Westchester County Board of Legislators Joint Committee Meeting - May 26, 2026
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Westchester County Board of Legislators Joint Committee Meeting - May 26, 2026
The Budget & Appropriations, Infrastructure & Housing, Public Safety & Veterans, Litigation, and Parks & Environment committees met jointly on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 10:12 AM, chaired by Legislator Tyrae Woodson-Samuels. The meeting covered ten items including capital bonds, grant agreements, tax distributions, and an opioid settlement. All items were approved and referred to the full Board of Legislators with unanimous votes from the six legislators present; two legislators (Holstein and Tubiolo) were absent. The meeting adjourned at 11:27 AM.
County Center Facility Improvements (Bond Act ACT-2026-124)
- The Parks Department (First Deputy Commissioner Peter Tartaglia and Director of Park Planning Robert Lopane) presented a $5 million bond request for Capital Project RCC17 covering design and partial construction of interior upgrades at the County Center, including locker rooms, public restrooms, and sports lighting. Future plans include meeting rooms and exhibit hall enhancements. Legislators expressed support and asked about project scope, timeline (12 months design for interiors, 4 months for lighting installation), and potential future modernization of digital displays.
Regional Hazardous Materials Grant Partnerships (Acts ACT-2026-122 and ACT-2026-123)
- Emergency Services Commissioner Susan Spear and Chief of Special Operations Douglas Stiller presented two acts authorizing regional partnerships with Dutchess and Putnam Counties to receive FY2023 and FY2024 Hazardous Materials Grant Program funds. FY2023 allocation: $122,500; FY2024 allocation: $44,981 (reduced due to federal budget cuts). Funds support hazmat response equipment, training, and exercises. Legislators noted the funding decrease and questioned future stability; staff indicated they would adapt by conducting more in-house training.
Mortgage Tax Receipts Distribution (Act ACT-2026-121)
- Finance Commissioner Karin Hablow and Deputy Commissioner Mario Arena reported total mortgage tax receipts of $17,283,480.07 for the period October 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026, a 10% increase ($1.63 million) over the prior period. The act authorizes distribution to cities, towns, and villages as mandated by state law. The current 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.51%, down from a peak near 8% in 2023. Legislators discussed cash sales and potential alternative revenue sources, but no opposition was raised.
Complete Streets Municipal Assistance Program (Five Items: ACT-2026-125, ACT-2026-126, ACT-2026-127, ACT-2026-128, ACT-2026-129)
- Planning Department Commissioner Blanca Lopez, Associate Transportation Planner Stephen Courage, and Director of Transportation Planning Craig Lader presented a package of five items to fund complete streets improvements across 11 municipalities. The package includes a $1 million capital budget amendment (increasing total program from $15M to $16M), a $4 million bond for design of 11 projects, intermunicipal agreements for design, a $1.395 million bond for construction in Mount Kisco (Phase 3B sidewalk improvements), and an IMA for that construction. The program received 27 applications from 22 municipalities requesting $30 million; 12 projects were selected based on readiness and benefit. Construction is expected to begin in 2028. Legislators asked about cost escalation (municipalities cover 50% match), timeline, and future funding rounds; staff emphasized communication and that additional capital budget requests are planned for 2027.
Opioid Settlement Against Associated Pharmacies, Inc. (Act ACT-2026-130)
- Associate County Attorney Loren Zeitler presented an act authorizing participation in a national opioid settlement against six regional distributors. Estimated one-time payment to the county: roughly $100,000, depending on how many municipalities join. Funds must be used for core strategies as outlined in the settlement. Legislators had no questions; the act was unanimously approved.
Key Outcomes
- All ten items were signed by the respective committees and referred to the full Board of Legislators. Each item passed with a unanimous vote: Legislators Woodson-Samuels, Nambiar, Pierce, Williams, Williams Johnson, and Gashi voted aye; Legislators Holstein and Tubiolo were absent.
- Meeting minutes from April 7, 2026, were approved.
- The meeting was adjourned at 11:27 AM.
Meeting Transcript
This meeting is being recorded and all right. Good morning, everyone. No, I think all right guys, let's jump to the meeting. Good morning, everybody. Legislator Woodson Samuels here, uh Chair of the Committee on Budget Ipropriated. Um today is Tuesday, May 26th, and we're starting at 1012 a.m. I'll now facilitate a roll full vote. It is started. I'm present. Majority Leader Holstein. Let's let him be our legislative peers. Present committee vice chair Tubbiolo. Uh Majority Williams. Here. Legislator Williams Johnson. Present. Chairman Goshi. All right. Is that for mentioning we are open at 1012 a.m. Uh the committees? Okay, I'll go next. Uh good morning. This is uh public safety and veterans. Uh I'm gonna open at 1012 uh a.m. Also, I will be taking attendance uh pupiola. Um I am here, legislator Clements, uh Legislative Cuncil, Legislator Smith. Uh let's say with the Samuels President and Chair Gash. See now it's happening. Do I have a kind of so we'll uh circle back share for public safety quorum and let's say if there's your question? Um I think first yeah, I think it's best for you to open this. Yes, okay. Okay, um good morning, everyone. Uh half week Tuesday that feels like a Monday. Um we can I um would like to open the Parks and Environment Committee. I am present. Uh committee vice chair within Sonson. Thank you. Legislator Chubiello, Legislator Nolan, Legislative Williams here, Chairman Goshi. We are open at 1013. Right. And I'll open as well for infrastructure and housing committee. It is 1013, and I'm here. Now we are considered what's in Samuels. Present. Okay. All right, we move on to our first item for discussion. Uh we have item two forty-eight county center facility improvement. We have Deputy Commissioner uh Tartaki. And Mr. O'Pain.
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