Westchester County Board of Legislators Regular Meeting, June 1, 2026
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Westchester County Board of Legislators Regular Meeting, June 1, 2026
The Westchester County Board of Legislators met on Monday, June 1, 2026, in the Legislative Chamber, Michaelian Office Building, White Plains, with remote participation available via WebEx. Chairman Vedat Gashi presided; all 17 legislators were present, with Nancy Barr participating remotely. The meeting opened with a Pride Month celebration, followed by a formal regular meeting. The Board approved a $40 million bond package for the Eastview Pumping Station, adopted a graphic firearm safety warnings local law, advanced Complete Streets projects for multiple municipalities, approved numerous appointments and agreements, and received several communications for referral. All roll-call votes were unanimous; two appointment/reappointment items passed 16-0 because Minority Whip Nolan was away. The transcript shows a consent agenda was moved and passed 17-0 at the start, while the final minutes do not record a separate consent-calendar vote and instead list individual unanimous votes on each substantive item.
Pre-Meeting Pride Month Celebration
- Legislator Imamura presented a proclamation declaring June 1, 2026 as Benjamin Alani Day. Alani, an Air Force veteran and VFW Post 200 commander, expressed opposition to the ban on transgender military service, described his experience serving under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and said local voices and resolutions are not "for nothing."
- Legislator Ulaj presented a proclamation declaring June 2, 2026 as Croton Pride Day. Croton Pride co-founders accepted and spoke about the importance of affirming communities, saying LGBTQ people are being scapegoated and that allyship must be action.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda was approved 17-0 with no changes. As noted above, the final minutes instead show individual roll-call votes for all substantive items.
Public Comments & Testimony
- There were no in-person or online registrants for public comment.
- A public hearing on authorizing Capital Project WD305 – County Water District #3 Eastview Pumping Station was opened; no speakers appeared and it was closed.
Unfinished Business: WD305 Eastview Pumping Station
- Approved 17-0, all held over from May 18, 2026: environmental resolution (RES-2026-53); act authorizing the County to proceed with WD305 subject to a State Comptroller order (ACT-2026-117); act authorizing the BOL Chairman to petition the State Comptroller (ACT-2026-118); state regulations resolution for a verified application (RES-2026-54); capital budget amendment (ACT-2026-119); and a bond act authorizing $40,000,000 for the project (ACT-2026-120).
- Also approved 17-0: a resolution setting a public hearing for June 15, 2026 at 7:30 PM on Local Law Intro 2026-26, which would repeal the County Attorney's authorization to present criminal Violations of Probation proceedings.
Standing Committee Items
- Local Law 3-2026 – Graphic Safety Warnings: adopted 17-0. It adds a requirement for firearm dealers to post a graphic image of the dangers of firearms next to the existing written warning; the County Health Department will develop or approve the image, and the County Clerk will provide it with firearm licenses. Legislators Smith, Tubiolo, Clements, Williams, Imamura, and Barr spoke in support. Williams cited roughly 65-75 suicides per year in Westchester and data showing 50% of gun violence in the county involves suicide by firearm; Barr noted that suicide attempts with guns are more likely to be fatal.
- Appointments: Dr. Teresa Hsu was appointed to the Community Services Board (17-0); James H. Hughes IV was appointed to the Community Services Board (16-0); Marni Marron was reappointed to the Advisory Council on People with Disabilities (16-0).
- Mortgage Tax Receipts: approved 16-0, authorizing the Commissioner of Finance to distribute approximately $17.28 million in mortgage tax receipts for October 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026 to cities, towns, and villages under Section 216(3) of the NY State Tax Law.
- Regional Hazardous Materials Grant Agreements: approved 17-0 for FY2023 and FY2024 regional partnership agreements with Dutchess and Putnam Counties. The FY2023 item is expected to bring approximately $122,500 in state homeland security funding for hazmat training, exercises, equipment, and supplies.
- County Center Facility Improvements: approved 17-0 a $5,000,000 bond act (RCC17) for locker rooms, restrooms, arena/sports lighting, and related improvements. Design is expected to take about 12 months; speakers said upgraded facilities are needed to accommodate the Westchester Nix and make restrooms ADA compliant.
- Complete Streets Municipal Assistance Program: approved 17-0 four related items: a capital budget amendment, a $4,000,000 bond act for design, an act authorizing intermunicipal agreements with 11 municipalities, and a $1,395,000 bond act for construction. Separately, an IMA with Mount Kisco authorizing construction of "Mount Kisco Streetscape Sidewalk Improvements Phase 3B" with County reimbursement of up to 50% of costs was approved 17-0. The program funds sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, flood mitigation, and related improvements; a per-municipality funding breakdown was read into the record.
- Opioid Settlement: approved 17-0 an act authorizing participation in the national opioid settlement against Associated Pharmacies, Inc., and other wholesale distributors. The County expects a one-time payment of approximately $100,000, and the County Attorney's office recommended participation over separate litigation.
Communications Received and Referred
All communications were received, filed, and referred on unanimous motions. These included: a $11,805,000 bond act for Various County Roads Rehabilitation Program (2026); an act for a Sexual Risk Avoidance Education Program grant with NYS OCFS and municipal agreements with Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Ossining, Peekskill, Port Chester, White Plains, and Yonkers; a $1,235,000 bond act for Information Technology 2025-2029; a Putnam County regional partnership agreement for the FY2023 Technical Rescue/Urban Search and Rescue Assets Grant; a $550,000 bond act for Labs and Research Equipment Acquisition (2026-2030); a retainer for Sheppard Mullin LLP for a surety dispute; a memo of legislation on improving cell phone coverage; and the Clerk of the Board's First Quarter FY2026 Update. A Town of Pound Ridge application to establish the Scotts Corners Water District was received for informational purposes only.
