New Year Agenda for the City of Mount Vernon

As we enter 2017, many of us are taking a hard look at ourselves and wondering what we should change and what goals we should strive for in the new year. As Mayor of the City of Mount Vernon, I am taking the occasion of a new year to reassess operations at City Hall and working with my staff to set goals for how we can better serve you. We want to keep what’s working and fix what needs to be changed. We are taking a critical eye to management, operations, and staffing decisions and we are reorganizing - from our Police Department to our Building Department and all city agencies in between.

From my first day in office, it has been my goal to make sure City Hall employees are more responsive to the needs of taxpayers. For example, we need an employee handbook for the 1,000+ men and women who work for Mount Vernon so that taxpayers receive a dollar’s worth of services for dollar’s worth of investment. Change does not come without challenge but I am confident we are on the right track for the future of our city. Below are some updates in key areas and projects. We look forward to your feedback.

CITY COUNCIL SUBMISSIONS: My administration believes there are certain things a well-run city must have – such as a Police Commissioner. We continue to hope our colleagues in government share our desire for safety, accountability, and quality of life. We have submitted numerous requests to our legislative body to support common-sense solutions that help the city run more efficiently. Please visit www.cmvny.com/mayorthomasreports to get the facts and review our transparent approach to modernize local government in detail.

o Department of Public Safety – we are requesting the restoration of officer positions that were removed from the budget; funding for a Police Commissioner; and investment in technology. At this time in the history of our city we owe it to our citizens to provide the greatest protections possible.

o Department of Human Resources – The City of Mount Vernon has over 1,000 employees with one individual to develop policies, administer compensation plans, participate and manage labor relations, handle the on-boarding and off-boarding of employees, mediate employment disputes, maintain personnel records, recruit professionals and other duties. We have requested council support for this effort which to date has been ignored.

o Department of Public Works – We are requesting authorization for critical repairs needed in the DPW Yard, City Hall Roof, and the Memorial Field Tennis Center. The city’s independent engineering firm found significant deficiencies in the tennis center’s construction and design that must be addressed. Once again, the City Council has refused to help upgrade our critical facilities.

o Memorial Field – Earlier this month, we agreed to sign a consent order with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation that allows us to move forward with the clean-up plan for our beloved Field. You may have seen the construction wall start to go up around the Field but don’t worry, we are turning this into a Wall of Legends – paying tribute to our athletic heroes while the work to restore the Field continues.

o Sewer Infrastructure Repairs – We continue to urge our colleagues in government to move forward with the Environmental Protection Agency’s order to fix our sewers. Comptroller Walker, the City Council, and all of Mount Vernon is on notice that we face severe consequences if we do not act.

CREATING ORDER FROM CHAOS

o On January 31, 2017, Comptroller Maureen Walker and City Council President Roberta Apuzzo attempted to hold a Board of Estimate meeting without the Mayors presence which is required by law. This is a continuation of their obstructionism and secretive moves done without the full knowledge of the people of Mount Vernon.

PROFESSIONALIZATION OF THE MVIDA - A 2013 report by New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli was deeply critical of mismanagement in the Mount Vernon Industrial Development Agency.

o REFORM: We took Comptroller DiNapoli seriously. In October of 2016, the MVIDA engaged Ruskin Moscou Faltischek – a premier law firm and one of the few in the state that has a practice dedicated to performing, evaluating and recommending IDA governance with an extensive background in procedures, policy, and audit.

o REFORM: At the present time, the MVIDA is responding fully to Comptroller DiNapoli’s audit and streamlining policies to make the Agency more attractive to business.

o REFORM: As the Board continues to develop and adopt policies, the IDA has taken immediate measures in accordance with New York General Municipal Law §858 to continue its statutory purpose of “promoting, developing, encouraging, and assisting” economic development and quality of life including professional consulting services to assist with facility construction, improvement, and upgrades.

o REFORM: Our IDA staff has the expertise to meet these challenges including training under a former New York State Assembly Ways and Means Chairman on community planning and development.

FISCAL TRANSPARENCY - We have published the first “Budget Transparency Document” of 2017 analyzing how your money is spent. The numbers clearly show that overtime costs are down, with the exception of public safety departments. The decision to trim skyrocketing costs has angered some folks who were used to ineffective work yet felt entitled to extra pay all the time-even when they were not actually working. Please view the full document here: http://cmvny.com/2017/01/30/updated-mayor-richard-thomas-transparency-report-2/

o REFORM: We have slashed overtime in the Department of Public Works. We are committed to streamlining government services and doing more with less.

o REFORM: Police and Fire Department overtime has risen consistent with increased demand for various coverage while staff numbers steadily decreased. We continue to advocate for additional staffing for the department.

o REFORM: We have been identifying cronyism practices and asked the City Council to join us in eliminating these inefficient drains on the taxpayer.

o REFORM: We continue to advocate for the American Dream Auction that will take current city-owned properties – many of them zombie structures - that were taken by foreclosure and sell them to qualified residents and return them to the tax rolls.

GOING DIGITAL - We are fully digitalizing our Department of Buildings – we are engaging a vendor that will provide significant updates that will benefit the residents and businesses of Mount Vernon. It will include online access for permits, certifications, and tenancy to improve the city’s business climate.

o REFORM: We have instituted new staff training for the department. All staff members will be reoriented to prioritize customer service in how to facilitate the application process from beginning to end.

o REFORM: New and existing violations will be available online (and potentially on your smartphone) so that business owners and residents can review, pay fines, and/or lodge an appeal.

o REFORM: We are saving vital outside time by giving mobile computer tablets to inspectors so they can upload reports in real time from the field.

We are proud of our efforts of the past year despite the fact the City Council has continued to attempt to block any form of progress for the city. We have been engaged in a constant battle with the City Comptroller to pay our hardworking merchants the work done on behalf of the city. These small businesses are owed support for helping Mount Vernon function and become magnificent again. Government gridlock will not stop us from working for you – the people.

It’s an honor to be your mayor. I look forward to continuing to work for you and restoring pride to the City of Mount Vernon. Please call my office at 914-665-2360 or email us at MayorThomas@cmvny.com. We love to hear from you.