*M I N U T E S
COMMITTEE ON COUNTY OFFICERS & DEPARTMENTS
MONDAY, MAY 21, 2001
4:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Chair: LaMotte. Members: Oros, Pinto, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, and Young. Staff: Vita.
ALSO PRESENT: Bill Randolph, CE Liaison
Mrs. LaMotte called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m.
AFRICAN AMERICAN ADVISORY BOARD:
Jim Bostic: Is a resident of Yonkers and the Program Coordinator of the Nepperhan Community Center in Yonkers. He was appointed to the Board for the term January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2002. He has attended several meeting and comes highly recommended by the Committee members. His highly extensive background includes Program Manager for the City of Yonkers Governmental Agencies and the Business community; “Say Yes To Life” Basketball Program Manager in Yonkers; Assistant Basketball Coach for Iona College, as well as various Professional Basketball Programs and the Boys & Girls Clubs of New Rochelle. Mr. Bostic has received All City, State and American honors; All-Star Basketball League Awards; the NAACP Outstanding Community Service Award and was inducted into the Westchester County Sports Hall of Fame.
Legislators’ Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, and LaMotte, Young and Pinto spoke highly of Mr. Bostic’s accomplishments and achievements and recommends his appoint to the African American Advisory Board.
On the motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Spreckman, Mr. Bostic’s appointment is hereby approved by a 7-0 vote.
*APPROVED 5/30/01; UGL/VJP
Paul Z. Meyer, Jr.: Is a Somers resident (w/a Yorktown Hts. PO) and was appointed to the P.R.C. Board to fill-in the unexpired term of J. Henry Neal, which expires December 31, 2002. He has an extensive environmental background, which includes his present position with the Zebron Group in Yorktown, which he is the principal and co-founder of the firm specializing in hazardous waste sites. Responsibility includes evaluation of remedial investigation analytical data; UST site evaluation & remediation; secures public funding for client projects.
Mr. Oros asked about taking over County property for recreation purposes. Mr. Meyer said it would be a matter of fiscal prudence or an environmental liability and could create potential concerns.
A brief discussion continued relating to the financial consideration of buying property for recreational purposes. Mr. Meyer said costs can be high as well as being generous gifts to the County, but there is always the potential for liability. If a property is historical than it may be beneficial to buy, but if it possesses positive value, the County should accept it and be prepared to convert to cash or “land bank”.
Mr. Pinto has the opportunity to serve on the P.R.C. Board with Mr. Meyer, noting he has brought a positive prospective to the Board and highly recommends his appointment.
On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, Mr. Meyer’s appointment is hereby approved by a 7-0 vote.
Dr. Carlos R. Flores, M.D.: Is a resident of New Rochelle and has been appointed to the E.M.S. Board for the term January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2003. He is the Director of the Emergency Medicine Department at Lawrence Hospital as well as the Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery/Emergency Medicine at the New York University School of Medicine, which he oversees all departmental operations.
Dr. Flores has attended three meetings and finds the Board with a well diversified membership, meetings are well attended and he is very impressive with the amount of cooperation that is given to put the Board back on the right track and head in the right direction. He feels that most issues are covered with proper team coverage such as response time, availability and protocol. He commends Chief Kapica for taking on such an interesting task as well as being very knowledgeable in this field.
As with the other candidates, Mrs. LaMotte asked to keep lines of communication open and if there is anything that any of the Boards and Commissions need, they can call on the COD Committee.
On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, Dr. Flores’ appointment is approved by a 7-0 vote.
The minutes of May 14, 2001, were approved as amended on the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins. Motion carried 7-0.
The committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, May 30th, at 3 p.m. to discuss re-appointments to the Human Rights Commission and the Youth Board. Notification will be sent prior to this date.
On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Spreckman, the meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.