MONDAY

 

JANUARY 3, 2000

 

PROCEEDINGS

 

OF THE

 

COUNTY BOARD

 

OF

 

LEGISLATORS

 

WESTCHESTER COUNTY

 

NEW YORK

 

          The County Board of Legislators met pursuant to Section 209.11 (1) of the Westchester County Administrative Code and was called to order by Patricia F. Gorski, Clerk of the Board.

 

PRESENT:

 

DISTRICT                                                     LEGISLATOR

 

FIRST……………………………….GEORGE OROS

SECOND……………………………

THIRD………………………………SUZANNE R. SWANSON

FOURTH……………………………MICHAEL KAPLOWITZ

FIFTH……………………………….WILLIAM RYAN

SIXTH……………………………….PAUL J. NOTO

SEVENTH…………………………..GEORGE LATIMER

EIGHTH…………………………….

NINTH………………………………RICHARD G. WISHNIE

TENTH………………………………VITO PINTO

ELEVENTH…………………………JAMES MAISANO

TWELFTH…………………………..THOMAS J. ABINANTI

THIRTEENTH………………………CLINTON I. YOUNG, JR.

FOURTEENTH……………………..BERNICE SPRECKMAN

FIFTEENTH………………………...LOUIS MOSIELLO

SIXTEENTH………………………..ANDREA STEWART-COUSINS

SEVENTEENTH……………………KATHERINE CARSKY

 

JUDGE ORAZIO R. BELLANTONI ADMINISTERED THE OATH OF OFFICE TO THE LEGISLATORS.

 

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

 

          Mrs. Gorski called for nominations for the office of Chairman of the County Board of Legislators for the 2000-2001 term.

 

          Mr. Wishnie was recognized and proceeded to nominate George Latimer for the Office of Chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators.  That motion of seconded by Mrs. Spreckman.  Mr. Kaplowitz moved that the nominations be closed and Mr. Noto moved by acclamation that Mr. Latimer be unanimously elected Chairman for the 2000-2001 term.

 

ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN

 

          The Chairman called for nominations for the Office of Vice Chair of the County Board of Legislators for the 2000-2001 term.

 

          Mr. Kaplowitz was recognized and proceeded to nominate Lois Bronz for the Office of Vice Chair.  That motion was seconded by Mrs. Carsky.  Mrs. Carsky moved that the nominations be closed and Mr. Noto moved by acclamation that Mrs. Bronz be unanimously elected Vice Chair for the 2000-20001 term.

 

ELECTION OF CLERK

 

          Mrs. Swanson was recognized and proceeded to place in nomination the name of Patricia F. Gorski for the office of Clerk of the County Board of Legislators for the 2000-2001 term.  That motion was seconded by Mr. Pinto.  Mr. Abinanti moved that the nominations be closed and Mr. Noto moved by acclamation that Mrs. Gorski be unanimously elected Clerk for the 2000-2001 term.

 

MOTION:  APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Mr. Abinanti moved that the minutes of  December 6, 1999 (Special Meeting); December 13, 1999 (Regular Meeting); December 13, 1999 (Special Meeting); December 14, 1999 (Special Meeting); December 21, 1999 (Special Meeting) be approved – Carried.

 

COMMUNICATION:  COUNTY EXECUTIVE:  Gift Acceptance:  Acceptance of a gift from DynMeridan Company to be used by the District Attorney was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMUNICATION:  COUNTY EXECUTIVE:  Operation and Maintenance of Oscawana Park:  Proposed Legislation amending Act 189-1997 to reflect that the County is granting a license, rather than a lease to the Town of Cortlandt for the operation and maintenance of Oscawana Park was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

 

COMMUNICATION:  COUNTY EXECUTIVE:  Gift Acceptance:  Acceptance of a gift from the Four M Corporation to be used to produce a documentary film on the history of movie-making in Westchester County was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

 

COMMUNICATION:  COUNTY EXECUTIVE:  Bond Act:  Authorizing the issuance of $325,000 – Electronic Exchange of Legal Data – County Clerk’s Office was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

 

COMMUNICATION:  COUNTY EXECUTIVE:  Bond Act:  Authorizing the issuance of $550,000 in bonds – Design/Phase IV Sprout Brook Ash Disposal was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

 

COMMUNICATION:  COUNTY EXECUTIVE:  Bond Act:  Authorizing the issuance of $450,000 in bonds – Parcel Acquisition Sprout Brook Ash Disposal was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations and Committee on Community Affairs.

