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Record of Proceedings

Westchester County Board of Legislators Regular Meeting – September 14, 2026

Board of Legislators & Committees — Monday, September 14, 2026
BodyWestchester County, New York
SessionBoard of Legislators & Committees
DateMonday, September 14, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:51:16

Original source
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0:07

This webinar is being recorded and summarized.

0:12

Good evening.

0:14

Today is Monday, September 14th, 2026.

0:17

The time is 7.07 p.m.

0:20

And I call this meeting of the Westchester County Board of Legislators to order.

0:24

I'd like to note for the record, in addition to participating in person, this board will continue to allow members of the public to participate in both our public comment sessions and public hearings remotely via our WebEx video conferencing system if they so choose.

0:38

Additionally, our meetings will continue to be streamed live, recorded, and transcribed.

0:43

I call on legislator Uli to lead us in the pledge.

0:48

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

0:56

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:02

You remain standing for a moment of silence, sound of those serving us home and abroad.

1:13

Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll?

1:19

Majority Leader Holstein.

1:21

Present.

1:22

Minority Leader Funzio.

1:23

Here.

1:24

Ms.

1:24

Alvarado.

1:25

Present.

1:25

Ms.

1:26

Farr.

1:28

Here.

1:29

Miss Clements.

1:30

Here.

1:30

Mr.

1:30

Imamora.

1:31

Here.

1:32

Mr.

1:32

Nambiar.

1:33

Here.

1:34

Mr.

1:34

Nolan.

1:36

Ms.

1:36

Pierce.

1:37

Present.

1:38

Ms.

1:38

Kusha.

1:39

Here.

1:40

Mr.

1:41

Smith.

1:41

Here.

1:42

Mr.

1:42

Tubiello.

1:43

Present.

1:44

Ms.

1:44

Goulai.

1:45

Here.

1:46

Ms.

1:46

Williams.

1:47

Present.

1:48

Ms.

1:48

Williams Johnson.

1:50

Present.

1:50

Mr.

1:50

Woodson Samuel?

1:51

Present.

1:52

Mr.

1:52

Chairman.

1:53

Present.

1:54

Mr.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████14%
Veterans Affairs██████████10%
Flood Mitigation██████████10%
Affordable Housing██████████10%
Public Health█████████9%
Memorial Resolutions███████7%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%
Public Safety█████5%
Homelessness█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Westchester County Board of Legislators Regular Meeting – September 14, 2026

The Westchester County Board of Legislators held its regular meeting on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 7:07 PM in the Legislative Chamber. Chairperson Vedat Gashi presided with a quorum of 17 legislators present. The meeting included public comment, five public hearings, and consideration of 56 standing committee items, all of which were approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:58 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda was moved with a change to add the Public Safety & Veterans committee referral to item 2026-437, and passed unanimously (17-0).
  • Minutes of the August 3, 2026 regular meeting were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Peter Trapoti (probation officer and labor leader) urged the Board to provide an early retirement option for probation officers, calling it an issue of equity. He criticized the County Executive’s response as being based on inaccurate cost projections and compared the situation to the Jim Crow-era decision in Palmer v. Thompson.
  • Josephine O'Grady (licensed master plumber) opposed the removal of the 51% ownership requirement for master plumbers and the change in appointment of the plumbing board chair, stating the changes weakened public safety and industry standards without input from the plumbing board.
  • Mary Bernal asked the Board to ban the sale and use of glue traps, citing prolonged animal suffering, risks to pets and children, and the availability of effective alternatives. She noted that several entities (e.g., Target, CVS, NYPD) have already stopped using them.
  • Nora Madonick (CEO of Arch Street Communications, speaking for the New York League of Conservation Voters) highlighted that over 50% of water service lines in Westchester (93,200 lines) are confirmed or possibly made of lead. She urged the Board to adopt a local law ensuring proper disposal of replaced lead pipes, and commended Legislator Woodson-Samuels for planning to introduce such legislation.
  • Gabriel Rodriguez advocated for improved infrastructure for non-car users, citing 24.7 million Bee-Line bus riders in 2024 and 43.6 million non-commuter Metro North trips in 2025. He noted that only 16 of 4,000+ bus stops have both shelter and bench, and 295 stops lack sidewalk access, disproportionately affecting lower-income areas.
  • Kyle Ruth (online) briefly expressed support for the disabled veterans tax exemption (Item 2026-326) and asked about implementation before the October 1 taxable status date.

