MINUTES
COUNTY BOARD OF LEGISLATORS
NOVEMBER 26, 2001
The County Board of Legislators met pursuant to adjournment.
The Honorable George Latimer in the Chair.
The Chairman opened the meeting with the salute to our flag and an invocation.
The roll call resulted as follows:
Legislators: Abinanti, Noto, Bronz, Carsky, Kaplowitz, LaMotte, Maisano, Mosiello, Oros, Pinto, Ryan, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, Wishnie, Young , Chairman.
Absent: None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION: RES 257-2001: Setting a Public Hearing on a proposed Local Law to require the removal of mercury switches prior to the crushing or shredding of motor vehicles.
On motion of the Chairman, the “Unfinished Business” was ordered carried over to the December 10th Board meeting.
Mr. Abinanti moved that the minutes of October 29, 2001 and November 13, 2001 be approved – Carried.
COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: 2002 Proposed County Operating Budget: Transmitting the 2002 Proposed County Operating Budget was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.
COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: 2002 Proposed Special District Budget: Transmitting the 2002 Proposed Special Districts Budget 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 Sandra and John Guinan to be used at the Croton Point Nature Center 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 TRAK to be used to help law enforcement agencies locate and recover abducted children 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 Glen Island, a division of Continental Hosts, to be used to support the County’s performance of The Nutcracker 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 Ossining Rotary Club to be used to support the County’s performance of The Nutcracker 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 Avon Products, Inc. to be used to support the County’s performance of The Nutcracker 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 Mr. Charles A. Doyle and Ms. Susan Fern Doyle to be used to support the County’s performance of The Nutcracker 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 Ms. Sara B. Glickenhaus to be used to support the County’s performance of The Nutcracker 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 Combe Incorporated to be used to support the County’s performance of The Nutcracker 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 Abby R. Simpson and Todd Mydland to be used at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.
COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Gift Acceptance: Acceptance of gift from Mr. and Mrs. Charles Banino to be used to support the County’s performance of The Nutcracker was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.
COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Rockland County IMA: Proposed Act authorizing the County to enter into a two-year IMA with Rockland for the Westchester County Department of Laboratories and Research to provide bacteriological and/or chemical examination of water and food samples was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.
COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: NYSDOT Grants: Proposed Acts authorizing the County to accept grants from the New York State Department of Transportation for four Capital Projects was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.
COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: NYMC Easement: Proposed Act authorizing the County to grant perpetual easement to the New York Medical College to use part of the County’s property at the Grasslands Reservation for the purpose of building an access road to connect two parking lots that NYMC is constructing on its own property was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations and the Committee on Health.
COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: WCC Lease: Proposed Local Law authorizing the County to enter into a lease agreement for space located at 175 Gramatan Avenue in Mount Vernon for use by Westchester Community College as part of an effort to provide educational opportunities to residents of the County who are currently unable to attend classes at the Valhalla campus 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 Entergy Service, Inc. to be used to sponsor the Philharmonic Concert was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.
COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Youth Board Executive Director Appointment: Appointing Marlene Furtick as Executive Director of the Youth Board was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on County Officers and Departments.
COMMUNICATION: COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Lease Agreement with Citiflight: Proposed Local Law authorizing the County to enter into a lease agreement with Citiflight, Inc. was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.
COMMUNICATION: HON. GEORGE LATIMER: Rent Guidelines Board: Forwarding a copy of a letter from Rent Guidelines Board member Catherine Danaher resigning from the Board effective December 31, 2001 was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on County Officers and Departments.
COMMUNICATION: HON. KATHERINE CARSKY: Board of Acquisition and Contract: Forwarding a letter regarding the selection of professional service providers and contractors for public works projects was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Legislation, the Committee on Budget and Appropriations and the Committee on County Officers and Departments.
COMMUNICATION: HON. MICHAEL KAPLOWITZ: Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan: Forwarding the grant application for the Agricultural and Farmland Plan was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on the Environment.
COMMUNICATION: HON. GEORGE LATIMER: Parking at White Plains Library: Forwarding a letter from the President of the White Plains Public Library detailing problems that have arisen from the closing of the Municipal Garage under the Library was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice and the Committee on Community Affairs.
COMMUNICATION: CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: SUPERVISOR PAUL FEINER: Indian Point Evacuation Plan: Forwarding a letter concerning the coalition he has formed to address concerns about Indian Point was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on the Environment, the Committee on Health and the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice.
COMMUNICATION: CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: SUPERVISOR PAUL FEINER: Indian Point: Calling on the County to declare the Indian Point Evacuation Plan insufficient and inadequate and to call on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to shut down the Plant was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on the Environment, the Committee on Health and the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice.
COMMUNICATION: HON. THOMAS ABINANTI: Homeland Security: Forwarding a newspaper article entitled NACo seeks to boost homeland security was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice.
COMMUNICATION: HON. THOMAS ABINANTI: A & C Reforms: Forwarding proposals for reform of the Board of Acquisition and Contract was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Legislation, the Committee on County Officers and Departments and the Committee on Budget and Appropriations.
COMMUNICATION: HON. LOIS BRONZ: Section 8 Housing: Forwarding a copy of a letter from the Chairman of the County’s Housing Opportunity Commission to the members of Westchester’s Congressional Delegation regarding Section 8 Existing Housing Program was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the Committee on Housing.
