JOINT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION/HOUSING

MINUTES: -SEPTEMBER 17, 2001

 

LEGISLATON

MEMBERS:          Stewart-Cousins, Chair, Bronz, Oros, Mosiello, Abinanti, Latimer, Ryan and Maisano 

 

HOUSING

MEMBERS:         Bronz, Latimer, Kaplowitz, Spreckman,

 

BOL:                     Bass, Giordano, Dodds,

 

GUESTS:             Liz Salvi (Law), Bill Randolph(CEO), Ann Herman (LWV), Judy Lilberstein (LWV), Rita Heiro-Lakor (Uganda), Anita Perry-Ufee (Uganda), Helen Twangyerme (Kampala, Uganda), Charlene Indelicato (County Atty.), Karen Schatzel (LWV), Rosemary McLaughlin (LWV), William C. Brady (Planning), Lawrence Salley (Planning)

 

 

Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins opened the meeting at 1:50 p.m.

 

The first items were the minutes of Aug 20 and 27^.   They were read and approved by motions of Bronz and Oros.

 

The next item of discussion was the proposed amendments to the Right of First Refusal legislation.  Charlene Indelicato reiterated that the right of first refusal has to do with surplus County property.  The amendment would clarify Affordable Housing as a County purpose.  Commissioner Salley explained that this position is held by the Attorney General and Bond Council in addition to the County Attorney. 

 

Questions arose regarding Affordable Housing created by profit-making entities.  Other questions regarding the attorney General’s opinion as it relates to Affordable Housing as a County purpose arose.  Additionally, questions arose regarding the role of the municipality when the County’s interest are seen to conflict.  The

 

COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION

MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 17, 2001

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Committee set aside the issue pending requested opinions from the CountyAttorney and The Attorney General’s office. 

 

Bronz called the Housing Committee meeting to order at 2:49 pm.  Lawrence Sally was present to discuss an amendment to Westchester County Statement of Need with regard to Affordable Housing.  The amendment would add assisted/assistive living as Affordable Housing.  Thereby, making those units eligible for government funding.

 

The Committee requested copies of the current Statement of Need. 

 

Charlene Indelicato explained that CountyPurpose states that when you are dealing with CountyPurpose, you must deal on an individual basis as to what you want to do. 

 

Chairwoman Andrea Stewart Cousins further explained that when we voted on Right of First Refusal, not only it was for the best interest of the County, but also in best interest of the municipality.  In that sense, if we have surplus land, instead of selling it to any developer, we approach the municipality and offer to them to see if they want it.  And in essence, that is how it is handled.  Then, municipalities would have the option before it is used for municipal housing. 

 

The committee debated this at length. 

 

Although the Legislaion committee did not move the Assisted Living Amendment, the Housing committee moved it out for all purposes on a motion made by Spreckman and it was seconded by Kaplowitz. 

 

The Housing Committee adjourned by motions of Spreckman and Bronz.

 

At 3:10 p.m., Maisano made a motion to adjourn Legislation Meeting.  It was seconded by Oros.