 

COMMUNICATION:  COUNTY EXECUTIVE:  Bond Act:  Authorizing the issuance of $1,025,000 in bonds – Municipal Sewer System Rehabilitation/Blind Brook SSD was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

.

COMMUNICATION:  COUNTY EXECUTIVE:  Bond Act:  Authorizing the issuance of $8,000,000 in bonds – Municipal Sewer System Rehabilitation/Mamaroneck SSD was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

 

COMMUNICATION:  COUNTY EXECUTIVE:  Bond Act:  Authorizing the issuance of $11,450,000 in bonds – Municipal Sewer System Rehabilitation/New Rochelle SSD was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

 

 

 

COMMUNICATION:  COUNTY EXECUTIVE:   Bond Act:  Authorizing the issuance of $10,240,000 – Municipal Sewer System Rehabilitation/Yonkers Joint SSD was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

 

COMMUNICATION:  COUNTY EXECUTIVE:  Bond Act:  Authorizing the issuance of $1,500,000 in bonds – Additional Clarifier Tank/Ossining Wastewater Treatment Plant was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

 

COMMUNICATION:  COUNTY EXECUTIVE:  Bond Act:  Authorizing the issuance of $2,600,000 in bonds – Performance Maintenance – Port Chester Wastewater Treatment was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

 

COMMUNICATION:  COUNTY EXECUTIVE:  Bond Act: Authorizing the issuance of $200,000 in bonds – Sodium Hypochlorite – Port Chester Wastewater Treatment Plant was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

 

COMMUNICATION:  COUNTY EXECUTIVE:   Bond Act:  Authorizing the issuance of $850,000 in bonds – Gravity Thickener – Yonkers Joint Wastewater Treatment Plant was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

 

COMMUNICATION:  COUNTY EXECUTIVE:   Bond Act:  Authorizing the issuance of $500,000 in bonds – Gravibelt filter – Yonkers Joint Wastewater Treatment Plant was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

 

COMMUNICATION:  COUNTY EXECUTIVE:  Bond Act:  Authorizing the issuance of $1,625,000 in bonds – Fire Suppression Alarm & Security Systems – Yonkers Joint  Wastewater Treatment Plant was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

 

COMMUNICATION:  COUNTY EXECUTIVE:  Bond Act:  Authorizing the issuance of $2,600,000 in bonds – Sludge Collection & Processing Equipment – Yonkers Joint Wastewater Treatment Plant was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

 

COMMUNICATION:  COUNTY EXECUTIVE:  Bond Act:  Authorizing the issuance of $1,300,000 in bonds – Storage Building – Yonkers Joint Wastewater Treatment Plant was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

 

COMMUNICATION:  COUNTY EXECUTIVE:  Bond Act:  Authorizing the issuance of $10,500,000 – Engine Replacement & Blower Reconditioning – Yonkers Joint Wastewater Treatment was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

 

COMMUNICATION:  COUNTY EXECUTIVE:  Bond Act:  Authorizing the issuance of $2,000,000 in bonds – Odor Control Digest Sludge Storage Tanks – Yonkers Joint Wastewater Treatment Plant was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

 

COMMUNICATION:  COUNTY EXECUTIVE:   Bond Act:  Authorizing the issuance of $3,900,000 in bonds – Effluent Treatment – Yonkers Joint Wastewater Treatment Plant was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

 

COMMUNICATION:  COUNTY EXECUTIVE:  Gun Safety Locks:  Proposed Local Law amending the Laws of Westchester County by adding a new Chapter 527 in relation to the use of safety locking devices with weapons was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Legislation.

 

COMMUNICATION:  HON. MICHAEL KAPLOWITZ:  Dean’s Bridge Reopening:  Forwarding a letter from two Somers residents disturbed about the prospect of having Dean’s Bridge reopened was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on the Environment and Committee on Public Works.

