Peekskill Common Council Meeting - April 27, 2026
Peekskill Common Council Meeting - April 27, 2026
The Common Council held a work session and regular meeting on April 27, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the Common Council Chamber. The meeting included a presentation on Grievance Day, discussion of several infrastructure projects, a public hearing and adoption of a local law expanding senior citizen tax exemptions, and the approval of 23 resolutions. Public comment focused on the implementation of the "PeekSkill for All" policy and the proposed sale of city-owned property at 946 2nd Street to a local resident.
Consent Calendar
- Resolution J1: Schedule Common Council summer meeting dates (July & August 2026).
- Resolution J2: Accept Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) grant for Summer Youth Employment Program.
- Resolution J3: Professional Service Agreement with Westchester County Employee Assistance Program (WCEAP).
- Resolution J4: Declare 1996 Pierce Engine surplus and authorize procurement of replacement.
- Resolution J5: Accept 2025-2026 NYS Transportation Contract for senior transportation ($1,971).
- Resolution J6 (Part 1 & 2): Accept Title III-C/NSIP and IIIC-2 contracts for nutrition services (matching funds $17,175).
- Resolution J7: Allocate $148,231 from DASNY grant for playground renovations.
- Resolution J8: Accept $675,000 NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation grant for DePew Park improvements.
- Resolution J9: Stormwater MS4 management plan with Barton and Logitis.
- Resolution J10: Approve Lower South Street Hudson Engineering proposal amendment.
- Resolution J11: Accept Water Quality Improvement Program (WQIP) sewer grant.
- Resolution J12: Award time and material bid (2026-001) to lowest bidders.
- Resolution J13: Award HVAC bid to DP Wolf Inc.
- Resolution J14: Authorize roadway paving bids under CHIPs program.
- Resolution J15: Approve special permit for 400 Main Street LLC (residential use and bonus height).
- Resolution J16: Amend fee schedule for EV charging rates (≤$0.35/kWh) and dwell fees (≤$5/hr).
- Resolution J17: Authorize Con Edison Smart Commercial Electric Vehicle Rebate Program agreement.
- Resolution J18: Authorize letter of support for countywide summer ban on gasoline-powered leaf blowers.
- Resolution J19: Remove handicapped parking space at 4 Grant Avenue (roll call vote: 6-0, Mayor recused).
- Resolution J20: Add no-parking zone at 638 Central Avenue.
- Resolution J21: Authorize Axon Enterprise equipment & services ($5,684.04 for in-car camera system).
- Resolution J22: Authorize Second Annual Peekskill Mothapalooza (July 13, 2026, 8:30–10 p.m., rain date July 15).
- Resolution J23: Authorize street closure for Mother's Day Market (May 9, 2026, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., rain date May 10).
Public Hearing & Local Law
- Public Hearing on Local Law 1 of 2026: Proposed amendments to Chapter 521 of the City Code to create additional senior citizen tax exemption tiers for incomes below $29,000. New tiers: 55% exemption for incomes $27,000–$27,999; 60% for $26,000–$26,999; 65% for under $26,000. Analysis of 2025 applications shows 67 senior households would save an average of $331 per year, costing the city approximately $22,200 in tax revenue. The change applies only to the city tax portion. The hearing was opened and closed without public comment. The local law was then adopted unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- PeekSkill for All Policy: Several residents (Ann Jackley, Judith Stabbins, Gianni Angenio, Nathan Kushan) asked about implementation status, training timelines, public communication, anonymous reporting, and repercussions for violations. The city manager stated that the city is developing a citywide policy, has met with the police chief, IT, and HR, and is planning manager training. No specific dates were given, but training for non-police managers is the next step. The policy is available via meeting minutes on the website. Anonymous reporting and evidence-based procedures are under discussion.
- 946 2nd Street Property Sale: Multiple speakers (Tanya Dwyer, Jacqueline Garris, Joseph Nakotra, Bethany Larson, Priscilla Ogesta, Valerie Eaton, Rebecca Morris, Jose Rivera, Antonio Knott, Martin McDonald, Nathan Rosen) spoke in support of resident Tanya Dwyer's offer to purchase the city-owned blighted property at 946 2nd Street for affordable housing. They expressed concerns about transparency, fairness, and the city's process of soliciting other offers after Dwyer's initial expression of interest. The city attorney explained that the city has a legal obligation to obtain fair market value and solicited other interested parties. The mayor stated the council cannot bypass the process and that the council first learned of the offer via Dwyer's letter. Several speakers accused the city of racial bias and insider dealing. The city attorney cited New York State Comptroller Opinion 90-37. No official action was taken on the property during the meeting.
- Other: Zahira Martin presented the "Pulsework Project" for youth agency and invited the city to participate. Rebecca Morris also raised concerns about the Children's Village project and the need for due diligence regarding child safety.
Discussion Items
- Grievance Day Presentation: Assessment Clerk Paula Alicea provided an overview of Grievance Day (June 16, 2026) and the assessment review process. Tentative assessment rolls publish June 1. Filing period June 1–16. No fee to file. Contact office at 914-734-4190.
