Public Meetings - Westchester County, New York

The meeting of the Social Services, Disabilities & Human Rights Committee of the Westchester County Board of Legislators was called to order at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Committee Room, 800 Michaelian Office Building, White Plains, NY. Chair Nancy Barr presided, with Vice Chair Jewel Williams-Johnson participating remotely. Legislators Imamura, Puja, Williams, Gashi, and later Pierce were also present. The sole discussion item was a presentation titled "Practical accessibility guidelines for flyers, emails, and social media posts," delivered by Carin Horowitz, LMSW, Director, and Jeff Zitofsky, Program Administrator, from the Westchester County Office for People with Disabilities. Discussion Items - Digital Accessibility Presentation: Horowitz and Zitofsky presented guidelines for making county communications accessible to people with disabilities. Key recommendations included: - Use clear, concise language; avoid jargon and abbreviations. - Employ “camel case” for hashtags and long URLs (capitalize first letter of each word) so screen readers announce each word separately. - Use emojis sparingly and only at the end of posts, as screen readers read them out and can be disruptive. - Describe link destinations instead of using “click here”; use services like bit.ly or TinyURL to create short, descriptive custom links (e.g., bit.ly/accessguide2026). - Ensure sufficient color contrast: a ratio of at least 4.5:1 (light to dark) is ADA acceptable; tools like WebAIM can check contrast. - Add descriptive alt text to every image (e.g., for the Toblerone logo: “long yellow triangular box with the word Toblerone, Swiss chocolate bar with honey and almond nugget, a bear shape in the mountain”). - Confirm captions on videos are accurate and edit them before posting; avoid placing essential information in ephemeral “stories.” - Use person-first language (e.g., “person with a disability”) as a default, but ask individuals their preference (some groups, like the Deaf community, prefer identity-first language). - Recommended font: 14-point Arial or Calibri for emails and documents, or 12-point if bolded. - Committee Queries and Discussion: Legislators asked about font choices, the process for adding alt text on social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), and how to check accessibility on county computers (e.g., using the Narrator or JAWS screen reader). Chair Barr noted that the county received an extension on certain accessibility compliance requirements but is rolling out improvements department by department. Legislator Williams-Johnson, who listened without visuals, highlighted the value of describing images and encouraged communicating efforts to constituents. Horowitz and Zitofsky offered ongoing support and noted that the Office for People with Disabilities can review materials for accessibility. - Upcoming Event: The presenters reminded the committee of the Americans with Disabilities Act celebration event on July 15, 2026, at Playland, which will include water, sunscreen, and accessible rides. Key Outcomes - The committee received the presentation and will distribute the PowerPoint (including embedded links) to all legislators for reference. - The committee expressed appreciation and committed to implementing the guidelines in their own communications. - The Office for People with Disabilities will share a revised version of its newsletter with a subscribe button so legislators can share it with constituents. - The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 AM.

The Committee on Legislation of the Westchester County Board of Legislators met on July 13, 2026, at 1:00 PM at the Michaelian Office Building in White Plains, NY. The meeting was chaired by Vice Chair Emma Mora with a quorum present (Legislators Smith, Barr, Clements, Cunzio, Nolan, and Ulaj; Legislators Imamura and Puja absent). The primary agenda item was a local law (Intro-2026-295) to eliminate the master plumber 51% business ownership requirement. The committee also approved minutes from June 29, 2026, and received and filed three memos of legislation. The meeting adjourned at 1:44 PM. Consent Calendar - Minutes Approval: The minutes of the Monday, June 29, 2026, meeting were approved unanimously (6 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent) on a motion by Legislator Nolan, seconded by Legislator Clements. - Receive & File Items: Three memos of legislation were received, filed, and approved unanimously on separate motions (all 6-0-2): - Memo of Leg. from Hon. Tyrae Woodson-Samuels – Property Record Notification & Deed Theft Prevention Law (2026-204) - Memo of Leg. from Hon. Tyrae Woodson-Samuels – Public Safety Nuisance & Illegal Housing Enforcement Law (2026-205) - Memo of Leg. from Hon. Judah Holstein – Safe Access to Religious Institutions Act (2026-236) Discussion Items - Local Law Intro-2026-295 – Eliminating the Master Plumber 51% Business