M I N U T E S
COMMITTEE ON COUNTY OFFICERS & DEPARTMENTS
MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2000
4:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Chair: LaMotte. Members: Pinto; Stewart-Cousins; Spreckman; Swanson; and Young. Staff: Schecter, Vita.
ALSO PRESENT: Wendy Sinclair, Youth Board; Cynthia R. Shoss, Airport Advisory Board; and Guilio Cavallo, M.D., Police Advisory Board.
The meeting was called to order at 4:15 p.m.
On the motion of Legislator Spreckman, seconded by Legislator Young, the minutes of February 14th, 22nd, and 28th, were approved by a 6-0 vote.
The Committee members approved the final draft of the COD Committee Blueprint 2000-2001, by a 6-0 vote.
Robert Silva: Mr. Silva did not appear for his interview, due to work related problems. He will contact the Administration if he decides not to serve on the Youth Board.
Wendy Sinclair: A Mount Vernon resident and student of Mount Vernon High School, has been appointed for one year replacing Jamal Patrick who resigned from the Board. Ms. Sinclair has attended two meetings and feels the Youth Board is not effective enough for smaller communities, noting that more can be done. She said more attention should be focused on after school programs and youth clubs. She stated that many children are affected by the budget cuts of these programs and clubs, and as a member of the Youth Board, she will seek the Board’s assistance on focusing on these areas.
Revised 3/10/00-UGL
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Ms. Sinclair volunteers at the Shalom Nursing Home and serves on the Mount Vernon Task Force on Youth Employment, which reaches out to the community to educate children and adults on youth employment opportunities and HIV-Aids education. She is also a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and S.A.D.B. (Students Against Disruptive Behavior), formerly S.A.D.D., Students Against Drunk Driving.
Mr. Pinto appreciated the fact that Ms. Sinclair brought this issue to the committee’s attention and offered the Board’s assistance for future issues.
When asked if there was a mentoring program in place, Ms. Sinclair said there is a Big Brother/Big Sister program.
On the motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, Ms. Sinclair was approved as a member of the Youth Board by a 6-0 vote.
Lawrence Reiss: His confirmation was held over pending clarification of John Rivera’s expired term. According to the Charter, Mr. Rivera served the required two consecutive terms on the Board, from 1995 to 1999. Mr. Reiss now fills that vacancy. Mrs. Stewart-Cousins was satisfied with the response.
On the motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Pinto, Mr. Reiss was approved as a member of the Youth Board by a 6-0 vote.
Robin Douglas: Ms. Douglas’ appointment to the Millennium Commission was recommitted at the February 28th Board meeting because she failed to take her Oath of Office. On March 1st, Ms. Douglas took her required oath.
On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Young, Ms. Douglas was approved as a member of the Millennium Commission by a 6-0 vote.
Two other appointments of the Millennium Commission were also recommitted at the February 28th meeting.
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Mr. Howard Herring and Mr. Michael Amodio, have since resigned. They have been received and filed by a 6-0 vote.
Cynthia R. Shoss, Esq.: A Rye Brook resident, has been serving on the Advisory Board since October 1999. Besides living near the airport, Ms. Shoss’ Manhattan law firm has allowed her to use the airport for business travel. Mr. Bob Funicello approached her and advised her to submit her resume as a possible candidate to the Board. She felt this would be an opportunity to give back to her community and share her opinions with the Board. Ms. Shoss has read the Charter, reviewed the duties, rules and responsibilities of the position and has attended several meetings.
Mrs. Spreckman asked if it was worthwhile getting her opinion across. Ms. Shoss said yes, but she is still learning, but moving in an upward curve. After examining additional presentations, she will have more to contribute.
Mrs. Swanson asked about the master plan, Ms. Shoss said it was moving slowly, but cautiously, along. However, she did reveal that the latest noise abatement report shows most noise levels are from the other Airports.
On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Young, Ms. Shoss was approved to serve on the Airport Advisory Board by a 6-0 vote.
Dr. Guilio Cavallo, M.D.: A Bronxville resident, has been appointed to the Police Advisory Board to fill the vacancy of Harold Stern, who resigned. Dr. Cavallo, a civic minded citizen, well known by most Board members, has attended several meetings of the Advisory Board noting that he would like to make a few changes. Dr. Cavallo has read and reviewed the duties and responsibilities of the Advisory Board. He stated that there are very few complaints, except for the Y2K concerns, but otherwise all is under control.
Mrs. Spreckman said Dr. Cavallo would let her know if there is a problem.
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On the motion of Legislator Spreckman, seconded by Legislator Pinto, Dr. Cavallo was approved as a member of the Police Advisory Board, by a 6-0 vote.
On Monday, March 13th, the COD Committee will meet at 4:00 p.m. to interview the two Co-Chairs of the Millennium Commission.
The COD Committee will not meet the week of March 20th, meetings will resume on Monday, March 27th.
With no other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m. on the motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Pinto.