*M I N U T E S
COMMITTEE ON COUNTY OFFICERS AND DEPARTMENTS
MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2000
8:45 A.M. and 4:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Chair: LaMotte. Members: Pinto, Stewart-Cousins; Spreckman; Swanson, and Young. Staff: Schecter, Vita.
ALSO PRESENT: Larry Salley; Bill Randolph, County Executive’s liaison; Richard Wishnie, Legislator-9th District; George Hosey, Chair-CBAC.
The meeting was called to order at 9 a.m. by Legislator Pinto.
Lawrence Salley: A resident of White Plains, a 27-year employee of Westchester County, and Deputy Commissioner of Planning since 1981. County Executive Spano, has appointed Mr. Salley to the position of Commissioner of Transportation, effective on April 1, 2000.
Mr. Salley is in charge of Housing & Community Development programs. His experience as a transportation planner and familiarity with the housing needs of Westchester’s working and middle class make him an excellent choice for this position.
Legislator Young said he knows Mr. Salley not only as a colleague, but also as a friend. He said Mr. Salley has done a wonderful job as Deputy Commissioner of Planning and has an impeccable reputation, not only in government, but in the community as well. He has been responsive to the needs of our constituents and hopes Mr. Salley continues with the same enthusiasm and commitment to the County and our local communities.
Mr. Pinto emulated Mr. Young’s remarks, and said Mr. Salley can carry out the duties and responsibilities as Commissioner because he knows the system, he has the knowledge and the experience to move to the future.
Mrs. LaMotte expressed the same sentiments. She has known Mr. Salley for over 20 years and knows his reputation will proceed him. She asked if there were any future plans to improve the Metro North and Northern Westchester bus system. Mr. Salley said the Department is reviewing several issues to improve both systems, the first being adequate parking.
Amended 4/10/00-ugl
*APPROVED-4/24/00;ACS/VJP;6-0
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He mentioned grant money is available to conduct a feasibility study that will address the needs of this area. He will be meeting with Legislator LaMotte and the Northern County Supervisors to discuss the possible use of shuttle buses.
Mrs. Swanson asked if Metro North was paying the County for maintenance. Mr. Salley said the County pays MTA, which is another issue for review. Most train stations are in disrepair and are in need of proper services, he said the County pays more than the services received, plus there is no control on how the MTA spends that money.
Mrs. Swanson suggests the MTA meet with local communities to discuss these problems. She would like to schedule a meeting with her Districts. Mr. Pinto said Mark Mannix, who took over Bob Rubenfeld’s place, is willing to meet with anyone for discussion.
Mrs. LaMotte thanked Mr. Salley for his time and said his confirmation will be voted on by the full Board at the April 10th meeting.
By unanimous consent, Larry Salley was approved as Commissioner of Transportation, on the motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Pinto.
The Committee recessed until 4 p.m. to interview individuals for various boards.
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The meeting reconvened at 4:14 p.m., with Legislators Spreckman and Swanson absent from this meeting.
Geraldine Gibbs: A resident of Harrison, was appointed by County Executive Spano to serve as a member of the Youth Board, a position formerly held by Priscilla Dixon. Mrs. Gibbs, a former Administrator at the Montessori Children’s Center at Burke, has been an active member in civil and social organizations, such as Jack and Jill of America, and Links, Inc.
She is active in the Chapter Facet Program, which provides Youth Services programs, after school tutorial programs and Black Scholars National Trends and Service.
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Due to knee surgery, she has been unable to attend any meetings at this time, but she is on the mend and waiting to be a positive contributor to the Youth Board.
With no further questions, Mrs. LaMotte thanked Mrs. Gibbs for her time and said her confirmation will be made by the full Board at the April 10th meeting.
On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Young, the appointment of Geraldine Gibbs to the Youth Board, has been approved by a 6-0 vote.
Hon. John A. Lombardi: A resident of Armonk, Supervisor for the Town North Castle since 1961 and well known to all County Legislators, has been appointed by County Executive Spano to serve as municipal representative of the Solid Waste Commission, at the CE’s pleasure.