Ownership Requirement: The committee heard from James Maisano, Director of Consumer Protection; Jason Whitehead, Associate County Attorney; and Elijah Rankin-Balmick from the County Executive's Office. Mr. Maisano detailed long-standing problems with the Plumbing Board, including difficulty finding effective chairs, improper meeting conduct, tension between union and non-union members, and a lack of quorum after the recent resignation of the chair. He argued that allowing the County Executive to appoint the chair (rather than board members electing from among themselves) would lead to more professional and legally compliant meetings. On the 51% ownership requirement—which mandates that a master plumber own at least 51% of any company doing plumbing work under that plumber’s license—Mr. Maisano and Mr. Whitehead explained that the provision is considered unenforceable under state law, citing a similar 40% requirement struck down in Rockland County. They noted that multiple past County Attorneys (from both parties) agreed the section is unenforceable. Mr. Maisano also highlighted operational harms: the rule blocks mom-and-pop 50/50 partnerships and prevents large developers from employing a plumber without giving majority ownership. The committee unanimously voted to go into executive session from 1:17 PM to 1:24 PM to discuss matters involving a law enforcement agent, pending litigation, and ethical issues regarding Plumbing Board members. Upon return, the committee voted unanimously to sign the item and refer it to the full Board of Legislators. Key Outcomes - Local Law Intro-2026-295: The committee voted 6-0-2 to sign the local law and refer it to the Board of Legislators for further action. - Executive Session: The committee entered and exited executive session (1:17 PM – 1:24 PM) by unanimous vote. - All three receive-and-file items were approved unanimously. - The meeting was adjourned at 1:44 PM.

The Litigation Committee of the Westchester County Board of Legislators met jointly with the Budget & Appropriations and Infrastructure & Housing committees on July 13, 2026 at the Michaelian Office Building in White Plains. The meeting was called to order at 10:12 AM by Legislator Woodson-Samuels for the joint portions and at 11:03 AM by Vice-Chair Smith for the Litigation portion. The committee considered several bond acts, intermunicipal agreements, and a renewal of legal counsel agreements. All agenda items were approved, with one amendment to a committee report. Consent Calendar - Minutes Approval: The minutes of the June 8, 2026 and June 29, 2026 meetings were approved by voice vote (Legislator Imamura, Nambiar, Smith, and Williams Johnson voting aye; Legislator Barr absent). Discussion Items - WCC 2026-2027 Budget Items (Act 2026-303, 304, 305): Three items were taken together: setting a public hearing for August 3, 2026 at 10:30 AM, establishing public hearing rules, and suspending rules for flexibility during the budget process. All were approved without debate. - Credit Card Fee Authorization (Act 2026-299): Budget Director Larry Soule and County Attorney John Nonna explained that the act would authorize all county departments to recoup credit card processing fees (previously only requested by the county clerk). The total potential offset of expenses is nearly $650,000 annually (including approximately $500,000 from parks). A discrepancy was identified between the committee report (which said "will require") and the legislation (which says "may provide"). It was agreed to change the committee report to say "may require" to reflect that each department can decide whether to impose the fee. Legislators raised questions about coverage of debit cards (the act defines credit card to include debit cards), foreign transaction fees, and representment fees. The item was approved with that amendment. - Senior Services Intermunicipal Agreement with Yonkers and New Rochelle (Act 2026-300): Acting Director of Program Government Shareen (last name not given) presented the item, which authorizes recurring county funding for livable community regional host services to elderly residents. In 2025, approximately 440 units of service (meetings, forums, volunteer recruitment) were provided to 1,680 seniors. The entire county is covered through five contracts; this is for Yonkers and New Rochelle. Legislators expressed support, noting the small investment ($40,000) has significant impact. The item was approved. - Tibbetts Park Pool Rehabilitation Bond Act (Act 2026-301): Parks department representatives presented a request for $800,000 to finance design of rehabilitation of the pool complex (built in 2009). Issues include cracking tiles, settling, outdated filter system, leaking slides, and electrical problems. The pool has a capacity of about 2,000 and often reaches capacity during heat waves. The design phase will take about 15 months; construction cost is not yet known. The item was approved. - Powder Horn Road Flood