Mayor Spano Makes Appointments

Lee Ellman -photos by Maurice Mercado
Mayor Spano swears in Lou Albano as Planning Commissioner
Marlyn Anderson

Mayor Mike Spano made several appointments recently to his adminstration. They are:

 Marlyn Anderson, sworn in as Member of Yonkers IDA Board. Anderson, who joined the City of Yonkers as Assistant to Mayor Mike Spano in 2019, works closely with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor in governmental affairs and is responsible for coordination of special projects. She also serves as liaison for the Mayor’s office working with agency officials on projects and has worked closely with staff on the 2020 Census. Currently, she serves as Secretary of the Yonkers Joint School Construction Board.

Her professional experience includes, working at the New York City Department of Homeless Services, where she was responsible for the administrative monitoring and assessment of various aspects of shelter services to ensure that standards of quality were being met. She began her career in the Department of Homeless Services as a caseworker in 2000 and held various executive-level administrative positions.   

Anderson, who is a resident of Yonkers, is a graduate of Queens College and holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Long Island University.

Louis Albano, was sworn in as Commission of Planning & Development. Albano has served as the City’s Deputy Commissioner of Planning & Development since 2013 where he was directly responsible for coordinating and monitoring new and ongoing development projects for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program; developed plans in accordance with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and interpreted and analyzed zoning ordinances, regulations and renewal plans. Previously, Albano served in the City of Mount Vernon’s Planning and Community Development department in various roles including Commissioner, Executive Director of its’ Urban Renewal Agency, and served as Director of Housing and as a Compliance Officer. Albano replaces former City Planning & Development Commissioner Wilson Kimball, who vacated her position in April 2020.

Lee Ellman was sworn in as Deputy Planning Commissioner. Ellman transitions into the Deputy Commissioner position after serving as Yonkers’ Planning Director since 1992. During his role as Director, Ellman has overseen the City’s Planning, Landmarks Preservation, Zoning Boards and Environmental reviews. He has led major Yonkers developments including the Alexander Street Master Plan, the Ravine Avenue Master Plan and Renewal Plan, the Ridge Hill Project Planning Renewal Zoning and Environmental Review and, most recently, the Ludlow Transit Oriented Development Plan. Ellman holds a Bachelors of Arts from the State University of New York at Albany and a Masters of City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University.

“Collectively, Lou and Lee bring over 70 years of experience in municipal planning and community development,” said Mayor Spano. “Their in-depth knowledge and expertise with urban planning, zoning, and housing in Yonkers and with our surrounding communities make for a seamless transition in continuing the City’s ongoing economic development and urban renewal.”

David Jackson was recently sworn in as Assessor for another six-year term. Mayor Spano first appointed Jackson as City Assessor in 2013. Prior his tenure with the City of Yonkers, Jackson served at the Westchester County Tax Commission, worked with the Norwalk, Connecticut Department of Finance, Washington D.C.’s  Department of Finance and Revenue and the City of New York’s Department of Finance. Jackson was the former President of the New York State Association of County Directors of Real Property Tax Services, a past Executive Board member of the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO), formerly Vice President of the Washington Metropolitan Area Chapter IAAO, Treasurer of the Metropolitan New York Chapter IAAO, President of the Fairfield County Connecticut Assessors Association and President of African American Property Valuation Professionals. Jackson is a graduate of St. John’s University where he obtained a B.S in Urban Health Management and an A.S in Business Administration and holds multiple assessment administration designations.

“Dave’s extensive experience in assessment administration allows us to continue to build on our efforts in providing Yonkers taxpayers with a fairer and more efficient assessment process,” said Mayor Spano. “I am confident he will continue to do a superb job for our city taxpayers.”

“I want to thank Mayor Spano for the opportunity and confidence in me to continue to build upon the work and the technology set in place in recent years to assist Yonkers taxpayers,” said David Jackson. “I look forward to another productive term here in Yonkers.”

Yonkers taxpayers can contact the Assessor’s office by sending email inquiries to CityAssessor@yonkersny.gov or sending exemption applications or inquiries to AssessmentSupport@yonkersny.gov.   Additionally, commercial property owners can now file income and expense forms or exclusion online and all taxpayers will be able to file formal assessment appeals online after reviewing their assessment on November 1.