Westchester County Board of Legislators Joint Committee Meeting - May 18, 2026

This joint meeting of the Budget & Appropriations, Public Safety & Veterans, Infrastructure & Housing, Parks & Environment, and other committees took place on May 18, 2026, beginning at 10:00 AM (actual start times varied by committee, with the first committee called to order at 10:11 AM) and adjourning at 1:29 PM. The meeting reviewed multiple bond acts, intermunicipal agreements, a HUD consolidation plan, affordable housing projects, and other capital and programmatic items. All items discussed were approved by the respective committees.

Consent Calendar

• None; all items were discussed individually.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public addressed the committees. All testimony was provided by county department staff and appointed officials.

Discussion Items

1. Fire Protection Services IMA – Pound Ridge Fire District (Item 2026-227)

• Commissioner Susan Spear (Emergency Services) and Chief Robert Russell proposed renewing an intermunicipal agreement with the Pound Ridge Fire District to provide fire and rescue services to the northern section of Ward Pound Ridge, which lies outside the district’s boundaries. The agreement, effective January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2029, replaces an annual $10,000 payment with a one-time $43,000 investment for a shed to pre-position rescue equipment (UTV, trailer) at the park. The county will also cover approximately $2,000 annually for electricity and pad maintenance. The fire district supports the arrangement. The shed will improve emergency response times in the remote, heavily wooded park.

2. Bronx River Parkway Rehabilitation – Culverts & Bridge (Items 2026-232 & 2026-233)

• Angelo Sgobbo and Robert Abbamont (Department of Public Works) presented a project to address three culverts and one bridge on the Bronx River Parkway between the County Center and Cemetery Road. The low bidder price was $15.6 million, exceeding available funding of $13.1 million by $2.53 million. Additional costs also arose from design and construction management due to permitting delays and sewer work. The committee approved two bond acts: one reallocating $5.7 million from a prior bond, and a second adding $4 million to create a new $9.7 million bond for the project. The 30-year amortization carries an interest rate of 4.06% (attributed to longer PPU). The county will maintain two lanes in each direction throughout the 24-month construction period. The contractor is holding the bid pending funding approval.

3. HUD Consolidation Plan – 2026 Action Plan (Item 2026-203)

• Commissioner Blanca Lopez and Director Terry Fleischman (Planning) presented the annual request to authorize submission of the Urban County application for $5,970,202 in federal CDBG, HOME, and ESG grants on behalf of 31 consortium municipalities (population 440,662). The funds will support infrastructure, housing, and public services. The accompanying 2026 Annual Action Plan (an amendment to the 2024-2028 Consolidated Plan) and authorization to accept the grant funds were also requested. A 30-day public comment period runs April 22 – May 22, 2026. The committee approved the item. Legislators discussed the reimbursement-based funding cycle, the importance of timely spending, and outreach to nonprofits. Legislator Barr raised a concern about the term “entitlement communities” and requested better communication of funding opportunities to districts.

4. Affordable Housing – Croton-on-Hudson (Items 2026-220, 222, 223, 225)

• Leonard Gruenfeld (Planning) presented a 100-unit affordable homeownership development at 1-3 Croton Point Avenue, Croton-on-Hudson. The $68.5 million project includes county funding via the New Homes Land Acquisition Fund ($5.765 million bond) and the Housing Implementation Fund ($6.15 million bond), plus $20 million in state AHOP subsidies. The units (46 one-bedroom, 54 two-bedroom) will be sold at approximately $326,000–$328,000 to first-time homebuyers earning up to 100% of AMI, but priced at 80% AMI. The developer, WP WPB Development (Wilder & Walter), has all village approvals. The site is transit-oriented (walkable to Croton-Harmon station). County funds will also extend a sewer line and improve stormwater management. The affordability covenant resets to 50 years. Legislator Nancy Barr praised the project as a “unicorn” for ownership-based affordable housing.

5. Affordable Housing – Yonkers (Item 2026-208? Actually Item 8: 47 Riverdale Ave.)

• The committee approved the conveyance of 47 Riverdale Avenue (also known as 30 Clawthorn Avenue) in Yonkers from Related Companies to PRC (White Plains-based developer). The 343-unit Mitchell-Lama property, all affordable at 60% AMI or below, will undergo extensive rehabilitation. The seller is providing a $40.6 million bridge loan. The county’s 2009 New Homes Land acquisition loan of $4.8 million will be assumed, and the 50-year affordability clock will reset upon sale. PRC plans to refinance with state bonds and tax credits. Legislator Jewel Williams Johnson, whose district includes the site, voiced strong support.

