Peekskill Common Council Work Session: Summer Programs, Budget, Cannabis, Waterfront, and Police IMA - May 18, 2026
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Peekskill Common Council Work Session – May 18, 2026
The Peekskill Common Council held a work session on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Common Council Chamber. The meeting featured two main presentations—Recreation's summer programs and Finance's first-quarter budget review—followed by a series of agenda items including a cannabis text amendment, a special permit for an auto repair shop, waterfront activation proposals, a police intermunicipal agreement, and liaison reports. The meeting concluded with an executive session.
Public Comments & Testimony
- During the public hearing on the cannabis text amendment (held May 11, 2026, and referenced this evening), two speakers addressed the council: one expressed support for allowing cannabis facilities to fill downtown vacancies, and the other raised concerns about consumption sites and the lack of state regulations. No public comments were taken during the work session itself.
Discussion Items
- Recreation – Summer Programs and Playgrounds: Jonathan Zamora, Site Manager and Director of the Community HUB, presented a comprehensive overview of summer 2026 offerings. Key highlights include:
- Senior services: 53rd year of operation, averaging 70 seniors per day for dining; new afternoon/evening activities; a fall six-day Bahamas cruise for seniors (20 registered).
- Parks and Recreation: Pool opens May 23; 60 day camp slots, 9 teen travel slots, 15 creative arts slots; 7 movie nights and 8 concerts (including a 45-piece West Point Band on August 21); spray park repairs nearing completion; Fourth of July Family Festival (12–5 PM) plus fireworks.
- Youth Bureau: Programs include advancing lift (registration closes June 12), summer youth employment, rising tides boat building, Sloyd Woodworking (now three days/week), daddy-daughter dance (June 13), and a multi-day Juneteenth celebration.
- World Soccer: Four public watch parties at Pugsley Park; weekly soccer skills at DePew multi-use field (first use since renovation); local business toolkit being distributed.
- Playgrounds: City awarded $1.7 million state grant for resurfacing; contract expected late summer; interim improvements underway (new slides, swings, all-ability components) with completion targeted by late June/early July. Monthly playground assessments and vandalism tracking implemented.
- Destination Peekskill Shuttle: Proposed Saturday-Sunday operation May–October; funded in past by BID; route includes downtown, riverfront, train station, Fleischmann Pier, and Lent's Cove; city manager to discuss with IDA on May 26.
- Finance – 1st Quarter Budget to Actual Variance and Capital Plan Introduction: Comptroller Toni Tracy reported that the first-quarter budget-to-actual projection shows a near break-even ($100 surplus) when using the planned $500,000 fund balance transfer. Without that transfer, the city faces a $500,000 deficit. Concerns include $85,000 over projection for employee retirement/police and fire retirement (though early estimates often improve), and $95,000 shortfall in refuse removal. Offsetting surpluses exist in hospitalization, retiree health insurance, and a SAFER contingency fund (built for six firefighters hired under a grant ending February 2027). Revenues short on cannabis sales tax and prisoner transport (due to a likely IMA change with Westchester County). However, the city received a $3.8 million PILOT payment from 901 Main Street, which, when factored in, yields a projected surplus of $3.3 million for 2026. Those funds may be used for capital projects (e.g., parking garages) pending council direction.
- Workers’ Compensation Renewal: Received PERMA renewal quote at $999,720 (down ~5% from $1,052,810) with a self-insured retention (deductible) for police; an option without the retention costs ~$1.3 million. Additional quotes from three other companies expected soon. A comparison will be presented at the next meeting.
- Cannabis Text Amendment: Carol Samuel, Planning Director, reported that the text amendment received a positive recommendation from the Planning Commission in April. The council held a public hearing on May 11. She recommended keeping dispensaries and consumption sites aligned under the existing special permit process until state regulations are finalized. Council expressed readiness to adopt the amendment at the next meeting.
- 301 N. Division Street – Special Permit for Auto Repair: The site, formerly Superior Auto Body, has been vacant for over a year, so it cannot operate as a pre-existing non-conforming use. The applicant seeks a special permit for minor auto repairs (no body work or painting). The item includes necessary variances and site plan review. Council agreed to schedule a public hearing for June 22 and refer the matter to the Planning Commission for a recommendation.
- Activating the Riverfront: Matt Rudikoff, Director of Development, introduced a new Waterfront Working Group (first meeting held) composed of city staff, boat operators, and the Peekskill Yacht Club. The group will address programming, infrastructure, and potential new rules for the full waterfront (Lent's Cove to Annsville Creek). Two specific proposals were presented:
- Pontoon boat concession (Sogar's Marine): Two high-end boats, each carrying six passengers plus captain, operating June 5–September 15. Boats offer private sightseeing tours, primarily north to West Point and Bear Mountain; speed capability ~25 mph.
- Jet ski concession: Guided tours only (3-4 jet skis per group) with a licensed captain; operator would bring floating docks. Council members questioned pricing (wanting affordability for residents), safety (especially for pontoon boats on the Hudson with tides and traffic), and liability/insurance for the city. The city manager was authorized to negotiate agreements and return with detailed terms, including fees and insurance levels, for council approval.
