Public Meetings - Westchester County, New York

The committee met on August 25, 2026 at 1:09 PM in the Michaelian Office Building, White Plains, to receive an update on state funding for child care. Chair Nancy Barr presided. Guests included John Befus, First Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Social Services (DSS), Laura Newman (Executive Director) and Michael Goldman (CFO) of the Child Care Council of Westchester. Legislators Barr, Imamura, Puja, and Williams Johnson were present; Legislator Williams was absent; Legislator Puja participated remotely. Discussion Items Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Growth: Deputy Commissioner Befus reported that child care assistance-funded slots have more than doubled to 5,000 in 2026, driven by New York State mandated expansions in 2023. Income eligibility increased to 85% of state median income (SMI), approximately 350% of the federal poverty level (FPL). For a family of four, that equates to an income of up to $116,492. Family share was reduced to 1% of income over the FPL, meaning most families pay less than $50 per month. The average provider rate nearly doubled to $1,400 per month per slot, with total monthly costs of approximately $7 million. The county's minimum local match is about $1.1 million per year. Waitlist and Funding: DSS created a waitlist in January 2026 after delaying as long as possible. As of the meeting, there were 673 families (906 children) on the waitlist, with about two-thirds below 300% FPL. The county's FY27 allocation from the state is $93 million, up from a base of $65 million and supplementals of $86 million in FY26. Starting September 1, 2026, DSS plans to fund 75 new slots per month, prioritizing the three federal priority populations (families up to 300% FPL, homeless, or with special needs children) based on the oldest waitlist date. DSS is adding a new unit and redeploying staff to handle the increased administrative workload. Westchester Works Scholarship Program: Laura Newman described the county-funded scholarship program that covers families with incomes up to 400% FPL (raised from 350% to capture those referred from the waitlist). The average award is about $608 per month per child. The program helps fill the “donut hole” for families who lose CCAP at recertification if their income is above 300% FPL. The state budget included funding to sustain this scholarship into 2027. Business Coaching for Providers: Newman highlighted a business coaching program (formerly a pilot) that helps child care providers with financial and operational practices. Over the past year (2025-2026), Westchester gained approximately 50 new child care programs through this support, bucking the statewide trend of losing programs. The program uses a tiered structure where graduates can mentor new cohorts. Provider Concerns and Challenges: Legislators and guests discussed the strain on providers who must make business decisions when families lose subsidy eligibility. Some providers accepted children over the summer hoping for reimbursement that was not guaranteed. Newman noted that the number of working poor families is growing, making it difficult to meet demand even with increased funding. Deputy Commissioner Befus acknowledged volatility at the federal level (potential TANF and CCDF freezes) and the need for continued advocacy. Key Outcomes The committee received the update and discussed next steps. Legislators expressed support for the county’s child care investments and requested ongoing updates on the waitlist reduction. The committee adjourned at 2:12 PM by a vote of 4-0 (Barr, Imamura, Puja, Williams Johnson aye; Williams absent). No formal actions were taken on consent calendar or other business.

Introductory Summary The Westchester County Board of Legislators Committee of the Whole convened on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 11:19 AM in the Committee Room to discuss the power failure and resulting partial treatment incident at the Yonkers Joint Wastewater Treatment Plant that occurred over the July 4th holiday weekend. The meeting featured a detailed presentation from Department of Environmental Facilities (DEF) Commissioner Vincent Kopicki and First Deputy Commissioner Louis Vetrone, followed by extensive questions and discussion from legislators. Key topics included the root cause (an 8% voltage reduction by Con Edison), the plant's emergency response, the nature of the discharged effluent (partially treated, not raw sewage), communications failures, and future prevention measures. Discussion Items - Incident Timeline and Cause: Commissioner Kopicki explained that on July 2, 2026, at approximately 9:00 PM, Con Edison implemented an 8% voltage reduction without notifying DEF. The reduction caused equipment to trip. When operators attempted to restart a large 1,750-horsepower roots blower, a breaker was damaged, leading to a total plant blackout. Because the plant never lost power completely, the emergency generators did not activate (they only trigger after 30 seconds of total power loss). The plant operated without secondary treatment (aeration) for about 14 hours. Partial primary treatment (screening, sedimentation, chlorination) continued throughout. The plant regained full power and fully restored secondary treatment on July 3 at 1:45 PM. - Effluent Characteristics: DEF stressed that the discharge was not raw sewage but partially treated effluent that had passed through screening, primary settling, and chlorination. Despite the incident, the plant met all its SPDES permit limits (85% removal of pollutants) for the duration. Approximately 39 million gallons of partially treated effluent were released into the Hudson River. - Communication Failures with Con Edison: Legislators repeatedly criticized Con Edison for failing to notify DEF of the voltage reduction, for not having staff available to assist when DEF called at 11:23 PM and 11:53 PM on July 2nd, and for not convening a critical infrastructure meeting during the prolonged brownout. DEF met with Con Edison after the incident and updated the utility's contact list for all seven wastewater plants and pump stations, but no formal protocol for future alerts (e.g., text or phone lists) has been finalized. - Plant Capabilities and Capital Projects: The Yonkers plant serves about 500,000 residents, processing roughly 24 billion gallons in 2025 and over 12 billion