Westchester County Board of Legislators Regular Meeting - June 29, 2026

The Westchester County Board of Legislators convened its regular meeting at 7:02 PM on Monday, June 29, 2026, in the Legislative Chamber of the Michaelian Office Building in White Plains, with Chairman Vedat Gashi presiding. Fifteen members were present, two absent, and one remote. The meeting lasted approximately 28 minutes and included a public comment session, action on unfinished business, approval of multiple bond acts and resolutions, and memorial resolutions.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes of the June 15, 2026 regular meeting were approved unanimously on a motion by Majority Leader Holstein.
• Communications Referrals: All items under Communications from the County Executive, County Attorney, Legislators, and Others were received, filed, and referred to the appropriate committees unanimously. These included:
  • Act to amend credit card fee authorization (Act No. 8-2002) – referred to Budget & Appropriations.
  • Act authorizing inter-municipal agreements with Yonkers and New Rochelle for senior services – referred to Budget & Appropriations and Seniors & Youth.
  • Bond Act for Tibbetts Brook Park Pool Rehabilitation ($800,000) – referred to Budget & Appropriations, Infrastructure & Housing, and Parks & Environment.
  • Resolutions and Local Laws for property tax exemptions for surviving spouses of police officers killed in line of duty and volunteer firefighters/ambulance members – referred to Legislation, Public Safety & Veterans, and Budget & Appropriations.
  • Bond Act for flood mitigation on Powderhorn Road, Ardsley ($550,000) – referred to Budget & Appropriations and Infrastructure & Housing.
  • Act to amend Stormwater Reconnaissance Plan – referred to Budget & Appropriations and Infrastructure & Housing.
  • Act authorizing inter-municipal agreement with Ardsley for flood mitigation – referred to Budget & Appropriations and Infrastructure & Housing.
  • Act authorizing renewal of "Of Counsel" legal services for airport matters (Kaplan Kirsch and Wicks Group) up to $200,000 – referred to Budget & Appropriations and Litigation.
  • Memo of Legislation to establish a Westchester County Office of Fatherhood and Family Engagement Advisory Council – referred to Legislation and Appointments.
  • Request from Village of Briarcliff Manor to add a parcel to Saw Mill Sewer District – referred to Infrastructure & Housing.
• Notices & Petitions: Two amended PILOT/tax agreements (277 North Avenue, New Rochelle; 599 Ridge Hill Boulevard, Yonkers) were reviewed for informational purposes only.

Public Comments & Testimony

Three members of the public spoke during the public comment period:

• Probation Association Representative (first speaker): Expressed concern regarding Local Law 2026-26, which repeals the County Attorney’s authority to prosecute violations of probation (VOP). The speaker acknowledged the county attorney's resource limitations but argued that eliminating the authorization without a clear alternative plan risks public safety. They urged the Board to identify who will prosecute VOP cases if the District Attorney does not resume handling them, emphasizing that VOP proceedings are critical for accountability and intervention.
• Dawn Myerski (child care center director): Urged immediate release of supplemental Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) funding, warning that without subsidies, centers may turn away children, leading to unsupervised children and potential drownings. She noted that Westchester Works plans to offer only $400 per month, which is insufficient. She requested that children with timely applications be reimbursed from their start dates.
• Howard Milbert (executive director of Osman and Children's Center, co-president of Early Childhood Directors Association): Stated that Westchester can access over $14 million in supplemental CCAP funding for services before October 1, 2026. He explained that if the county claims at least $7 million (50%), it remains eligible for similar supplemental funding in fiscal year 2027. He highlighted that Westchester’s base CCAP allocation will increase to $92.98 million in October 2026 (a 43% rise from $65.1 million), making immediate use of supplemental funds critical for maximizing federal resources.

Discussion Items

• Unfinished Business – Local Law Repealing VOP Authorization (LL 4-2026): Legislator Colin Smith presented the local law, which repeals the 2003 authorization that allowed the County Attorney to present VOP proceedings in criminal court. He explained that the District Attorney’s office had resumed handling these matters, and the repeal simply removes the outdated authorization, allowing the county attorney to focus on civil legal work. Legislator David Tubiolo concurred. The motion passed with a vote of 12 in favor and 3 opposed (Legislators Nolan, Tubiolo, and Woodson-Samuels voted no).

Key Outcomes

• Local Law 4-2026 (Repealing VOP Authorization) – Adopted (12-3).
• Public Hearing Set – Camouflaged Vaping Devices: A resolution to set a public hearing on July 20, 2026 at 7:30 PM for Local Law prohibiting sale of camouflaged vaping devices (LL 2026-44) – Adopted unanimously (15-0).
• Environmental Resolution – Radio System Replacement (BIT32): Determined no significant adverse environmental impact – Adopted unanimously (15-0).
• Bond Act – Radio System Replacement (BIT32): Authorized issuance of $32,018,183 in bonds for the radio system replacement project, amended and restated from Bond Act 263-2025 – Adopted unanimously (15-0).
• Bond Act – Renovation of Public Safety Facility in Hawthorne (BPS15): Authorized $375,000 in bonds for planning and design, addressing leaks, HVAC, and plumbing issues – Adopted unanimously (15-0).
• Appointment – LGBTQ Advisory Board: Violet Ho appointed for term Jan 30, 2026 to Dec 31, 2029 – Adopted unanimously (15-0).
• Public Hearing Set – Master Plumber 51% Ownership Requirement: Resolution to set public hearing on July 20, 2026 at 7:30 PM for Local Law eliminating the 51% business ownership requirement for master plumbers (LL 2026-295) – Adopted unanimously (15-0).
• Appointment – Commissioner of Social Services: Leonard Townes appointed to a five-year term (Feb 26, 2026 – Feb 26, 2031) – Adopted unanimously (15-0).
• Agreement – Ethics Consultant/Counsel: Authorized agreement with Steven G. Leventhal as independent consultant and special counsel to the Board of Ethics, from Aug 1, 2026 to Jul 31, 2029, not to exceed $90,000 – Adopted unanimously (15-0).
• Memorial Resolutions: Approved for Roberta Louise Hurley, Rita Rose Cestone, Evelyn Sanders, Clive Davis, and Linda Deutschen. The Board observed a moment of silence.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 20, 2026 at 7:00 PM.