*MINUTES
COMMITTEE ON
w/COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION
PRESENT: COD Chair: LaMotte. Members: Latimer, Stuart-Cousins; Swanson and Young. Staff: Schecter, Vita.
Legislation Chair: Stewart-Cousins. Members: Abinanti, Bronz; and Latimer.
ALSO PRESENT: Larry Schwartz, Chief Advisor-CE; Camille Murphy, Director-Office of Aging; William Randolph, CE Liaison to the Board.
Mrs. LaMotte called
the meeting to order at
ITEM #7D: Proposed Local Law Creating the Department Of Senior Programs & Services and A Council for Seniors:
Mr. Schwartz briefly
explained the intentions of the
One reason, as Mr.
Schwartz explained, was the demographic trends found in the “Megatrends” report
by the County’s Planning Department. One
in five citizens are 60+ years old and over, which is approximately 25% of the
population in
Mrs. LaMotte thanked Mr. Schwartz for his intro and commended Mrs. Carpenter for the many years of service dedicated to senior services.
*APPROVED
Mrs. Bronz emulated Mrs. LaMotte, noting she has spent most of her life working with seniors as well with Mrs. Carpenter on many occasions and agrees that the path of quality and quantity of senior needs have grown. She thanked Mrs. Carpenter and her staff for their dedication to seniors and their services throughout the years.
Mae Carpenter,
Director of Aging, presented the COD members with the 2001 Megatrends Report
[ON FILE] that includes the mission and plans for the Department of Seniors and
the Council for seniors. The reports
dates back to the Old American Act of 1964 and reports backgrounds of all the
local areas and reflects demographics of
The reports also included the many services available to seniors such as: support groups; legal services; elderly abuse; mealmakers; home and health care workers; employment and services. Also included are nutrition sites providing transportation, which serves over 26 centers. Information and telephone contacts and outreach programs are also available.
Mrs. LaMotte inquired about transportation services to Pinecrest in Mt. Kisco and the mobile van for senior services to upper Westchester County residents. Mrs. Carpenter said there is a van scheduled for late spring, early fall for Northern Westchester, but she will check the schedule.
Mrs. Bronz inquired about the shared housing by seniors and the disabled which is currently under review in her Committee. Mrs. Carpenter explained that federal funding may be more accessible, but the County has its own local funding.
Mrs. Carpenter said additional newsletters as well as the new Millennium Study would reach out to many residents. As a new department, access to seniors would provide better coverage and prove to be more effective. She also mentioned alternate ways to reach seniors via the internet and cable TV.
Mrs. Stewart-Cousins thanked Mrs. Carpenter for her presentation and wished her success with her new department.
On the motion of Legislator Bronz, seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the Committee on Legislation approved the Legislation for all purposes, by a vote of 4-0.
On the motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Young, the Committee on County Officers & Departments approved the same legislation for all purposes, by a vote of 5-0.
With no further business to discuss, the Legislation Committee adjourned at 12:05 p.m.
The Committee on County Officers and Departments continued with regular business.
RENT GUIDELINES BOARD
On the motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the reappointment of Mr. Joseph Whelan as a public member of the Rent Guidelines Board is hereby approved by a 4-0 vote.
Discussions continued relating to the appointment process of members to this Board. While the Board of Legislators makes the recommendation to the State, Albany makes the final decision.
The members agreed that all appointments to the public, tenant and owner positions be interviewed and processed at the same time. Mrs. LaMotte will hold over all interviews until she speaks with Board Chairman Latimer for a resolution or decision of how to process the current applicants.
Mr. Abinanti asked for a copy of the file of applicants. They will be provided as soon as possible.
AGENDA ITEMS:
Item 1D: Mrs. LaMotte had a constituent problem with the Department of Social Services. The problem has been resolved, the item is hereby received and filed by a 5-0 vote.
The new Parks Commissioner, Stanley Motley will be interviewed on Monday, January 22nd, at 4 p.m.
Reappointments to the Planning Board, Public Utility Services Board and the Fire Advisory Board will be made on the 22nd.
On Monday, January 29th, COD will begin interviewing members of the Emergency Medical Services Board.
Appointments and Re-appointments to the Woman’s Advisory Board will take place as soon as the proper paper work is completed from the Administration.
With no other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 12:35 p.m.