Public Hearings

Five public hearings were held at 7:30 PM; all were closed after testimony.

  1. Vapor Products (2026-212 PH): Molly Franco (Power Against Tobacco/American Lung Association) testified in support, noting that New York’s flavored vape ban lacks an explicit possession prohibition, creating enforcement gaps. Youth vaping remains a concern, with 13% of high school students using e-cigarettes in 2024.
  2. Surviving Spouses of Police Officers (2026-312 PH): No speakers.
  3. Surviving Spouses of Volunteer Firefighters/Ambulance (2026-314 PH): No speakers.
  4. Active Duty Armed Forces in Combat Zone (2026-323 PH): No speakers.
  5. Seriously Disabled Veterans (2026-325 PH): Two speakers testified in support: an in-person speaker (retired Colonel Edwards) and Kyle Ruth (online), who again asked about implementation timing.

Discussion Items

Standing committee items were presented by committee chairs and approved unanimously (17-0) unless noted. Key items included:

  • Local Law – Vapor Products (2026-213): Establishes a rebuttable presumption that possession of four or more flavored vapor products at a retail establishment is for unlawful sale. Retailers may rebut by proving products are for lawful online sales elsewhere. Passed.
  • Local Laws – Tax Exemptions for Survivors and Veterans (2026-313, 315, 324, 326): Four local laws provide property tax exemptions: 50% for surviving spouses of police officers killed in line of duty (313); 50% for surviving spouses of volunteer firefighters/ambulance members (315); up to 25% (capped at $20,000) for active duty members in combat zones (324); and full exemption for seriously disabled veterans (326). Legislator Barr clarified that the exemptions apply only to county taxes, not municipal taxes. All passed.
  • Senior Services Grants (2026-350, 351): Combined approximately $4 million in state and federal funding via NYS Office for the Aging for programs including community services, in-home services, transportation, and nutrition. Passed.
  • Croton-on-Hudson Utility Easement (2026-352, 353): Environmental resolution and act accepting a 20-foot by 674-foot permanent easement for utility and telecom infrastructure to serve county property at 352 Yorktown Road. Passed.
  • Flood Mitigation Package (2026-354 through 362): Nine items totaling over $18 million for stormwater reconnaissance plan amendments, intermunicipal agreements, and bond acts for flood mitigation in Scarsdale, Mamaroneck, Hastings-on-Hudson, and Peekskill. Includes $13.375M bond for BPL 26/47, $225K for Peekskill, $3.5M watershed plan, $900K for Cushman Road design, and related IMAs. Passed.
  • Bankruptcy Recoverable Assignment (2026-363): Authorizes assigning a ~$84,000 bankruptcy claim to a recovery firm; county expects to net ~$58,800 within 3–5 months vs. 18–24 months. Passed.
  • Women’s Advisory Board Reappointments (2026-364 to 375): Twelve reappointments for various district and at-large seats, all passed.
  • Peekskill WWTP Sludge Handling Upgrades (2026-377): Amended bond act adding $4.29M (total $5.79M) for construction of mechanical sludge handling upgrades. Passed.
  • Peekskill District Office Rehabilitation (2026-379): Amended bond act adding $2.5M (total $3M) for infrastructure rehabilitation. Passed.
  • Valhalla Electrical Substation (2026-385, 386): Capital budget amendment and amended bond act totaling $1.65M (including $900K previously authorized) to replace a 50-year-old high voltage transfer switch. Passed.
  • Grasslands Generator Replacement (2026-387): Amended bond act adding $3.52M (total $3.9M) for emergency generator replacement. Passed.
  • Greenwich Road Bridge, Bedford (2026-388): Amended bond act adding $4.85M (total $5.85M) for rehabilitation of a bridge with a condition rating of 4.07. Passed.
  • Yonkers WRRF IT Upgrade (2026-389): Bond act for $850,000 for information technology infrastructure upgrade at the Yonkers Water Resource Recovery Facility. Passed.
  • Lakeland School Resource Officers (2026-390): Five-year IMA with Lakeland Central School District for three uniformed officers at Walter Panas HS, Van Cortlandtville ES, and Lincoln-Titus ES. District reimburses costs, starting at ~$828K/year and rising to ~$922K. Passed.
  • Record Center HVAC, Elmsford (2026-391): Amended bond act adding $2.5M (total $2.85M) to replace 33-year-old rooftop HVAC system. Passed.
  • 81 Elliott Avenue, Yonkers Affordable Homeownership (2026-392, 393, 394, 396): Four items supporting development of 9 affordable homeownership units: bond acts for land acquisition ($670K) and housing implementation ($762.5K), land purchase act, and inter-municipal developer agreement. Units will remain affordable for at least 50 years. Some original families displaced by a fire years ago are returning. Passed.
  • Workers’ Compensation Settlement (2026-395): Authorizes settlement of a lawsuit with former employee “D.G.” injured by a White Plains city vehicle; pays reduced lump sum. Passed.
  • 90-114 Westmoreland Avenue, White Plains Affordable Rental (2026-400, 401, 402, 403): Four items supporting 154 affordable rental units: bond acts for land acquisition ($8.81M) and housing implementation ($1.5625M), land purchase act (~44,432 sq. ft.), and inter-municipal developer agreement with Fisher Hill 90 Westmoreland Owner LLC. Units will be at 30–80% AMI, with 238 parking spaces and 5,000 sq. ft. retail; affordability for 50 years. Passed.
  • Kingsland Point Park/Tarrytown Lighthouse Easements (2026-404, 405): Environmental resolution and act to extinguish an existing easement and accept two permanent and one temporary easement to improve public access and bring utilities (for security after a break-in). Passed.
  • Police Board Reappointments (2026-414, 415): Reappointed Olney Reynolds and Peter Kamenstein to the Westchester County Police Board for terms through December 31, 2027. Passed.
  • Oasis Center Shelter Improvements (2026-381, 382, 383, 384): Four items for the Oasis Emergency Overnight Shelter in New Rochelle: environmental resolution, capital budget amendment, bond act ($11.1M), and land purchase (up to $1.2M). The facility provides approximately 50 beds and is the only overnight shelter on the South Shore. Renovations planned (living quarters, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, fire protection); during construction, clients will be housed in Valhalla or hotels (approx. 9 months design, 18 months build). Passed.

