Donations, Committee Members Named at New Rochelle Legislative Meeting
By Stephen E. Lipken
City of New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert opened the March 17th Regular Legislative Meeting, beginning with a Proposed Amendment of Resolution No. 2023-108 re: Paws Place Dog Park Trust Account at Ward Acres Park. Ordinance No. 198 of 2025, the City Budget for 2026 was amended to correct the Trust Account balance.
A review of account activity identified that, between adoption of the Resolution on June 20, 2023, and the close of Fiscal Year 2024, $27,308 was not transferred into the Trust Account as originally contemplated. Instead, those revenues were reflected in the General Fund. To align the account balance with the intent of Resolution No. 2023-108, a budget amendment is required to transfer the appropriate amount into the Trust Account.
Ordinance No. 198 of 2025, the City Budget for 2026 is hereby amended as follows:
Increase Trust Account: TA.031.23100 Ward Acres Dog Park Trust Account: $27,308
Decrease General Fund: A-599 Fund Balance ($27,308)
A Proposed Resolution authorizes the acceptance of a donation of a new playground structure and associated improvements from the Friends of New Rochelle Parks for installation at D’Onofrio Park. The total value of the donation is estimated at $399,642.69.
The donation includes:
• Playground equipment and structural components
• Safety surfacing
• Site preparation and installation services
• Delivery and related costs
Upon acceptance, the City will assume responsibility for:
• Ongoing inspection and maintenance
• Routine repairs
• Long-term replacement
The following new Committee Members include:
Participatory Budget Steering Committee:
Alicka Ampry-Samuel, Chair
Victor Bowman, Jr.
Anthony Bibbo
Ava Charles
Gino Frabasile
Janna Gullery
Lauren Hurwitz
Makeda Lewis
Giselle Reyes
Matt Stern
Industrial Development Agency:
Robert Balachandran, Chair
Shane Osinloye, Vice Chair
Howard Greenberg, Treasurer
Felim O’Malley, Secretary
Members: Miguel Ayala, William Iannuzzi, Garrett Thelander, and Keith Singletary was appointed, effective March 2026 through February 28, 2029.