Peekskill Common Council Work Session and Meeting - December 22, 2025

On December 22, 2025, the Peekskill Common Council held a work session and regular meeting. The agenda included a finance item for insurance renewal, a grant application for invasive species removal, an intermunicipal agreement for snow and ice removal, council liaison reports, and assignment of resolutions. The meeting adjourned to executive session without voting on the resolutions.

Discussion Items

• Finance – Authorize Renewal 2026 General Liability Insurance: The city manager presented a summary of the 2026 insurance renewal, covering commercial property, general liability (including employment, public officials, law enforcement), commercial crime, cyber liability, flood, and active assailant policies, plus a broker fee. The broker fee did not change from the prior year due to a two-year rate lock with Obsidian. Small policies increased: cyber liability up 11.82%, flood up ~15% to $10,252, active assailant up 10%. Overall total increase was approximately 1%. Councilmember Tony asked about the timeline for 2027 renewal; staff will consider reaching out earlier, possibly in August, though final quotes may depend on year-end data. Councilmember Carol asked about the property covered by flood insurance (10 South Water Street); staff did not immediately know but committed to follow up. A resolution to authorize the renewal was placed on the agenda.
• City Manager/CAC – DEC Invasive Species Grant: Staff prepared a $200,000 grant request under the 2025 DEC Invasive Species Grant Program. It is a reimbursement grant requiring a 25% local match, which would be provided via force account labor from the parks department (already budgeted). The proposed project would fund a mechanical boat to remove invasive phragmites at Lake Mitchell and DePew Park, improving water quality and habitat. The grant would also purchase the boat. Councilmember expressed delight and asked about the removal timing; staff responded that removal occurs in spring and fall, and the equipment can also remove duckweed during summer. A resolution to approve the grant application was included in the packet.
• City Manager/DPW – Approve IMA with Westchester County for Snow and Ice Removal: The city manager presented a routine renewal of the intermunicipal agreement for snow and ice removal on county roads within Peekskill. The agreement runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030. Compensation ranges from $5,030 to $7,327 per mile for the 2025-2026 season, with annual increases permitted by law. The city manager and city attorney have reviewed the agreement. A resolution to approve was in the packet.
• Council – Liaison Reports/Concerns and Issues: Councilmember Scott reported attending a youth toy drive with a great turnout. Councilmember Douglas reported a hole near the Nelson Garage to the Centra parking lot, which poses a safety hazard, and questioned a newspaper article about a $200,000 assistant city manager position. The city manager clarified that no such position is budgeted for 2026; any assistant role would be funded through existing resources and filled by a current department head. Councilmember Fassett reminded of the January 13, 2026 BID board meeting, thanked outgoing councilmembers (Douglas, Scott, Fernandez), and promoted New Year's Eve festivities. Councilmember Talbot noted that Peekskill was named a top 10 Westchester community for housing reform by Welcome Home Westchester and asked about renewal of the Esther Street plaza permit, which she was told would be addressed in January. Deputy Mayor wished everyone a happy holiday and reminded to check on neighbors. The mayor thanked the planning department and Urban Land Institute for a waterfront symposium, and thanked Doug Froni and his daughter for a Christmas show at Gleason's.

Key Outcomes

• No votes were taken on the resolutions during the open session. The council assigned each resolution to a member for presentation: Deputy Mayor to handle Local Law No. 4 and No. 10; Councilwoman Talbot to handle Public Hearing and Local Law No. 15 and No. 9; Councilman Fernandez to handle Resolutions 1 and 6; Councilman Douglas to handle Resolutions 2 and 7; Councilman Fassett to handle Resolutions 3 and 8; Councilman Scott to handle Resolutions 11 and 12; and Councilman Fernandez also to handle Resolution 5 and 9? The assignment was mixed, but resolutions were not voted.
• The meeting then adjourned to executive session at approximately 7:00 PM for discussion of matters concerning medical, financial, credit, or employment history of a particular person or corporation, or matters leading to appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal, or removal. The motion to enter executive session was seconded and passed unanimously.