Peekskill Common Council Work Session and Regular Meeting – December 8, 2025

The Peekskill Common Council held a work session and regular meeting on Monday, December 8, 2025, starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Common Council Chamber. The meeting began with a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by roll call (all members present: Mayor McKenzie, Deputy Mayor Riley, Councilmembers Facet, Scott, Douglas, Fernandez, Talbot). The council dispensed with reading the previous minutes and entered them into the record. Agenda item 12 (Resolution re: 710 Washington Street Special Permit) was removed from the evening's agenda.

Consent Calendar (Routine Approvals and Unanimous Actions)

• Resolution J1 – Schedule 2026 Common Council Meeting Dates: Authorized rescheduling of regularly scheduled meetings that conflict with holidays. (Unanimous)
• Resolution J2 – Authorize Street Closure for PCSD – Peekskill Middle School Graduation: Closure at South Division Street and Brown Street and Bank Street and Brown Street on June 25, 2026, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., contingent on permit application and fees. (Unanimous)
• Resolution J3 – Authorize Street Closure for Assumption Church – List of 2026 Religious Processions: Closure for religious processions in 2026, contingent on permit application. (Unanimous)
• Resolution J4 – Reappoint Antonio Knott to Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB). (Unanimous)
• Resolution J5 – Reappoint Dennis Adams to CCRB. (Unanimous)
• Resolution J6 – Reappoint Harriet Ray to CCRB. (Unanimous)
• Resolution J7 – Reappoint Jay P. Buckiewicz to CCRB. (Unanimous)
• Resolution J8 – Reappoint Lisa E. McClain to CCRB. (Unanimous)
• Resolution J9 – Adopt 2026 Consolidated Fee Schedule. (Unanimous)
• Resolution J10 – Authorize appointment of Adam Renwick as Chief of Police, effective December 9, 2025, and waive residency requirements. (Unanimous)
• Resolution J11 – Authorize appointment of Fire Chief James Seymour IV as Acting City Manager during periods when City Manager Matthew Alexander is absent from the city or unable to perform duties in 2026 (pursuant to Section C‑47 of the Peekskill City Charter). (Unanimous)
• Resolution J13 – Set Public Hearing for December 22, 2025, on proposed Local Law No. 15 of 2025 creating Chapter 15 of the City Code entitled “Senior Citizens Advisory Council.” (Unanimous)

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Hodgins (1014 N. Division St.) – Commented on agenda items 10 and 11. Opposed appointing a permanent police chief until a thorough investigation of the Riverfront police incident is completed; also questioned why Fire Chief Seymour was designated acting city manager instead of the city controller, noting the appointment deviates from past practice. Mayor McKenzie clarified the appointment is a precautionary backup for when the city manager is absent.
• Arnie Paglia – Asked about the CCRB reappointments, whether new members were sought. The city manager explained current members underwent extensive training and the board was reactivated in September 2025; future alternate slots will be advertised. Paglia then attempted to speak about general governance but was redirected to the end-of-meeting public comment period.
• Citizens Desiring to be Heard (end of meeting):
  • Ingrid Whitman (Ringle Street) – Criticized the police brutality incident involving DeMar Fields and called for a long‑promised community law enforcement survey. She also criticized Mayor McKenzie’s recent Israel trip, linking it to military training programs and describing it as a curated, one‑sided narrative. She questioned whether children’s summer camps will continue to involve police‑style exercises.
  • Jan’s spouse (name not given, identified as husband of Jan) – Objected to the mayor’s characterization of his wife two weeks prior. Stated that any paid trip for elected officials is unacceptable because it inherently diminishes public trust, even if well‑intentioned.
  • Tina Bonger (online) – Challenged the new police chief’s commitment to policies, noting that video showed multiple officers present during the DeMar Fields incident and calling for release of all body camera footage. Urged the council to adopt a municipal non‑compliance policy with ICE (e.g., Austin’s model) and a resolution urging Governor Hochul to pass “New York for All.” Reported that her 103‑year‑old mother faced a 6.8% rent increase over 15 months and urged the council to seriously consider the Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA).
  • Harris Holloway (Dogwood Road) – Acknowledged the assaulted man’s name is DeMar Fields. Condemned Mayor McKenzie’s trip to Israel funded by the Westchester Jewish Council, calling it ethically questionable and abandoning constituents during a federal shutdown. Accused the mayor of excluding Muslim and Arab constituents and supporting a government committing apartheid and genocide.
  • Heather (Catherine Street) – Criticized the mayor’s Israel trip as lacking transparency and prior council approval. Noted the mayor’s subsequent comments about Israelis and Palestinians not living integrated lives showed ignorance of decades‑old documented conditions. Reported that the mayor responded with profanity when a constituent asked about the trip at the Turkey Trot. Acknowledged DeMar Fields as polite and friendly; urged ethical leadership and respectful policing.
  • Earl John Powell (1847 Crown Pound Rd.) – Expressed deep distress over the video of DeMar Fields being “kicked like a rabid dog” and said the incident has destroyed his trust in local government and police. The mayor responded, asking for patience while the investigation proceeds, noting the matter was immediately referred to the District Attorney and stating the council was appalled by the PBA’s press release.
  • Arnie Paglia (second appearance) – Stated the city is in crisis and called for a community meeting (e.g., at the neighborhood center) to allow residents to speak outside the council format. Noted crises for immigrant and downtown business communities; criticized the appointment of the same people to boards and the city attorney’s detachment.

