The Joint Westchester County Board of Legislators Committee (Budget & Appropriations, Public Safety & Veterans, Seniors & Youth, Infrastructure & Housing, and Parks & Environment) convened on August 31, 2026, at 1:09 PM. Chair Tyrae Woodson-Samuels presided over the meeting, which focused on approving a range of inter-municipal agreements, bond acts, and land acquisitions for school resource officers, senior services, infrastructure easements, flood mitigation, and affordable housing. The meeting adjourned at 2:34 PM.
Lakeland Central School District School Resource Officers (Item 2026-390) Captain Frank Donovan presented a five-year renewal of the inter-municipal agreement to place three county police officers as School Resource Officers in the Lakeland Central School District. Legislator Woodson-Samuels expressed strong support for the program. Chairman Gashi voiced support contingent on the local community's desire for the service.
NYSOFA Grant Fund Agreements for Senior Services (Items 2026-350 & 2026-351) Director of Program Development Sherine Kurien presented two agreements enabling the county to use state and federal grant funds for senior services. The programs provided roughly 238,000 units of service to 3,715 unduplicated individuals in the prior program year. Legislator Pierce questioned the reliability of federal funding compared to state funds.
Croton-on-Hudson and Tarrytown Lighthouse Easement Agreements (Items 2026-352, 353, 404, 405) Acting Parks Commissioner William Bland described an easement for utility infrastructure at Croton Gorge Park and a series of easements related to improving electrical and security connectivity for the Tarrytown Lighthouse. Legislator Williams Johnson clarified that the lighthouse is located in Sleepy Hollow. Legislator Pierce raised questions about the status of fencing at Kingsland Point Park, with staff noting a meeting with the village manager was scheduled for late September.
Flood Mitigation Projects and Bond Acts (Items 2026-354 through 362) Planning Deputy Commissioner Melissa-Jean Rotini and Assistant Commissioner David Kvinge presented a comprehensive set of flood mitigation projects and bond acts. This included amendments to Storm Water Reconnaissance Plans for Mamaroneck, Peekskill, and Haverstraw Bays. Approved bond acts included $13,375,000 for general flood mitigation, $3,500,000 for a watershed plan (including $2,000,000 in previously issued bonds), $900,000 for Cushman Road in Scarsdale, and $225,000 for a Peekskill project. Legislator Pierce asked about the timeline for the Coastal Long Island Sound watershed plan.
Affordable Housing: 81 Elliott Avenue, Yonkers (Items 2026-392 through 396) Program Administrator Len Gruenfeld presented a plan to rebuild a four-story building with 9 affordable homeownership units on a site destroyed by a catastrophic fire in 2021. Three of the nine units will be reserved for the original co-op owners returning. Legislator Williams expressed heartbreak over the high Area Median Income (AMI) thresholds, noting that 65% of County AMI is much higher than the local Yonkers AMI, likely making it unattainable for many local residents. Legislator Barr questioned the legal lottery exemption for the returning owners. Legislator Alvarado, representing the district, thanked the committee for supporting the project.
Affordable Housing: 90-114 Westmoreland Avenue, White Plains (Items 2026-400 through 403) Len Gruenfeld presented a proposal for 154 affordable rental units near Contrell Park. Legislator Williams questioned the high parking costs ($36,000 per space), which she attributed to local zoning requirements by the City of White Plains that have not reduced parking minimums. Legislator Williams Johnson inquired about local marketing preferences for municipal workers.
This meeting is being recorded and summarized. All right. Good afternoon, everyone. We are back for round two of the budget and appropriations committee and various other committees. Legislator Woodson Samuels here. Chair of the committee will be starting off with roll call. I am present. Leader Holstein. Present. Legislator Nobgar. Legislator Pierce. Present. Committee Vice Vice Chair Tobiola? Present. Majority Williams. She's online, but okay. Legislative Williams Johnson. Chairman Gashi. Present. Okay. And I just want to note we've been joined by Legislator Puja online as well as minority leader uh Kunzio. Thank you. Thank you. Public safety. Yes. Okay. It is 109 p.m. opening on public safety veterans. Vice Chair Clements? Here. I'll say Kunzio. Let's say. Thank you. Let's say Smith. Okay. Let's say Woodson Samuels. Present. Chairman Gashi. Present. And myself. We are. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Okay. So we dive into our first item 2026-390. The IMA with Lakeland Central School District or SROs. And we have Captain Donovan online to discuss that item. Captain. Thank you. Good afternoon.