 

COMMUNICATION:  HON. MICHAEL KAPLOWITZ:  Ownership and Operation of Indian Point:  Forwarding a press release from Con Edison announcing its intention to explore alternatives to continued ownership and operation of Indian Point 2 Nuclear Power Plant was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on the Environment.

 

COMMUNICATION:  CITIZEN COMMUNICATION:  FRIENDS OF READ WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, INC:  Staffing for County Nature Centers:  Requesting additional staffing in Parks for County Nature Centers was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

 

COMMUNICATION:  CITIZEN COMMUNICATION:  HON. PAUL FEINER:  Austin Avenue Access:  Requesting that another access road from the Austin Avenue Development to Route 9A be found was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Community Affairs and Housing.

 

COMMUNICATION:  CITIZEN COMMUNICATION:  HON. PAUL FEINER:  Bronx River Bridge Repair:  Requesting the expedited repair of the Bronx River Bridge was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Public Works.

 

COMMUNICATION:  CITIZEN COMMUNICATION:  HON. PAUL FEINER:  Establishment of a Mediation Program:  Proposing that the County establish a mediation program to settle disputes between different communities and among neighborhood groups relating to proposed developments was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Community Affairs and Housing.

 

COMMUNICATION:  HON. GEORGE LATIMER:  Disposition of Tobacco Settlement Funds:  Forwarding a proposed resolution signed by fifteen Legislators making specific commitments to use tobacco settlement funds for tobacco education was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Health and the Medical Center.

 

COMMUNICATION:  HON. THOMAS ABINANTI:  Home Ownership Grants:  Forwarding a letter from the Vice President of Greenpoint Bank advising him that the Bank is making nine Home Ownership Grants available to organizations who assist low-and moderate-income families in realizing their dream of owning a home was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Community Affairs and Housing.

 

COMMUNICATION:  HON. GEORGE LATIMER AND HON. SUZANNE SWANSON:  Electrical Licensing Law Enforcement Officer:  Forwarding a letter from the Attorney representing the Westchester County Licensed Electrical Contractors Association requesting that his group have some input into the selection of the Electrical Licensing Law Enforcement Officer was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on County Officers and Departments.

 

COMMUNICATION:  HON. GEORGE LATIMER:  Industrial Development Agency Budget:  Forwarding the 2000 Operating Budget for the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

 

COMMUNICATION:  HON. GEORGE LATIMER:  Long Distance Swimming – Long Island Sound:  Forwarding a memorandum to the Chair of the Committee on Community Affairs and Housing asking that the Committee hold an evening meeting in New Rochelle to discuss the possibility of permitting long distance swimming in Long Island Sound was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Community Affairs and Housing.

 

COMMUNICATION:  HON. VITO PINTO:  Postal Stamp Honoring Audie Murphy:  Forwarding a proposed resolution calling on the United States Postal Service to issue a stamp honoring World War II hero Audie Murphy was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Community Affairs and Housing.

 

COMMUNICATION:  HON. SUZANNE SWANSON:  Requests for Removal from County Saw Mill Sewer District:  Forwarding a letter from the Supervisor of the Town of Mount Pleasant requesting that certain, specified property owners be removed from the Saw Mill Sewer District was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Public Works.

 

COMMUNICATION:  HON. SUZANNE SWANSON:  Requests for Removal from County Saw Mill Sewer District:  Forwarding a letter from the Supervisor of the Town of Mount Pleasant requesting that certain, specified property owners be removed from the Saw Mill Sewer District was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Public Works.

 

COMMUNICATION:  LEGISLATORS ABINANTI, PINTO AND RYAN:  Kids Gun Safety Act:  Forwarding a proposed Local Law in relation to protecting children from injury caused by the unsafe storage of rifles, shotguns and firearms was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Legislation.

 

COMMUNICATION:  HON. GEORGE OROS:  Proposed Compensation Panel:  Forwarding his proposal for a Legislative Compensation Panel was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Legislation and Committee on Budget and Appropriations.

 

COMMUNICATION:  HON. GEORGE OROS:  Human Rights Commission Amendments:  Forwarding proposed amendments to the Human Rights Commission Law was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Legislation.

