Westchester County Board of Legislators Committees Meeting - May 26, 2026
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Westchester County Board of Legislators Committees Meeting - May 26, 2026
This joint session of the Budget & Appropriations, Public Safety, Parks & Environment, Infrastructure & Housing, and Litigation committees was called to order at approximately 10:12 AM and adjourned at 11:27 AM. Legislators considered capital improvements at the County Center, regional hazmat partnerships, mortgage tax distribution, the Complete Streets program, and an opioid settlement.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approval: The minutes from the May 18, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously on a motion by Legislator Smith, seconded by Legislator Nambiar.
Discussion Items
County Center Facility Improvements (Item 248) Deputy Commissioner Peter Tartaglia and Director of Park Planning Robert McPain presented a $5 million bond request (RCC 17) to finance design, partial construction, and construction management for interior improvements at the Westchester County Center. Key components include upgraded locker rooms (currently six, with a need for eight to meet NBA/NCAA standards), public restroom renovations, and new sports/entertainment lighting. Lighting costs were estimated at $350,000–$500,000. The project aims to retain the Westchester Knicks and attract events like MAC conference tournaments. The bond also covers flood mitigation efforts (electrical system relocation, generator replacement) and future phases for meeting rooms and exhibit halls. The item was signed by committee and referred to the full Board.
Regional Partnership for Hazmat Grant (Items 242 & 243) Commissioner Doug Stiller (Chief of Special Operations for DES) presented two items to authorize agreements with Dutchess and Putnam Counties to receive federal Homeland Security grant funding for hazardous materials response. The FY23 allocation is $122,500; the FY24 allocation is $44,981 (reduced due to lower congressional appropriations). Funds will purchase gas detection meters, lithium-ion battery tool kits, leak control kits, and support training. Both items were approved unanimously.
Mortgage Tax Distribution (Item 341) Finance Commissioner Karen Hapke and Deputy Commissioner Mario Arena presented the semi-annual distribution of mortgage tax receipts. Total receipts from October 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026 were $17,283,480.07, a 10% increase ($1.63 million) over the prior June period. The distribution is mandated by New York State tax law and must be paid to municipalities by June 15, 2026. The item was approved unanimously.
Complete Streets Program (Items 250–254) Planning Commissioner Vasundhra Lopez, Stephen Courage (Associate Transportation Planner), and Kurt Waiter (Director of Transportation Planning) presented a $16 million program funded by a capital budget amendment ($1 million increase), a $4 million bond for design, and a $1.395 million bond for construction in Mount Kisco. The program received 27 applications from 22 municipalities requesting $30 million; 12 projects were selected. Design projects include 11 municipalities (e.g., Yonkers, Peekskill, White Plains, Irvington, Hastings-on-Hudson, Mount Pleasant, Buchanan, Larchmont, Croton-on-Hudson). Construction funding for additional projects is anticipated in future rounds. The items were approved unanimously in both committees.
Opioid Settlement against Associated Pharmacies (ACT-2026-130) Associate County Attorney Loren Zeitler presented legislation authorizing the county to participate in a national opioid settlement with six regional distributors (Associated Pharmacies, Inc., J M Smith Corporation, Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company, Morris and Dickson Co., North Carolina Mutual Wholesale Drug Company, and United Natural Foods). The county would receive a one-time payment of roughly $100,000 (depending on municipal participation), with funds directed to approved opioid abatement strategies. Attorneys’ fees and costs are paid from a separate fund. The item was signed by committee and referred to the full Board.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes of May 18, 2026: Approved unanimously.
- County Center Bond (Item 248): Moved by Legislator Williams Johnson, seconded by Legislator Smith. Vote: all ayes.
- Hazmat Partnership (Items 242 & 243): Approved unanimously.
- Mortgage Tax Distribution (Item 341): Approved unanimously.
- Complete Streets Package (Items 250–254): Approved unanimously in Budget & Appropriations and Infrastructure & Housing committees.
- Opioid Settlement (ACT-2026-130): Moved by Legislator Williams Johnson, seconded by Legislator Smith. Vote: all ayes.
Legislator Colin Smith participated remotely from 1132 Main Street, Suite 1, Peekskill, NY 10566. All votes were unanimous with no recorded opposition.
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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