PRESENT: Chair: M. Kaplowitz. Members: U. LaMotte; V. Pinto;

J. Maisano.

STAFF: Steve Bass; Charlotte Ryer, Sec’y.

ALSO PRESENT: Roberta Wiernik, Chair-WC/PMC; Warren Ross, Gudrun LeLash (FCWC); Katharine McLoughlin (NYLCV); Irene Stalzburg (Friends/Marshlands); Fedora DeLucia (Somers); Bill Randolph (CEO).

The meeting was called to order at 3:37 p.m.. The minutes of April 20^th were corrected and approved, along with the approval of the May 4^th minutes on the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, with a vote of 4-0. Chair Kaplowitz announced that a meeting was held yesterday in the Planning Department in regard to the Public Hearing being held tonight in Yonkers on the DEIS for the Millennium Pipeline Project. Ed Hoffmeister will represent the County and present a statement on behalf of the County Executive, the Planning Department and the Board of Legislators. Chair explained that at the last Committee meeting he requested that Ed speak for the Board and incorporate the Board’s concerns regarding the alienation of parkland - specifically the issue of hiring a consultant to read the diagnostics tests, and to make sure that rocks and boulders are not thrown into backfills that would cause damage to the pipeline. Chair asked Steve to obtain a copy of Ed’s presentation/statement.

Subcommittees were reviewed next, noting that Legislator LaMotte and Legislator Pinto have both scheduled to meet with their subcommittee on Wednesday, May 26^th at 7:00 p.m. and 7:15 p.m., respectively. Legislator Maisano added that his subcommittee will meet on Wednesday, June 16^th at 7:30 p.m., in New Rochelle City Hall.

Next, Chair Kaplowitz introduced Ms. Roberta Wiernik, Chair of the Westchester County Pest Management Committee to discuss pesticide use. Ms. Wiernik began her remarks by mentioning the members of her committee and the importance of their contribution. The current members are:

• Todd Schongalla, Cornell Co-op. Extention, has been on the committee since its inception. He is a horticulturist and a team leader.
• Dr. Michael Hansen, Research Associate at Consumers Union, and has co-written a text book on pesticide issues and has traveled over the world consulting and speaking on this topic.
• William Heintz, Superintendent of a privately-owned golf course, and Education Chair for the Municipal Golf Course Superintendent’s Assoc.
• Richard McHale, joined the committee about a year ago, is in private business with a pest management company that has been practicing IPM for years, all over the state – the company has been valuable in consulting with the PMC.
• Dr. Michael Lemke, Professor in Biological Science at Pace University, he joined the committee last summer.

Ms. Wiernik mentioned that the committee submitted a budget request and subsequently, received funding. She then distributed the committee’s draft recommendation for an RFP for Integrated Pest Management Services for Westchester County, their report on "Position Statement on Control of Deer Ticks", and the committee’s recommendation to appoint James Grefig to the committee. Ms. Wiernik continued, discussing the use of pesticides, the dangers and the alternatives. Legislator LaMotte interjected, and asked if there was a line-item in the budget for Pest Management (PM). Chair Kaplowitz replied, the Administration promised to handle PM out of the budget for the Department of Public Works. Chair expressed that

he spoke with Commissioner Landi and Bob Boland to verify this, and was informed that there would be no problem. Ms. Wiernik mentioned that the signs have been printed by the Department of Parks and Recreation, in bright yellow and are laminated. Signs are to be posted at least 48-hours in advance (except in an emergency) of using pesticides. The first pesticide newsletter was distributed recently, no feedback has been received to date.

Lastly, the topic of Light General Aviation (LGA) was reviewed. The LGA legislation was signed out of the Committee on Budget and Appropriations, and the Committee on the Environment on Tuesday, May 11^th, for public hearing and all purposes.

Chair Kaplowitz entertained a motion to sign the legislation out of Committee. The motion was moved by Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, with a vote of 4-0

With no further business to discuss, on the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Maisano, the meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.