Officials gathered Wednesday to discuss the future of Mount Vernon’s Memorial Field, which has been a point of controversy between Mount Vernon's mayor and its City Council for years.

Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins says the meeting was called to bring everyone together now that Westchester has taken control of the field.

Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas said the meeting's biggest success was that everyone now agrees the field should host an eight-lane track, rather than a smaller one, making it suitable for competitive events.

Jenkins pointed out the county's original $1.3 million plan for the field always included an eight-lane track.

City Council member Andre Wallace says he's happy all players seem now to be on the same team, but frustrated the process has cost taxpayers so much time and money.

“It took us close to $500,000 in legal fees to get here, which should have never been,” he said.

County officials tell News 12 they are now reviewing the agreement for Memorial Field, amending it so it specifies the county controls construction. They hope to finalize the plan with the city soon.

City officials say they are hopeful Memorial Field will be able to open to the public within a year's time.