Peekskill Common Council Work Session – November 2, 2026

The Peekskill Common Council met on November 2, 2026, in a work session described in the transcript as a committee of the whole meeting; the agenda listed a 6:45 p.m. start. No minutes were available. Most items were discussed for resolutions to return at the November 9 Common Council meeting, and no final council votes on the substantive items were recorded before the meeting moved into executive session. The agenda covered recreation and event approvals, property-tax exemptions, water and sewer bids and grants, a fire event closure, a Maple/Hudson traffic study, a DISH Wireless bankruptcy claim, and liaison reports.

Recreation & Events

• Jonathan Zamora of Recreation/Community Hub presented five items. For the annual holiday tree lighting, staff requested a street-closure application for Saturday, December 5, 4–8 p.m. Construction at the downtown intersection prompted discussion about anchoring the approximately 25-foot tree; staff said the best alternative location was across the street near the Harriet Tubman statue/flagpole, but anchoring remained unresolved. A council member asked whether to move the event to 'Bugsley Park'; staff agreed to return next week with clarification.
• New Year’s Eve celebration: street closures were requested for Thursday, December 31, in the downtown area; staff said the event would be organized in-house, including band/entertainment.
• Chapter 416 bikes and parks: staff presented Parks Advisory Board input on whether hiking and biking should share trails or have separate trails/access. One member had reservations and urged long-term stewardship of DePew Park; one supported maintaining access and said there was no evidence it would increase parking, bathroom, trash, or other conflicts and would keep the status quo of 20 years; one disagreed and said alternative days could improve safety and reduce conflict; a fourth disagreed via email; a fifth supported via email; a sixth did not respond. Staff said documents do not require biking as the only use and the city could manage access. Council members raised concerns about outside organized events, parking in residential areas, and maintenance costs, and clarified the discussion concerned pedal bikes, not motocross or e-bikes. A suggested green trail from the pool parking lot into Blue Mountain was noted as often muddy and not suitable for beginners. A council member said they would not favor circumventing Blue Mountain parking fees by parking in DePew and suggested the city should charge if needed. No decision was made; staff will continue gathering information.
• Fireworks: staff requested authorization for a December 31, 2026 display with Garden State Fireworks at $8,500, and a July 4, 2027 display at $50,925; both contracts include inclement-weather rescheduling language and would return by resolution.
• The council asked staff to group street closures and fireworks items for the next agenda/consent.

Assessor & Tax Exemptions

• Paula of the Assessment Department presented four items. Surviving spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty: a local option for up to a 50% assessed-value exemption, not applicable to special districts; based on the 2026 city tax rate and an average $9,707 assessment, an eligible taxpayer would save $1,535.79. Westchester County has adopted it effective for the 2027 assessment roll. A council member asked whether remarriage affects eligibility; staff said the law is unclear and would confirm.
• Military active service members exemption: for active-duty U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard, or New York Naval Militia who own/claim a primary residence and served in a combat zone in the prior calendar year before the May 1 taxable status date. It would reduce assessment by up to 25% or $20,000 in full value, whichever is less; it is temporary and must be renewed annually. Staff estimated the maximum benefit at approximately 130.37 cents as stated, based on the current equalization rate and 2026 tax rate; Westchester has adopted it effective 2027. The council would need to set the percentage by resolution/local law.
• Alternative veterans exemption revision: the current exemption is 50% of an established disability rating and does not apply to special districts. The new local option would provide a full property tax exemption for seriously disabled veterans with permanent and total disability due to military service, including special districts; it would apply only to the alternative veterans exemption, not the Cold War veterans exemption. Fiscal estimate: total veterans tax exemptions would increase by approximately $40,000 — $33,000 city and $7,000 library — benefiting no more than 26 existing disabled veterans, with average additional savings of $1,540 per household. Westchester has adopted it effective 2027.
• Tax map maintenance contract: staff recommended renewing with CAI Technologies for 2027 at unchanged pricing, citing responsiveness and service.
• If the council proceeds, resolutions would be prepared for November 9 and a public hearing scheduled for November 23.