Key Outcomes

  • All 56 standing committee items were approved unanimously (17-0) after presentation and discussion.
  • Local laws establishing tax exemptions for survivors of police, firefighters, ambulance members, active-duty combat zone members, and seriously disabled veterans were adopted.
  • Over $50 million in bonds and amendments were authorized for capital projects including flood mitigation, affordable housing, infrastructure rehabilitation, and shelter improvements.
  • Intermunicipal agreements were approved for senior services, school resource officers, flood mitigation, and easements.
  • Appointments and reappointments to various boards and councils were confirmed.
  • Memorial resolutions were adopted honoring 30 individuals.
  • The next regular meeting was set for September 28, 2026, at 7:00 PM.

Meeting Transcript

This webinar is being recorded and summarized. Good evening. Today is Monday, September 14th, 2026. The time is 7.07 p.m. And I call this meeting of the Westchester County Board of Legislators to order. I'd like to note for the record, in addition to participating in person, this board will continue to allow members of the public to participate in both our public comment sessions and public hearings remotely via our WebEx video conferencing system if they so choose. Additionally, our meetings will continue to be streamed live, recorded, and transcribed. I call on legislator Uli to lead us in the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. You remain standing for a moment of silence, sound of those serving us home and abroad. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Majority Leader Holstein. Present. Minority Leader Funzio. Here. Ms. Alvarado. Present. Ms. Farr. Here. Miss Clements. Here. Mr. Imamora. Here. Mr. Nambiar. Here. Mr. Nolan. Ms. Pierce. Present. Ms. Kusha. Here. Mr. Smith. Here. Mr. Tubiello. Present. Ms. Goulai. Here. Ms. Williams. Present.

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