COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION

MINUTES: -March 10, 2003

LEGISLATION COMMITTEE

MEMBERS:        Stewart-Cousins, Chair, Legislators Oros, Rogowsky, and

Abinanti

BOL:                    Ann Giordano, Steve Bass

GUESTS:           (CEO), William Randolph (CEO), Andrew Neuman (CEO), Liz Salvi (Law), Susan Gerry (Law), Real Estate Dir., Sal Carrera,(CEO), Joe Stout (Parks), Kate Carrano (Budget), Quay Watkins (Westchester Children’s Museum), Kim Sparber (West. Children’s Museum), Peter Feinman (West. Children’s Museum), Alix Laager (West Children’s Museum)

Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins opened the meeting at 11:42 with the discussion on items tabled from the Legislative Package.

Members of the administration joined the committee to answer questions, as needed, on tabled items to determine if we could come to a consensus for inclusion. 

Real Estate Director, Sal Carrera, discussed the “Long Term lease agreements” for park facilities.  The properties involved are notable because businesses are looking for long term leases to justify the amount of investment required in the business.  The properties are:

The Woodlands Lake Building/Restaurant, V.E. Macy Park

The North Ridge Equestrian Center and the Twin Lakes Farm Equestrian Ctr., Twin Lakes Park

The former Bathhouse, Playland Park

After presentations by County Attorney, Sue Gerry, and Parks Commissioner, Joe Stout, much of the discussion centered on the Eastchester property with assurances that the Commissioner intended to work with Legislator Pinto and Eastchester officials to resolve any additional issues.

The discussion continued when the Chair invited representatives from the Children’s Museum project to address the committee on the Playland Park site.  The President and Vice President of the museum project spoke positively about the need for the museum and the demographics that support its building.  The spokespersons asked for the so called “parkland alienation” request to the state to allow for a longer lease for the purposes of the Children’s Museum and to justify the investment. 

Following the parkland presentation, the issue of allowing counties to bond to pay for Part A for the retirement package was discussed with the committee by Budget Director Kate Carrano.  Instead of paying 8 ½% percent the county, with the state’s permission, could allow us to issue our own notes at a cost of 4%.  The question of state opposition was raised and Steve Bass agreed to investigate opposition, if any, on the state level. 

The committee decided to eliminate # 4 II.

Leg. Rogowsky explained his initiative requesting the amendment of landlord/tenant regulations with regard to administrative costs.  According to Leg. Rogowsky tenants, at times, must claim interest never received.  He agreed to work on the language and come back to the committee. 

The committee decided to drop an initiative to establish a County Sewer Authority, or amend definition of family to protect victims of domestic violence and the Chair suggested further discussions in caucus around the initiative to “Permit Local Option for Property Tax Exemption for Volunteer Emergency Workers.”

The meetings final item was the forwarding of recommitted legislation on Child Safety Seats in for-hire vehicles to Public Safety.  Leg. Oros and Leg. Abinanti motion to send it out to public safety committee.  All in favor:  4-0

Motion to move minutes by Leg. Abinanti seconded by Leg. Rogowsky.

Motion to adjourn by Leg. Oros and seconded by Leg. Abinanti at 1:04 p.m.