gallons so far in 2026. Currently, approximately $68 million in capital projects are underway at the plant, with another $400 million in projects starting within the next year, including a total electrical system upgrade (about $200 million) and an anaerobic digester gas engine project expected online by January 2027 to increase self-sufficiency. - Legislator Concerns and Suggestions: Multiple legislators expressed frustration that Con Edison was not held accountable and called for state delegation involvement with the Public Service Commission. Legislators also raised the need for better coordination of public notifications (e.g., the IAlert system from DEC, county press releases) to avoid mixed messages about water safety. Several legislators suggested installing voltage detection equipment at the plant to alert staff autonomously to voltage drops, rather than relying solely on Con Edison notifications. DEF indicated they are exploring this with their engineering consultants. Key Outcomes - No formal votes or resolutions were taken during the meeting. The committee adjourned on a motion by Legislator Williams, seconded by Legislator Pierce. - DEF committed to continuing to work with Con Edison on improved communication protocols and to exploring internal voltage monitoring equipment. - The committee indicated that a future meeting would be held with the Department of Health and potentially Con Edison to address remaining questions about beach testing and public health notifications. - The Notice of Violation (NOV) from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) remains open; DEF has submitted a corrective action plan detailing the timeline and planned improvements, and awaits DEC's response.

The Westchester County Board of Legislators Labor Committee met on August 11, 2026, at 2:04 PM. Chair Legislator [name not provided] presided, with committee members, county legislators, and numerous union representatives in attendance. The committee addressed several labor-related issues, including prevailing wage enforcement for EV charging stations, a recently amended plumbing ownership law, and the need for public safety promotions. Consent Calendar - Motion to approve the minutes from May 27, 2026, was seconded and unanimously approved by voice vote. Discussion Items EV Charging Station Prevailing Wage/PLA Requirements - Rich McSpendon (IBEW Local 3) reported on the county's response to his inquiry about the EV charging station program. The county stated its PLA law does not automatically apply because the stations are installed on municipal property, even though county dollars fund the projects. McSpendon argued that county funds for construction should trigger PLA and prevailing wage requirements, and he requested clarity on prevailing wage applicability. He also noted that one project in Mount Pleasant has already started and that he would file FOIL requests for certified payrolls. - Legislators discussed the county's interpretation, noting the PLA law applies to county projects exceeding $250,000. The committee agreed to request that future municipal EV charging grants require a PLA, and to share the county's explanatory letter with all committee members. Communications on Labor Issues and Legislation (Plumbing 51% Ownership Rule) - Joe Ferrensos (Plumbers Local 21) provided extensive testimony against the recent removal of Westchester's 51% ownership requirement for master plumber license holders. He argued the rule protects public safety, is not unconstitutional, and that New York City maintains a similar law that was upheld last year. He contrasted the Rockland County case (where a 40% ownership requirement was struck down) and asserted that 51% is distinct. - Legislators expressed frustration over the lack of communication leading to the law's change. Majority Leader Judah Holstein cited a 20-year-old Rockland County court ruling as the basis for the legal opinion, but others noted that New York City has retained its 51% rule for decades. Committee Vice Chair [Boulet?] and others requested the full details of the legal reasoning be shared with all legislators. Ferrensos also provided materials from plumbing board members unable to attend. County Construction Careers Program - The Chair introduced a proposal to partner with the Department of Labor, unions, community groups, and schools to create a pipeline for construction careers, supplementing the recently passed apprenticeship legislation. Discussion was exploratory, with no immediate action. Orange County IDA Prevailing Wage/PLA Legislation - Rich McSpendon reported on new state legislation, passed as part of the state budget, requiring prevailing wage and PLA agreements for any project receiving tax abatements from Orange County IDAs. He proposed adopting similar language for Westchester County IDAs. Legislators noted that municipal IDAs are regulated by the state and that the county may need to pursue this via a joint legislative package or state delegation. The committee agreed to investigate further. Lease-Back Legislation Status - Rich McSpendon asked for a status update on lease-back legislation he had previously submitted in two versions. The committee chair said she would check with the committee coordinator and ensure the versions are circulated. Public Safety Promotions - Representatives from the Westchester County Corrections Officers (PBA) and Superior Officers Association (SOA) highlighted critical vacancies in supervisory ranks within the Department of Public Safety. They reported six lieutenant vacancies out of 20 lines, with additional sergeants below, and noted retirements and lack of promotions are creating safety risks and morale issues. They urged the county to immediately promote from existing lists. Legislators acknowledged the concern and agreed to raise it with the Public Safety Committee. Key Outcomes - Approved the minutes from May 27, 2026. - Committed to circulating the county's EV charging station letter and pursuing PLA/prevailing wage requirements for future municipal projects. - Agreed to share all documentation and legal reasoning regarding the plumbing 51% ownership law with all county legislators. - Referred the public safety supervisory shortage to the Public Safety Committee. - Directed the committee coordinator to follow up on the lease-back legislation status. - Scheduled future meetings to be announced via save-the-date notices.