Mitigation Bond Act (Acts 2026-316, 317, 318): Assistant Commissioner Dave Kabinga presented three items as a package: a bond request of $550,000 for construction of stormwater infrastructure on Powder Horn Road in Ardsley, plus amendments to the stormwater reconnaissance plan to include the flood problem area. The village of Ardsley designed the project and will manage construction. The project will install new piping, catch basins, and curbing within the right-of-way. Legislators noted that the county is also initiating watershed plans for more holistic flood mitigation. The items were approved. - FAA Airport Counsel Agreements Renewal (Act 2026-306): County Attorney John Nonna explained that the act authorizes renewal of agreements with two law firms (Kaplan Kirsch, LLP and The Wicks Group, PLLC) for up to $200,000 total ($100,000 each) to provide counsel on FAA matters affecting Westchester County Airport. The only matter to date was a Part 13 complaint by a former concessionaire (Airport Mark) that was successfully dismissed. Kaplan Kirsch handled the administrative proceeding; The Wicks Group was not used but kept for smaller matters due to lower hourly rates. Legislators asked why both firms are needed and confirmed the rates remain the same. The item was approved. Key Outcomes - All agenda items were approved by voice vote with the following vote pattern (when recorded): Legislators Imamura, Nambiar, Smith, and Williams Johnson voting aye; Legislator Barr absent. - Amendment to committee report for Act 2026-299: The phrase "will require any person" was changed to "may require any person" to give departments discretion to impose credit card surcharges. - Next Steps: The approved items will be referred to the full Board of Legislators for final action. The meeting adjourned at 11:09 AM.

This joint meeting of the Parks & Environment and Budget & Appropriations Committees was called to order at 10:12 AM by Budget & Appropriations Chair Tyrae Woodson-Samuels, with Parks & Environment Chair Erika Pierce taking over for that committee’s items at 10:38 AM. The meeting adjourned at 11:10 AM. All votes were unanimous. Consent Calendar - Minutes Approval: The minutes from the May 26, 2026, and July 7, 2026, meetings were approved unanimously. Discussion Items - Westchester Community College 2026–2027 Budget Items (303, 304, 305): The committee approved three items: setting a public hearing for August 3, 2026, at 10:30 AM; adopting public hearing rules; and suspending rules to provide flexibility during the budget process. - Credit Card Fee Amendment (Item 299): Budget Director Larry Sol and County Attorney John Nolan presented an item authorizing county departments to recoup credit card processing fees. The committee identified an inconsistency in the committee report—changing “will require” to “may require”—and noted the need to clarify coverage for debit cards and foreign transaction fees. The item was approved with the correction. - Senior Services IMA (Item 300): Acting Director of Program Development Shareen presented intermunicipal agreements with Yonkers and New Rochelle for livable community regional host services for seniors. Approximately 440 units of service were provided to 1,680 individuals in 2025. The item was approved and referred. - Tibbetts Brook Park Pool Rehabilitation Bond Act (Item 301): Acting Parks Commissioner Peter Tartaglia and Rob Lopane requested $800,000 for design of pool rehabilitation. They reported that the pool, originally rebuilt in 2009, has settling and deterioration, including cracking tiles, a leaking slide, and an outdated filter room. The pool reached its capacity of about 2,000 on July 2–4 during a heat wave, requiring staff to turn people away. Chair Pierce emphasized the pool’s importance for residents without alternative swim options. The bond act was approved and referred. - Flood Mitigation Bond Act (Items 316–318): Assistant Commissioner Dave Kavinga presented a $550,000 bond request for stormwater infrastructure on Powder Horn Road in Ardsley, adding the area to the recon stormwater reconnaissance plan. The project, within the right-of-way, is ready for construction and expected to take a few months. The committee also discussed future watershed plans and green infrastructure. The items were approved. - Airport Counsel Renewal (Item 306): County Attorney John Nolan requested renewal of two outside law firms for FAA matters, with a $200,000 aggregate cap ($100,000 each). He explained that only Kaplan Kirsch was used for a Part 13 complaint that was dismissed; the Wicks Group was retained at lower hourly rates for potential minor matters. The renewal was approved. Key Outcomes - All action items were approved unanimously by voice vote. - The committee report for Item 299 was amended to change “will require” to “may require” regarding credit card fee recoupment. - Items 301 and 316–318 were referred to the full Board of Legislators. - The meeting adjourned at 11:10 AM.

