Infrastructure & Housing Committee Meeting - July 27, 2026

The Infrastructure & Housing Committee of the Westchester County Board of Legislators met jointly with the Budget & Appropriations, Parks & Environment, Public Safety & Veterans, and Health committees on July 27, 2026 at 10:00 AM. Chair Shanae Williams called the meeting to order at 10:27 AM. The committee reviewed and voted on 11 items, including bond acts and capital budget amendments for various county capital projects, as well as several receive-and-file items. All votes were unanimous, with Legislator Holstein absent for some items.

Minutes Approval

• The minutes from July 13, 2026 were approved by a vote of 6-0 (Legislators Williams, Holstein, Nambiar, Pierce, Woodson-Samuels, Gashi).

Discussion Items

Ice Casino Improvements II (Items 2026-346 & 2026-347)

• CBA and Amended Bond Act to increase the County share for Capital Project RP02A by $4,000,000, bringing total authorized bonding to $62,789,000. The project funds complete rehabilitation of the historic Ice Casino Building at Playland Park, including structural, mechanical, ADA, and historic restoration improvements. Acting Parks Commissioner Peter Tartaglia explained that cost increases were driven by rising commodity and construction prices, code review delays, new EPA refrigerant requirements, and a fire alarm panel replacement. The project was already bid and a low bidder was holding the price. Legislators questioned cost breakdowns and were provided with a variance table. Unanimously recommended for approval.

Labs and Research Facility Rehabilitation and Upgrade (2026-339)

• Bond Act for $3,200,000 to fund the second phase of design (from 30% to 60% completion) for a new Department of Laboratories and Research facility on the Grasslands Campus. Keith Hoffman (Chief Administrator) presented the project history, noting that a feasibility study recommended a new build over renovation due to lower cost and less disruption. Value engineering reduced total project cost from $370 million to $318 million and square footage from 157,000 to 139,000 by reducing lobby size, ceiling heights, and material changes without impacting program space. Legislators asked about cost escalations and benchmarking against other state labs. Unanimously recommended for approval.

County Clerk – Legal Division Information Technology Upgrades (2026-344)

• Bond Act for $1,300,000 to fund a new cashiering system, modernization of the Legal Division’s databases, and initial work for a consolidated data entry system. County Clerk Thomas Roach noted the current cashiering system dates from 2009 and is outdated. The project also includes a phone system upgrade with AI (one-time cost of $37,000, recurring $9,000 in operating budget). Legislators discussed coordination with cybersecurity, e-filing expansion, and maintaining live customer service. Unanimously recommended for approval.

County-Wide Building Management System Upgrade (2026-330)

• Bond Act for $2,525,000 to finance design of a countywide upgrade to the Building Management System (BMS), replacing the obsolete Andover platform with a modern Ecostructure system across 28 county facilities. DPW Director Robert Abbamont explained the system controls HVAC, improves energy efficiency, and addresses security vulnerabilities. Design is estimated at 9 months, construction at 12 months. Unanimously recommended for approval.

New Bus Radio/Data System (2026-343)

• Bond Act for $2,065,000 to finance additional technology enhancements for the Bee-Line system, including CCTV, yard management, planning/scheduling, Optibus operational module, and related hardware/network equipment. Deputy CIO noted that scope increased due to obsolete on-bus routers, new farebox interfaces, and additional CCTV capabilities. The project is expected to be completed by first quarter 2027. Legislators asked about CCTV data retention (30 days minimum) and integration with public safety. Unanimously recommended for approval.

South Yonkers Trunk Sewer System Reconstruction (2026-340)

• Bond Act for $1,000,000 to finance Phase I of inspection, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of approximately 3,300 linear feet of 60-inch trunk sewer. DEF Commissioner Vincent Kopicki noted that two-thirds of the pipe was installed in 1930, one-third in 1995. The work includes multi-sensor inspection (CCTV, sonar, laser profiling) and minor repairs. Unanimously recommended for approval.

Building Access Control and Video Surveillance Systems Upgrade (2026-341 & 2026-342)

• CBA and Bond Act for $1,300,000 to fund additional costs for security cameras, access control equipment, software, and infrastructure at various county facilities, including Playland, 8 Main Street, and Kensico Plaza for World Cup events. Deputy CIO Lennox Harris noted the project uses a countywide vendor (ITG Larson). Legislators asked about state reimbursement for World Cup costs (no reimbursement received) and vendor details. Unanimously recommended for approval.

Correctional Facility Replace Fire Alarm System (2026-331)

• Amended Bond Act authorizing $7,960,000 (total $9,625,000 including previously authorized) to replace the outdated fire alarm system at the Correctional Facility. The new system is pneumatic (VESDA) to reduce false alarms. A design test on one pod was successful. Commissioner Joseph Spano and staff explained that replacement parts for the old system are no longer available. Fire watch will be maintained during construction. Unanimously recommended for approval.

Correctional Facility Infrastructure Improvements (2026-329)

• Bond Act for $500,000 to replace aging sewer grinder pumps at the Correctional Complex, which are failing weekly. The pumps are original and critical for health and safety. Unanimously recommended for approval.

Receive & File

• 2026-320: Addition to Saw Mill Sewer District – 398 South State Rd., Briarcliff Manor. Approved.
• 2026-332: Memo of Legislation – Brownfield Assessment and Redevelopment Initiative (sponsored by Hon. Tyrae Woodson-Samuels). Approved.
• 2026-333: Memo of Legislation – First Gen. Homebuyer and Down Payment Matching Act (sponsored by Hon. Tyrae Woodson-Samuels). Approved.
• 2026-335: Memo of Legislation – OTH and Commercial Conversion Readiness Act (sponsored by Hon. Tyrae Woodson-Samuels). Approved.

Key Outcomes

• All 11 discussion items were signed by committee and referred to the Board of Legislators with unanimous votes (6-0 on most; 5-0 with Legislator Holstein away for items 8-11).
• Four receive-and-file items were approved.
• The meeting adjourned at 12:35 PM.