The Westchester County Labor Committee met on August 5, 2026, at 2:04 p.m. Chair [name not specified] called the meeting to order and took attendance. Multiple union representatives and legislators participated, including members of the Corrections Officers, CSEA, PBA, IBEW, and Plumbers Local 21. The committee approved minutes from May 27, 2026, and discussed several labor-related issues, including prevailing wage requirements for EV charging stations, the county's 51% plumbing ownership rule, a new construction careers program, IDA incentives tied to prevailing wage, and public safety promotions. Consent Calendar - Minutes from May 27, 2026: Motion to approve, seconded, and unanimously approved by all present. Discussion Items - EV Charging Station Program (Rich McSpendan, IBEW): Rich raised concerns that county-funded EV charging stations in municipalities may not be subject to the county's Project Labor Agreement (PLA) requirement. The county's legal department (James Silverberg) provided an opinion that the PLA law does not automatically apply to these projects. Rich argued that county dollars should require at minimum prevailing wage and pushed back on the interpretation. The chair will circulate the county's explanation to committee members and follow up on prevailing wage enforcement. Rich will also request certified payrolls from the project in Mount Pleasant. - Communications on Labor Legislation (Joe Ferrens, Local 21): Joe discussed the recent change to Westchester's plumbing code that removed the requirement for a master plumber to own at least 51% of a company. He argued that the county's legal reasoning—based on a 20-year-old Rockland County ruling striking down a 40% ownership rule—is flawed, noting that New York City still maintains a 51% rule. Several legislators expressed concern about the process and the legal advice. The chair will share documentation from Local 21 with all county legislators for further review. - County Construction Careers Program: Chair introduced a concept to create a pipeline program connecting apprenticeships, schools, the Department of Labor, unions, and the county to improve local hiring in construction. This aligns with recently passed apprenticeship legislation. The committee will explore implementation with unions and community partners. - New York State Legislation on IDA Prevailing Wage (Rich McSpendan): Rich highlighted new language attached to the state budget by Senator James Skoufis requiring prevailing wage or a PLA for any project receiving incentives from IDAs in Orange County. He urged Westchester to adopt similar provisions. Committee Vice Chair Oulai noted that the county board cannot directly regulate IDAs—state legislation is needed—but suggested making it a priority in the county's joint legislative package for state delegation. The committee will pursue further discussion. - Public Safety Promotions (Well Marto Saez, PBA): The PBA raised the critical shortage of supervisory personnel in the Department of Public Safety, specifically six vacant lieutenant positions out of 20 authorized lines. The shortage has persisted for about four years, impacting training, morale, and operational readiness. The PBA noted that the county has offered excuses such as waiting for a deputy commissioner and funding issues. Legislators acknowledged the issue and will bring it to the Public Safety Committee. - Old Business – Reverse Lease Back Legislation (Rich McSpendan): Rich reminded the committee about two versions of legislation he submitted regarding a reverse lease back. The status is unknown; the chair will check with committee coordinator Ethan. Key Outcomes - Minutes approved. - EV Charging Stations: Chair to circulate legal explanation and investigate prevailing wage enforcement. - 51% Plumbing Ownership Rule: Documentation to be shared with all legislators; further investigation into the legal basis and New York City's continued use of the rule. - Construction Careers Program: Continued exploration with unions and schools. - IDA Prevailing Wage: Committee will work to include this in the county's state legislative package and seek champions in the state delegation. - Police Promotions: Issue referred to the Public Safety Committee for further action. - Reverse Lease Back: Status update requested from committee coordinator. The next meeting date will be communicated later; committee typically meets every other month.

