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COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION MINUTES, March 22, 1999 DRAFT MEMBERS: Andrea Stewart-Cousins (Chair), Lou Mosiello, Bill Ryan, Jim Maisano, Lois Bronz, George Latimer, George Oros, Tom Abinanti.
STAFF: Dolores Heredia, Rob Hoch, Steven Bass Davon (Intern)
GUESTS: Liz Salvi (Cty. Atty. Office), Alan Mehldau (South Salem), Alex Phillippinis (Westfair), Carol D. Werthein, Bill Pearson, Thomas P. Davine, Yonne Solomon (League), Elizabeth Laite (League), Amy Paulin (WWA), Ann Schaffer (Am. Jewish Committee), Zelle Andrews (G&L Liaison), Bob Graziano (Hudson Valley Poverty Law Ctr.).
The meeting commenced at 1:45 PM. The first item for discussion was the minutes of March 15, 1999. Leg. Oros moved to approve seconded by Leg. Bronz. All in favor [8-0]. Next the Committee discussed the amendment to the Electrical Licensing law. Stacey Dolgin-Kmetz, of the County Attorneys office, was present to discuss the amendment. The Chairman of the Electrical Licensing Board, Mr. Pascarella, also spoke. Leg. Wishnie also spoke on this topic and suggested a date change. After some discussion, Leg. Mosiello moved to sign-out, seconded by Leg. Maisano. All in favor [7-0]. Next Leg. Stewart-Cousins addressed "bar closings" and suggested legislators plan a hearing in selected communities.
COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION MINUTES, March 22, 1999 Page 2 Next Leg. Stewart-Cousins discussed the proposed Human Right Commission and noted that the Committee will invite Mr. Vogt and their attorneys for the next Committee meeting. Next Leg. Mosiello discussed the proposed Toy Gun legislation. He noted that this item is schedule to be addressed in the Public Safety Committee for Monday, March 29, 1999. Next Leg. Oros discussed "ethics reform" and preventing or prohibiting District Leaders and County Committee members from holding certain positions. Leg. Oros noted that he submitted legislation which the Town of Cortland has had on its books for almost ten years now, with regards to this topic. The Committee agreed to look at the legislation other similar laws and to continue to discuss this issue in the near future. Next Leg. Abinanti discussed trash hauling. Leg. Abinanti discussed his report. After a lengthy discussion, the Committee agreed that this item required a Committee of the Whole to educate all of the legislators on this topic. The next agenda item was number 42, an opinion from the County Attorney regarding the penalty on delinquent school tax payments. Leg. Pinto took the floor and gave an introduction on the law’s history, amendments, penalties and its effects. Leg. Stewart-Cousins noted that the Committee will continue to discuss this topic. Next the Committee moved to receive and file the following agenda items: Agenda item 92, a proposed Act which would require entities that have been awarded contracts not subject to the requirements of competitive bidding to conform with the MacBride Principles;
COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION MINUTES, March 22, 1999 Page 3 Agenda item 93, the 1999 Legislative Package from the Junior Leagues of Westchester County; Agenda 99, a copy of a letter from a constituent regarding the reinstatement of a Master Electrician License. (2/22/99). Agenda item 103, a resolution passed by the North Salem Central School District urging the Board to support a two-year extension of Article 29, Section 1262-b of the tax law entitled "1991 Property Tax Relief Act"; Agenda item 104, a resolution passed by the Town of North Salem urging the Board to support the Sales Tax Extension Bill; Agenda item 105, a resolution passed by the Town of Yorktown urging the Board to support the Sales Tax Extension Bill; and Agenda item 106, a resolution passed by the Town of Somers urging the Board to support the Sales Tax Extension Bill. Leg. Maisano move to receive and file all of the above items, seconded by Leg. Mosiello. All in favor [7-0]. Next the Committee members voted to move the following items into the Human Rights subfile:
Agenda item 95, copies of constituent letters in support of the Westchester County Human Rights Commission Legislation; Agenda item 98, a copy of a letter from the Construction Industry Council in support of extending the comment period on the Human Rights Commission Proposal; Agenda item 100, a letter from a Scarsdale resident supporting the creation of a Westchester County Human Rights Commission;
COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION MINUTES, March 22, 1999 Page 4
Agenda item 101, a letter from the District Health Coordinator for the Scarsdale Public Schools supporting the creation of a Westchester County Human Rights Commission; Agenda item 102, a letter from the Chair of the New Rochelle Commission on Human Rights supporting the creation of a Westchester County Human Rights Commission; Agenda item 107, a copy of a letter from a Yonkers resident to the Chairman of the Board voicing concerns about the proposed Human Rights Commission; Agenda item 108, a copy of a letter to the County Executive from the Executive Vice President of the Building and Realty Institute of Westchester urging a delay in the adoption of the Human Rights Commission legislation while his organization conducts a detailed study of the proposal; and Agenda item 109, a letter from the President of the Catholic League detailing his misgivings about the proposed Human Rights Commission. Leg. Bronz moved all of the above items, seconded by Leg. Maisano. All in favor [7-0]. Leg. Abinanti moved to adjourn, seconded by Leg. Bronz. The meeting ended at 4:20 PM.
FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION PLEASE REFER TO THE TAPES ON FILE |