Peekskill Common Council Work Session – April 6, 2026

The Common Council held a work session on Monday, April 6, 2026, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Common Council Chamber. The meeting included a presentation from the Assessor on real estate tax exemptions and potential new sliding scale income limits for senior citizens, followed by discussions on summer meeting dates, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), LOSAP updates for ambulance and fire, nutrition program contracts, playground renovations, water backflow and stormwater management proposals, and a sewer grant. Council members also delivered liaison reports. No public comments were recorded. The meeting concluded with a motion to enter executive session.

Assessor Presentation – Real Estate Tax Exemption Update

• City Assessor Bob Morin, accompanied by an assistant, provided an overview of partial real estate tax exemptions available to Peekskill homeowners, emphasizing the May 1 application deadline.
• Basic STAR Exemption: Available to owner-occupied residences with combined income under $500,000; provides approximately $1,400 in annual savings. Morin noted that 99% of homeowners likely qualify and encouraged applications.
• Enhanced STAR Exemption: For homeowners turning 65 in 2026; automatically renews once granted. Last year’s value was nearly $4,000. Council clarified that only one owner needs to be 65.
• Enhanced STAR Credit: For homes purchased after 2014; New York State sends a check. The credit was roughly $4,129 last year, slightly higher than the exemption.
• Senior Citizens Exemption: Separate assessment reduction for seniors with lower incomes; income limits: $58,040 for county reduction, $37,400 for city and school taxes. Must be renewed annually.
• Veterans Exemption: Available to owner-occupied primary residences; requires DD-214. Active duty personnel are not eligible in 2026; unremarried surviving spouses are. Council encouraged reaching out to veteran residents.
• Proposed Amendment to Senior Citizens Exemption: Morin outlined a new state law allowing municipalities to increase exemption percentages for lower-income seniors. Currently, the city caps the 50% exemption at $29,000 income. Proposed sliding scale: income $27,000–$27,999 → 55% exemption; $26,000–$26,999 → 60%; under $26,000 → 65%. This would affect only the city’s portion of taxes (not county or school district). Based on 2025 applications, 67 households would save an average of $331 per year, costing the city approximately $22,000 in lost revenue. Council expressed support. Morin noted the local law would need to be adopted before May 1 to take effect this year, requiring a public hearing on April 27 and adoption that night.

Consent Calendar / Routine Approvals (discussed as future resolutions)

• Summer Meeting Schedule: City Manager proposed July 6 and July 13, and August 10 and August 17. Council agreed with the dates; a resolution will be brought back on April 27.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Joanna Duncan from HR presented a professional services agreement with Westchester County to establish an EAP for city employees. Cost is $45 per employee per year, approximately $9,675 annually for 215 full-time employees, prorated for 2026 starting May 1. The three-year agreement (through December 31, 2029) also covers immediate family members and supervisor training. Council voiced strong support; a resolution is required on April 27.
• LOSAP 2025 for Ambulance Workers: The points listing was publicly displayed for 30 days; 15 new members were added. Approval recommended to allow the third-party administrator to process service credits.
• LOSAP 2025 for Firefighters: Similar to ambulance; points listing approved in February, no public comments. Final approval requested.

Nutrition Program Contracts

• Jonathan Zamora presented two contracts from Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services:
  • NYS Transportation Contract: $1,971 to transport seniors to the nutrition program. Annual contract for over two decades.
  • IIIC-1 (on-site hot meals): Budget $61,524; city match $17,175. Additional NSIP allocation of $3,963 (no match).
  • IIIC-2 (home-delivered meals): Budget $44,377; city match $11,459. NSIP allocation of $2,644 (no match).
• Zamora requested moving these to resolution; council agreed.

Recreation – Citywide Playground Renovations

• Zamora reported that a $1.7 million State and Municipal Facilities grant for playground improvements at Tompkins Park, DePew Park, Franklin Park, Leapor Park, and Riverfront Green is expected to be finalized late summer. He requested permission to begin pre-work (removing old components) ahead of the contract. McKinley Park will be a full rebuild and will be covered in a separate memo. Council agreed to move to resolution. Councilmember Fassett requested a breakdown of work at each park.

Recreation – Amend Certified Resolution J#2

• Zamora noted that a resolution adopted January 13, 2025 was rejected due to language specifying “city manager or his designee”; the required wording is “city manager or controller.” He requested a corrected resolution be brought forward. Council approved.

Water – Backflow Program Maintenance Proposal

• Water and Sewer Superintendent Dave Brambo explained that the city’s cross-connection control program requires annual testing of backflow devices at about 475 commercial establishments. The previous assistant superintendent handled mailing of letters; now a vendor (Cross Connect Company) proposes to maintain the database and generate letters for $500 per month ($6,000 annually). Councilmember Fassett asked to hold off discussion for further review with Brambo. No decision reached.

Water – Stormwater Management Plan Proposal

• Brambo described new, stricter MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) regulations effective 2024, requiring enhanced compliance in six minimum control measures: public education, public involvement, illicit discharge detection, construction site runoff control, post-construction stormwater management, and pollution prevention/good housekeeping. The city needs to update GIS mapping and develop new procedures. Barton & Lojudis, who previously helped bring the city into compliance in 2016-2017, proposed $18,200 for initial services to finish year three requirements. Council discussed potential grant funding and the role of AI. Brambo confirmed Barton & Lojudis also assist with grant applications. Council appeared supportive; no formal action taken at this meeting.

Sewer – Accept WQIP Sewer Grant

• Brambo stated that a $800,000 Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) grant (with a $200,000 city match) for stormwater improvements in the Bleelock Park area was awarded in 2022 but the paperwork was never signed. He requested authorization for the City Manager to sign the agreement. Council agreed.

Key Outcomes

• Council directed staff to prepare a local law for the senior citizens exemption sliding scale amendment, with a public hearing scheduled for April 27 and adoption that night (before the May 1 deadline).
• Summer meeting schedule (July 6 & 13; August 10 & 17) to be formalized by resolution on April 27.
• Employee Assistance Program agreement with Westchester County to be brought for approval as a resolution on April 27.
• LOSAP 2025 for ambulance and fire to proceed with mayoral signature.
• Nutrition contracts and playground renovation pre-work to move to resolution at the next meeting.
• Amended resolution J#2 to be brought forward for approval.
• Water backflow program proposal deferred for further discussion.
• Stormwater management consultant scope to be further refined; grant opportunities to be pursued.
• Sewer grant paperwork to be signed by City Manager.
• Council received liaison reports: Fire Department (866 responses in 2026, 60% EMS, ladder truck delivered, grants delayed due to government shutdown, lithium battery disposal policy in progress); Parks Advisory Board (all seats filled, new chair, fitness station considered, Fort Hill Park added to website, blue path cleanup); Senior Affairs (military banners rehanging fee reminder, career fair on April 16); and others.
• Meeting adjourned to executive session at approximately 8:30 p.m. to discuss personnel matters.