Poughkeepsie Common Council fails to override mayor’s veto

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POUGHKEEPSIE – In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Poughkeepsie Common Council met Monday night using video-conferencing technology.  The session was called by Council Chair Sarah Salem. There were two non-binding resolutions on the agenda and two other items.  

The council’s main reason for the meeting, although not listed on the agenda, was an attempt to override a veto from Mayor Rob Rolison.

In early March, the common council unanimously passed a resolution to hire two separate attorneys to handle two different projects rather than using one resolution per project attorney.

The two projects that the council sought outside assistance for are the Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan (LWRP) and the redevelopment of the DeLaval Parcel.  

The city’s Corporation Counsel, Paul Ackerman, had recused himself from the DeLaval project last year due to avoid the potential perception of a conflict of interest.  He did so in 2019 and the council had retained outside help for that project, which has been going on for several years.

Rolison vetoed the measure on March 12 and issued a memo to the council indicating his displeasure. 

“The sponsors of the resolution assert that the corporation counsel has a conflict of interest with the Local Revitalization Plan; that is not the case,” he said Monday. “In a series of emails, the corporation counsel advised the council chair that he didn’t have a conflict of interest; therefore, the resolution is flawed.”

The mayor’s veto message said, in part, “Indeed, throughout the entire year last year (2019), the common council engaged outside counsel on the Bonura development proposal (DeLaval parcel) and while I am disappointed that doing so did not produce any results, one way or the other, it was a necessary expense because our corporation counsel had recused himself from the Bonura matter.”

After updates from Salem and Rolison and the passing of a non-binding resolution offered by Councilwoman Natasha Cherry regarding price-gouging, the council chair, assisted by Councilwoman Sarah Brannen, made a motion to override the veto issued by Rolison.  

Earlier in the day Salem had sent a statement to Mid-Hudson News that said in part, “Simply put, the common council is entitled to consult with specialized counsel in its consideration of the policies underlying the LWRP, regardless of the threat of litigation, and the mayor’s vision that the corporation counsel ‘has little to do with it’ until there is an outside dispute underscores the usefulness of legislative counsel.”  

During the meeting Salem reminded the colleagues about the March meeting, saying “The common council unanimously passed this resolution.”  Brannen added comments including “It’s important for us to have legal counsel” and “It’s our right to hire counsel.”

Councilman Chris Petsas pointed out that “The redevelopment of our waterfront is paramount to the city’s future,” as he vowed to support the override.  Councilman Evan Menist, also pledging support for the override. “We need land-use attorneys to help us fully understand the language,” referring to the need for outside counsel.  Councilman Randall Johnson joined Salem, Brannen, Menist, and Petsas, saying “We are not trying to undermine corporation counsel.”

Councilwoman Yvonne Flowers noted that she had concerns in March when the issue first came up but agreed to support it.  After reading the mayor’s veto message, Flowers said “It justified my concerns” and declined to support the override.  Flowers was joined by McNamara, Natasha Cherry, and Lorraine Johnson in voting against the override.  The vote was five in favor and four against.  The motion failed because six votes were needed to overturn a veto.  McNamara denounced the attempt referencing the COVID-19 pandemic, saying “I don’t think it’s a good time to go into this controversy at this time.”

After the council failed to override his veto, Rolison said “I appreciate the council members who supported the Office of Corporation Counsel and their ability to continue the important legal work they do for city government.”




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