- The minutes from the June 8, 2026, meeting were approved by a vote of Legislators Alvarado, Cunzio, and Tubiolo (with Legislators Nolan and Puja absent). Discussion Items 1. IMA – Services to Seniors Funded with County Tax Dollars – Yonkers and New Rochelle (Item 2026-300) - Sherine Kurien, Acting Director of Program Development for the Department of Senior Programs and Services, presented the proposal to authorize inter-municipal agreements with Yonkers and New Rochelle for the Livable Communities Regional Hosts program. This program supports aging in place through education, advocacy, and volunteerism. In the 2025 program year, approximately 440 units of service were provided to 1,680 individuals. The agreements would provide up to $40,000 in county tax dollars for 2026. - Legislators asked about expansion to other municipalities. Staff explained that four other agencies already cover the rest of the county (WJCS, WCC, and Leake & Watts). - Chair Alvarado noted the value of these small investments for seniors in Yonkers. The committee voted to recommend approval (Alvarado, Cunzio, Tubiolo aye; Nolan and Puja absent). It was signed and referred to the Board of Legislators. 2. Credit Card Fee Amendment (Item 2026-299) - Budget Director Larry Soule and County Attorney John Nolan discussed a proposed act to authorize county departments to recoup credit card processing fees. An inconsistency was noted between the committee report (language requiring recoupment) and the legislation (language stating it may be a condition). The administration decided to leave the decision to each department. - Potential fee offsets were described: parks pays over $500,000 annually in credit card fees; other departments pay about $11,000 (via Elavon) and $26,000 (via AmEx). Total potential savings could approach $650,000. - Legislators raised questions about debit cards and international cards. County Attorney Nolan clarified that the definition of “credit card” in the act includes debit cards and other similar instruments. The committee approved the item with a directive to correct the committee report accordingly. Votes: Unanimous (aye from those present). 3. Tibbetts Brook Park Pool Rehabilitation – Bond Act (Item 2026-301) - Representatives from the Department of Parks presented a request for an $800,000 bond to finance the design of pool rehabilitation. The pool, originally built in 2009, has deteriorated tile, cracking, filter system issues, and outdated mechanicals. The design phase will take approximately 15 months. Construction cost not yet known. - Legislators noted the pool’s popularity (capacity 2,000 at a time) and that on recent heat wave days (July 2-4) the pool reached capacity. The project aims to address ADA compliance, use more durable materials, and improve energy efficiency. - The committee voted to recommend approval. Motion carried. 4. Flood Mitigation – Powder Horn Road, Village of Ardsley (Items 2026-316, 317, 318) - David Kvinge, Assistant Commissioner of Planning, presented a flood mitigation project for a neighborhood lacking stormwater infrastructure. The bond request is for $550,000, with the county providing 50% funding assistance under the Flood Mitigation Program. The village has designed the project and will manage construction, expected to be completed by end of summer. - The item also included amendments to the Stormwater Reconnaissance Plan to add this flood problem area. Legislator Nambiar expressed appreciation, noting he had worked with the village on this for over a year. - The committee voted to recommend approval for all three items (bond, plan amendment, and authorizing agreement). Motion carried. 5. Renewal of Airport Counsel Agreements (Item 2026-306) - County Attorney John Nolan presented a request to exercise an option to renew agreements with two law firms (Kaplan Kirsch and Wicks Group) for FAA matters. The aggregate authorization is $200,000 ($100,000 per firm). Only Kaplan Kirsch has been used so far for a Part 13 complaint, which was recently dismissed. The renewal is to have counsel available if needed. - Legislators asked about the need to renew both firms; Nolan explained the firms have different rate structures ($500-600/hour for Kaplan Kirsch vs. $300-400/hour for Wicks Group) and can be used for different types of matters. - The committee voted to recommend approval. Motion carried. Key Outcomes - All discussion items (2026-300, 2026-299, 2026-301, 2026-316-318, 2026-306) were voted to recommend approval by their respective committees (Seniors & Youth, Budget & Appropriations, Infrastructure, and Legislation). - For the credit card fee item, the committee directed that the committee report be revised to reflect the permissive language (may impose fee) instead of the mandatory language that had appeared. - The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:10 AM.