 

COMMUNICATION:  HON. GEORGE LATIMER: Revaluation/Reassessment:  Forwarding a memorandum to the Legislation Committee asking for a review of Revaluation/Reassessment was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Legislation.

 

 

 

 

COMMUNICATION:  HON. GEORGE LATIMER:  Hudson Hills Golf Course:  Forwarding a memorandum to the Committee on Community Affairs and Housing asking that the Committee review the status of the Hudson Hills Golf Course was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Community Affairs and Housing.

 

COMMUNICATION:  HON. WILLIAM RYAN:  Merritt Hill in West Harrison:  Forwarding a letter from a constituent detailing his concerns and proposals for Merritt Hill, a revolutionary landmark in West Harrison was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Community Affairs and Housing.

 

COMMUNICATION:  HON. GEORGE LATIMER:  Census 2000:  Forwarding a memorandum to the Committees on Legislation and Minority Affairs asking them to investigate all Federal plans to conduct the Year 2000 Census to insure that plans are in place for the most accurate possible count to occur within Westchester was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Legislation and Committee on Minority Affairs.

 

COMMUNICATION:  HON. GEORGE LATIMER:  Tobacco Education Programs:  Forwarding a memorandum to the Committee on Health asking them to monitor the progress in the development of the County’s tobacco education programs was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Health and the Medical Center.

COMMUNICATION:  COUNTY ATTORNEY:  Acceptance of Real Property:  Forwarding a Resolution finding that there will be no significant impact on the environment from the adoption of an Act which would authorize the acceptance of a gift of approximately 1.01134 acres of real property in the Town of North Castle from Wood Hollow Estates and an Act authorizing the County to acquire from Wood Hollow Estates, by donation, an approximately 1.01134 acre parcel abutting Wampus Pond Park in the Town of North Castle and designating it as a County Park and Recreational area.

 

          Mr. Ryan, seconded by Mrs. Swanson, asked for unanimous consent to adopt the Resolution and Act.

 

          RESOLUTION 1-2000 – Finding that there will be no significant impact on the environment.

 

Mr. Ryan presented the following resolution and moved its adoption, which was declared carried.

 

 

 

 

ACT 1-2000:  An Act which would authorize the acceptance of a gift of approximately 1.01134 acres of real property in the Town of North Castle from Wood Hollow Estates, by donation, an approximately 1.01134 acre parcel abutting Wampus Pond Park in the Town of North Castle and designating it as a County Park and Recreation area.

 

          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 declared carried by the following vote:

 

          AYE:  Legislators: Abinanti, Noto, Carsky, Kaplowitz, Maisano, Mosiello, Oros, Pinto, Ryan, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, Wishnie, Young, Chairman-15.

 

          NAY:  None.

 

 

RESOLUTION 2-2000:  Memorial Resolutions:  Mrs. LaMotte:  Death of Maryann Pandolfo, Lucinda Smuith-Feeney, Death of Paul G. Taddiken; Mr. Ryan:  Death of Thomas D. Nast; Mr. Noto:  Death of Albert H. Munter, Sr.; Mr. Wishnie:  Robert E. Borho, Marjorie S. Losee, Lauretta Santucci; Mr. Pinto:  Death of Constance W. Dohrenwend, Barbara Maroccia,.Catherine Savage, Sylvia Mirabito, Charles F. Volpe, Sr., Peter Radice, Frank Russo; Mr. Abinanti:  John F. Degnan, Martin Flynn; Mrs. Spreckman:  Death of Helen Hudjik; All Legislators:  Patrick Donald Nuzzo;  Mr. Maisano:  Death of Anthony DiCairano, Joseph F. Candrea, Antonio Idone;  Mr. Kaplowitz:  Death of Philip Good.

 

          The above-named Legislators presented the following memorials resolutions and moved their adoption, which was declared adopted.

 

 

 

MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS:  12^th District (Mr. Abinanti):  Move that when the Board adjourns, it adjourns to meet on January 24, 2000 at 7:00 p.m.

 

On MOTION of Legislator Abinanti, the Board adjourned.