- Police Intermunicipal Agreement with Buchanan: Chief Renwick presented a new five-year IMA (2026–2030) for police dispatch services, prisoner holding, and training. The previous agreement expired December 31, 2025. Buchanan will pay annual fees increasing 2% each year: $10,300 (2026), $10,500 (2027), $10,700 (2028), $10,900 (2029), $11,100 (2030). Council approved the agreement.
- Introduction to the Capital Plan: Toni Tracy outlined the capital planning process. Department heads have submitted prioritized requests for vehicles, equipment, and projects over a 10-year horizon. The preliminary plan will be presented at the first council meeting in June, with adoption required by July 1. Council will have time for review and amendment.
- Council Liaison Reports and Concerns:
- Councilman DeVougio inquired about cooling centers during forecasted heat (real feel near 100°F); city manager confirmed a center was posted on social media.
- Councilman Fassett reminded of the BID board meeting June 2.
- Councilman Rigger praised the recreation presentation; parks department meeting scheduled for next day.
- Councilwoman Chang encouraged residents to apply for HRC; noted art exhibit at Mocha Hudson Valley by Peekskill middle and high school students.
- Councilwoman Talbot reported on a memorial for Lana Yu (well-attended, with proclamation presented); Paramount Theatre board updates (construction on upper gallery underway, marquee vendor issue resolved); proposed an Artist Appreciation Day; promoted Open Studios weekend (June 6-7).
- Mayor announced Memorial Day ceremony at Monument Park (May 25, 10 AM); thanked new Lincoln Society president Paul Burns; congratulated Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce gala; requested city manager explore adding kid-friendly games (hopscotch, etc.) to Esther Street / Ray Blue Way.
Key Outcomes
- Cannabis Text Amendment: Council directed staff to bring the amendment forward for adoption at the next regular meeting.
- 301 N. Division Street Special Permit: Public hearing scheduled for June 22, 2026; referred to Planning Commission for recommendation.
- Waterfront Concessions: City manager authorized to negotiate with pontoon boat and jet ski operators; final agreements subject to council approval after review of fees, insurance, and pricing.
- Police IMA with Buchanan: New five-year intermunicipal agreement approved by council.
- Executive Session: Council voted unanimously to enter executive session for discussion of matters concerning medical, financial, credit, or employment history of specific persons/corporations.
- Next Steps: Workers' compensation renewal decision pending additional quotes; capital plan to be presented for first reading in June; recreation programs to be promoted via destinationpeekskill.org.
Meeting Transcript
Today, May 18th, 2026. We have two presentations this evening, followed by a short agenda. So at this time I will turn it over to city manager. And do we have an executive session this evening? Recording in progress. So afterwards, we'll have an executive session for discussion of matters concerning the medical, financial credit, or employment history of a particular person, persons, or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal, or removal of a particular person, persons, or corporations. So now I'll turn it over to our city manager, Mr. Alexander. Okay. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Evening. First up, we have Jonathan Zamora to talk to us about summer programs and playgrounds. And Jonathan, as community hub director will lead us through what we're doing this summer. Good evening, Council. Good evening, evening. Share my screen. Okay, good evening. So I'm very excited and thrilled to be here this evening to uh showcase our summer 2026 programs and events. Uh what we're gonna ex we're gonna walk through today is the result of um months of planning and hard work by many different uh departments and dozens of people who are working behind the scenes, uh working hard every single day to bring their very best to the city. Uh so on behalf of them, I I am proud to present this presentation. So we're gonna talk about a number of different topics today. We're gonna review our youth bureau, our seniors in nutrition services, our department of parks and recreation. We're talking about Peakskill 250 and world soccer events and updates on playgrounds. So our seniors in nutrition services. We uh are in our 53rd year operation, and we're going very strong, having uh at least 70 seniors a day join us for our uh dining room service. We provide ongoing senior nutrition services, transportation and wellness connections. Our highlight is our annual senior citizens' picnic among other events, and we specialize in senior outreach and social engagement. So some of the activities as you see on your screen are our riverfront picnic. We attend Yankees, uh West Points, and Mess Mets Games. We have our Saxon Woods pool party. We're gonna begin water aerobics shortly in DePew Park, going to walkway across the Hudson, and later this summer, starting to implement our farm to table intergenerational programs. So even though we have a very wide uh diverse group of seniors who are amazing, uh you can see that we have the world's best biggest Yankees fan and the world's biggest Mets fan, but we can still gather together around a meal. That's it. All right. So uh part of the enhancements for this summer is new equipment for the neighborhood kitchen. We have a lots of interest from seniors in afternoon activities. Typically the way our center operates is from 9 to 2 p 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. We're getting a lot of feedback from seniors who want to do something in the afternoon or maybe early evening, which is really really encouraging because we're starting to plan for how the future will look uh in the building and elsewhere throughout the city. So it's nice to see them wanting to engage and and uh be involved. Also, not so much for summertime, but this is a first for us in the fall. We're actually going to a six-day cruise to the Bahamas with the senior club. Wow. We have 20 seniors signed up and registered. Yep. Okay. So um this is something that we just brought up, but again, we listen to our members, we listen to the public, and we want to bring to them things that they would like to do. So uh this is our first, but something tells me it won't be our last, and we uh continue working forward, but we're very excited, and you can see how encouraging this uh these conversations are. It's fantastic. And uh that is excellent.
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