Parks, Budget & Infrastructure Joint Committees Meeting - May 26, 2026
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Parks, Budget & Infrastructure Committees Joint Meeting - May 26, 2026
The joint meeting of the Parks & Environment, Budget & Appropriations, and Infrastructure & Housing committees convened at 10:12 AM and adjourned at 11:27 AM. The meeting covered a bond act for County Center improvements, a regional hazmat partnership, mortgage tax distribution, and the Complete Streets program. All items were approved unanimously.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approval: The minutes of April 7, 2026, were approved by all committees.
- Regional Hazmat Partnership (Items 26-242 & 26-243): Authorized Westchester County to enter into a regional partnership with Dutchess and Putnam counties to receive state hazardous materials grant program funding for fiscal years 2023 and 2024. Allocations: $122,500 for FY23 and $44,981 for FY24. The funds support planning, equipment, training, and exercises. Approved unanimously by Budget & Appropriations, Infrastructure & Housing, and Public Safety committees.
- Mortgage Tax Distribution (Item 26-241): Authorized distribution of $17,283,480.07 in mortgage tax receipts to cities, towns, and villages as mandated by state law. This represents a 10% increase over the prior June period. Approved unanimously.
Discussion Items
- Bond Act RCC17 – County Center Facility Improvements (Item 26-2481): First Deputy Commissioner Peter Tartaglia and Director of Park Planning Rob Lopane presented a $5 million bond request to finance design, partial construction, and construction management of interior improvements including locker rooms, dressing rooms, public restrooms, and sports/arena lighting. The locker rooms are currently undersized and not meeting NBA/NCAA requirements; the lighting is insufficient for TV production and spectator experience. Design will take 12 months; lighting installation about 4 months. Future projects will address meeting rooms, little theater, and exhibit hall. The bond act was approved unanimously by all three committees.
- Complete Streets Municipal Assistance Program (Items 26-250, 251, 252, 253, 244): Commissioner of Planning Diane Lopez, Associate Transportation Planner Stephen Courage, and Director of Transportation Planning Curran Waite presented a $16 million program (15M original + $1M amendment) to fund design and construction of municipally owned road improvements for safety and accessibility. 27 applications were received; 12 projects were selected based on benefit and readiness. The current bonding includes $1.395 million for Mount Kisco construction (design already complete) and $4 million for design of 11 other municipalities. Future construction bonds will follow. Projects are 50% matched by municipalities or other funding. Additional $15M is requested in the 2027 capital budget for a new round. Approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- All votes were unanimous across the participating committees. No opposition was recorded.
- County Center Bond Act: Approved for referral to full Board of Legislators.
- Regional Hazmat Agreement: Approved for referral.
- Mortgage Tax Distribution: Approved for referral.
- Complete Streets Package: All five items (capital budget amendment, design bond, Mount Kisco construction bond, and two intermunicipal agreements) were approved for referral.
- Litigation Committee (separate meeting at 11:11 AM): Approved participation in a one-time opioid settlement with six defendants, estimated at $100,000. The settlement must be used for approved core strategies. Minutes of May 18, 2026, were also approved. The committee adjourned at 11:26 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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