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Committee on Legislation Minutes of February 13, 1996
Legislators: Abinanti, Noto, Mosiello, Latimer.
Also in attendance: Carsky, Wishnie.
Staff: Gorski, Sandford, Vitagliano; BOL Interns: Pat Harrington, Dan Eichorn, John Parker.
Guests: 3 LWV.
The meeting was called to order at 3:20 P.M. Chairman Abinanti would like all communications to the committee added to the agenda.
Legislator Noto suggested adding Supervisors Cavanaugh and Lewy to the February 27th meeting on plumbers legislation.
On motion by Legislator Latimer, second by Legislator Delfino the minutes of February 6, 1996 were approved 5-0.
SENIOR TAX EXEMPTION Item 1C3
Chairman Abinanti explained that this exemption would increase the income eligibility level to $25,900. In addition, seniors living in cooperative apartments would also be eligible. Leg. Noto was concerned about the impact on other residents in the same co-op and Leg. Carsky was concerned about the ability of municipalities to administer such a program. Chairman Abinanti explained that the tax on the whole co-op would be reduced by the amount corresponding to the exemption for the senior residents. Legislator Delfino added that governments should work to provide benefits to their taxpayers.
Motion made by Legislator Noto, second by Legislator Delfino Item 1C3 was signed out 5-0.
STATE LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE
Item A - Permanent Funding for the Westchester Institute for Human Development. Leg. Mosiello noted that since many participants are from outside Westchester County, it is unfair for only Westchester taxpayers to supplement the funding. On motion of Legislator Latimer, seconded by Legislator Noto this item was added to the Board’s proposed legislative package. [5-0]
Item B - Increase the County’s Bond Cap from $10 to $25 million was moved by Legislator Noto, second by Legislator Delfino. [4-1, Legislator Latimer being recorded in the negative]
Committee on Legislation Minutes of February 13, 1996 page 2
Item C - County-wide property revaluation. Legislator Latimer suggested that the board negotiate the legislation with the state delegation and sign-off on support of finalized version. Chairman Abinanti wants to remove reference to the current state delegation. Committee agreed to modify language in last year’s package. Moved by Legislator Latimer, second by Legislator Noto. [4-1, Leg. Mosiello being recorded in the negative]
Item D - Medical Center Governance. Item was moved by Legislator Latimer, second by Legislator Noto. [5-0]
Item E - Wicks Law. Committee agreed to use the same language as the 1995 package. Motion by Legislator Noto, second by Legislator Latimer. [5-0]
Item F - 207-c. Legislator Mosiello explained that since he left the Mamaroneck Police Department on disability, he would ask the County Attorney for a legal opinion on the propriety of his involvement in the debate of this issue. Moved by Legislator Latimer, second by Legislator Noto. [4-1, Leg. Mosiello being recorded in the negative]
Item G - Revolving Loan Fund. Chairman Abinanti concerned that this measure has not succeeded in the past and should not be included. Legislator Latimer was concerned about the message which would be sent to the business community if the item is excluded this year. In addition, he believes that it will help make New York competitive with Connecticut and New Jersey. Motion of Legislator Latimer, second by Legislator Noto the item was approved 4-1. [Legislator Abinanti being recorded in the negative]
Item H - State takeover of local Medicaid costs. Moved by Legislator Delfino, second by Legislator Noto. [5-0]
Item I - Restore Title XX Day Care. Moved by Legislator Delfino, second by Legislator Noto. [5-0]
Discussion of 5% bid preference for local bidders. Mr. Wishnie explained that this proposal would allow local bidders to get jobs if their bids were 5% or less over the lowest bid from a non-Westchester based business. Members did not wish to add this item to the package. Legislator Carsky’s proposal to establish a permanent reserve fund (Item 2A1) needs to be fleshed out further before it can be included.
The next meeting will be a discussion of Item 2B3, plumbers licensing. The meeting adjourned at 4:50 P.M.
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