The Westchester County Board of Legislators Health Committee, chaired by Legislator Jewel Williams Johnson, convened on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 11:04 AM. The primary focus of the meeting was an educational briefing on the national and local rise of cyclosporiasis delivered by Dr. Gary Zeitlin, Chief of Infectious Disease at White Plains Hospital, facilitated by Soraia Monteiro, Community Director of Community Outreach. The committee also unanimously approved minutes from three prior meetings. Consent Calendar - The committee unanimously approved the minutes from the meetings of June 27, June 29, and July 27, 2026. The motion was made by Legislator Imamura and seconded by Legislator Pierce. Voting 'Aye' were Chair Williams Johnson, Legislator Barr, Legislator Imamura, Legislator Pierce, and Legislator Ulaj. Discussion Items: Understanding Cyclospora - National Context: Chair Williams Johnson reported that as of July 27, 2026, the CDC had reported 67 laboratory-confirmed domestically acquired cyclospora cases across 45 states, 423 hospitalizations, and zero deaths, with over 11,500 additional unconfirmed cases under review. Multiple clusters were under investigation, including an outbreak epidemiologically linked to Taylor Farms shredded iceberg lettuce, though the molecular link was later rescinded. - Local Context: Chair Williams Johnson noted that Westchester County had 28 confirmed cyclospora cases as of the July 27th update. The Commissioner of Health, Dr. Sharita Amler, sent her apologies for not attending. - Dr. Gary Zeitlin’s Presentation: Dr. Zeitlin characterized the current outbreak as the largest in U.S. history. He explained that cyclospora is a parasite transmitted via the fecal-oral route through contaminated food or water. - Prevention & Treatment: The only foolproof prevention method is cooking food to an internal temperature above 158°F, as washing produce is not reliably effective. There is no vaccine. The antibiotic Bactrim (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) is a highly effective treatment. - Diagnosis: He highlighted that modern GI pathogen panels (molecular tests) are now highly sensitive and can return results within 24 hours, a significant improvement over older microscopic methods. - Outlook: Dr. Zeitlin stated that cyclospora outbreaks typically subside by August or September. - Legislator Q&A: - Legislator Erica Pierce asked about the impact of federal resource depletion on the CDC. Dr. Zeitlin acknowledged that the decreased personnel and resources for the Epidemic Intelligence Service may be negatively impacting the speed of outbreak investigations. - In response to questions from Legislator Pierce and Vice Chair Nancy Barr, Dr. Zeitlin clarified the distinction between laboratory evidence and epidemiological evidence. He stated that molecular testing for cyclospora is inherently less discriminatory than for bacterial pathogens, making traditional epidemiologic investigation the primary tool for identifying sources. - Vice Chair Barr asked about the origin of the contamination. Dr. Zeitlin stated it ultimately originates from an infected person handling food along the supply chain. - Legislator Pierce asked about cross-contamination risks in food service. Dr. Zeitlin noted the primary risk is food-to-food, with a lower hypothetical risk from surfaces. - Vice Chair Barr questioned the safety of using Imodium (loperamide) for symptoms. Dr. Zeitlin cautioned against using anti-diarrheal medications without concurrent antibiotic treatment, as the body may be trying to expel the pathogen. - Legislator Pierce and Vice Chair Barr inquired about risks from fruits. Dr. Zeitlin confirmed that while no fruit link has been found in the current outbreak, raspberries have been traditional sources of cyclospora. Key Outcomes - The Health Committee received and filed the presentation from Dr. Gary Zeitlin on the cyclospora outbreak. - Public Health Messaging: The Chair and Dr. Zeitlin provided the following key guidance: - Cook vegetables and fruit thoroughly to a minimum internal temperature of 158°F. - Individuals with persistent symptoms (watery diarrhea, cramping, bloating for more than a few days) should seek medical attention and testing to aid treatment and public health tracking. - High-risk individuals should avoid pre-packaged shredded iceberg lettuce and take extra precautions. - Cyclospora activity is expected to decline by the early fall. - The committee adjourned at 11:41 AM on a motion by Legislator Imamura, seconded by Legislator Pierce.

