numerous contributions which have enriched our lives and on whose efforts we can pass on to future generations. And now therefore I, Vivian McKenzie, mayor of the city of Peakscale, on behalf of the Common Council and residents, do hereby extend great congratulations to 2025 Italian American Heritage Month Honoree, Joseph Shooter, for his service and dedication to the community. So if I were you all, the first thing I'd say is uh what's he doing in a game like this with a dame like Shooter? Actually, I was raised at an Italian neighborhood in Yakus, New York, and I grew up with a very, very wonderful family uh who my heart is still full of. And I had five wonderful Italian aunts. Uh I was named after my grandfather, Giuseppe Giovasio. Yes. That's Italy. Not only did I have five wonderful aunts with uh well, I would say beautiful names and beautiful hearts. I had a wonderful uncle who was what you might call uh a lifelong servant of his community in the United States Army and served many years in Germany after the second world war. So uh we had a great enclave. Uh we enjoyed Sunday dinners every Sunday together. Uh my grandmother's uh main name was uh Baldisade, so the Giovasios, the Baldisades, we come together to have this wonderful meal for the beautiful spaghetti, but and brigianna. But anyway, bravo, thank you. Our next honoree of the evening is Paul Strago Sr. Whereas with honor and distinction that the City of Peaksgill acknowledges the outstanding leadership of Paul Estrago Sr. And whereas Paul was born in 1958, he is the son of Italian immigrants and an alumni of Peakskill High School. He later served in the United States Army. And whereas Paul retired in 2019 after 40 years of distinguished career in law enforcement with the Peaksgale Police Department, in 1997, he was recognized as the officer of the year. During his tenure, he achieved the position of police captain, where he led with distinction and integrity. Whereas Paul is the proud husband of many years to Margaret and is surrounded by the love of their children and grandchildren, his family is one of the greatest joys of his life. And whereas, as we celebrate Italian American Heritage Month, may we remember the spirit of the community, family and resilience that defines the Italian experience and the numerous contributions which have enriched our lives and the history we can pass on to future generations.
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