Discussion Items

• Good Cause Eviction Presentation – Jason Hilliard, Director of Government Affairs, Building & Realty Institute (BRI) Mr. Hilliard presented on the state’s 2024 Good Cause Eviction law, which municipalities must opt into via local law. He explained the law does not address the primary cause of evictions (failure to pay rent, 8–9 out of 10 cases). The rent increase cap is the lower of (5% plus CPI) or 10%; using current CPI (~3.1%) yields an 8.1% cap, which could lead to 25% increases over three years. He warned of unintended consequences: shift of disputes to already‑overburdened housing court, “leases for life” discouraging landlords from renting to applicants with checkered histories, and potential for tenant nuisance to drive out other tenants. He noted two adjustable parameters: small property owner threshold (state default 10 units; some municipalities set as low as 1 or 4) and higher rent exemption (state minimum 245% of fair market rent; cannot go lower, can increase higher). BRI supports rental assistance programs like Housing Assets Voucher Program. The council requested the PowerPoint be shared. Questions were minimal.

• Department Head and City Manager Reports – Lt. Adam Renwick’s Statement on Riverfront Park Incident Lt. Renwick addressed the incident that occurred the previous week at Riverfront Green Park involving DeMar Fields. He stated he formally referred the incident to the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office for an independent investigation after reviewing body camera footage. The department is fully cooperating and providing all evidence. He cautioned against drawing conclusions from limited information (e.g., a single video). He noted the PBA’s press release expressed support for an independent investigation, but he disagreed with any suggestion that conclusions could be reached before the investigation is complete. The department will respect and uphold the process. The mayor later confirmed the officer involved is on paid administrative leave during the investigation, which is mandated by law.

Key Outcomes

• All 11 resolutions (J1–J11 and J13) were passed unanimously by voice vote. (Resolution J12 was removed from the agenda.)
• Police Chief Appointment: Adam Renwick will become Chief of Police effective December 9, 2025, with residency requirements waived.
• Acting City Manager: Fire Chief James Seymour IV is designated as acting city manager whenever City Manager Matthew Alexander is absent or unable to perform duties in 2026.
• CCRB Reappointments: Five current members (Antonio Knott, Dennis Adams, Harriet Ray, Jay P. Buckiewicz, Lisa E. McClain) were reappointed; future alternate slots will be advertised.
• Good Cause Eviction: The council received the presentation; no immediate action taken. The PowerPoint will be circulated and posted.
• Riverfront Incident: The case is under independent investigation by the Westchester County DA. The officer remains on paid administrative leave. The mayor assured accountability will follow the conclusion of the investigation.
• Public Hearing Scheduled: December 22, 2025, for Local Law No. 15 of 2025 creating a Senior Citizens Advisory Council.
• Additional Note: Mayor McKenzie read a public thank‑you message regarding the restoration of heat at a building (former Peekskill Hospital) after a boiler malfunction, acknowledging city staff Doug Puff and City Manager Matt Alexander for their Sunday response.