The Intergovernmental Affairs Committee of the Westchester County Board of Legislators met on August 4, 2026, at 3:06 PM to discuss proposed federal changes to grant administration rules. The meeting featured a presentation from the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) on the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) proposed overhaul of the Uniform Guidance for federal grants, as well as new conditions related to voter data and immigration enforcement. The committee reviewed the potential impacts on Westchester County's approximately $220 million in annual federal grants and discussed advocacy strategies. Presentation by NYSAC - Alexandra Regan, Legislative Director, and Dave Lucas, Director of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs of NYSAC, provided a detailed briefing on the proposed OMB rule published May 29, 2026 (412 pages, 45-day comment period, nearly 500,000 comments received). - The rule would convert existing OMB guidance into binding regulation, create new discretionary termination authority for awards that "no longer serve the national interest," and allow stop-work orders up to 90 days. Block grants, formula grants, and disaster grants are largely exempt. - Other changes include: requiring senior appointees to review discretionary awards based on undefined "president's policy priorities," barring viewpoint discrimination at county facilities (even without federal funds), imposing e-verify requirements, mandating written justifications with each payment request, and making SAM.gov reporting a potential termination trigger. - NYSAC noted that some proposed conditions conflict with New York state law, and that undefined terms (e.g., "significantly damage reputation") create compliance risks. - Separate from the OMB rule, the Department of Homeland Security (July 10, 2026) made citizenship verification of voter registration databases a condition of certain homeland security grants, and the Department of Justice's COPS program (June 9, 2026) gave priority to jurisdictions cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. - Presenters emphasized that the rule is not yet in effect; a Senate continuing resolution (released August 2, 2026) includes language that would delay finalization until December 11, 2026. The resolution passed procedural vote 89-4, but House action is pending after recess. Discussion and Legislator Questions - Legislators expressed concern about the breadth of discretion granted to OMB, potential conflicts with state law, and the administrative burden on smaller municipalities and nonprofits. - Legislator Erica Pierce noted that some COPS grant conditions are already being enforced through current grant terms, and that small towns lack legal capacity to navigate the requirements. She questioned how the county can protect its towns. - Legislators asked why Congress would support giving the President more grant authority; Dave Lucas responded that the rule may provide legal cover for actions already being taken through executive orders, and that litigation is likely. He also noted Moody's has flagged potential credit rating risks for entities heavily reliant on federal grants. - Legislator David Imamura inquired about legislative responses; NYSAC noted some counties have sued successfully (e.g., Erie County over an AmeriCorps grant), but no coordinated county-level withholding measures are known. - Legislator Nancy Barr suggested NYSAC coordinate with associations of towns and villages to provide resource tools, given that small municipalities are already seeking guidance on COPS grants. - The committee discussed the accelerated rulemaking timeline (45-day comment period for a 400+ page rule) and questioned whether OMB will meaningfully consider comments; presenters acknowledged skepticism but emphasized the importance of congressional intervention. Key Outcomes - The committee will share NYSAC's presentation and NACo's comments with all legislators and county department heads. - Legislators were urged to contact Representatives Lawler and Latimer to support the Senate's continuing resolution delay language. - NYSAC committed to coordinating with the New York State Association of Towns and the New York Conference of Mayors to provide joint educational resources. - The county will inventory its federal grant portfolio, sub-recipient relationships, and assess e-verify readiness and payment verification processes. - The committee noted the importance of the delay to allow potential congressional action post-election; no legislative action was taken by the committee at this meeting. - The meeting adjourned at 4:28 PM.

