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Record of Proceedings

Westchester County Joint Committee Meeting on Farm Protection, Flood Mitigation, Housing, and Infrastructure – September 24, 2026

Board of Legislators & Committees — Thursday, September 24, 2026
BodyWestchester County, New York
SessionBoard of Legislators & Committees
DateThursday, September 24, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:34:56

Original source
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0:07

This meeting is being recorded and summarized.

0:10

Good morning, everybody.

0:12

Today is September 22nd.

0:14

I am legislator Woodson Sanders chair of the budget appropriations committee.

0:19

I would have started us out with a roll for vote and presence.

0:22

Leader Holstein.

0:26

Let's say the non BR.

0:28

Let's say it appears.

0:29

Present.

0:30

Committee by Chair Tubbiolo.

0:32

Present.

0:36

Let's say to Lynn Johnson.

0:38

Chairman Goshi.

0:39

Present.

0:39

All right.

0:40

We are open at 1016 a.m.

0:42

for budget appropriations committee.

0:46

What's up first?

0:47

I think it's legislation.

0:48

Good morning.

0:49

I'm David Mamore.

0:50

I'm vice chair of the legislation committee.

0:52

Uh I will be a chairman of the committee.

0:56

Chairman Smith uh being on the Zoom.

0:58

Uh so I will begin by calling Raw.

1:00

Uh Chairman Smith.

1:02

Uh present.

1:03

Good morning, everyone.

1:04

Uh I am here by Chair Clemente.

1:07

Yeah, let's say a bar.

1:08

Yeah.

1:08

Let's say Nolan, Legislator Puja.

1:11

Here.

1:14

Chairman Gashi.

1:15

Um we have a part.

1:16

And we are all to order at 1070.

1:18

All right.

1:19

So the first item we're going to discuss is the septic removal reimbursement items.

1:26

Should I say 443 and 444?

1:29

Um we have our friend with Aiden here from the Law Department.

1:37

Good morning, sir.

1:40

Floor's yours.

1:42

Um, so the county has a septic um reimbursement um program.

1:49

So if somebody lives in a sewer district but they're not connected to the sewer, they have a septic system.

1:56

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.

2:10

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.

2:18

We come back to the board to reauthorize.

2:21

So this would this primarily would extend the authorization for another six years to 2032.

2:28

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.

2:43

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?

2:55

Understood it's pretty straightforward.

2:57

Um no questions from me, legislative peers.

3:00

Hello, as as uh probably the the legislator with the most septics in our district, not that we have the sewer districts that go along with them.

3:07

Do you have a couple of questions?

3:09

So, you know, traditionally people discover that they are in this being included in the sewer district fee, they have septic system and they ask to be removed.

3:19

And I know the other traditional idea is that if you are within a certain distance of the sewer line, you're really supposed to be connected.

3:25

So can you explain to me what why we are what this population is, why they are close enough to they are within a district, they are not leaving the sewer district, but instead are are being um are still within but getting fees to help maintain the sewer the septic system.

3:44

So if that made sense at all.

3:46

Uh it does.

3:47

I can't answer that.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Water And Wastewater Management█████████████████17%
Procedural████████████████16%
Public Infrastructure██████████10%
Farm Protection█████████9%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████9%
Transportation Safety████████8%
Flood Mitigation██████6%
Affordable Housing██████6%
Public Transportation██████6%
Summary of Proceedings

Westchester County Joint Committee Meeting on Farm Protection, Flood Mitigation, Housing, and Infrastructure – September 24, 2026

This joint meeting of the Budget & Appropriations, Parks & Environment, Infrastructure & Housing, and Public Safety & Veterans committees convened at 10:16 AM on September 24, 2026 (noting agenda and minutes show September 22, 2026, but the user-specified date of September 24, 2026 is used per instruction). The meeting covered over a dozen agenda items, including bond acts for farm protection, flood mitigation, affordable housing conveyance, bus shelter agreements, capital improvements at the White Plains complex and correctional facility, sewer district modifications, and various municipal agreements. The meeting adjourned at 12:50 PM. Votes were recorded for each item, with most passing unanimously.

Consent Calendar

  • Item 443 & 444 (Septic Reimbursement Extension): Reauthorized the septic reimbursement program for an additional six years (through 2032) and added a three-year application deadline. Passed unanimously by B&A and Legislation committees.
  • Items 459 & 460 (Senior Tax Exemption): Amended senior real property tax exemption to add higher exemption levels (55%, 60%, 65%) for incomes below $50,000. No fiscal impact on county taxes. Passed unanimously.
  • Items 327, 332, 333, 334, 335, 397 (Various Memos & Local Laws): Included special prosecutor quarterly updates, brownfield redevelopment, first‑generation home buyer down payment matching, youth career pre‑apprenticeship, commercial conversion readiness, and strengthening tethering law. All passed on voice votes.
  • Items 398, 423, 424, 429 (Receive & File): Memos on local business prompt payment, property tax relief for first‑time home buyers, AI mold legislation, and down payment assistance were received and filed.