NOTICES AND PETITIONS: Notice of Petition: Robert Escalara against County of Westchester, et al was on motion of Mr. Abinanti received, filed and referred to the County Attorney.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS: Designation of Outside Counsel: ACT 243-2001: Designating an attorney to be retained to represent Westchester Community College, Joseph N. Hankin and Renee Guy in the lawsuit of Ernest Simpson v. County of Westchester, et al., and authorizing the County to pay the designated counsel for legal services rendered in connection with the action.
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, Oros, Pinto, Ryan, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, Wishnie, Young – Chairman – 17.
NAY: None.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS: Bond Act: (BOND) ACT 248-2001: Authorizing the issuance of $7,800,000 in bonds – Sludge Collection and Processing Equipment – Yonkers Joint Treatment Plant.
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, Oros, Pinto, Ryan, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, Wishnie, Young – Chairman – 17.
NAY: None.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS: Bond Act: (BOND) ACT 244-2001: Authorizing the issuance of $2,120,000 in bonds – Repaving of Bronx River Parkway from Harney/Strathmore Road in Eastchester to River Road in Scarsdale and from Main Street in White Plains to Cemetery/Old Tarrytown Road in Greenburgh.
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, Oros, Pinto, Ryan, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, Wishnie, Young – Chairman – 17.
NAY: None.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS: Bond Act: (BOND) ACT 245-2001: Authorizing the issuance of $540,000 in bonds – Repair of two structures over Bronx River Parkway.
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, Oros, Pinto, Ryan, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, Wishnie, Young – Chairman – 17.
NAY: None.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS: Bond Act: (BOND) ACT 246-2001: Authorizing the issuance of $540,000 in bonds – Rehabilitation of concrete and arch over Central Westchester Parkway.
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, Oros, Pinto, Ryan, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, Wishnie, Young – Chairman – 17.
NAY: None.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS: Operating Budget Amendment: ACT 247-2001: Amending the 2001 County Clerk Operating Budget - +$455,000 Annual Regular; +$100,000 Overtime.
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, Oros, Pinto, Ryan, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, Wishnie, Young – Chairman – 17.
NAY: None.
COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION: Plumbers’ Licensing Law Amendments: LOCAL LAW INTRO 29-2001: Amending Sections 277.505, 277.507 and 277.508 of the Laws of Westchester County to eliminate submission of W-2 tax forms by applicants for a license, separate testing dates for written and practical portions of the examinations, and the six-month waiting period for re-examinations.
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, Oros, Pinto, Ryan, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins, Wishnie, Young – Chairman – 16.
NAY: Legislator Swanson - 1.
COMMITTEE ON COUNTY OFFICERS AND DEPARTMENTS: Refuse Disposal District No. 1 Advisory Board: RES 279-2001: Confirming the appointment of Rocco Circosta as a member of the Refuse Disposal District #1 Advisory Board.
Mrs. LaMotte presented the following Resolution and moved its adoption, which was declared adopted.
COMMITTEE ON COUNTY OFFICERS AND DEPARTMENTS: Youth Board Appointment: RES 280-2001: Confirming the appointment of Andrew Vidal March as a member of the Youth Board.
Mrs. LaMotte presented the following Resolution and moved its adoption, which was declared adopted.
COMMITTEE ON COUNTY OFFICERS AND DEPARTMENTS: Board of Plumbing Examiners Reappointment: RES 281-2001: Confirming the reappointment of Ralph Butler as a member of the Board of Plumbing Examiners.
Mrs. LaMotte presented the following Resolution and moved its adoption, which was declared adopted, 16 to 1.
Mrs. Swanson was not present when the vote was taken.
COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION: Board of Plumbing Examiners Reappointment: RES 282-2001: Confirming the reappointment of Bruce J. Lindenbaum as a member of the Board of Plumbing Examiners.
Mrs. LaMotte presented the following Resolution and moved its adoption, which was declared adopted, 16 to 1.
Mrs. Swanson was not present when the vote was taken.
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT: Columbia Gas Transmission Route: RES 283-2001: Calling on the Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation to immediately amend its application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to alter its route by proposing that the 420 mile Millennium Pipeline, currently intended to travel throughout Westchester County and terminate in the City of Mount Vernon be reconfigured to terminate at the Indian Point Nuclear Facility in Buchanan.
On motion of Mr. Kaplowitz, the following Resolution was laid “OVER” under the rules.
MOTION – ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Abinanti moved that when the Board adjourns, it adjourns to meet on Monday, December 10, 2001, at 10:00 a.m. – Carried.
RES 284-2001: Memorial Resolutions: All Legislators: Death of Donald Manns; Mrs. LaMotte: Death of Frank Craighead; Mrs. LaMotte and Mrs. Swanson: Death of Betty Finkbiner; Mr. Pinto: Death of Stephanie E. Gormsen, Peter R. Bogetti, Rocco Leone, Sister Monica Archer; Mr. Mosiello: Death of Vivian Fugaro; Mr. Noto and Mr. Latimer: Death of Shirle Colety; Mr. Noto: Death of Pasquale Noto, Larry Rigano; Mr. Pinto: Death of Michael Devenuto, Andrew J. Rotano, Irwin Weiner; Mr. Wishnie: Death of Priscilla Barnes; Mr. Young, Mrs. Bronz and Mr. Latimer: Death of Matty Smalls; Mr. Latimer, Mr. Maisano, Mr. Pinto and Mr. Abinanti: Death of Joe Siracuse.
The above-named Legislators presented the following Memorial Resolutions and moved their adoption, which were declared adopted.
RES 285-2001: Memorial Resolutions: World Trade Center: Death of Rochelle Snell.
Mr. Young presented the following Memorial Resolution and moved its adoption, which was declared adopted.
On MOTION of Legislator Abinanti,
the Board adjourned.