- Roadway Paving Program: City Manager announced that the DPW superintendent prepared a resolution to solicit bids for the 2026 paving program, including streets: Academy, Decatur, Orchard, Domain, Lita Drive, REQA, Smith to Simpson, Horton, Lincoln (Grant to Finch), Constant (Nelson to dead end), Bull of the Boulevard (Prospect to Riverview), DePew (Franklin to Hudson), Short Street, Lower Washington Street (Bleelock to city line), Phoenix (Nelson to Highland), and Con Edison projects. The city wants to get an early start.
- Lower South Street Sewer Project: DPW representative Dave Rampo presented an amendment to the sewer project. The original plan to run a sewer force main along Water Street was rejected due to utility congestion. A new route through the riverfront property, under railroad tracks, to the county pumping station is proposed. The project scope increased from $4.1 million to $11.4 million. Hudson Engineering requested $195,000 for additional engineering to make the project "shovel-ready" for grant applications, after a previous grant denial due to lack of readiness.
- Axon Enterprise Equipment: Police Chief requested approval to purchase an in-car camera system for a new patrol vehicle ($5,684.04) to align with the existing Axon agreement, paid in two installments, funded from the vehicle acquisition line.
- Liaison Reports: Councilman Ricker announced co-ed flag football starting May 4 at DePew Park, noting it is the fastest-growing sport among young women (70% growth in 6 years) and an Olympic sport in 2028. Councilwoman Talvin reported a leaning cherry blossom tree in the park and a sinking excavation on Decatur Avenue. Deputy Mayor Riley requested a flag collection box at City Hall and thanked volunteers for the Arbor Day/Cleanup Day (3.83 tons of litter removed). Other liaisons reported on upcoming meetings.
- City Manager Report: Police and fire conducted joint training; 6 warrant arrests; drug arrest in DePew Park; 57 vehicle and traffic details, 36 stops, 29 tickets; 100 potholes repaired; 334 buckets of litter collected; 642 parking tickets; 175 traffic summons; ongoing work on Paramount Theatre HVAC; and building department code enforcement statistics.
Key Outcomes
- Local Law 1 of 2026 Adopted: Unanimously approved amendments to Chapter 521, creating additional senior citizen tax exemption tiers for incomes below $29,000, effective immediately.
- All 23 Resolutions Passed: Unanimously approved (except J19 roll call 6-0 with Mayor recused).
- Executive Session: The meeting adjourned to executive session to discuss matters concerning medical, financial, credit, or employment history of a particular person/persons/corporation.
- Next Steps: The city will continue developing the PeekSkill for All policy and training; the 946 2nd Street property process remains ongoing with the city evaluating offers; the paving program bids will be solicited; the sewer project will proceed with Hudson Engineering for permit-ready design.
Meeting Transcript
April 27th, 2026. We have a presentation this evening by our assessor and then some agenda items and then we'll go into we do an executive before or after. Uh I think we're gonna have to do it after. Okay. And then we'll go into our regular council meeting and then an executive session afterwards for discussion of matters concerning the medical financial credit or employment history of a particular person, persons, corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal, or removal of a particular person, persons, or corporation. So at this time I'll turn it over to our city manager. Okay. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Good evening. Good evening, uh, we have a presentation first up from Paula Elysia from our assessment office. Paula. Good evening, Paula. Good evening. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Good evening. Good evening. I'm the assessment clerk, and I'm here to provide an overview of Grievance Day and how it applies to property owners in the city of Peaksco. Grievance Day is when the Board of Assessment Review meets to hear concerns about property assessments. It takes place each year on the third Tuesday in June, and this year is June 16th. During this time, property owners have the opportunity to request a formal review of their assessment, but first should determine whether their assessment is fair. And the best way to do that is to review the tentative assessment rule, which will be published on June 1st. You may review that assessment rule at our department or on our website. You may contact our office to discuss the market value of your property or estimate the market value by researching comparable sales either independently or by consulting with a real estate professional, such as a realtor or an appraiser. In general, if the assessed market value of your property is accurate to what it would likely sell for, your assessment is considered fair, and there is no further action necessary. However, if you believe your property is over-assessed, you may file a grievance application with the assessment department anytime between June 1st through June 16th. The process is simple and forms are available in our office and on our website. Applications should include supporting information such as an appraisal if available, comparable sales, or other relevant data to support your opinion of market value. There is no fee to file a grievance. Once again, the grievance filing period begins June 1st, and the deadline is on Grievance Day, June 16th. Property owners have the option to attend a hearing before the Board of Assessment Review on Grievance Day to present their case. If you have any questions about the assessment of your property or the grievance process, we welcome you to stop in at the office or to contact us at 914-734-4190. Thank you. Is there any questions at this time? Council questions. Will this be posted somewhere on social media? It can be. We do have a flyer that we used last year. I'll just need to update that. Okay. Thank you very much. You're welcome. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Madam Mayor? Yes. If I may, I just want to just while Paula is here. My mother got one of those postcards in the mail saying if you need help with your senior stuff and different star programs and stuff, you can go in person. So she she went down. She took all of a little pet tax papers.
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