Supervisor Lombardi said he was appointed in October, 1999 and has attended several meetings. There are numerous ideas to review, such as licensing, specs, source separation, transportation, and problems with the small businessman. He explained that there have been several complaints from the small business companies that have never registered nor had they ever had to pay a fee before, and the high fees can put them out of business. This is not the intent of the legislation to have the businesses punished by these laws.
When asked if recommendations will come from the Advisory Board, Mr. Lombardi replied yes. He said Mr. Rokicki just became the Director of the Solid Waste Commission, who will review the enforcement aspects. He said there is much data to review and numerous adjustments to be made. He said outside agencies should be added to the Board’s composition and there is a need of citizens outreach.
Mrs. LaMotte thanked the Supervisor for his time, knowledge, and expertise and asked Mr. Lombardi to keep the Committee informed of their progress.
David R. Aquije: A resident of Elmsford, was appointed to the Millennium Commission by County Executive Spano. He is a journalist, sole owner, Editor, and Founder of the first countywide Spanish newspaper, the “Westchester Latino”.
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His paper reaches a number of multi-cultural communities and includes a section of called the “Millennium Calendar”. He has attended several meetings in an effort to reach the Spanish Community and will make some suggestions to reach out to ethnic groups to encourage them to participate in July’s Gala parade.
Mr. Young had a copy on hand and mentioned that he paper was started last year and was impressed how it has reached popularity since then. Mrs. Stewart-Cousins agreed that the paper is very popular and has seen Mr. Aquije writing, reporting, taking pictures, and interviewing people at various events throughout the County.
Mrs. LaMotte thanked Mr. Aquije for his time and said his confirmation will be voted on by the full Board at the April 10th meeting.
On the motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Pinto, the appointment of David Aquije as a member of the Millennium Commission was approved by a 5-0 vote.
Jeffrey L. Marston: A Rye resident, has been appointed by County Executive Spano to serve as an Area 3 representative member of the Citizens Consumer Advisory Council. Mr. Marston holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the Cornell University Graduate School of Business and Public Administration and is an expert in telecommunication. Mr. Marston is the President of Resource Centers for Management, a business, and management consulting organization that supports businesses and non-profit entities. He works as a procurement officer for these businesses in the areas of cost reduction , management improvement, administrative services, facilities and space management, and staff professionalism.
Mr. Pinto asked about with pricing regulations, because he has several constituent complaints about Home Depot’s lack of shelf pricing.
Mr. Marston said it is the Advisory Council’s role to identify an issue, review it, and follow up with an inspection and enforcement. When Mrs. LaMotte inquired about on-line shopping, Mr. Marston said the issue needs focus and be kept in control. He will look into both matters.
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Mrs. LaMotte thanked Mr. Marston for his time and said his confirmation will be voted on by the full Board at the April 10th meeting.
On the motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Pinto, the appointment of Mr. Marston to the Citizen Consumer Advisory Council was approved by a vote of 5-0.
Robert L Unger: A Chappaqua resident, has been appointed to the Citizen Consumer Advisory Council by County Executive Spano. Mr. Unger is the Senior Vice President of the Pfizer Consumer Health Care Group. As a career marketing strategist, he has full general management responsibilities. He has managed $300 million business of consumer packaged goods, with strength in marketing, research, advertising and new product development, Mr. Unger has the ability to inspire people and organizations and achieve extraordinary results. He looks forward to working with Westchester County consumers.
Mr. Pinto appreciated Mr. Unger’s willingness to serve the Council and asked him to look into the unit pricing issue as well as Internet sales.
Mrs. LaMotte thanked Mr. Unger for his time and said his confirmation will be voted on by the full Board at the April 10th meeting.
On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, Robert Unger was approved as a member of the Citizen Consumer Advisory Council by a vote of 5-0.
The minutes of March 6th and March 13th, were approved as amended, by Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Pinto, 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m.