Peekskill · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Peekskill public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Public art maintenance funding
The city owns about 24 sculptures and 16 murals, and some are in bad shape. Planning is asking for $25,000 a year for repairs; council members agree a dedicated fund is needed but are still figuring out how to pay for it.
Hispanic Heritage street fair
Brown Street will close October 11 for a street fair celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, run with the Peekskill Hispanic Community Corporation.
Wells Fargo signage replacement at 920 South Street
The Wells Fargo branch on South Street sought approval to replace its signage. The review keeps corporate signage consistent with the city's standards for the area.
Section 8 program annual plan
The Section 8 program hit two of its five-year goals, including 31 households — most of them Peekskill residents — placed in project-based voucher units at Peekskill Plaza under a 20-year contract.
Library card registration for all students
The library board is launching a pilot with the school district and Westchester Library System to get every K-12 Peekskill student registered for a library card. The library tax levy submission also made the county elections deadline.
Downtown/Waterfront Shuttle Ridership
The free shuttle is averaging about 25 riders per weekend — steady but below last year — and staff are analyzing why participation dropped.
Missing downtown benches
An elderly resident who walks downtown for shopping said all the benches along Main Street have disappeared, leaving her and other walkers no place to rest. She noted it hurts downtown businesses if seniors can't make the trip.
9/11 Run to Remember street closure
Bank Street will close Saturdays June through November for the Farmers Market, a downtown staple the council called beneficial.
El Señor de Girón Religious Procession Street Closure
Assumption Church is holding its first-ever El Señor de Girón procession in Peekskill on August 2, requiring temporary closures along Union Avenue. Streets reopen as the procession passes each intersection.
New business signage at 1006 Park Street
A new tenant, X-Treme Care, LLC, wants signage matching what's already on the historic storefront building. The board's main concern is protecting the brick facade during installation.
Developer PILOT handout guide
The agency is creating a one-page-style guide explaining how PILOT tax incentives work for developers, but wants to keep it separate from the formal application to avoid extra paperwork.
SOLO project PILOT status on Lower South Street
A developer put $10,000 escrow toward a possible PILOT for the SOLO project but hit financing problems. Staff will check whether they still want to move forward.
Welcher Avenue 15-Minute Parking Zone Hours
A small but practical tweak: the 15-minute spot in front of 241 Welcher Avenue is now restricted to daytime hours, per police recommendation.
Fleischmann Pier Transient Dockage Program
Two deals were approved: Trinity Cruises adds a permanent second boat at Riverfront Green, and Rivertown Management Services runs the Emerald Princess and manages the pier for five years.
Welcher Avenue 15-minute parking amendment
The business owner at 241 Welcher Avenue wants the 15-minute parking zone limited to 6 a.m.–6 p.m., since the old signs were knocked down years ago. The chief thinks it's reasonable and council members voiced support.
Sculpture donation to the city
Hudson Valley MOCA is donating a six-foot polished stainless steel sculpture, 'Libre' by Jeff Overly, to the city's growing public art collection. Council members liked it and discussed placement near the neighborhood center.
Workers' compensation insurance renewal
Good news on the budget: workers' comp premiums dropped 5.1% to about $980,363 for the coming year after two straight increases.
Driveway legalization and neighbor accommodation at 163 Union Avenue
A two-family home needed permission for a wider driveway and four rear parking spots. The board found the plan won't hurt neighbors and approved it, with stormwater controls and removal of an old paved area.
Volunteer Firefighter Mental Health Support
Volunteer firefighters can now access the county's confidential counseling program for $22 each per year — a small cost for meaningful mental health support for people who volunteer to protect the city.
Volunteer firefighter counseling services
Volunteer firefighters can now access the same confidential counseling program as city employees, at a modest cost of $22 per volunteer.
Kathleen's Tea Room storefront signage
Kathleen's Tea Room applied to apply new sign graphics directly to the existing storefront glass at 982 Main Street. It's a visual change to a Main Street storefront in the historic district.
State pothole liability proposal
A student asked whether the Council supports a state proposal making the state liable for pothole damage to push faster road repairs. The mayor said yes if the state pays; the City Manager noted it appears aimed at state roads.
Volunteer Emergency Services Service Awards
The city reviewed its 2025 Length of Service Award Program — the retirement-style benefit for volunteer ambulance workers and firefighters, including a final update on the fire side.
County employee assistance program participation
A proposal would let city employees — including fire and police — access Westchester County's Employee Assistance Program for confidential counseling and support services.
Backflow prevention program maintenance
A proposal to maintain the city's backflow and cross-connection program, which keeps contaminants out of the drinking water supply.
Cinco de Mayo street celebration
Division and Park streets close May 2-3 for Ruben's Mexican Café's annual celebration, with street festivities ending at 10 PM.
Fourth of July Parade Street Closures
The annual Independence Day Parade will require street closures along a route from Crompond Road to the Central Fire House on July 4, 2026, 10 a.m. to noon.
Taxi Administration
The police department presented on how the city administers taxi licensing and oversight.
Geothermal feasibility study
The city will spend $25,000 — matched by NYSERDA — to study whether geothermal heating and cooling could serve the police station, neighborhood center and library, potentially expanding to other municipal buildings.
Tax certiorari settlement
The city settled a tax challenge on a Lakeview Drive property, cutting its assessment and paying back about $49,968 — money that comes out of city revenue.
Senior services and city operations updates
The senior advisory report covered elevator issues at River Point, taxi service complaints, garage reserved parking, and an upcoming senior fire safety training.
Peekskill Stadium Parking Request
A parking request tied to Peekskill Stadium was on the agenda, touching on how the city manages parking around its events venues.