The Westchester County Board of Legislators convened at 10:15 AM on Monday, August 3, 2026, in the Legislative Chamber at 148 Martine Avenue, White Plains. Chairman Vedat Gashi presided with a quorum of 15 members present. The meeting included approval of the consent agenda, a public hearing on the 2026–2027 Westchester Community College Budget (no speakers), and action on numerous bond acts, inter-municipal agreements, and resolutions for public hearings. The meeting adjourned at 11:14 AM. Consent Calendar - Minutes Approval: Minutes of the July 20, 2026, regular meeting were adopted unanimously (15-0). - Consent Agenda Items (Calendar 16): The consent agenda was moved by Majority Leader Holstein, seconded by Minority Leader Cunzio, and passed 15-0 with one correction: a typo in the caption of item 2026-366 (name “Levin” corrected). This agenda included 48 items from the County Executive (inter-municipal agreements for aging services, easements, flood mitigation bond acts, land acquisitions for affordable housing, reappointments to the Women’s Advisory Board and Storm Water Advisory Board, and various bond acts for infrastructure projects), two items from the County Attorney (assignment of bankruptcy recoverable, lawsuit settlement), three memos of legislation from Legislators (Strengthen Tethering Law, MWBE Prompt Payment Act, Utility Bill Navigation and Energy Affordability Act), and two informational notices. All were received, filed, and referred to the appropriate committees. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public registered to speak during the public comment period or the public hearing on the Westchester Community College Budget. Public Hearing - 2026-303: Proposed 2026–2027 Westchester Community College Budget – A public hearing was held at 10:30 AM. No speakers appeared. Majority Leader Holstein declared the hearing closed. (RES-2026-72) Discussion Items Flavored Nicotine Vapor Products Public Hearing – The board set a public hearing for September 14, 2026, at 7:30 PM on Local Law Intro 2026-213, which would establish a rebuttable presumption regarding possession of flavored nicotine vapor products. The committee report was updated to reflect approved changes. Motion passed 15-0. Tax Exemptions for Surviving Spouses and Veterans – Three resolutions set public hearings for September 14, 2026, at 7:30 PM: - Real property tax exemption for surviving spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty (Local Law Intro 2026-313). - Tax exemption for surviving spouses of volunteer firefighters and ambulance service members (Local Law Intro 2026-315). - Real property tax exemption for active duty members of the Armed Forces serving in a combat zone (Local Law Intro 2026-324). Each passed 15-0. Tax Exemption for Seriously Disabled Veterans – A resolution to set a public hearing (Local Law Intro 2026-326) was amended by Chairman Gashi on a motion by Legislator Woodson-Samuels to update qualifications to reflect New York State Real Property Tax Law Section 548A as modified on May 28, 2026. The amendment passed 15-0. The underlying resolution setting the hearing for September 14, 2026, at 7:30 PM then passed 15-0. Mount Vernon Summer Basketball Program IMA (2026-319) – Authorized an inter-municipal agreement with the City of Mount Vernon for a six-week summer basketball program from July 6 to August 14, 2026, at a cost not to exceed $15,000, serving up to 90 youth ages 6–16. Approved 15-0. Infrastructure Bond Acts – Several bond acts were approved 15-0 for: - Correctional facility infrastructure improvements ($500,000) for sewer grinder pumps (BCR5F-3230). - County-wide building management system HVAC upgrades ($2,525,000) (B0129-3245). - Correctional facility fire alarm system replacement ($7,960,000) (BCR64-3232). - Labs and research facility rehabilitation and upgrade ($3,200,000) at Grasslands Campus to advance design from 30% to 60% (BLR12). - South Yonkers Trunk Sewer System Reconstruction phase one ($1,000,000) along Sunnyside Lane (SPS18-3262). Legislator Alvarado stressed the urgency of addressing sewage issues in Southwest Yonkers. - Building access control and video surveillance system upgrades ($1,300,000) (BIT45). - New bus radio/data system ($2,065,000) for yard management, CCTV, scheduling software (T0063). - County Clerk Legal Division IT upgrades ($1,300,000) (BCC06). Prisoner Transportation IMAs – Approved 15-0: with the City of Peekskill (reimbursement not to exceed $190,000) and the City of White Plains (reimbursement not to exceed $195,000), both retroactive from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027. Westchester Community College 2026–2027 Budget (2026-345) – The board adopted the budget after extensive discussion. The budget includes approximately $132.7 million for operating expenses, $24.1 million for capital investments, and a county contribution of $26.2 million. A modest tuition increase was included; over four years tuition has risen more than 20%. Several legislators expressed concerns about affordability but supported the budget, citing WCC’s role as a key educational and economic asset. Approved 15-0. Ice Casino Improvements II (RP02A) – Two items authorized an additional $4 million for rehabilitation, bringing the total project cost to $62,789,000. The increase was attributed to code review changes (including EPA refrigerant rule changes), tariff-related cost escalation (e.g., plumbing costs increased 207%), and other market factors. The project includes studio rink rehabilitation, roofing, locker rooms, mechanical/electrical/ADA improvements, and historic facade restoration. Both the capital budget amendment and the amended bond act passed 15-0. Key Outcomes - The consent agenda was approved with a correction to item 2026-366. - Public hearings were set for September 14, 2026, at 7:30 PM on five local laws: flavored nicotine vapor products, tax exemptions for surviving spouses of police, firefighters/ambulance members, active duty military, and seriously disabled veterans. - Inter-municipal agreements for the Mount Vernon summer basketball program and prisoner transportation for Peekskill and White Plains were authorized. - Bond acts totaling over $20 million were approved for various capital projects (correctional, HVAC, fire alarm, labs, sewer, security systems, bus radio, IT, flood mitigation, and ice casino). - The 2026–2027 Westchester Community College Budget was adopted. - Memorial resolutions were adopted honoring Pietro Terranova, JoAnn Bateman, Maryann Theresa Diaz, Guadalupe D. Ortiz, Christina “Tina” Seckerson (former Board Clerk who served over 30 years), Rev. Dr. Benilda Armstead-Jones, and June Delores Castleberry. - Legislator Williams Johnson noted a tragic shooting in her district involving teenagers and urged community access to county resources. - The board adjourned to reconvene on September 14, 2026, at 7:00 PM.

