MEMBERS: YOUNG, BRONZ

STAFF: CHANG, ETTERE, MORO (BOL), DAVON BANKS (INTERN-BOL)

GUESTS: BOB LENSETH (CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER FOR AMERICAN RED CROSS IN WESTCHESTER)

There is a tape on file for more detailed information.

The meeting was called to order at 1:28 p.m.

Legislator Bronz made a motion to approve the minutes of January 26, 1999 and was seconded by Chair Young. The motion was carried by a vote of 2-0.

Chair Young reminded the Committee that there will be a joint meeting of the Committee on County Officers and Departments and Minority Affairs on February 18, 1999 at 6:00 p.m. at the Tarrytown library. The Hispanic Advisory Board will be there to answer questions from the community.

Mr. Lenseth addressed the Committee with regards to issues the Red Cross is addressing.

Mr. Lenseth asked that the Committee help steer him in a direction where they can jointly help the community. The Red Cross touches the lives of roughly eighty thousand people per year in the County, fifty thousand through education. The Red Cross has several different educational safety programs. In 1998 we had the largest drowning rate in the past fifty years. Thirteen were Westchester residents, and a number of them were minorities. We also had a shortage of lifeguards last year. Many facilities had insufficient lifeguards and were not able to keep all their facilities open. The Red

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Cross would like to see job training for minorities, they are working with the Parks Department on this. Some training programs would be

in baby sitting, CPR 2000, and training one person in every household for response training.

We have the second largest urban community in New York. High rise fires are a common problem in urban communities. There is also a growing population of undocumented families in Westchester. The Red Cross is helping them find temporary shelter, permanent housing and funding. Mr. Lenseth would like the Legislators to help Red Cross find resources to help these people so they do not fall through the cracks. The majority of the disaster victims are not eligible for assistance through the Department of Social Services (DSS). DSS looks at their ability to pay. Red Cross distributes funds etc. as a grant, with no expectation of a refund.

There is a real lack of temporary housing in Westchester. The only sight that is cost effective, safe and reasonable to put a family in is the hotel located on 119 in Tarrytown. The problem with this is that the families are displaced from their communities. Most of these are working families, this is not a social welfare issue. They want to keep the children in the schools they had been in. Some facilities won’t accept the Red Cross dispencement vouchers. Loosing Caldores will be a problem, Red Cross gives their clients vouchers to get clothes there. Most food stores do accept the vouchers.

Another problem is that when there is a fire and families are displaced they have a difficult time getting their security deposit back from the landlord. That deposit would really be helpful to the family at that time.

Finding permanent affordable housing is a real problem. It was suggested that having a registry would be helpful. Red Cross puts out an appeal to get affordable rentals. The families find a home, and Red Cross sends the rent to the landlord.

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Last year four hundred families were burnt out. This year, one hundred twenty five families have been burnt out. They could use

another twenty units to house people. It was suggested that Mr. Lenseth contact the municipal officials to ask them to designate a contact person to deal with the Red Cross in disaster situations.

Mr. Lenseth would like the Legislators assistance in encouraging people to take advantage of renters insurance.

The issue of illegal emigration was discussed. It is a problem that was brought up in another committee, which requires further discussion. Some residents stated that there is a health issue because of it as well as the population density being effected.

The Committee would like to have Mr. Lenseth come back before the Committee in about six weeks. This issue will also be addressed in other committees.

Legislator Bronz will send a letter and Mr. Lenseth’s business card to a few organizations to encourage them to meet with him as well.

Legislator Bronz made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 2:24 p.m. and was seconded by Chair Young. The motion was carried by a vote of 2-0.