4/12/99

THE COUNTY BOARD OF LEGISLATORS MET PURSUANT TO ADJOURNMENT.

THE HONORABLE GEORGE LATIMER IN THE CHAIR

THE CHAIRMAN OPENED THE MEETING WITH A PRAYER AND SALUTE TO OUR FLAG.

ROLL CALL RESULTED AS FOLLOWS:

LEGISLATORS: ABINANTI, NOTO, BRONZ, CARSKY, KAPLOWITZ, LAMOTTE, MAISANO, MOSIELLO, PINTO, RYAN, SPRECKMAN, STEWART-COUSINS, SWANSON, WISHNIE, YOUNG, CHAIRMAN-16.

MOTION: APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: MR. ABINANTI MOVED THAT THE MINUTES OF MARCH 22, 1999, BE APPROVED – CARRIED.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: (BOND) ACT 1999: COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS: Authorizing the issuance of $4,000,000 in bonds – Long-range sludge disposal solution.

On motion of Mr. Wishnie, the Bond Act was recommitted.

COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Gift Acceptance: Acceptance of a gift from Fuji Photo Film, U.S.A. to be used at the Kid’s Fair was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Soil and Water Board Reappointment: Reappointing Peter VandeWater as a member of the Soil and Water Conservation Board was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on County Officers and Departments.

COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Soil and Water Board Reappointment: Reappointing Carol Coggeshall as a member of the Soil and Water Conservation Board was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on County Officers and Departments.

COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Electrical Licensing Board Reappointment: Reappointing Gary R. Lynch as a member of the Electrical Licensing Board was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on County Officers and Departments.

COMMUNICATION: Soil and Water Board Appointment: Appointing Bruce Barber as a member of the Soil and Water Conservation Board was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on County Officers and Departments.

COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Soil and Water Board Appointment: Appointing Paula J. Lebowitz as a member of the Soil and Water Conservation Board was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on County Officers and Departments.

COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Soil and Water Board Reappointment: Reappointing Nancy Jane Woolley as a member of the Soil and Water Conservation Board was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on County Officers and Departments.

COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Domestic Violence Council Appointment: Appointing Chief Gerard Mignone of Tuckahoe as the Police Chief’s Association Representative on the Domestic Violence Council was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on County Officers and Departments.

COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Domestic Violence Council Appointment: Appointing Equilla Anderton as an at-large member of the Domestic Violence Council was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on County Officers and Departments.

COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Scarsdale Village Annex: Proposed Act authorizing a lease agreement with the Village of Scarsdale for the use of the “Village Annex” to provide housing for a homeless family was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Community Affairs and Housing and Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Mount Vernon Youth Bureau IMA: Proposed Act authorizing the County to enter into an IMA with the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau for the provision of services under the Safe and Accessible Places to Learn and Play After School Program was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Invest-in-Kids Program: Proposed Act authorizing the County to amend eight IMA’s in order to increase the 1998 contract provisions of services under the “Invest-in-Kids” Urban Initiative Program was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Metro-North Easement: Proposed Act authorizing the County to grant an easement to the Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company over certain County-owned real property in the Village of Croton-on-Hudson was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Budget Transfer Resolution: Proposed Resolution transferring funds within various County Departments in the amount of $1,459,334. was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Water District Budget Amendment: Proposed Act amending the 1998 Water District No. 1 Operating Budget was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: 1998 Budget Amendment: Proposed Act Amending the 1998 Operating Budget was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Budget Transfer Resolution: Proposed Resolution transferring funds within various Sewer and Water Districts in the amount of $115,877. was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Modifications to Ossining Sanitary Sewer District: Proposed act to modify the Ossining Sanitary Sewer District by the Removal of 354 parcels of property located in the Town of Croton-on-Hudson was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations and Committee on Public Works.

COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Emergency Services Mutual Aid Plan: Proposed Act authorizing the county to enter into written agreements with the City of New York and all cities, towns, villages, fire and/or EMS districts, commercial and volunteer ambulance services and hospitals located in the counties of Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Sullivan, Dutchess and Ulster for participation in the Westchester County Emergency Medical Services Mutual Aid Plan was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations and Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice.

COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Light General Aviation Facilities: Proposed legislation relating to the lease of property at the Airport for the construction and operation of two light general aviation facilities was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on the Environment and Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

COMMUNICATION: HON. LOUIS MOSIELLO: Rent Guidelines Board: Forwarding a memorandum from the Yonkers Tenants Coalition urging the Board to keep Catherine Danaher and Alfred Corbo as Tenant members of the Rent Guidelines Board was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on County Officers and Departments.

COMMUNICATION: HON. MICHAEL KAPLOWITZ: DEIS – Croton Water Treatment Plant: Forwarding the notice of a Joint Public Hearing to receive comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Site Selection for the proposed Croton Water Treatment Plant Project was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on the Environment.

COMMUNICATION: HON. GEORGE LATIMER: Assistant Parks Curators: Urging the Board to see to it that the three Assistant Curator positions that were approved in the 1999 budget be used as planned was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

COMMUNICATION: HON. URSULA LA MOTTE: Transfer Tax: Urging the rejection of any Transfer Tax proposal was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

COMMUNICATION: HON. SUZANNE SWANSON AND HON. WILLIAM RYAN: Standardized Elevator Keys: Forwarding a letter from the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Valhalla Fire District requesting that the same standardized elevator key used by the Town of Mount Pleasant be utilized for County Buildings located on the Grasslands Reservation was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice.

COMMUNICATION: HON. KATHERINE CARSKY: Electric Service Deregulation: Forwarding a letter from the President of O’Dea & Associates asking that the Board call on his firm for technical information regarding electric service deregulation was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Legislation.

COMMUNICATION: HON. MICHAEL KAPLOWITZ: Watershed Security: Forwarding a report prepared by the Riverkeeper, Inc. entitled DEP’s Watershed Police – Cops in Cuffs was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on the Environment.

COMMUNICATION: LEGISLATORS MOSIELLO, NOTO AND CARSKY: Human Rights Commission: Forwarding a letter from the County Chamber of Commerce expressing opposition to the proposal to create a Westchester County Human Rights Commission was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Legislation.

COMMUNICATION: HON. LOUIS MOSIELLO AND HON. PAUL NOTO: Human Rights Commission: Forwarding a letter from the Cooperative and Condominium Advisory Council expressing opposition to the proposal to create a Westchester County Human Rights Commission was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Legislation.

COMMUNICATION: HON. LOUIS MOSIELLO AND HON. PAUL NOTO: Human Rights Commission: Forwarding a letter from the Christian Coalition of New York expressing opposition to the proposal to create a Westchester County Human Rights Commission was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Legislation.

COMMUNICATION: HON. LOUIS MOSIELLO: Human Rights Commission: Forwarding an article printed in the Parish Bulletin of St. Eugene’s Church expressing opposition to the proposal to create a Westchester County Human Rights Commission was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Legislation.

COMMUNICATION: HON. LOUIS MOSIELLO AND HON. PAUL NOTO: Human Rights Commission: Forwarding a statement from the Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO expressing opposition to the proposal to create a Westchester County Human Rights Commission was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Legislation.

COMMUNICATION: HON. LOUIS MOSIELLO AND HON. PAUL NOTO: Human Rights Commission: Forwarding an analysis submitted by a coalition of Westchester Business, Real Estate, Labor, Construction and Building Trades Organizations expressing opposition to the proposal to create a Westchester County Human Rights Commission was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Legislation.

COMMUNICATION: HON. VITO PINTO AND HON. PAUL NOTO: Trash Hauler’s Legislation: Forwarding a letter from the President of the New York State Turf and Landscape Association expressing concern about the fees that would be charged to the hauling companies under the new legislation and renewing his request to abolish the Category “D” hauling permit was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Legislation.

COMMUNICATION: HON. GEORGE LATIMER: Plumbers’ Licensing Law: Forwarding a letter from the Executive Director of the Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association asking the Board to address several problems that have arisen since the Plumbers’ Licensing Law was adopted in 1995 was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Legislation.

