Chairman Delfino called the meeting to order at 9:13 A.M. After each interview, Chairman Delfino explained the process. The County Executive appoints the members of the various Boards and by charter the Committee on County Officers & Departments (COD) must confirm the appointment. The resolution then must go before the full Board of Legislators at the next Board meeting, and would be approved based on the recommendation of the COD Committee. The two main questions asked of each individual were, How did they get involved with the Board and what would their contribution to it be.

Naomi Bayer, the Director of the New York Partnership of Fannymay explained that she got involved with the Women’s Advisory Board (WAB) because she is good friends with Karen Kelly, the Deputy Health Commissioner, who felt that Naomi could be of service to the WAB.

Chairman Delfino asked if she was filling a vacancy, since her term expires December 31, 1997.

Naomi explained she was not filling a vacancy, it was just a 1 year term. She started attending meetings in November and has attended all the evening meetings.

Naomi believes her contributions would be her knowledge that women struggle in high cost areas, she could bring some of that perspective to the group, she would like to see some changes in the welfare system, and she could bring some of her expertise form her work in Fannymay, to the organization. The interview was concluded with Naomi asking the members of COD to consider her a resource in her Fannymay capacity.

Legislator Swanson motioned to approve Naomi Bayer as a member of the Women’s Advisory Board and was seconded by Legislator Young. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0.

It was obvious to the COD Committee that Carolyn Hedlund, Ph.D, Executive Director of the Mental Health Association had both the background and position to make her very well qualified to be a member of the Domestic Violence Council(DVC). She had already been voted Co-Chair. Therefor Chairman Delfino asked her how she thought the Council was going in the sense of objective.

Carolyn explained that the strength of the Council is the diversity of the group, which is also its weakness. Sometimes it can make things go slower. She then went on to ask the COD Committee if the intent of the Council is to be broad. Should they be looking at children who are directly victims or only those who live in homes where the parents experience abuse.

Chairman Delfino felt the Council should subdivide, half the group could concentrate on direct victims, the other half to concentrate on members living with family that gets abused. He also asked if any one person in the administration was giving direction to the DVC.

Carolyn stated that Legislators Lois Bronz and Paul Noto have both attended meetings but there is not one person who is a liaison for the DVC.

Chairman Delfino requested from Carolyn a copy of a calendar of the DVC’s meetings to be sent to him, which he will then distribute to all the Legislators.

Legislator Swanson wanted to clarify that the Mental Health Association was not County run.

Carolyn explained it is a multi - service social agency that is not run by the County.

Legislator Swanson motioned to approve Carolyn Hedlund, Ph.D as a member of the Domestic Violence Council and was seconded by Legislator Young. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0.

Victor Kavy got involved with the Refuse Disposal District, through his involvement in the Recycling Commission, also because of the work he does as President and CEO of ANC Real Estate Management Corp., and the importance of the issue. However, the Committee has not met with him yet.

He went on to explain a bit about the Recycling Commission and that he was able to get the bureaucracy to see what was going on in day to day situations. He went on to say that all buildings are not configured for recycling, but White Plains did a great job. They were lucky they had a particular individual who came and met with everyone and was very helpful.

Legislator Swanson motioned to approve Victor Kavy as a member of the Refuse Disposal District and was seconded by Legislator Young. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0.

Chairman Delfino asked Lowell Tooley why the Refuse Disposal District hadn’t met yet.

Lowell went on to explain that there were two bodies, the Refuse District Board and the Recycling Advisory Board. In the early stages of the Recycling Advisory Board there was lots of missionary work to get MRF built, help create public relations, recycling kept taking on different facets. When MRF was built they went into compost, looking for locations of compost sights. During later stages some of them felt they should merge, there wasn’t much difference, the goals were the same. They had broad based issues such as air quality improvement at plants. Lowell, as an engineer had an interest in being involved in the continued operation of burning and landfill, its not really separated in to recycling and refuse. At the last meeting at the County Center they brought in outside consultants to try and bring the private and public sector together.

Legislator Swanson stated that she saw on his resume that he was a member of the Westchester County Court House Repair/Replacement Advisory Committee and asked how long the committee had been in place.

Lowell responded it was a bout a year old.

Legislator Swanson mentioned that the Legislators were not aware this committee existed.

Chairman Delfino Directed Tina Moro (COD Committee secretary) to draft a letter to Jamie Hastings getting information on that committee.

Chairman Delfino motioned to approve Lowell Tooley, P.E. as a member of the Refuse Disposal District and was seconded by Legislator Young. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0.

Alfred Krautter was also a member of the Recycling Committee. He wants to see a concentration of the green industry and recycling of organic issues. In the nursery business he does lots of landscaping and has lots of expertise in compose. He is concerned that we have no place to dump our organic material. He believes each community should be responsible for its own material. When it is broken down into soil, it could bring beauty to the County.

Legislator Young motioned to approve Alfred Krautter as a member of the Refuse Disposal District and was seconded by Legislator Swanson . The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0.

Chairman Delfino asked Eve Bunting-Smith when the Citizens Consumer Advisory Board meets.

Eve’s response was that she was told once a year. They have not met yet.

Chairman Delfino mentioned that there are so many issues in consumer affairs.

Eve agreed. She stated that she has issues to discuss, but no means to discuss them. She feels she needs more information on this committee, as to when they meet or how they communicate with one another.

Chairman Delfino will call the Director of Consumer Affairs to get more information and will then get back to Eve with what he finds out.

Eve feels that what she can bring to this committee is her knowledge and experience as a mother, and a consumer as well as an attorney. We need to educate ourselves more and try to have some control over what is pushed in front of us.

Legislator Swanson motioned to approve Eve Bunting-Smith as a member of the Citizens Consumer Advisory Board and was seconded by Chairman Delfino. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0.

Chairman Delfino mentioned to the Committee that he didn’t believe it was necessary to bring Dr. Adel in for an interview again since we did already interview him in October to be Acting Commissioner. Legislator Swanson and Young agreed. Legislator Swanson motioned to approve Dr. Harold N. Adel, M.D., M.P.H., to serve as Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Health and was seconded by Legislator Young. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0.

Legislator Swanson motioned to approve the minutes of March 3, 1997 and was seconded by Legislator Young. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0.

Legislator Swanson motioned to recess at 10:25 A.M., and was seconded by Legislator Young. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0.

COD re-adjourned at 3:00, Legislator Young motioned to adjourn at 3:01, and was seconded by Chairman Delfino. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0.