City of Mount Vernon, NY
09/25/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/25/2024 08:29
The City of Mount Vernon Gives Progress Update on Department of States Recommendations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The City of Mount Vernon Gives Progress Update on Department of States Recommendations Taking the Steps to Strengthen Fire and Building Code Enforcement to Enhance Safety and Quality
of life Mount Vernon, NY (September 24,2024)- Under the leadership of Mayor Shawyn Patterson Howard, the City of Mount Vernon has made significant strides in improving fire and building
safety through a series of reforms aimed at addressing long-standing operational deficiencies and ensuring compliance with The Department of State regulations. In 2023, Mayor Patterson-Howard
requested a review of the city's fire and building code administration by the Department of State. The review identified areas for improvement, including fire safety inspections, recordkeeping, and
code enforcement. The City has since made key changes, including hiring new staff and contractors to address a backlog of inspections, and updating inspection applications, now available online
via OpenGov. To date, 56 public assembly and 60 multi-dwelling inspections have been completed, with more underway. Mayor Patterson-Howard stated, "We're grateful for the roadmap provided
by the State, outlining where we are and where we need to go. This assessment has been instrumental in helping us understand our current challenges and the steps we must take to address
them. These are critical life safety issues that not only impact compliance with state mandates but also affect the overall quality of life for our residents. We must prioritize the safety of our
community and our first responders by addressing these deficiencies head-on." City Council President Caithlin Gleason commended the progress, stating: "Since the state's evaluation, the city has
diligently implemented methods to address the recommendations. I applaud the administration for their efforts in meeting the required deadlines and prioritizing legislation to support these
improvements. While there is still work to be done, we are committed to streamlining processes and increasing transparency for the benefit of our community." The City continues to update its local
laws to align with state regulations and remains committed to transparency, with monthly inspection reports submitted to the state. The new record-keeping system, Laserfiche, will enhance public
access to safety records.