COMMUNICATION: CLERK OF THE BOARD: Designation of Deputies: Forwarding the Designation of Deputies for the Department of Public Safety was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on County Officers and Departments.

COMMUNICATION: HON. GEORGE LATIMER AND HON. PAUL NOTO: Siting of Wireless Telecommunications Equipment: Forwarding a Resolution passed by the Village of Mamaroneck opposing State Legislation regarding the siting of wireless telecommunications equipment was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on the Environment and Committee on Legislation.

COMMUNICATION: HON. THOMAS ABINANTI: County-wide Property Revaluation: Forwarding a Resolution passed by the Village of Dobbs Ferry calling on the Board to take whatever action is required to re-initiate legislation calling for a County-wide revaluation of County properties was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Legislation and Committee on the Environment.

COMMUNICATION: HON. PAUL NOTO: Siting of Wireless Telecommunications Equipment: Forwarding a Resolution passed by the Village of Port Chester opposing State Legislation regarding the siting of wireless telecommunications equipment was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Legislation.

COMMUNICATION: HON. GEORGE LATIMER AND HON. PAUL NOTO: Early Bar Closings: Forwarding a Resolution passed by the Village of Port Chester calling on the State Liquor Authority to change bar closing hours from 4:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. in Westchester County was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Legislation and Health and the Medical Center.

COMMUNICATION: HON. GEORGE LATIMER AND HON. PAUL NOTO: County-wide Property Revaluation: Forwarding a Resolution passed by the Village of Mamaroneck calling on the Board to take whatever action is required to re-initiate legislation calling for a County-wide revaluation of County properties was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Legislation.

COMMUNICATION: CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS: Districting Standards: Supporting a system of representation that satisfied requirements for equal population and respects municipal boundaries and urging the Board to amend the County Charter to include Districting Standards was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Legislation.

NOTICES AND PETITIONS: Notice of Claim: Lucretia Broncati v. County of Westchester was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the County Attorney.

(BOND) ACT 81-1999: COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS: Authorizing the issuance of $150,000 in bonds – Rehabilitation of Playland Parkway Bridge over Blind Brook in the City of Rye.

Mr. Wishnie presented the following report and act and moved that the report be received, filed and approved and the Act adopted, which motion was carried by the following vote:

AYE: LEGISLATORS: Abinanti, Noto, Bronz, Carsky, Kaplowitz, LaMotte, Maisano, Mosiello, Pinto, Ryan, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, Wishnie, Young, Chairman – 16.

NAY: NONE.

(BOND) ACT 82-1999: COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS: Authorizing the issuance of $150,000 in bonds – Two Bridge Projects: Albany Post Road over Annsville Creek (Cortlandt) and Broad Street Viaduct (Yonkers).

Mr. Wishnie presented the following report and act and moved that the report be received, filed and approved and the Act adopted, which motion was carried by the following vote:

AYE: LEGISLATORS: Abinanti, Noto, Bronz, Carsky, Kaplowitz, LaMotte, Maisano, Mosiello, Pinto, Ryan, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, Wishnie, Young, Chairman – 16.

NAY: NONE.

(BOND) ACT 83-1999: COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS: Authorizing the issuance of $430,000 in bonds – Design and construction of the expansion to the east parking lot of the Department of Labs and Research facility on the Valhalla Campus.

Mr. Wishnie presented the following report and act and moved that the report be received, filed and approved and the Act adopted, which motion was carried by the following vote:

AYE: LEGISLATORS: Abinanti, Noto, Bronz, Carsky, Kaplowitz, LaMotte, Maisano, Mosiello, Pinto, Ryan, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, Wishnie, Young, Chairman – 16.

NAY: NONE.

ACT 84-1999: COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS: Authorizing the County to grant a perpetual easement to the MTA acting on behalf of the Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company, to maintain and repair various underground railroad utilities which are located on or about the County-owned parking lot off of East First Street in the City of Mount Vernon and adjacent to the Mount Vernon Railroad Station, and further described in Schedule “A” attached hereto.

