Joint Committee Meeting of Seniors & Youth and Budget & Appropriations – July 13, 2026

Minutes Approval

• The minutes from the June 8, 2026, meeting were approved by a vote of Legislators Alvarado, Cunzio, and Tubiolo (with Legislators Nolan and Puja absent).

Discussion Items

1. IMA – Services to Seniors Funded with County Tax Dollars – Yonkers and New Rochelle (Item 2026-300)

• Sherine Kurien, Acting Director of Program Development for the Department of Senior Programs and Services, presented the proposal to authorize inter-municipal agreements with Yonkers and New Rochelle for the Livable Communities Regional Hosts program. This program supports aging in place through education, advocacy, and volunteerism. In the 2025 program year, approximately 440 units of service were provided to 1,680 individuals. The agreements would provide up to $40,000 in county tax dollars for 2026.
• Legislators asked about expansion to other municipalities. Staff explained that four other agencies already cover the rest of the county (WJCS, WCC, and Leake & Watts).
• Chair Alvarado noted the value of these small investments for seniors in Yonkers. The committee voted to recommend approval (Alvarado, Cunzio, Tubiolo aye; Nolan and Puja absent). It was signed and referred to the Board of Legislators.

2. Credit Card Fee Amendment (Item 2026-299)

• Budget Director Larry Soule and County Attorney John Nolan discussed a proposed act to authorize county departments to recoup credit card processing fees. An inconsistency was noted between the committee report (language requiring recoupment) and the legislation (language stating it may be a condition). The administration decided to leave the decision to each department.
• Potential fee offsets were described: parks pays over $500,000 annually in credit card fees; other departments pay about $11,000 (via Elavon) and $26,000 (via AmEx). Total potential savings could approach $650,000.
• Legislators raised questions about debit cards and international cards. County Attorney Nolan clarified that the definition of “credit card” in the act includes debit cards and other similar instruments. The committee approved the item with a directive to correct the committee report accordingly. Votes: Unanimous (aye from those present).

3. Tibbetts Brook Park Pool Rehabilitation – Bond Act (Item 2026-301)

• Representatives from the Department of Parks presented a request for an $800,000 bond to finance the design of pool rehabilitation. The pool, originally built in 2009, has deteriorated tile, cracking, filter system issues, and outdated mechanicals. The design phase will take approximately 15 months. Construction cost not yet known.
• Legislators noted the pool’s popularity (capacity ~2,000 at a time) and that on recent heat wave days (July 2-4) the pool reached capacity. The project aims to address ADA compliance, use more durable materials, and improve energy efficiency.
• The committee voted to recommend approval. Motion carried.

4. Flood Mitigation – Powder Horn Road, Village of Ardsley (Items 2026-316, 317, 318)

• David Kvinge, Assistant Commissioner of Planning, presented a flood mitigation project for a neighborhood lacking stormwater infrastructure. The bond request is for $550,000, with the county providing 50% funding assistance under the Flood Mitigation Program. The village has designed the project and will manage construction, expected to be completed by end of summer.
• The item also included amendments to the Stormwater Reconnaissance Plan to add this flood problem area. Legislator Nambiar expressed appreciation, noting he had worked with the village on this for over a year.
• The committee voted to recommend approval for all three items (bond, plan amendment, and authorizing agreement). Motion carried.

5. Renewal of Airport Counsel Agreements (Item 2026-306)

• County Attorney John Nolan presented a request to exercise an option to renew agreements with two law firms (Kaplan Kirsch and Wicks Group) for FAA matters. The aggregate authorization is $200,000 ($100,000 per firm). Only Kaplan Kirsch has been used so far for a Part 13 complaint, which was recently dismissed. The renewal is to have counsel available if needed.
• Legislators asked about the need to renew both firms; Nolan explained the firms have different rate structures ($500-600/hour for Kaplan Kirsch vs. $300-400/hour for Wicks Group) and can be used for different types of matters.
• The committee voted to recommend approval. Motion carried.

Key Outcomes

• All discussion items (2026-300, 2026-299, 2026-301, 2026-316-318, 2026-306) were voted to recommend approval by their respective committees (Seniors & Youth, Budget & Appropriations, Infrastructure, and Legislation).
• For the credit card fee item, the committee directed that the committee report be revised to reflect the permissive language (may impose fee) instead of the mandatory language that had appeared.
• The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:10 AM.