Highlights Of Actions Taken By The County Board Of Legislators At Its September 24th Meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 25, 2007

Local Law Regarding Septage Collectors
Duplicative licensing was eliminated in favor of consolidating the license/permit process with the county's Health Department under its Septic Management Program. Reporting requirements for collectors were revised. The Health Department will collect and analyze data submitted by septage collectors to identify failing septic systems in need of remediation. Septic systems serve about 12% of all county homes. Measure will help protect groundwater and the water supply from contamination by failing septic systems.

Legislation Abolishing Westchester County's Public Employee Relations Board (WCPERB)
WCPERB has not been active for several years. Its continued existence has meant that parties negotiating a county public employee contract had no option to have a mediator appointed. Eliminating WCPERB will enable parties to approach the state's PERB to appoint a mediator in the case of an impasse in negotiations.

Bond Acts Approved

• Bronx River Pkwy Maintenance: previous bond act of $7.8 million increased to $9.59 million to meet the increased costs of the final phase of the repaving project for the Bronx River Parkway from Cemetery Road to the Lafayette Avenue Bridge.
• Communications Upgrade for Public Safety: $3.7 million upgrade to the Public Safety Department's Communications Center to accommodate new technology to support the county's central 24/7 command post that serves as the connecting point for all 43 police agencies, the Homeland Security Department, Indian Point warning system, 911 calls and other public safety functions.
• Electronic Medical Records for Inmates: $760,000 in additional bonds to fund digitalizing medical records for county jail inmates; 70% of average daily population of 1,493 have substance abuse and/or behavioral disorders. By providing instant access to an inmate's past medical care, an electronic medical record would enable quicker and more effective treatment decisions, thereby helping to contain costs and stem potential medical malpractice liability. Total cost of project is $1.52 million.
• Grasslands Campus: $300,000 to remove four dormant underground petroleum tank systems at the Fire Training Center; $700,000 to upgrade equipment that dispenses and monitors fuel usage at Public Works and Parks sites.
• Colonial Greenway Trails: $100,000 to improve signs, drainage, footbridges, landscaping, etc. at the Hutchinson River, Twin Lakes Park, Nature Study Woods and Saxon Woods Park trails; planned work will contribute toward improving the Hutchinson River's water quality.
• Saxon Woods Golf Course: $250,000 to design an irrigation rehabilitation improvement project.
• Park Bridges: $950,000 for needed repairs to bridges at Blue Mountain Reservation, Croton Gorge, Sprain Ridge and Tibbetts Brook Parks.
• Heating Systems: $2.15 million to replace boilers and heating systems at the County Center and other parks facilities. (no, Abinanti, Maisano)

Other Actions Taken:

County Public Health Labs: Approved renewal of contract, up to $500,000, whereby the county, through its Labs & Research and Medical Examiner departments, will provide Westchester Medical Center with clinical analyses, toxicological, environmental, microbiological, forensic science and public health lab services, as needed.

Sprain Lake Concession Dispute: Act authorizing the county to pay $30,000 as a final settlement relating to the county's early termination of the license agreement with Wildwood Restaurant for the operation of the food concession at Sprain Lake Golf Course.
Anti-Trust Lawsuit: Act approved authorizing the county to join in an anti-trust claim against various electronic manufacturers alleged to have conspired to inflate the price of computer chips from 1998 through 2002.

Lawsuit Settlements

• Approved county payment of $175,000 to settle lawsuit brought by Antonio Molina against NYC, Westchester County, Victor Cruz and Donald McArthur, stemming from an allegation of the use of excessive force arising from a police chase in 1995.
• Authorized settlement of lawsuit, Chandra Belton v. Liberty Bus Lines, in the amount of $300,000 stemming from a 2000 bus accident in Yonkers.

Public Hearings Scheduled For October 9 At 7:30 P.M. On Proposed Legislation

• Bicycle Helmet Law: Would require bicycle riders and passengers, 14 years of age and older, to wear a protective helmet. NYS law already mandates bicycle helmets for those between the ages of 1-14.
• Free Parking For Hybrid Vehicles: Would renew legislation that provides free parking for hybrid and other high mileage vehicles with economy ratings of 35 miles per gallon or more in the county-owned commuter parking lots through December 31, 2009.

Appointments Approved

Public Utility Service Agency

• Naomi C. Matusow (Town of North Castle) reappointed
• Robert C. Paladino (Harrison) reappointed

African American Advisory Board

• W. Garrison Jackson (White Plains) reappointed
• Ernest S. Prince (White Plains), from the Urban League of Westchester, reappointed

Agenda Items Overed (action not taken):

3B1 (by Oros) Proposed law requiring stores that sell portable/inflatable swimming pools to post advisories about potential drowning hazards.

3E (by Oros) Appointment to Tax Commission
David B. Jackson as the executive director of the Westchester County Tax Commission.