Discussion Items

  • Item 406 – Farm Protection Study (Bond Act $400,000): Commissioner Blanca Lopez (Planning) presented a study to assess the county’s entire food system—production, distribution, access—not just farmland. The study will include stakeholder outreach, mapping agricultural districts and food pantries, and identifying county interventions such as cold storage and transportation hubs. Legislators expressed strong support, noting the importance of connecting farms to food pantries and leveraging Hilltop Hanover Farm. The bond act passed unanimously in both B&A and Parks & Environment.
  • Items 466, 467, 468 – Flood Mitigation, Harrison Avenue, Yonkers: Presented by Planning staff. The project will create a stormwater wetland in Tibbetts Brook Park, raise a berm, and improve drainage to address recurring flooding. The amended bond act added $1.85 million (total project $1.97 million) and an amended intermunicipal agreement with Yonkers. Construction expected in 2027. Passed unanimously in B&A, Infrastructure & Housing, and Parks & Environment.
  • Items 408, 409, 410 – Sewer District Modification, Mount Pleasant: Steve Elia (DEF) explained removal of two parcels (52 and 62 Larrys Lane) from the Saw Mill Valley Sanitary Sewer District because they are not served by sewers and will not be in the near future. The change reduces the district’s equalized full value by 0.0058% and frees reserve capacity. No objection from the Health Department. Passed unanimously in B&A and Parks & Environment.
  • Item 447 – Valhalla (Grasslands) Parking Study (Bond Act $200,000): David Kvinge (Planning) presented a study to evaluate existing and anticipated parking demand on the Grasslands campus, with phase 1 results in 4–5 months and full study by end of 2027. The bond passed unanimously in B&A and Infrastructure & Housing.
  • Items 448, 449 – Complete Streets Municipal Assistance Program (Bond Act $4.195 million): Stephen Courage (Planning) summarized four construction projects in Tarrytown, Mamaroneck, Tuckahoe, and Sleepy Hollow. These include sidewalk widening, pedestrian safety improvements, bump‑outs, and a river walk extension. The program awarded 8.5 of 16 million total; remaining funds allocated for design‑phase projects. Passed unanimously.
  • Item 465 – Conveyance of 330 Riverdale Avenue, Yonkers: Leonard Gruenfeld (Planning) presented the transfer of a 170‑unit affordable housing development to WB (Walder‑Boulder). All units now at or below 60% AMI (originally 34 units at 130% AMI), affordability extended 50 years. Purchaser will invest >$1 million in capital improvements. Legislators raised concerns about monitoring and that the original restrictive covenant was not updated to reflect the lower AMI. Passed unanimously.
  • Item 407 – IMA with Insight for Bus Shelter Program: Mike Swee (Public Works) explained a 5‑year agreement with Insight for advertising on ~300 bus shelters. County receives $225,000 in year 1, rising to $325,000 by year 5; 50% of revenue is distributed to municipalities per shelter. Insight also maintains and cleans shelters. Questions covered response times and snow removal. Passed unanimously.
  • Items 416, 417 – Exterior Infrastructure Repairs, White Plains Complex: Robert Abermont (Public Works) presented a capital budget amendment and amended bond act ($2.54 million) to create a new vestibule at the county courthouse entrance, improving ADA access, security, and energy efficiency. Construction will take about 9 months. Passed unanimously.
  • Items 453, 454 – Snow Removal Equipment Building at Airport: Lauren Walsh (Airport) requested a bond act decrease of $1.869 million (to $3 million) due to increased FAA/state grant eligibility. The new building will house 17 bays for snow removal equipment, meeting FAA requirements. Legislators noted potential federal funding uncertainties. Passed unanimously.
  • Items 455, 456, 458 – Elevator Modernization & Chiller Replacement: Robert Abermont described a $30.75 million bond act to replace 17 elevators at the correctional facility and upgrade chillers/cooling towers at the White Plains complex. The chiller project moves equipment out of a flood‑prone basement, creates a service tunnel, and includes thermal storage for energy savings (expected $105,000 annual savings, 953 million BTU reduction). Passed unanimously.
  • Item 411 – DA Office IT Upgrades: Charlie Forzano (District Attorney) requested a bond increase to $473,000 to match the approved capital budget, after earlier savings projections proved inaccurate due to vendor price changes. Passed unanimously.
  • Items 445, 446 – Prisoner Transportation Contracts (Greenburgh & New Rochelle): Routine two‑year renewals to reimburse towns for increased staff costs. Passed by B&A and Public Safety & Veterans.
  • Item 437 – National Night Out IMA Amendment (Eastchester): Passed without discussion.
  • Item 412 – Combined Sewer Overflow and Electrical Rehab, North Yonkers Pump Station: Bond act for $3 million for design/construction management. Equipment is over 30 years old. Legislator queried overflow impacts and coordination with Yonkers; DEF noted overflow is a city issue. Passed unanimously.
  • Items 418, 419 – Underground Pipe Leak Detection System: Additional $500,000 for design (total $750,000) to replace chemical piping at the plant. Construction expected ~$6 million, design takes 9 months. Passed unanimously.
  • Item 421 – Yonkers Joint Resource Facility Settling Tank Design: Additional $5 million to complete design and construction administration for rehab of primary and final settling tanks, combining phases to reduce mobilization costs. Construction period 2 years. Passed unanimously.
  • Item 452 – Pump Station Rehabilitation (Flint Ave, Sutton Manor, Beach Ave, Park Circle): Bond act for $8 million for design/construction management of four pump stations in the New Rochelle sanitary sewer district. Work includes mechanical, electrical, flood‑proofing upgrades. Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • All bond acts, amendments, capital budget amendments, IMA amendments, local laws, and resolutions on the agenda passed, most by unanimous vote. No items were defeated or tabled.
  • The committees approved funding for a major food system study, flood mitigation in Yonkers, sewer district parcel removals, campus parking studies, complete streets projects, affordable housing conveyance, bus shelter agreement, capital improvements at county complexes, airport and plant upgrades, and prisoner transportation contracts.
  • No public testimony was heard.
  • The meeting was adjourned at 12:50 PM.

Meeting Transcript

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?

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