On July 27, 2026, the Westchester County Board of Legislators' Health and Legislation committees held a joint meeting (starting at approximately 1:25 PM and adjourning at 1:43 PM) to discuss and vote on a local law and related public hearing resolution concerning flavored nicotine vapor products. The meeting, chaired by Legislator Jewel Williams Johnson (participating remotely) and Vice Chair Imamura, included presentations from the Law Department and votes to amend and approve both items. Discussion Items Amendments to Local Law 2026-213 and Public Hearing Resolution 2026-212 - Law Department presentation: Assistant Chief Deputy County Attorney Justin Adin explained revisions to the proposed local law (2026-213) and public hearing resolution (2026-212). Key changes: - Expanded the law to cover both flavored nicotine vapor products and camouflage (flavored) e-cigarette/vaping products. - Used the phrase "individual packages or packets" to clarify the possession threshold. - Established a rebuttable presumption of intent to sell for possession of four or more of either category, consistent with other jurisdictions (e.g., New York City, California). - Fixed minor grammatical issues. - Enforcement clarification: Legislator Barr asked about enforcement mechanism. Mr. Adin confirmed that the Westchester County Department of Health (and ultimately the Board of Health) would enforce, with review available via Article 78. The rebuttable presumption shifts the burden to the possessor to prove the products are only for out-of-state sale, but does not grant inspectors access to back rooms beyond current authority. - Legislator positions and additional context: - Legislator Imamura commended Legislator Williams Johnson for her work and expressed pride in supporting the legislation. - Legislator Williams Johnson noted that a separate draft for a permitting/licensing process had been submitted, emphasizing that the Department of Health has indicated licensing is critical for effective enforcement. She expressed hope to move forward on that next step. - The committee acknowledged that the current law addresses only the rebuttable presumption and that broader enforcement options (e.g., licensing) require further research and discussion. - Minutes approval: The committees approved the minutes from the July 13, 2026, meeting. Key Outcomes - Motion to amend the local law (2026-213) was approved unanimously by both committees: - Legislation Committee: Ayes – Vice Chair Imamura, Legislator Barr, Legislator Nolan, Legislator Puja, Chairman Gashi, Minority Leader Cunzio (6-0). - Health Committee: Ayes – Chair Williams Johnson, Legislator Barr, Legislator Imamura, Legislator Pierce, Chairman Gashi (5-0). Absent: Legislator Ulaj. - Motion to amend the public hearing resolution (2026-212) to reflect the new title was approved unanimously by both committees (same votes). - Final votes on both items as amended (2026-212 and 2026-213): - Legislation Committee: 6-0 in favor. - Health Committee: 5-0 in favor. - The items were signed by committee and referred to the full Board of Legislators with a due back date of August 4, 2026. - The meeting adjourned at 1:43 PM.