Mr. Wishnie presented the following report and act and moved that the report be received, filed and approved and the Act adopted, which motion was carried by the following vote:

AYE: LEGISLATORS: Abinanti, Noto, Bronz, Carsky, Kaplowitz, LaMotte, Maisano, Mosiello, Pinto, Ryan, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, Wishnie, Young, Chairman – 16.

NAY: NONE.

ACT 85-1999: COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS AND COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE: Authorizing the County to enter into an IMA with the Town of Greenburgh in order to provide reimbursement for prisoner transportation to the County Jail.

Mr. Ryan presented the following report and act and moved that the report be received, filed and approved and the Act adopted, which motion was carried by the following vote:

AYE: LEGISLATORS: Abinanti, Noto, Bronz, Carsky, Kaplowitz, LaMotte, Maisano, Mosiello, Pinto, Ryan, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, Wishnie, Young, Chairman – 16.

NAY: NONE.

RESOLUTION 44-1999: COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS: Setting a public hearing on a proposed Local Law in relation to tax exemptions for senior citizens. [Public Hearing set for April 26, 1999 at 7:30 P.M.; Local Law Intro 3-1999]

Mr. Wishnie presented the following resolution and moved its adoption, which was declared adopted.

RESOLUTION 45-1999: COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS: Maple Moor Golf Course Environmental: Finding that there will be no significant impact on the environment from the adoption of a bond act authorizing the issuance of $1,500,000 in bonds to finance the cost of tee and green rehabilitation at the Maple Moor Golf Course.

Mr. Wishnie presented the following resolution and moved its adoption, which was declared adopted.

(BOND) ACT 88-1999: COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS: Maple Moor Bond Act: Authorizing the issuance of $1,500,000 in bonds - tee and green rehabilitation at the Maple Moor Golf Course.

Mr. Wishnie presented the following report and act and moved that the report be received, filed and approved and the Act adopted, which motion was carried by the following vote:

AYE: LEGISLATORS: Abinanti, Noto, Bronz, Carsky, Kaplowitz, LaMotte, Maisano, Mosiello, Pinto, Ryan, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, Wishnie, Young, Chairman – 16.

NAY: NONE.

ACT 86-1999: COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS AND COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND HOUSING: Community Development Block Grant: Authorizing the County to submit an Urban County Application under the Community Development Block Grant Program, including an Action Plan, and to accept such a Grant.

Mrs. Bronz presented the following report and act and moved that the report be received, filed and approved and the Act adopted, which motion was carried by the following vote:

AYE: LEGISLATORS: Abinanti, Noto, Bronz, Carsky, Kaplowitz, LaMotte, Maisano, Mosiello, Pinto, Ryan, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, Wishnie, Young, Chairman – 16.

NAY: NONE.

RESOLUTION 46-1999: COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION: Electrical Licensing Law: Setting a public hearing on a proposed Local Law amending the Electrical Licensing Law to extend the time for certain qualified electricians to apply for a grandfathered Master or Special Electricians License. [Public Hearing set for April 26, 1999, at 7:30 P.M.; Local Law Intro 4-1999]

Mrs. Stewart-Cousins presented the following resolution and moved its adoption, which was declared adopted.

RESOLUTION 47-1999: COMMITTEE ON COUNTY OFFICERS AND DEPARTMENTS: Parks Board Reappointment: Confirming the reappointment of Andrew J. Natale as a member of the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Board.

Mrs. Swanson presented the following resolution and moved its adoption.

Mr. Kaplowitz disclosed that Mr. Natale is a client in his financial planning service business. The County Attorney ruled that disclosure was sufficient and Mr. Kaplowitz did not have to recuse himself.

Mrs. Swanson again presented the resolution and moved its adoption, which motion was declared adopted.

RESOLUTION 48-1999: COMMITTEE ON COUNTY OFFICERS AND DEPARTMENTS: Parks Board Reappointment: Confirming the reappointment of Ira Birnbaum as a member of the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Board.