Water, Sewer & Infrastructure

• Dave Rambo presented the water maintenance materials bid: 43 categories and six bidders/companies, with an additional bidder winning about 13 categories at substantially lower prices and meeting AWWA standards; a resolution was requested. Council discussion noted price increases; staff said exact calculation was difficult, while chemicals rose about 15%.
• Water treatment plant chemicals/sludge removal: staff reported about a 15% increase and more bidders; liquid carbon dioxide from the usual vendor rose from $350 two years ago to $440 last year to about $520–$525 this year. A quote was also obtained to supply bulk chlorine to the DePew Park pool.
• Sewer: staff requested acceptance of a $50,000 NYSEFC wastewater infrastructure engineering planning grant to study inflow and infiltration; the $10,000 match would be offset by city staff administrative/field work rather than a cash check. The study would focus on the north end and support future remediation applications; separate south-end work including Bleelock Park and Washington Street was noted, with $1 million from an earlier water infrastructure grant.
• Staff also announced a $2.5 million award for rehabilitation of the lower water-supply dam, addressing DEC requirements that the dam pass more water; council thanked state and DEC partners.

Fire, Planning & Legal

• Fire Department Reindeer Run: requested closure of Park Division, Bank, Brown, and Broad for one hour on December 5, 10–11 a.m.; the event collects new unwrapped toys and non-perishable food, with Santa at the firehouse 11 a.m.–1 p.m. A resolution is to return.
• Maple and Hudson traffic study: staff requested approval of $9,280 for a traffic safety assessment including a field visit, 24-hour vehicle/pedestrian/cyclist data, peak-hour review, signal warrant evaluation, crash/DOT records, quick-build treatments, concept designs, and a cost estimate. The intersection involves a county-managed state road; staff said they would coordinate with the county. Recent actions included parking regulations, additional signage, enforcement, and possibly three blinking stop signs, which staff would confirm. Speed data near Ferris on Maple would also be collected. A resolution is to return.
• DISH Wireless bankruptcy: the City Attorney reported DISH filed for bankruptcy in Houston and sought to cancel leases, including a 2003 lease for equipment at the water tower on 138 Banafield. The city filed a claim for $39,150; CRG Financial offered to purchase the claim at 57%, or $22,511.25, which the attorney recommended accepting given uncertainty and delay. Council members asked about removal or abandonment of equipment and the cost to remove it; the attorney would confirm. A resolution was recommended.

Liaison Reports

• Councilman DeGrazia: CAC garlic festival November 6, 3:30–5 p.m. at Regeneration Farm in DePew Park, rain date November 7 at 2 p.m.; youth bureau community giveaway November 7, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.; Fordham football trip November 14; Thanksgiving basket giveaway November 18; Father Factor Thanksgiving brunch November 21, 1–3 p.m. at the firehouse; youth bureau closed November 3, 11, 26, and 27.
• Councilman Bassett: farmers market and flea market have three weekends left; vendor appreciation next weekend; BID board meets Wednesday this week at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
• Deputy Mayor: senior Halloween party and trunk-or-treat were well attended; thanked the fire department.
• Councilman Rigger: thanked Ben Alexander, DPW, and Cornell for quickly fixing a Paramount dock light.
• Councilman Chang: HRC met and is working with police on a community survey by month’s end and with faith leaders; attended a heart-health event with NAACP and a local hospital; noted the Mount Olivet bell dedication.
• Mayor: encouraged voting on Election Day and noted Wilfredo is gathering history on the Mount Olivet bell.

Key Outcomes

• No final votes were taken on the substantive agenda items; staff was directed to return with resolutions at the November 9 Common Council meeting, including street closures, fireworks, tax exemptions, tax map renewal, water/sewer bids and grant, Reindeer Run closure, traffic study, and DISH claim assignment.
• Public hearings on the tax exemptions were contemplated for November 23 if the council proceeds.
• The meeting closed with a motion to enter executive session to discuss personnel/medical/financial/credit/employment history or appointment/employment matters; it was seconded and approved by all in favor.