6. Wampus Pond Dam Design (Items 2026-208, 209, 210)

• Commissioner Peter Tartaglia and Robert Lopane (Parks) requested $400,000 in additional design funds to complete 100% design for rehabilitation of the Wampus Pond dam (built 1940, owned by county since 1963). The dam is one of seven Class B (intermediate hazard) dams the county maintains. Issues include vegetation, masonry settlement, and aging infrastructure. Design is currently 60% complete; construction is estimated to take about one year after design finishes. The bond act rescinds prior expired bonds and creates a new authorization netting $400,000. The committee noted that two Class C (high-hazard) dams (Kensico and Twin Lakes) have already been addressed.

7. Dunwoody Golf Course Maintenance Facilities (Items 2026-211, 215, 217, 218)

• Parks staff presented a capital budget amendment of $6.3 million (total project cost now $10.448 million) for upgrades to maintenance buildings at Dunwoody Golf Course, originally built in 1955. The project includes a new 1,000 sq. ft. storage/administrative building, garage bays, chemical storage, and four new reduced pressure zone (RPZ) backflow preventers to protect public water supply. Increased scope (security, water supply improvements, staff housing) and construction cost escalation since the original 2013 bond contributed to the additional funding. The clubhouse itself is not part of this bond; food service upgrades occur through private contracts. Golf usage remains high, and courses typically break even or generate modest revenue.

8. Temporary Easements – Greenwich Road Bridge (Items 2026-201 & 2026-202)

• Associate County Attorney Rachel Noe and Angelo Sgobbo presented a request to enter into temporary easement agreements with three private property owners and the Town of Bedford to facilitate replacement of the Greenwich Road bridge over the Mianus River. The bridge, built in 1919 and last rehabbed in 1999, is structurally deficient. A temporary bridge with single-lane alternating traffic will be installed to maintain traffic flow. The town has provided parkland for temporary use. Legislator Erika Pierce, whose district includes the area, commended county staff for extensive community engagement.

9. Youth Programs IMAs (Items 2026-200, 226, 228)

• Director (name unclear from transcript) presented three intermunicipal agreements:
  • City of Mount Vernon ($0? Actually funded) – Safe Haven (academic enrichment for grades 2-6, serves ~100 youth), Youth Employment (25 youth for career exploration and summer jobs), and Step Up (at-risk middle school boys, includes photography program).
  • City of Yonkers – Sixth Grade Leadership Academy (110 rising 5th/6th graders, after-school and summer component, 50% cost share with city).
  • Village of Tarrytown – Summer camp program (150 youth, 6 weeks, supplement funding). Performance is measured via state OCFS metrics, soft skills surveys, and employer evaluations. The programs continue despite budget reductions.

10. Litigation Settlement (Item 2026-229)

• In executive session, the committee approved a $400,000 settlement for a claim of physical injuries related to alleged exposure to biohazardous materials during construction of the New Rochelle wastewater treatment plant. The settlement was approved by the Budget & Appropriations Committee and referred to the Board of Legislators.

Key Outcomes

• Items 2026-232 & 2026-233 (Bronx River Parkway): Approved by Budget & Appropriations and Infrastructure & Housing committees. Referred to Board.
• Item 2026-203 (HUD Consolidation Plan): Approved by both committees. Referred to Board.
• Items 2026-220, 222, 223, 225 (Croton housing): Approved by all applicable committees. Referred to Board.
• Item 8 (Yonkers housing conveyance): Approved by Budget & Appropriations and Infrastructure & Housing. Referred to Board.
• Items 2026-208, 209, 210 (Wampus Pond dam): Approved by Budget & Appropriations and Parks & Environment committees. Referred to Board.
• Items 2026-211, 215, 217, 218 (Dunwoody golf course): Approved by all three committees (Budget, Infrastructure, Parks). Referred to Board.
• Items 2026-201 & 2026-202 (Greenwich Road bridge): Approved by Budget & Appropriations and Infrastructure & Housing. Referred to Board.
• Item 2026-227 (Pound Ridge IMA): Approved by Budget & Appropriations and Public Safety & Veterans. Referred to Board.
• Items 2026-200, 226, 228 (Youth IMAs): Approved by Budget & Appropriations and Seniors & Youth committees. Referred to Board.
• Item 2026-229 (Litigation settlement): Approved by Budget & Appropriations committee. Referred to Board.
• Minutes: Minutes from April 27, 2026 and May 4, 2026 (Budget) and April 13, 2026 (Litigation) were approved.
• CBAC Reappointments: Chair noted the reappointment of nine members to the Citizens Budget Advisory Committee for the 2026-2027 term.
• All votes were unanimous unless otherwise noted. The meeting adjourned at 1:29 PM.