Joint Committees on Budget & Appropriations, Infrastructure & Housing, and Social Services – August 31, 2026

The joint meeting of the Budget & Appropriations, Infrastructure & Housing, and Social Services, Disabilities & Human Rights committees convened at 10:13 AM on Monday, August 31, 2026, in Committee Room 800 of the Michaelian Office Building, White Plains. The meeting was livestreamed via WebEx. Chaired by Legislator Tyrae Woodson-Samuels, the committees considered 14 agenda items, including bond acts, budget amendments, a lawsuit settlement, and a land acquisition. The meeting adjourned at 11:52 AM.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: Unanimously approved the minutes of the July 13, 2026, and July 20, 2026, committee meetings.

Discussion Items

• Items 2026-381, 382, 383, 384 – Oasis Emergency Overnight Shelter (19 Washington Avenue, New Rochelle): First Deputy Commissioner John Befus, Deputy Commissioner Randolf Scott, and Reimbursement Manager Thomas Rooney (Department of Social Services) presented a package to purchase the 100+ year-old, 7,284 sq. ft., 26-bedroom shelter from the Archdiocese of New York for $1.2 million, relocate residents temporarily (estimated $500,000), and complete a comprehensive rehabilitation ($9.4 million) totaling $11.1 million (plus $250,000 previously appropriated). The shelter, operated by WestCOP under contract since 2008, is the only drop-in site on the Sound Shore and operates at 100% capacity (50 beds) year-round, with 90%+ occupancy during winter. The county currently pays up to $1.4 million annually for operating costs (not lease). Legislators Holstein, Williams-Johnson, Pierce, and others raised concerns about the lack of a detailed design and cost breakdown from DPW, the assessment of property value (appraised at $1.3M versus $1.6M assessed), and the long timeline (estimated 9 months design, 18 months construction). Legislator Pierce formally requested the DPW cost estimate and property appraisal documentation. After debate, the committees voted to table items 381-384 without prejudice pending receipt of the requested information.

• Item 2026-395 – Lawsuit Settlement "D.G.": Associate County Attorney Sean Carey presented a workers’ compensation settlement with a former DSS supervisor injured in July 2018 when struck by a vehicle on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The settlement proposes a lump sum of $52,403.10 to extinguish future indemnity and medical obligations, with estimated total exposure of $149,556.12 and net savings of $97,153.02. The county’s third-party administrator (Triad) and MSA Advocates confirmed no CMS approval needed. After clarifying the interplay between the third-party settlement ($1.2M from the city of White Plains) and workers’ comp obligations, the committees unanimously approved the settlement (B&A and Litigation committees each voted separately, both unanimously in favor).

• Item 2026-363 – Assignment of Bankruptcy Recoverable (Department of Environmental Facilities): Assistant County Attorney John Nonna explained a bankruptcy recoverable of $84,051.82 owed to the County from Global Geophysical Services Inc. (1980s-90s). An unclaimed recovery service will recover the funds for a 33% commission (net ~$58,836.77). Legislators questioned the commission rate; the County Attorney noted the alternative of hiring a law firm would be more expensive and slower. The committees unanimously approved (B&A and Litigation votes).

• Item 2026-377 – Bond Act Amendment: Peekskill WWTP Mechanical Sludge Handling Upgrades (SPK 12): DEF Commissioner Vincent Kopicki and deputies presented a $4,290,000 additional bond (total $5.79M) to replace aging primary sludge piston pumps with centrifugal plunger pumps and elevate electrical controls above grade. The project aims to prevent pump failure damage. Legislator Holstein asked about cost trends; the committee discussed the escalating costs of infrastructure. Unanimously approved by both committees.

• Item 2026-389 – Bond Act: Yonkers Joint WRRF IT Infrastructure Upgrade (SY 058): Deputy CIO Lenox Harris presented an $850,000 bond to upgrade fiber cabling and network equipment at the facility, which was heavily damaged during Superstorm Sandy (2012) and has not had major IT upgrades since. The upgrade is part of a county-wide cybersecurity initiative. Legislators noted this is one of several facilities to be addressed; the plant currently has cybersecurity protections in place. Six-month timeline. Unanimously approved.

• Item 2026-379 – Bond Act Amendment: Infrastructure Rehab, Peekskill District Office (B0116): DPW Commissioner Gayle Katzman and Director Robert Abbamont presented a $2.5M additional bond (total $3M) to replace 30+ year-old single-pane windows and doors with thermally broken frames and low-E double-glazed glass, improving energy efficiency. Design expected Q3 2026, construction ~9 months. This completes the envelope modernization. Unanimously approved.

• Items 2026-385 & 386 – Capital Budget Amendment and Bond Act Amendment: Electrical Substation SE-21, Valhalla Campus (B0122): Katzman and Abbamont presented a $1.65M total bond ($900K previously authorized, $750K new) to relocate the 50+ year-old substation from the basement of Sunshine Cottage to a new above-grade structure with fencing and landscaping. Design completion expected Q3 2026, construction ~12 months. Cost increase due to enhanced scope (enclosure, clearances, aesthetics) and 20% escalation. Unanimously approved.

• Item 2026-387 – Bond Act Amendment: Generator Systems Replacement, Grasslands Campus (B0126): Additional $3.52M (total $3.9M) to replace three 34-year-old generators (300kW, 500kW, 250kW) at DOC F unit, DOC H block, and jail annex. Design by in-house staff expected Q4 2026, construction ~36 months (including long lead items). The estimate includes 25% contingency/escalation. Legislator Pierce requested the cost estimate breakdown; committee agreed to provide it. Unanimously approved.

• Item 2026-388 – Bond Act Amendment: Greenwich Road Over Mianus River, Bedford (RB03T): Additional $4.85M (total $5.85M) to replace the concrete slab bridge with a precast concrete beam bridge. Bridge condition rating 4.07 (below 5 triggers action). Average daily traffic ~4,000 vehicles. Design by consultant expected Q4 2026, construction ~18 months. Traffic impacts will include one-lane operation with a temporary traffic light. The project is in an environmentally sensitive area. Legislator Parker thanked staff for community coordination. Unanimously approved.

• Item 2026-391 – Bond Act Amendment: Infrastructure Rehabilitation, Record Center, Elmsford (B0125): Additional $2.5M (total $2.85M) to replace a 33-year-old 30-ton HVAC rooftop unit with a heat pump featuring variable air volume, demand ventilation, and heat recovery. Design by consultant expected Q3 2026, construction ~9 months. This is the first of several rooftop units planned for replacement. Unanimously approved.

Key Outcomes

• Tabled Items (381-384): The committees voted to table the Oasis Center land acquisition and related bond/budget items without prejudice pending receipt of the detailed DPW cost estimate and property appraisal documentation. No vote was taken on these items.
• Approved Items: All other items (2026-395, 363, 377, 389, 379, 385/386, 387, 388, 391) were approved unanimously by the relevant committees, with separate votes for Budget & Appropriations and the co-chaired Infrastructure & Housing or Litigation committees as required.
• Next Steps: Departments will provide the requested documentation for the Oasis Center items to allow committees to reconsider at a future meeting. The full Board of Legislators will vote on the approved items.