PRESENT: Chair: Pinto. Members: Abinanti, Carsky, Maisano, Noto, Ryan, and Wishnie. Staff: Ryer.

ALSO PRESENT: Anthony Landi, Commissioner of Public Works; Joyce Lannert, Commissioner of Planning; Diana Saltel, Planner-Planning Department; Don Meeker, Meeker Associates.

Mr. Pinto called the meeting to order at 4:25 p.m.

The minutes of June 9^th were approved as amended and moved by Legislator Ryan, seconded by Legislator Carsky. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried 7-0.

Ms. Saltel briefly explained the County’s signage program. She further explained the various opportunities to have certain signs throughout the County as well as an opportunity to improve "way-finding" in the County, especially on roads and parkways. The program will advance tourism and enhance visual quality to assist and promote economic development. She said, when travelling on Route 9, there are no signs showing key sites, however, there are numerous signs that directs you to the Hudson River Museum, but, there are no signs that directs you to the marina or a river nearby. Ms. Saltel presented slides of various signs throughout the county, state and local municipalities, explaining their importance and function for good planning as well as assistance for tourists and drivers.

Mr. Meeker explained the need for visual quality in Westchester County to enhance economic development and tourism. He explained his methods of way-finding and how it can benefit Westchester.

His program create an immediate change and victory for the county and build a mechanism for long term improvement based on function, good planning and partnerships with local municipalities.

*For more details, a tape is on file.

Mr. Meeker’s goal is to create a sense of place, pride and quality growth, improve way-finding, enhance visual quality and to preserve existing resources.

His proposed projects include designs and implementation of systems such as:

• Guide Signing Systems - single and multiple destination guide signs for civic, recreational, cultural, historic sites and travel accommodations.
• Identification Signing – formats for jurisdiction entrances and educational facilities.
• Street I.D. – signs for county roads and byways based on mixed case displays.
• Bus Stop Improvements – creates a more inviting market that includes destination and route.
• Signs ordinance/Private controls – Inventory zones for sign ordinance.
• Traffic Control Criteria – identifies traffic control devices based on function, maintenance and street quality.

In conclusion, Mr. Meeker said the program will have no major capital expense. The program will also enhance the opportunity for advertisement of the county’s tourism of its historic and cultural sites, parks, pools and preserves, colleges, universities, office buildings and schools and recreation facilities.

As the millennium approaches, the members agreed to review the information before them and look to update the County’s program Mr. Pinto thanked Mr. Meeker and Commissioner Lannert for their presentation and look forward to meeting with them again in the future.

Onto other business, Mr. Pinto asked Mr. Noto to update the committee on the status of the Inflow and Infiltration sewer repair project.

Mr. Noto and Mr. Wishnie met with members of the Administration and County Attorney Scheinkman, noting the Administration is in the process of finalizing a plan. The DEC will no longer waive the county or municipality and decided that the repairs must be resolved immediately.

Efforts have stepped up, whereas the County has agreed to undertake IMA’s with each community to have the repairs done and funding will be through bonds and the Sewer District.

However, Mr. Noto said future maintenance will have to be paid through the municipalities. These plans must be finalized by the end of September. Should any municipality have any problem with this plan, the alternative would be to enforce significant fines. He also noted that there will be significant savings (approximately $5 million) depending on each municipality because the repairs will be funded through the sewer districts.

Mr. Noto is in the process of scheduling a meeting with the Municipal Officials to explain the plans in detail. The Administration has an opinion from Bond Counsel that this plan will be acceptable by the Board and the MOA.

The members briefly discussed the enforcement of the IMA, alternatives for non-compliance and funding through the sewer districts. Each district has to eliminate 40% of its inflow and infiltration problem. This can be done by either two ways: (1) each municipality do their own work and pay out of their individual municipal budgets only, non-profits do not pay; or (2) have the County do the repairs and fund it back through the sewer districts.

Mr. Noto said the City of Yonkers has a huge problem. Mrs. Carsky agreed, noting the problems are in the pipes, especially in the North Yonkers district which has the most going into its lines. Mr. Noto notes that Dobbs Ferry and Hastings can not afford to do all this work, it will be cheaper to do it all at once and fund it through the sewer district. He mentioned the Mamaroneck sewer district, which has seven communities, the cost will be spread throughout the seven communities opposed to one individual community.

Mr. Pinto asked the Administration to contact Metro-North for consulting information regarding the replacement of Battery Place bridge and road Cortlandt. The replacement of the bridge and road will cost approximately $1 million and accommodate 12 residents of the area.

Mr. Pinto reported that the sewer repairs and the lining of pipes are going as planned according to Commissioner Landi.

Mr. Pinto spoke with Mayor White regarding the replacement of Scarsdale Avenue Bridge near the old Revlon building. He is also scheduling a meeting regarding the repaving of Central Avenue.

Mr. Ryan gave a brief summary of the status of the Route 22 improvements and the small parcel of land that was to be de-dedicated in North Castle. He said both the Senate and Assembly took action.

In response to North Castle’s Home Rule Message, the Legislature has the maps of the parkland in North Castle. The area, which is about a car-width land, approximately 200 feet in length, and part of the North White Plains shopping center, will be used to move Route 22 to the East in order to place a turning lane. Governor Pataki signed the legislation and an Act has been prepared by the Committee on Legislation. Approval of the full Board approval is expected at the July 20^th meeting. The developer was asked to

contribute private funds to help rehabilitate part of the park and they have agreed to do so.

Mr. Pinto reported that the legislation regarding the Class D Hauling permit has been re-committed to the Committee on the Environment and Legislation. He will keep the members update of its status.

On Monday, July 27^th, a joint meeting is scheduled with the Committee on the Environment to discuss various issues regarding Metro North Railroad. He asked members if they have any comments or suggestions, please contact Barbara Dodds.

The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.