2026 Peekskill State of the City Address – April 14, 2026
2026 Peekskill State of the City Address – April 14, 2026
The meeting began at 8:45 PM with ceremonial proceedings including a color guard presentation, the national anthem sung by Peekskill High School students, and an invocation by Pastor Bellery Paul Greenaway. Mayor McKenzie then delivered a comprehensive State of the City address covering 2025 achievements, challenges, and future plans. Following the address, the city council convened briefly to adopt two resolutions and hear public comments. The meeting concluded after remarks from several residents and a representative from the school district.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jan Millillo (Chair of the Conservation Advisory Council, 308 Ringold Street): Expressed support for the city’s green initiatives, including the anti-litter campaign, climate smart community efforts, and the new DPW superintendent’s work. Invited public participation in upcoming CAC events (Earth Day, Arbor Day, milkweed planting, full moon walk).
- Scarlett Antonia DiGideo (Founder of Antonia Arts): Stated she is being forced out of her studio space by April 30 due to building and permit issues, including inability to obtain a certificate of occupancy for assembly use. She requested city assistance in resolving the occupancy issue or identifying a temporary/city-supported space. The mayor advised her to contact the city manager’s office, emphasizing that building codes are for safety.
- Yargo Ferez (High school student, on behalf of class): Asked the council’s position on the Safe Roads Act (S9547), which would make New York State liable for vehicle damage caused by potholes. Council members indicated support in principle, noting that road jurisdiction varies (state, county, city).
- Robin Alpern (228 Union Avenue): Criticized the city’s handling of the Damar Fields incident, noting that most charges were dropped. She demanded serious consequences for the officers involved and asked how the city would repair the damage to Mr. Fields’ reputation. The mayor responded that the city is committed to a transparent disciplinary process and asked for patience.
- Dr. David Mauricio (Superintendent, Peekskill City School District): Thanked the city manager, council, department chiefs, and the mayor for their partnership and support for the school district’s 3,600+ students and families.
Discussion Items
- The mayor’s address covered multiple city departments and initiatives:
- Public Safety: Welcomed new Police Chief Adam Renwick and new DPW Superintendent Cornell Hammond. Highlighted community policing, the CCRB (Civilian Complaint Review Board) beginning to accept complaints, and the officers involved in the Damar Fields incident placed on unpaid leave pending investigation. Fire Department received a new ladder truck and Engine 58; SAFER grant funded six additional firefighters; volunteer program thriving with tuition assistance.
- Immigrant Protection: Passed a policy requiring all city employees to protect the immigration status of residents.
- Economic Development: Welcomed new businesses (e.g., 914 Plays, Anytime Fitness, Peekskill Diner, indoor go-kart track). Noted the $3.8 million upfront fee from the new owner of 901 Main Street for building improvements.
- Infrastructure & Parks: DePew Park renovation completed; plans for McKinley, Leapore, Franklin, Riverfront, and Tompkins Parks in 2026–2027. Water department planning $16.1 million in new projects ($12.7 million secured). Sewer transmission project ($11.5 million) to serve riverfront developments.
- Finance: 2025 deficit expected due to delayed tax auction and a $1.5 million lawsuit settlement; 2026 tax auction planned to recover ~$1.6 million in penalties and interest. Taxable assessed value increased by $10 million. 5,600 bilingual postcards sent for exemptions; senior citizen tax exemption revisions proposed (Resolution J1).
- Community Services: The Community Hub delivered 35% more homebound senior meals, distributed 20,000 pounds of produce, and served 4,000 meals during the SNAP shutdown. Youth bureau programs listed. A new $5 million Washington Street Firehouse redevelopment for commercial kitchens is in progress.
- Planning & Environment: Climate Smart Communities bronze certification achieved; Tree City USA designation maintained. Grants: $1.7 million for Paramount Theater HVAC, $160,000 for police station energy upgrades, $75,000 for tree inventory. New comprehensive plan (first since 1960s) to be developed with resident advisory committee via civic lottery. Waterfront revitalization community input sessions scheduled for May 9, 2026.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution J1 (adopted unanimously): Scheduled a public hearing on April 27, 2026 at 7:00 PM to consider Local Law No. 1 of 2026 amending the senior citizen tax exemption (Chapter 521 of city code, Articles 2 and 3) to modify maximum income limits and percentage exemptions.
- Resolution J2 (adopted unanimously with a correction): Appointed April McKenzie, Esq. as part-time assistant city judge for a term commencing March 26, 2026 and expiring March 25, 2032 (correcting an earlier resolution that had a December 31, 2031 expiration).
Meeting Transcript
And I am the city clerk for the City of Peakskill, and I welcome you tonight and thank you so much for joining us for the twenty twenty-six State of the City Address. Please stand for the police honored guard as they enter with the flag of the United States of America. Please remain standing as we we receive the common counsel for the city of Peaksville. Councilman Darren Rigger. Councilwoman Beverly Chang. Councilman Brian Fassett. Councilwoman Kathleen Talbot. Deputy Mayor Patricia Riley. And please continue to remain standing as we receive the city manager, Matt Alexander. And Mayor McKenzie. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you. And thank you for attending our State of the City this evening. At this time, I'd ask you to remain standing for our national anthem, which will be sung by the Vocal Forte as they enter. Ladies and gentlemen, those are our finest. Those are our students from Peakskill High School. Thank you. At this time I ask you to remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. At this time, I invite Pastor Ballery Paul Greenaway to bring us the invitation. I would say you may be seated, but the mayor didn't sit us yet. So evening. And so I feel revived. Let us go to the Lord in prayer. Holy, loving, gracious God, who has breathed into all of us the breath of life. And which all of us, every last one, rich or poor, male or female, Republican or Democrat, progressive, conservative, liberal. Whatever defines us or tries to define us. What is most important is that we are image bearers and all of us have sacred worth. All of us make up this democracy, which means we the people. Honest about what we face and hopeful about where we are called to go. God, form in us our moral compass, not shaped by fear, not driven by division, but grounded in truth and guided by wisdom and anchored in love. Teach us to be a people who do not bow to what is less, less than what you have made us, less than what is just, less than what is dignity in all and for all. Less than the fullness of our humanity. Let us be like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendigo. Give us courage to stand in these refining moments without losing our faith. To stand under pressure without losing our integrity, to stand in the urgency of this hour and still reflect your light. God, we pray for this city, for our neighborhoods, for our neighbors, for every street and every home. We pray for our leaders, our mayor, our counts, common council. We pray for those who serve and those, God that you have entrusted in these offices, these high offices that have come and that are administered to govern. Grant them clarity, humility, and courage. Hold them accountable to justice, guide them in truth, strengthen them to lead, not for power, but for common good. And we pray for all who serve this city, for our police officers, our firefighters, our EMTs, protect them as they protect others, for our teachers that shape the minds of our youth and that are shaping our future. And for the nurses and doctors that are healing bodies and carrying burdens for every public servant, every worker, every volunteer, those seen and unseen who give of themselves, so that others might live more abundantly. Strengthen them, sustain them and surround them. God, we pray for the health of our democracy, that it would be uphold held with integrity, guarded by truth, and strengthened by people who are committed to what is right. Teach us to practice love in public for love in public looks like justice. Teach us to engage one another with respect, to speak truth with responsibility, and to listen with humility. Let us not to descend to the levels of harm and hatred.
openpublica.com