Westchester County Joint Committee Meetings – May 26, 2026

On Tuesday, May 26, 2026, the Westchester County Board of Legislators held a series of joint committee meetings in the Committee Room at the Michaelian Office Building, White Plains, NY. The meetings convened at 10:12 AM and adjourned at 11:27 AM. Legislators from the Budget & Appropriations, Public Safety & Veterans, Parks & Environment, Infrastructure & Housing, and Litigation committees participated. Several items were discussed and voted on, including capital projects, grant agreements, tax distributions, and an opioid settlement.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes from the April 7, 2026 meeting were approved by voice vote.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 11:27 AM following a motion and vote.

Discussion Items

County Center Facility Improvements (Item 2026-238)

• Presenters: Peter Tartaglia, First Deputy Commissioner, and Robert Lopane, Director of Park Planning, Westchester County Parks.
• Proposal: A $5 million bond request (RCC-17) to finance design, partial construction, and construction management for interior improvements at the County Center, including locker rooms, dressing rooms, public restrooms, and sports/arena lighting.
• Background: The County Center, nearly 100 years old, is a year-round venue hosting the Westchester Knicks, Section 1 sports, concerts, and events. A planned MGM casino/arena in Yonkers will not proceed, increasing the County Center's relevance. Previous projects (roof replacement, flood mitigation) are underway.
• Key details:
  • Six existing locker rooms; NBA/NCAA requires eight. The design will accommodate eight within existing space.
  • 12 public restrooms; upgrades will include ADA compliance and changing stations per local law.
  • Lighting (estimated $350,000–$500,000) will improve broadcast quality, spectator experience, and competitiveness.
  • Design expected to take 12 months; lighting installation about 4 months, subject to event scheduling.
• Future phases: Meeting rooms, Little Theater, exhibit hall, and basement space (from flood mitigation) will be addressed in later bond requests.
• Vote: The item was moved, seconded, and approved by voice vote in Budget & Appropriations, Infrastructure & Housing, and Parks & Environment committees (all ayes).

Regional Partnership Agreements – Hazardous Materials Grants (Items 2026-242 and 2026-243)

• Presenters: Commissioner Susan Spear and Chief of Special Operations Douglas Stiller, Department of Emergency Services.
• Proposal: Authorize Westchester County to enter into Regional Partnership Agreements with Dutchess and Putnam Counties to receive funding from the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services under the FY2023 and FY2024 Hazardous Materials Grant Programs.
• Funding:
  • FY2023 allocation: $122,500.
  • FY2024 allocation: $44,981 (reduced due to federal budget cuts).
• Purpose: Funds support regional hazmat response teams through planning, equipment, training, and exercises. Planned purchases include gas detection meters, lithium-ion battery tool kits, and leak control kits.
• Impact of reduction: The department will purchase less equipment but maintain training and exercises using in-house resources; urgent needs can be funded from operating budget.
• Vote: Both items were moved and seconded together, then approved by voice vote in both the Budget & Appropriations and Public Safety & Veterans committees (all ayes).

Mortgage Tax Distribution (Item 2026-341)

• Presenters: Commissioner Karin Hablow and Deputy Commissioner Mario Arena, Department of Finance.
• Proposal: Authorize the distribution of mortgage tax receipts to cities, towns, and villages as mandated by NYS Tax Law §261-3.
• Amount: $17,283,480.07 in total mortgage tax receipts collected by the County Clerk from October 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026. This must be distributed by June 15, 2026.
• Trend: The current period saw a 10% increase ($1.63 million) compared to the prior June period. Positive year-over-year growth has been consistent since 2024.
• Market context: The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.51% as of the meeting date, down from a peak near 8% in 2023. Volatility and low inventory continue to affect housing sales.
• Vote: The item was moved, seconded, and approved by voice vote in the Budget & Appropriations committee.

Complete Streets Municipal Assistance Program (Items 2026-250, 251, 252, 253, and 244)

• Presenters: Commissioner Blanca Lopez, Planning Department; Stephen Courage, Associate Transportation Planner; and Loren Zeitler, Director of Transportation Planning.
• Program Overview: A $15 million capital program (increased to $16 million with a $1 million capital budget amendment) to fund up to 50% of municipal complete streets projects (design and construction). The program opened for applications in June 2025; 27 applications were received from 22 municipalities, totaling $30 million in requests.
• Selected Projects: 12 projects were chosen based on safety, mobility, community connections, and readiness. The current bond requests cover:
  • Design bonds: $4 million for 11 municipalities (design only).
  • Construction bond: $1.395 million for Mount Kisco (design already complete).
• List of Design Projects:
  • Mount Kisco (South Moger Avenue) – streetscape, sidewalks, lighting, median.
  • Yonkers (Bronx River Road) – protected bike lane, turning lanes, signal upgrades.
  • Peekskill (Central Avenue connectivity) – protected bike lane, signage, pedestrian enhancements.
  • Tarrytown (Main Street) – sidewalk/curb replacement, crosswalks, stormwater.
  • Town of Somers (Route 202/100) – new sidewalk, rehab.
  • White Plains (Martine Avenue) – pedestrian crossings, RRFB signals.
  • Irvington (South Buckout Street) – new sidewalks to train station.
  • Hastings-on-Hudson (Ravensdale Avenue) – upgraded sidewalk, bike lane.
  • Mount Pleasant (Elwood Avenue) – Phase 2 streetscape, traffic calming.
  • Buchanan (Westchester Avenue) – sidewalk connecting school.
  • Larchmont (Palmer Parkway & Rowan Avenue) – intersection pedestrian upgrades.
  • Croton-on-Hudson (Municipal Place & South Riverside Avenue) – new sidewalks.
• Timeline: Design projects expected to take 12–18 months; construction likely in 2028. Future rounds of funding are anticipated (additional $15 million capital budget request for FY2027).
• Cost Considerations: Cost estimates include contingencies (up to 30%) and inflation adjustments. Municipalities are responsible for their 50% match; some projects have additional funding sources.
• Vote: All five items were moved, seconded, and approved by voice vote in the Budget & Appropriations and Infrastructure & Housing committees.

Opioid Settlement – Six Remnant Defendants (Item 2026-???)

• Presenter: Associate County Attorney (name not given).
• Proposal: Authorize the county to participate in a one-time opioid settlement against six distributors: Associated Pharmacies Inc., JM Smith Corporation, Louisiana Wholesale Drug, Morrison Dixon Co., North Carolina Mutual Wholesale Drug Company, and United Natural Foods.
• Estimated Settlement: Approximately $100,000, depending on participation by other municipalities. Funds must be used for core strategies and approved uses as outlined in the exhibit.
• Legal Fees: Attorney fees and costs will be paid from a separate fund.
• Vote: The item was moved, seconded, and approved by voice vote in the Litigation committee (all ayes).

Key Outcomes

• Approved Items: All discussed items were approved by the respective committees and referred to the full Board of Legislators for final action.
• Votes: All votes were unanimous ayes among the legislators present. No opposed votes were recorded.
• Next Steps:
  • The County Center improvements will proceed to design and procurement.
  • The Regional Partnership Agreements will be executed for FY2023 and FY2024 grants.
  • Mortgage tax distribution will be made by June 15, 2026.
  • Complete Streets design contracts will be awarded; Mount Kisco construction will be bid out in 2026.
  • The opioid settlement will be finalized if the county participates.
• Future Funding: Additional capital budget requests for Complete Streets ($15 million) and further County Center phases are anticipated in 2027.