Call of the Districts and Announcements
- Legislators announced the Sacred Heart volleyball state championship, Yonkers Hispanic Day Parade (June 7), Yonkers Pride Festival (June 13), Yonkers Juneteenth celebration (June 20), Ward Pound Ridge fire tower races, and Croton Summerfest with a pride flag raising (June 7). Legislator Woodson-Samuels honored his longtime high school track coach Jan Mitchell.
Memorial Resolutions
- Memorial Resolution 9-2026 was adopted unanimously honoring recently deceased community members. The minutes include additional honorees beyond those listed in the agenda: Alina Toone, Jeremiah Toone, and Julieann Culhane-Kearney. Legislators gave tributes to Judge Lawrence "Larry" Ecker, Donike Gocaj, Kenneth Fusco, and members of the Toone family.
Key Outcomes
- Approved all six WD305 Eastview Pumping Station actions, including the $40,000,000 bond.
- Adopted Local Law 3-2026 requiring graphic firearm safety warnings.
- Approved $5,000,000 bond for County Center improvements.
- Approved Complete Streets design and construction bonds of $4,000,000 and $1,395,000, plus related IMAs.
- Approved appointments, reappointment, mortgage tax distribution, regional hazard agreements, and opioid settlement participation.
- Referred all communications to the appropriate committees.
- Adjourned at 8:32 PM; next regular meeting is June 15, 2026 at 7:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
All right. Good evening and welcome everyone. Thank you for joining us for the board's annual celebration of Pride Month. In celebrating our vibrant LGBTQ Plus community and recognizing two exceptional honorees. We are reminded how much our LGBTQ plus neighbors, friends, and family have shaped the culture, economy, and spirit of Westchester County. Tonight we are extremely privileged to recognize Ben Alani and Croton Pride, whose work has made Westchester and the world beyond it a more inclusive place where everyone can thrive, regardless of who they love or how they identify. Ben Ilani, a decorated Air Force veteran. With uh is also an LGBTQ plus service member advocate and a VFW post commander. And Croton Pride is a community organization dedicated to LGBTQ connection, advocacy, and celebration. As we celebrate the their achievements, we recommit ourselves to supporting LGBTQ community year-round and standing up for all the residents against discrimination and hate. Legislator David and Memora will now join us to say a few words and present a proclamation to Ben. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh good evening, everyone. Today I have the high honor of recognizing as part of Pride Month, Benjamin Alani, the commander of VFW 200 in Hasting Island Hudson. And I think it speaks to Ben's contributions that today we are joined by the mayor of Hastings, Mayor Tom Drank, and the mayor of Dobbs Ferry, Christine, whom I want to recognize are now here today to celebrate Ben. Since that time, Ben has been the major advocate for gays in the military and used the GI Bill to graduate from Columbia in 2012. I first met Ben as an elected official through attending my district's many Memorial Day and Veterans Day events. And I was always struck by how at these events, Ben was often one of the youngest people there, but it was Ben's words more than anyone else that the audience lashed on to. And I thought how fitting it was for Ben to say he had to shoot his shot. Because here is a man who has both literally and metaphorically shot his shot for our country, who is shot, is shot in defense of America, and now shoots his shot to make sure that Americ veterans in America get their due and shoots his shot to ensure that men and women in America, no matter their orientation, get the rights they deserve. So as we celebrate pride, but also on a day where a decision just came down from the courts on Donald Trump's ban on transgender soldiers serving in our military. It is my honor to recognize Benjamin Alani, not just for everything you have done, but everything you will do for our country and for our county. So on behalf of the County of Westchester, it is my privilege to proclaim that June 1st, 2026 will be Benjamin Alani Day in Westchester County. Your name will be up in lights on the Westchester County Jambotron. So Ben, thank you so much for everything you've done. And ladies and gentlemen, please welcome join me in introduce in welcoming Benjamin Alani's authority. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Legislator Momora. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and to the Westers County Legislature for this honor and for choosing Pride Month to say some truths out loud. I'm Ben Alani. I've been married to my stunning husband for almost 13 years, and we're raising our three gorgeous children here in Dobbs Ferry. I'm the commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 200 in Hastings on Hudson. I'm here today in my personal capacity, not on behalf of the Post, but I wouldn't be standing in front of you at all if my fellow veterans had not chosen to elevate me. So when I speak about who serves and who belongs, I'm speaking as somebody they trusted to lead them openly. It's Pride Month, and the military was a formative part of my young, adult gay life. It's where I learned to keep secrets and how to spot trusted friends. It's where I learned to be proud of the person I was becoming. So if you bear with me, the pride speech I have to give is a military speech. They're the same speech. I came out at 18, and then kind of suddenly I found myself confessing something that felt even harder. I was dropping out of college and enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. This was 2006, already out of the closet, already aware that don't ask, don't tell would require me to put it back. I figured that everybody was sacrificing something to be there, and this part of my life was what I had to sacrifice. I learned Persian at the Defense Language Institute. I went to survival school, I earned my enlisted air crew wings, I trained as a special intelligence operator, and I deployed with U.S.
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