The Infrastructure & Housing Committee of the Westchester County Board of Legislators met jointly with the Budget & Appropriations and Seniors & Youth committees on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 10:02 AM in the Michaelian Office Building, White Plains. Chair Shanae Williams presided. The meeting covered bond acts for park pool rehabilitation and flood mitigation, an amendment to the Stormwater Reconnaissance Plan, an intermunicipal agreement for flood mitigation, and other business. All items were approved unanimously. Consent Calendar - Minutes Approval: The minutes of the June 29, 2026 meeting were approved by a unanimous vote (motion by Legislator Woodson-Samuels, seconded by Legislator Pierce). - Receive & File: A resolution from the Village of Briarcliff Manor requesting to add a parcel (398 South State Road) to the Saw Mill Sewer District was received, filed, and approved unanimously. Discussion Items 1. 2026-301 Bond Act – Tibbetts Brook Park Pool Rehabilitation ($800,000): Acting Parks Commissioner Peter Tartaglia and Rob Lopane presented the need for design funding to rehabilitate the pool, lazy river, splash pad, filter system, and other features. The pool, rebuilt around 2009, has experienced cracking, tile damage, leaking, and outdated mechanical systems. The design phase is estimated to take 15 months. The bond act will finance the design; construction funding will come later. Legislators questioned capacity (2,000 at a time), frequency of reaching capacity during heat waves, and ADA compliance. The item was approved and referred to the Board of Legislators by a unanimous vote. 2. 2026-316 Bond Act – Flood Mitigation at Powderhorn Road, Ardsley ($550,000): Assistant Planning Commissioner David Kvinge explained that the project will install new stormwater piping, catch basins, and curbing within the municipal right-of-way to address chronic flooding on residential properties. The area is not currently in a FEMA flood hazard zone, so an amendment to the Stormwater Reconnaissance Plan (2026-317) was needed to make the project eligible for county funding. The Village of Ardsley has designed the project and is ready to bid; construction is expected to take a few months. The county provides up to 50% funding assistance. Legislator Nambiar thanked his colleagues for supporting the project, which he worked on with Ardsley. All three related items (2026-316, 2026-317, 2026-318) were approved together and referred to the Board. 3. 2026-317 Act – Amend Stormwater Reconnaissance Plan: This act adds the Powderhorn Road flood problem area to the Saw Mill and Pocantico Rivers Stormwater Reconnaissance Plan, as required for eligibility under the County Stormwater Management Law. 4. 2026-318 IMA – Flood Mitigation with Ardsley: This intermunicipal agreement authorizes the county to enter into an agreement with the Village of Ardsley to implement the flood mitigation project (Capital Project BPL26). Key Outcomes - Tibbetts Brook Pool Rehabilitation Bond Act (2026-301): Approved unanimously by the Infrastructure & Housing, Budget & Appropriations, and Parks & Environment committees; referred to the Board of Legislators. - Powderhorn Road Flood Mitigation Bond Act (2026-316): Approved unanimously by Infrastructure & Housing and Budget & Appropriations; referred to the Board. - Stormwater Reconnaissance Plan Amendment (2026-317): Approved unanimously; referred to the Board. - Intermunicipal Agreement with Ardsley (2026-318): Approved unanimously; referred to the Board. - Briarcliff Manor Sewer District Request (2026-309): Received, filed, and approved. - The meeting adjourned at 11:10 AM.

