Westchester County Legislature Committee Meeting - October 26, 2026

The Budget & Appropriations, Public Safety & Veterans, Infrastructure & Housing, and Legislation Committees of the Westchester County Board of Legislators met on the morning of October 26, 2026. The joint session, chaired by Legislator Wilson Samuels, began around 10:30 a.m. and concluded at 12:33 p.m. The agenda included the approval of long-term airport hangar leases for Interlaken, PepsiCo, and IBM, a charter amendment altering the professional engineering requirement for certain county commissioners, and several legal procedural updates.

Discussion Items

Police Academy Inter-Municipal Agreement (Item 2026-493)

• Captain Jeffrey Weiss of the Department of Public Safety presented a five-year IMA (2027-2032) for police academy instructor services.
• The county incurs no direct cost; instructors remain employees of their home agencies.
• Legislator Smith inquired about performance evaluation and training standards. Captain Weiss noted that the curriculum is mandated by the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and is co-taught by academy staff.
• Outcome: Approved unanimously.

Regional Hazmat Preparedness Partnership (Item 2026-495)

• Commissioner Susan Spear outlined a $15,000 PHMSA grant for hazardous materials transportation safety, requiring a 20% match from existing county personnel costs.
• The partnership includes Dutchess and Putnam Counties as one of 18 state-designated regions.
• Commissioner Spear discussed how the decommissioning of Indian Point has shifted preparedness focus toward broader industrial hazards and the eventual transport of nuclear waste off-site.
• Outcome: Approved unanimously.

Airport Hangar Leases (Items 2026-510, 2026-511, 2026-514, 2026-515)

• Airport and DPW representatives presented new improved leases for three 30-year corporate tenants at Westchester County Airport.
• Hangar V (Interlaken & PepsiCo):
  • Interlaken: 20-year initial term. PepsiCo: 5-year initial term (due to an internal leadership vacuum).
  • Base rent: $41 per square foot, escalating at 3% annually. Annual base rent jumps from roughly $1 million to $1.8 million per tenant.
• Hangar W (IBM):
  • 10-year initial term plus a 5-year renewal option.
  • Rent: $43 per square foot (higher due to exclusive use). Annual base rent jumps from $245,000 to $2 million.
  • Includes a provision allowing temporary subleasing (up to 12 weeks) for aircraft storage during neighbor construction.
• Discussion: Legislator Nambiar questioned whether the county was pricing aggressively enough, suggesting targeting the top tier of the national market. Airport staff confirmed the tenants pushed back heavily during the months-long negotiation. Legislator Barr asked about county approvals for future improvements and noted the inclusion of the voluntary night-flight restriction program.
• Outcome: All four items passed B&A and Infrastructure & Housing committees.

Charter Amendment: Commissioner Qualifications (Items 2026-501/502)

• Deputy County Executive McDonald proposed removing the requirement that the Commissioners of the Department of Public Works & Transportation and the Department of Environmental Facilities be licensed Professional Engineers.
• McDonald argued the roles have evolved to focus on management, administration, and policy, citing her own leadership of NYS DOT without a PE license.
• Discussion: Legislator Borgia (an engineer) fully supported the shift, citing the management-heavy nature of the job. Legislator Cunzio asked if the salary should be reduced if the requirement is lowered. Legislator Smith expressed concern about deputy commissioners with PEs and voted against the item in B&A.
• Outcome: Passed B&A (Legislator Smith dissenting). Passed Legislation (Legislator Cunzio voted without prejudice).

County Attorney Authority for Indemnification Actions (Items 2026-519/520)

• Assistant Chief Deputy County Attorney John Donahue presented an amendment authorizing the County Attorney to initiate lawsuits enforcing defense, indemnification, and insurance coverage agreements without prior Board approval.
• The change is driven by a new CPLR 1007 rule requiring third-party actions within 90 days, which doesn't match the committee schedule.
• Discussion: Legislator Barr raised concerns about board oversight. The county accepted an amendment requiring the County Attorney to notify the Clerk of the Board immediately when such an action is commenced.
• Outcome: Approved as amended by both B&A and Legislation committees.

Notice of Claim for Non-Tort Actions (Items 2026-521/522)

• The Law Department presented a local law requiring a 90-day notice of claim for non-tort actions (e.g., contract and Article 78 proceedings) against the county, mirroring existing tort procedures.
• Outcome: Approved unanimously.

Litigation Authorization: Surety Bond (Item 2026-504)

• Senior Assistant County Attorney Mark Gardner requested up to $50,000 to pursue litigation against an insurer over a surety bond. The county's usual outside counsel had a conflict of interest.
• Outcome: Approved.

Key Outcomes

• The committees approved new corporate hangar leases for Interlaken, PepsiCo, and IBM at Westchester County Airport, generating a significant increase in rent revenue.
• A charter amendment removing the Professional Engineer requirement for DPWT and DEF Commissioners was passed, expanding the candidate pool.
• An amendment to the County Attorney's litigation authority was passed, adding a board notification requirement for indemnification-related lawsuits.
• A new local law requiring a notice of claim for non-tort lawsuits against the county was passed.
• Funding was authorized to litigate a surety bond dispute.