June 19, 2007

Highlights Of Actions Taken By

The Westchester County Board Of Legislators

 At Its June 18th Meeting

 

Legislation Approved

 

Affordable Housing: “Clinton Place” In New Rochelle Approved

Last week, in a special meeting of the legislature, the New Rochelle “Clinton Place” project failed to muster the 12-vote supermajority needed to approve $1,925,000 in bonding needed to build the housing.  After amending the terms of the project to include more units for seniors and veterans, a neighborhood advisory board and 50-year affordability on the apartments, the County Board approved the project in a 15-1 vote. (No, Oros; Absent, Bronz)

Affordable Housing: Scotts Ridge In Pound Ridge Approved

The County Board approved a $714,000 bond act to finance the county’s purchase of 29 Westchester Avenue in Pound Ridge, a 3.195 acre parcel that will be subsequently conveyed for a dollar to the developer for the purpose of building 12 one-bedroom affordable rental apartments. The units will be available to individuals 55 and older. Companion $380,000 bond act also approved to fund related infrastructure improvements. (No, Oros; Absent, Bronz)

“Legacy” Yorktown Ball Fields Project Approved

The County Board in a unanimous vote authorized bonding legislation up to $6 million to fund the design and construction of two turf ball fields on a town-owned site off Route 132 in Yorktown.  The scope of the project includes parking, an access road, lighting, comfort stations, landscaping and related improvements. The town agreed to accept the transfer of five county roads in exchange for the county constructing the ball fields. Additionally, the town will operate the park which will be available for use by all Westchester County residents.

 

Labor Agreement With County Nurses

The County Board unanimously approved a new three-year contract with county employees who are members of the New York State Nurses Association. The agreement will run, retroactively, from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2008. The pact provides various pay increases to union members based on years of experience.

 

Miscellaneous Bond Acts Approved

• $650,000 to rehabilitate the existing drainage system between Colonial Way and Bryson Street in Mamaroneck.

• $3.45 million to repair the sewer line in the Greystone area of the North Yonkers Trunk line. On May 4, a sewer line broke, causing sewage to spill out. Temporary measures have been taken to bypass the location and to stabilize the area. The bond will also fund a study to determine if there are any other potential failure/erosion sites in the trunk line and if necessary, pay for the repair work.

• $400,000 for the second phase of the improvement project for the bathhouse at Tibbett’s Brook Park in Yonkers.

• $600,000 to replace 2,500 linear feet of protective iron railing which runs the entire length of Playland Park in Rye along the boardwalk and sound shore from Rye Beach to Manursing Lake.

• $500,000 to construct a new service building, which will include restrooms, showers and a coin-operated laundry, at the RV camping area at Croton Point Park.

 

Home rule resolutions

 

Hudson Valley Conservation Fund Gets Board’s Approval

The County Board supported a home-rule resolution in favor of the Hudson Valley Community Preservation Act which would authorize towns and cities, subject to a vote of local residents, to impose a transfer fee of up to 2% on the sale of real estate. The monies collected would go into a dedicated conservation fund to be used to acquire or preserve open space and for related conservation measures. The State Senate requested the home rule resolution as a prerequisite for its passage in the Senate. (15-1; No, Burrows; Absent, Bronz)

County Sales Tax Distribution

The County Board approved a resolution requesting a two-year extension of the method of distribution of county sales and compensating use tax revenue. First enacted in 1991, the authorization that allows the county to share the sales tax revenue it collects with various local governments must be renewed every two years. (11-5; No, Oros, Burrows, Maisano, Spreckman, Swanson; Absent, Bronz)

Public Hearings Scheduled

 

Apprenticeship Programs For County Contractors

Sept. 10 at 6:00 PM, on proposed law requiring that county contractors have apprenticeship programs in place prior to entering into any construction contract of over $250,000 with Westchester County.

Financial Disclosure Form

July 9 at 10:30 AM, on proposed law to create a simpler financial disclosure form for individuals who volunteer to serve on certain county boards, commissions and advisory councils.

Appointments approved to Westchester County Advisory Boards:

 

Board of Ethics

• Eric DiBartolo (Yorktown Heights) reappointed

Domestic Violence Council

• Christine M. Fecko (New York, NY) as an at-large member
• Mary H. Gadomski, RN, BSN (Scarsdale) as a representative from the medical community
• May Krukiel, MA (Greenwich, CT) as a representative from a battered women’s advocacy group

African American Advisory Board

• Lisa Copeland (Mount Vernon) reappointed
• Susan McPherson, MSW (White Plains)

Hispanic Advisory Board

• Ximena Francella (Larchmont) reappointed
• Zoila Tazi, LMSW (Ossining) reappointed

Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board

• Stephen J. Nardozzi (Goldens Bridge) reappointed

Refuse Disposal District #1 Advisory Board

• Brian O. Havranek (Peekskill) reappointed as a city representative

Soil and Water Conservation District

• Daniel R. Seidel (White Plains) reappointed to the Board of Directors

Traffic Safety Board

• Giselle Vagnini, PE, NYSDOT) reappointed

Youth Board

• Pamela Minyard (Yonkers)

If you would like additional information on any of the above, please contact Betsy DeSoye at (914) 995-3277.