The Budget & Appropriations Committee of the Westchester County Board of Legislators met on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 10:12 AM in the Committee Room at the Michaelian Office Building. Chair Tyrae Woodson-Samuels presided with all seven committee members present (Legislators Woodson-Samuels, Holstein, Nambiar, Pierce, Tubiolo, Williams, and Williams Johnson). The meeting also included joint sessions with other committees as noted. All ten agenda items were signed by the committee and referred to the full Board of Legislators. The meeting adjourned at 11:10 AM. Discussion Items Westchester Community College Budget (Items 303, 304, 305) The committee considered three resolutions related to the proposed 2026-2027 Westchester Community College budget: setting a public hearing for August 3, 2026 at 10:30 AM; adopting rules for that hearing; and suspending Rules 9 and 11 of the Board’s rules to provide flexibility during the budget process. No discussion or debate occurred. The items were moved and seconded, then approved unanimously. Amendment to Credit Card Fee Authorization (Item 299) Budget Director Larry Soule and County Attorney John Nonna presented an act amending Act No. 8-2002 to allow the county to require credit card users to pay any service fees or surcharges incurred by the county. Key discussion points: - An inconsistency was identified: the committee report said “will require” while the legislation said “may require.” The committee agreed to amend the report to read “may require.” - Director Soule noted that total credit card processing fees across county departments exceed $650,000 annually (including over $500,000 for Parks, $11,000 via Elavon, and $26,000 via American Express). This legislation would allow recouping those fees. - Legislators asked about debit cards, international cards, and transaction fees (e.g., representment fees). County Attorney Nonna clarified that the definition of “credit card” in Section 2 includes debit cards, and the phrase “any service fee or surcharge” is broad enough to cover most fees. - Concerns were raised about implementation for Parks mid-season and the need to update point-of-sale systems. The committee directed that the change be considered for the 2027 budget. - The item passed unanimously after amending the committee report. Inter-Municipal Agreements for Senior Services (Item 300) Sherine Kurien, Acting Director of Program Development for the Department of Senior Programs and Services, presented an act authorizing agreements with Yonkers and New Rochelle to provide “livable community regional host” services for seniors. These services include coordinating regional council meetings, educational forums, and volunteer recruitment to support aging in place. In the 2025 program year (January–December), approximately 440 units of service were provided to 1,680 individuals. The county has five such contracts covering all of Westchester. Legislators expressed support for the program, noting the small investment ($40,000 per agreement) yields significant benefits. The item was approved unanimously. Tibbetts Brook Park Pool Rehabilitation Bond Act (Item 301) Acting Parks Commissioner Peter Tartaglia and Director of Park Planning Rob Lopane presented a bond act for $800,000 to finance design of the pool rehabilitation at Tibbetts Brook Park. The pool, originally rebuilt in 2009, has significant deterioration: cracking tiles, failing filter room (old sand filter system, flooding electrical components), leaking water slides, and outdated mechanical systems. The design phase will take approximately 15 months and will address resurfacing, mechanical upgrades, ADA compliance, and improved materials. The pool can hold about 2,000 people at once and often reaches capacity during heat waves; it serves as a critical public resource, especially for low-income residents. Legislators asked about future construction costs and supply chain risks. The item was approved unanimously by the Budget & Appropriations, Infrastructure & Housing, and Parks & Environment committees. Flood Mitigation – Powderhorn Road, Ardsley (Items 316, 317, 318) Planning Department Assistant Commissioner David Kvinge presented three items together: a bond act for $550,000 to fund flood mitigation on Powderhorn Road in Ardsley; an act to amend the Storm Water Reconnaissance Plan to include this flood problem area; and an inter-municipal agreement with the Village of Ardsley. The project will install new stormwater piping, catch basins, and curbing within the municipal right-of-way, directing runoff to the Saw Mill River. The village has already designed the project and is ready to bid; construction is expected to take a few months, ideally completed by end of summer. The county’s flood mitigation program provides up to 50% funding assistance. Kvinge also discussed future watershed planning efforts to identify larger, grant-funded projects. Legislator Nambiar thanked colleagues for supporting this long-sought project. All three items were approved unanimously. FAA Airport Counsel Agreements (Item 306) County Attorney John Nonna explained an act to exercise the first of five one-year renewal options for two law firms (Kaplan Kirsch, LLP and The Wicks Group, PLLC) to provide “Of Counsel” legal services for airport matters, at approved hourly rates not to exceed $200,000 in aggregate ($100,000 per firm). Nonna detailed a recent successful case: Airport Mar, a former concessionaire, filed a state court lawsuit and an FAA Part 13 complaint after losing an RFP; Kaplan Kirsch handled the FAA proceeding, which was dismissed. The Wicks Group was retained but not used; their lower rates ($300–$400/hour vs. Kaplan Kirsch’s $500–$600/hour) make them suitable for minor matters. Legislators asked about the necessity of retaining both firms and the hourly rates. The item was approved unanimously. Key Outcomes - All ten agenda items were signed by the committee and referred to the full Board of Legislators with unanimous votes (7 ayes). - For Item 299 (Credit Card Fees), the committee directed a correction to the committee report: change “will require” to “may require” in the third paragraph. - The committee approved minutes for June 8, 2026 and June 29, 2026. - The meeting adjourned at 11:10 AM.

