11:00 a.m.

MEMBERS: Thomas Abinanti-Chair - Members: George Latimer, Lou Mosiello, Joseph Delfino.

STAFF/BOL: Don Sandford, Dan Rodriguez, Aldo Vitagliano, Pat Gorski; Staff; Charlotte Ryer, Secretary.

GUESTS: Thomas Gardener, Liz Salvi (County Attorney’s Office); Charlotte Scheinberg, Jo Brill (LWV/W).

 

Chair Abinanti called the meeting to order at 11:45 a.m.

On motion of Legislator Mosiello, seconded by Legislator Delfino, the minutes of July 1, 1997 were approved by a vote of 4-0. The minutes of June 17, 1997 were moved by Legislator Mosiello, seconded by Legislator Latimer and approved and carried by a vote of 4-0.

The first item for discussion was a request from Assemblyman Brodsky for a Home Rule Request with respect to changing the Public Authorities Law to require that the Yonkers toll plaza be discontinued. (A Senate version is being drafted.) Chair Abinanti asked the Committee to hold-off on this discussion until the Senate version is received. Mr. Mosiello requested, while waiting for the Senate version, that the Chair find out if a Home Rule is required. The reason for discontinuance is to eliminate the pollution that is suffered from the back-up at the plaza. A question was raised about the this rule will apply to the remaining tolls in Westchester County.

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The Committee then discussed other agenda items which were received and filed by a unanimous vote of 4-0.

Mr. Latimer suggested that Item III-B-1 be received and filed with a year-end Committee letter to the next Chair of the Legislation Committee that this item be studied further.

Item A-3: Hon. Thomas Abinanti: Forwarding a letter from the Speaker of the Assembly thanking him for sending a copy of the letter signed by thirteen Legislators supporting an extension of the Emergency Tenants Protection Act. (Moved, L. Mosiello, 2nd, J. Delfino)

Item B-1: Legislators Latimer, Abinanti, Bronz, Wishnie, Stewart-Cousins and Young: Forwarding a copy of their memorandum to the Committees on Budget and Appropriation and Legislation re: Charter Amendment-County Fiscal Year. (1/8/96) (This item was discussed in Committee on May 7, 1996). Forward to County Attorney to draft legislation (4/23/96) (File in Committee Reports)

Item C-55: Hon. Katherine Carsky: Forwarding two resolutions passes by the Yonkers City Council regarding class action lawsuits against tobacco companies. (2/26/97) (Moved, T. Abinanti; 2nd, L. Mosiello)

Item C-56: Hon. George Oros: Forwarding correspondence from the New York State Attorney General regarding the Lawsuit by New York State against the Tobacco Industry. (2/26/97) (Moved, L. Mosiello; 2nd, G. Latimer)

Item C-71: Citizen Communication: League of Women Voters: Expressing opposition to the proposal to require a two-thirds vote by the Board of Legislators to adopt a budget that increases the County property tax. (4/21/97) (Moved, G. Latimer; 2nd, L. Mosiello)

Item C-79: Hon. George Latimer and Hon. Paul Noto: Forwarding copies of letters sent to the Governor, Assemblymen Brodsky and Tocci, Senator Oppenheimer and Congresswoman Lowey signed by Mayors Idoni, Lanza, Lewy and Supervisor Price, urging them not to eliminate the Sales Tax on clothing items under $500. (05/19/97) (Moved, G. Latimer; 2nd, L. Mosiello)

Item C-80: Hon. Katherine Carsky: Forwarding a copy of a letter to the Chairman of the Legislation Committee from the Co-president of the Park Lane Political Action Committee requesting that the "Passive Parkland" designation for Cranberry Lake Park not be overturned. Moved, G. Latimer; 2nd, L. Mosiello) (File in Sochurek Property)

Item C-81: Hon. Katherine Carsky: Forwarding an editorial reply entitled No Public Swimming At Cranberry Lake. (Moved, G. Latimer; 2nd, L. Mosiello) (File in Sochurek Property)

 

Next, the Committee discussed the proposals to create a Campaign Finance Board on which the full Board of Legislators has already held public hearings. to establish the Campaign Board, including power to appoint an independent counsel. A motion was made by Mr. Latimer to recommend to the full Board the legislation, 2nd by Mr. Mosiello, and approved by a vote of 5-0 (2 votes w/o prejudice.)

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Next, the Committee discussed a proposal to change the composition of the Board of Acquisition and Contract (A&C). Mr. Oros explained that while he was on the Public Works Committee (1994/95) discussions began. One recommendation is to replace was the Commissioner of Public Works on the Board of A&C with the Budget Director. The rationale is that the Budget Director deals closely with the other County departments and reports to both the County Executive and Board of Legislators. The Department of Public Works has many more proposals before A&C than the Budget Department. On the motion of Mr. Latimer, seconded by Mr. Oros, the Committed approved a resolution to set up a public hearing on the proposal.

Finally, the Committee discussed a proposed technical amendment to a bill which was previously the subject of the Board’s Home Rule Request and which would prohibit privatization of the Westchester County Correctional facilities. Mr. Abinanti stated that there was a technical problem with the original version which included State facilities and that the Bill that should just be local Bill. The Committee unanimously passed the resolution on the amended version, moved by Mr. Mosiello, seconded by Mr. Delfino and approved by a vote of 5-0.

On motion of Mr. Delfino, seconded by Mr. Mosiello, the meeting was adjourned at 12:35 p.m..