The Infrastructure & Housing Committee of the Westchester County Board of Legislators met jointly with the Budget & Appropriations, Parks & Environment, Public Safety & Veterans, and Health committees on July 27, 2026 at 10:00 AM. Chair Shanae Williams called the meeting to order at 10:27 AM. The committee reviewed and voted on 11 items, including bond acts and capital budget amendments for various county capital projects, as well as several receive-and-file items. All votes were unanimous, with Legislator Holstein absent for some items. Minutes Approval - The minutes from July 13, 2026 were approved by a vote of 6-0 (Legislators Williams, Holstein, Nambiar, Pierce, Woodson-Samuels, Gashi). Discussion Items Ice Casino Improvements II (Items 2026-346 & 2026-347) - CBA and Amended Bond Act to increase the County share for Capital Project RP02A by $4,000,000, bringing total authorized bonding to $62,789,000. The project funds complete rehabilitation of the historic Ice Casino Building at Playland Park, including structural, mechanical, ADA, and historic restoration improvements. Acting Parks Commissioner Peter Tartaglia explained that cost increases were driven by rising commodity and construction prices, code review delays, new EPA refrigerant requirements, and a fire alarm panel replacement. The project was already bid and a low bidder was holding the price. Legislators questioned cost breakdowns and were provided with a variance table. Unanimously recommended for approval. Labs and Research Facility Rehabilitation and Upgrade (2026-339) - Bond Act for $3,200,000 to fund the second phase of design (from 30% to 60% completion) for a new Department of Laboratories and Research facility on the Grasslands Campus. Keith Hoffman (Chief Administrator) presented the project history, noting that a feasibility study recommended a new build over renovation due to lower cost and less disruption. Value engineering reduced total project cost from $370 million to $318 million and square footage from 157,000 to 139,000 by reducing lobby size, ceiling heights, and material changes without impacting program space. Legislators asked about cost escalations and benchmarking against other state labs. Unanimously recommended for approval. County Clerk – Legal Division Information Technology Upgrades (2026-344) - Bond Act for $1,300,000 to fund a new cashiering system, modernization of the Legal Division’s databases, and initial work for a consolidated data entry system. County Clerk Thomas Roach noted the current cashiering system dates from 2009 and is outdated. The project also includes a phone system upgrade with AI (one-time cost of $37,000, recurring $9,000 in operating budget). Legislators discussed coordination with cybersecurity, e-filing expansion, and maintaining live customer service. Unanimously recommended for approval. County-Wide Building Management System Upgrade (2026-330) - Bond Act for $2,525,000 to finance design of a countywide upgrade to the Building Management System (BMS), replacing the obsolete Andover platform with a modern Ecostructure system across 28 county facilities. DPW Director Robert Abbamont explained the system controls HVAC, improves energy efficiency, and addresses security vulnerabilities. Design is estimated at 9 months, construction at 12 months. Unanimously recommended for approval. New Bus Radio/Data System (2026-343) - Bond Act for $2,065,000 to finance additional technology enhancements for the Bee-Line system, including CCTV, yard management, planning/scheduling, Optibus operational module, and related hardware/network equipment. Deputy CIO noted that scope increased due to obsolete on-bus routers, new farebox interfaces, and additional CCTV capabilities. The project is expected to be completed by first quarter 2027. Legislators asked about CCTV data retention (30 days minimum) and integration with public safety. Unanimously recommended for approval. South Yonkers Trunk Sewer System Reconstruction (2026-340) - Bond Act for $1,000,000 to finance Phase I of inspection, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of approximately 3,300 linear feet of 60-inch trunk sewer. DEF Commissioner Vincent Kopicki noted that two-thirds of the pipe was installed in 1930, one-third in 1995. The work includes multi-sensor inspection (CCTV, sonar, laser profiling) and minor repairs. Unanimously recommended for approval. Building Access Control and Video Surveillance Systems Upgrade (2026-341 & 2026-342) - CBA and Bond Act for $1,300,000 to fund additional costs for security cameras, access control equipment, software, and infrastructure at various county facilities, including Playland, 8 Main Street, and Kensico Plaza for World Cup events. Deputy CIO Lennox Harris noted the project uses a countywide vendor (ITG Larson). Legislators asked about state reimbursement for World Cup costs (no reimbursement received) and vendor details. Unanimously recommended for approval. Correctional Facility Replace Fire Alarm System (2026-331) - Amended Bond Act authorizing $7,960,000 (total $9,625,000 including previously authorized) to replace the outdated fire alarm system at the Correctional Facility. The new system is pneumatic (VESDA) to reduce false alarms. A design test on one pod was successful. Commissioner Joseph Spano and staff explained that replacement parts for the old system are no longer available. Fire watch will be maintained during construction. Unanimously recommended for approval. Correctional Facility Infrastructure Improvements (2026-329) - Bond Act for $500,000 to replace aging sewer grinder pumps at the Correctional Complex, which are failing weekly. The pumps are original and critical for health and safety. Unanimously recommended for approval. Receive & File - 2026-320: Addition to Saw Mill Sewer District – 398 South State Rd., Briarcliff Manor. Approved. - 2026-332: Memo of Legislation – Brownfield Assessment and Redevelopment Initiative (sponsored by Hon. Tyrae Woodson-Samuels). Approved. - 2026-333: Memo of Legislation – First Gen. Homebuyer and Down Payment Matching Act (sponsored by Hon. Tyrae Woodson-Samuels). Approved. - 2026-335: Memo of Legislation – OTH and Commercial Conversion Readiness Act (sponsored by Hon. Tyrae Woodson-Samuels). Approved. Key Outcomes - All 11 discussion items were signed by committee and referred to the Board of Legislators with unanimous votes (6-0 on most; 5-0 with Legislator Holstein away for items 8-11). - Four receive-and-file items were approved. - The meeting adjourned at 12:35 PM.