The Westchester County Board of Legislators Health Committee convened a joint meeting and town hall on July 9, 2026, from 2:24 PM to 4:38 PM, focusing on birth equity, respectful care, and proposed legislation for pregnancy loss leave. The meeting featured presentations from hospital leaders, community partners, and advocates, highlighting progress in reducing maternal health disparities and outlining next steps. (Note: The agenda listed the date as June 15, 2026, but the meeting occurred on July 9, 2026 per the official record.) Consent Calendar - No consent calendar items were reported. Public Comments & Testimony - A community member asked about support groups for grieving families and was directed to the Westchester Black Maternal Child Center of Excellence website. - Another attendee inquired about adding resources to the website and ensuring social media accessibility; Beryl Weaver confirmed resources are available via social media. - A question was raised about the timeline for expanding Team Birth to all hospitals; Cheryl Hunter Grant explained that awareness, hospital readiness, and funding are needed, and one-on-one discussions are ongoing. - A participant asked how patients can advocate for themselves regarding hemorrhage risk; Dr. Morris advised asking providers about risk assessment and seeking a second opinion if needed. - A former nursing assistant asked about incorporating certified health coaches and holistic nutrition into prenatal care; Dr. Morris acknowledged limitations in U.S. prenatal care and noted partnerships with community programs like Healthy Families. Discussion Items - Opening Remarks and Proposed Legislation: Legislator Jewel Williams Johnson, Chair of the Health Committee, opened with a personal story of pregnancy loss and emphasized that birth equity is a life-and-death imperative. She introduced proposed legislation co-sponsored by Vice Chair Terry Clements and Legislator David Imamura, calling for paid leave after pregnancy loss and postpartum recovery. Vice Chair Clements shared her daughter's stillbirth experience and noted that Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes. She advocated for a local law to close the gap in paid family leave for county employees. - County Executive Remarks: County Executive Ken Jenkins expressed support for the legislation but noted challenges because New York State paid family leave is a state program and county employees are opted out due to union agreements that provide unlimited sick leave. He mentioned state budget allocations for maternal health and a request for $1.5 million for the birth equity project. - Birth Equity Program Overview: Dr. Cheryl Brannan of Sister to Sister International outlined the program's history, including the 2019 "Still I Rise" research, collective impact work groups, and funding from the county. She highlighted the importance of community-hospital partnerships. - Team Birth at St. John's Riverside Hospital: Cheryl Hunter Grant presented data on the Team Birth initiative, which uses patient-centered "huddles." Post-launch (September 2025 to May 2026), MADAM (Mother's Autonomy and Decision Making) scores increased by an average of 15 percentage points, with a 20 percentage point increase for non-Hispanic Black patients, closing disparities. - Westchester Black Maternal Child Center of Excellence (WBCCE): Beryl Weaver described the website (wbccce.org) as a resource hub for before, during, and after pregnancy. She listed activities including town halls, health fairs, podcasts, and the upcoming Day of Action on September 26, 2026. - National Institute for Children's Health Quality (NICHQ): Dr. Stacey Scott discussed the Community-Centered Hospital Initiative (CCHI), which funds community-based organizations across six states to lead hospital changes. In New York, Sister to Sister focuses on Team Birth. She noted challenges from federal funding shifts and emphasized the need for data collection to demonstrate CBO impact. - Postpartum Hemorrhage Reduction at NYP Westchester: Dr. Mizelle Morris presented a 30% reduction in severe postpartum hemorrhage (from 2.45% to 1.69% of deliveries) through risk stratification, early prophylaxis, early device use, and data-driven improvements. She highlighted a 35% reduction in blood loss, 25% fewer transfusions, and 47% fewer ICU admissions for hemorrhage-related hysterectomies. - Proposed Legislation on Pregnancy Loss Leave: Samantha Bannerjee of Push for Empowered Pregnancy detailed the stillbirth crisis: 65 babies