This meeting of the Westchester County Board of Legislators convened multiple committees—Budget & Appropriations, Legislation, Parks & Environment, Infrastructure & Housing, and Public Safety & Veterans—to hear presentations, debate proposals, and vote on a wide range of capital projects, policy amendments, and inter‑municipal agreements. The session lasted from approximately 10:16 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. All items discussed received committee approval, many with unanimous votes.
Several items were approved without substantive debate or opposition:
Commissioner Blanca Lopez presented a $400,000 bond act to study Westchester County’s full food system, from production to equitable access. The study will involve stakeholders such as the Soil & Water Conservation District, Feeding Westchester, and county departments. Legislator Pierce voiced strong support, noting Hilltop Hanover Farm’s role as a potential hub. Legislator Williams highlighted the importance of fresh produce access, especially in Yonkers. The study is expected to take about two years, with interim updates. Outcome: Bond act approved by Parks & Environment committee.
Planning staff described a $1.85 million flood‑mitigation project including a stormwater wetland in Tibbetts Brook Park, berm improvements, and drainage upgrades. The project is a partnership with the City of Yonkers and will also add recreational amenities. Construction may start in early 2027. Outcome: Environmental resolution, bond act, and amended IMA approved by Infrastructure & Housing and Parks & Environment committees.
Public Works requested $200,000 to study parking demand across the Grasslands campus, especially near the new emergency services and maintenance facilities. Phase 1 results expected in 4–5 months; full study by summer 2027. Outcome: Bond act approved.
Four projects in Tarrytown, Mamaroneck, Tuckahoe, and Sleepy Hollow received a combined $4.195 million bond to fund sidewalk, crosswalk, and traffic‑calming improvements. The projects are part of a broader $15 million program. The Mamaroneck project was expedited after a fatal pedestrian crash in 2024. Outcome: Bond act and amended IMAs approved.
The county approved transferring ownership of the 170‑unit affordable housing development to a new owner, WB & Balter, with a 50‑year affordability extension. All units are now at or below 60% of Area Median Income (AMI). The new owner committed to $1 million in capital improvements. Legislator Naber expressed concern about past monitoring lapses; the county acknowledged a need to update its monitoring program. Outcome: Conveyance approved by Budget & Appropriations and Infrastructure & Housing committees.
Two properties on Larry’s Lane in Mount Pleasant were removed from the Saw Mill Sewer District because they cannot be connected. The removal reduces the district’s equalized full value by 0.0058%. Outcome: Approved by all three relevant committees.
The county renewed its agreement with Insight for advertising and maintenance of approximately 300 bus shelters. Insight will pay the county $225,000 in the first year, escalating to $325,000 by year five; the county splits the revenue equally with municipalities. Legislator Tubbiolo inquired about snow‑removal response times and the county’s oversight. Outcome: IMA approved by Infrastructure & Housing committee.
$2.705 million bond to redesign the main entrance of the courthouse complex, adding a glass vestibule with sliding doors to improve ADA access and reduce energy loss. Construction estimated at nine months. Outcome: Bond act approved.
$3 million bond for a new building to house 17 pieces of FAA‑funded snow‑removal equipment. FAA and state grants cover most costs; the county share decreased by $1.869 million through grant maturation. Outcome: Bond act approved.
A combined $30.75 million bond to replace 17 elevators at the correctional facility and to replace chillers, cooling towers, and thermal storage tanks at the White Plains complex. The chiller project is expected to save $105,000–$190,000 annually and reduce CO₂ emissions. Design is complete; construction will take 14–18 months. Outcome: Capital budget amendment and bond act approved.
Amended a prior bond to increase funding to $473,000 for IT equipment, after initial savings estimates proved inaccurate. Outcome: Bond act approved.
Authorized acceptance of $589,026 in state funds for alternatives‑to‑incarceration programs, distributed among contracts with hospitals, treatment centers, and county services. Outcome: Approved by Public Safety & Veterans committee.
Reimbursement contracts with Greenburgh and New Rochelle for increased staff costs in prisoner transport. Outcome: Approved.
Authorization for an amended IMA with the Town of Eastchester for National Night Out. Outcome: Approved by Public Safety & Veterans committee.
$3 million bond for design and construction management to replace pumps, controls, and electrical systems. Legislator Naber noted ongoing overflow issues; the county clarified that the project improves pump station reliability but does not address upstream combined sewer overflows, which require City of Yonkers action. Outcome: Bond act approved.
$500,000 added to an existing design contract to replace additional chemical‑piping discovered during inspections; total design budget $750,000. Construction estimated at $6 million. Outcome: Bond act approved.
$5 million bond to complete design and provide construction administration for rehab of primary and final settling tanks. Work will be performed concurrently to save mobilization costs. Outcome: Bond act approved.
$8 million bond for design and construction management of four pump stations (Flint Avenue, Sutton Manor, Beach Avenue, Park Circle). This is part of a rotating rehabilitation cycle. Outcome: Bond act approved.
Adjourned: Budget & Appropriations at 12:25 p.m. (after other committees closed earlier).
This meeting is being recorded and summarized. Good morning, everybody. Today is September 22nd. I am legislator Woodson Sanders chair of the budget appropriations committee. I would have started us out with a roll for vote and presence. Leader Holstein. Let's say the non BR. Let's say it appears. Present. Committee by Chair Tubbiolo. Present. Let's say to Lynn Johnson. Chairman Goshi. Present. All right. We are open at 1016 a.m. for budget appropriations committee. What's up first? I think it's legislation. Good morning. I'm David Mamore. I'm vice chair of the legislation committee. Uh I will be a chairman of the committee. Chairman Smith uh being on the Zoom. Uh so I will begin by calling Raw. Uh Chairman Smith. Uh present. Good morning, everyone. Uh I am here by Chair Clemente. Yeah, let's say a bar. Yeah. Let's say Nolan, Legislator Puja. Here. Chairman Gashi. Um we have a part. And we are all to order at 1070. All right. So the first item we're going to discuss is the septic removal reimbursement items. Should I say 443 and 444? Um we have our friend with Aiden here from the Law Department. Good morning, sir. Floor's yours. Um, so the county has a septic um reimbursement um program. So if somebody lives in a sewer district but they're not connected to the sewer, they have a septic system. Basically, they can get um you know, get it infected, get it on bad, and they can get some reimbursements sewer tax, um, but not actually benefiting, you know, not being on the sewer itself. Uh the program has been in place for a while, but every you know it's always set for six or so years, and then it'll expire. We come back to the board to reauthorize. So this would this primarily would extend the authorization for another six years to 2032. Um, the other change in here is it will specify the applications for reimbursement has to be made within three years of the date that you get the services done on the department explained as explaining that sometimes they're getting these now. You know, somebody's like, oh yeah, six years ago I did my uh I had my things inspected, and now here's my application, and so they want to say you've got three years to get the application of it, right?