die daily in the U.S., 1 in 170 births ends in stillbirth, and Black women are twice as likely to experience stillbirth. She explained that New York's paid family leave currently denies benefits after stillbirth because it is designated for "bonding" with a live baby. The proposed Westchester law would provide six weeks of paid leave for any pregnancy loss after 20 weeks, aiming to reduce maternal mortality. She called for data tracking by race, income, and geography to measure progress. Key Outcomes - Proposed Local Law: The Board of Legislators will introduce a local law to provide six weeks of paid leave for county employees after a stillbirth or pregnancy loss at 20 weeks or later. Legal and logistical challenges are being addressed, with support from Vice Chair Clements, Senator Shelley Mayer, and advocacy groups. - Expansion of Team Birth: Sister to Sister International will continue one-on-one meetings with all birthing hospitals in Westchester to scale Team Birth, leveraging the data from St. John's and seeking additional funding. - Data Infrastructure: The county aims to track leave access and postpartum outcomes by demographic factors to ensure equitable implementation. - Next Town Hall: The next birth equity town hall is anticipated in approximately six months, with ongoing work group meetings (last Wednesday monthly).

The Public Safety & Veterans Committee, jointly with the Small Business Committee, held a discussion on retail crime and its impact on local businesses, public safety, and the community. The meeting featured testimony from retail representatives, and legislators explored potential county-level initiatives to address organized retail theft. Discussion Items - Nature of Organized Retail Crime: Guests Douglas Horsting (Metrorca) and Mike Burke (CVS) described how organized retail crime networks steal merchandise and resell it through online platforms (e.g., Amazon, eBay) and to local bodegas. They noted that modern shoplifting involves large-scale operations, sometimes including out-of-state travel by specialized crews. - Impact on Businesses and Employees: Speakers highlighted that repeat offenders threaten employee and customer safety, with incidents including blowtorches used to break locked cases and verbal threats. The loss of revenue can force store closures, affecting neighborhoods that rely on local pharmacies and stores. - Challenges with Prosecution and Communication: Legislators and guests discussed how shoplifting incidents are often handled in isolation by different municipalities, with limited cross-communication. The lack of a centralized liaison between retailers, police, and district attorneys hinders comprehensive prosecution of recurring offenders. Peter Stanga from Altus Northeast (organized crime investigation) noted that some offenders receive lenient sentences despite causing significant losses. - Proposal for a County Retail Theft Task Force: Horsting recommended establishing a task force similar to New York City's model, bringing together major retailers, local elected officials, the district attorney's office, county police, and other stakeholders to coordinate investigations, share intelligence, and streamline prosecution. Burke emphasized the need for regular cross-jurisdictional meetings and a dedicated liaison in the DA's office. - Legislator Engagement: Legislator Williams (not on either committee) asked about specific activity in her district (Getty Square area). Legislator Cunzio inquired about the county police's General Investigations (GI) unit and the status of previously approved bond funding for inter-municipal technology sharing. Committee Chair Tubiolo committed to following up with the Department of Public Safety regarding the GI unit and exploring the creation of a retail theft task force. Key Outcomes - No formal votes or decisions were taken; the meeting was a discussion-only session. - The committee agreed to follow up with the Department of Public Safety to learn more about the General Investigations unit and its potential role in retail crime. - Chair Tubiolo stated they would investigate the possibility of forming a county-level retail theft task force, modeled after New York City's, and would bring together relevant parties including retailers, police, and the district attorney. - The committee will continue to examine bail reform and prosecution issues at the state level while focusing on county-level actions to improve communication and coordination. The meeting was adjourned at 1:55 PM.