Ralph Hanson

The meeting commenced with discussions and a roll call regarding the preferred start time (8:30 AM versus 9:00 AM) for future meetings, ultimately settling on 8:30 AM. Key discussions centered on corrections and edits to the draft minutes, including clarifications regarding contract scope changes for the North Castle 100 Business Park project and statements concerning traffic calming devices in Dobbs Ferry. The board ratified actions taken by staff between July 16th and August 15th, noting one member's recusal from the Sleepy Hollow old GM site development due to prior consulting work, and expressing concerns regarding the historic character maintenance and potential tenant displacement for the 106 North Division in Peekskill project. A major agenda item was the referral of interest for the North 60 project in Mount Pleasant, which involves a DEIS for a zoning amendment to create an OB5 MP district for a three million square foot biotech mixed-use development. The developer proposes underground parking, green space preservation, and integrating amenities such as retail, a hotel, and a children's science center. Furthermore, updates were provided on Westchester County's current Census self-response rate compared to the previous cycle, and the deadline shift to September 30th. The chairman also noted the distribution of correspondence to Con Edison regarding tree trimming near power lines.

The meeting, called to order on December 10, 2020, included the reading of the role and acknowledgement of the receipt of the secret review prepared by the planning department and the minutes from the previous week's meeting. A motion was passed to add agenda item 49, which concerned seeking authority for the county of Westchester to enter into five agreements with listed contractors. These agreements were for operating remote learning programs for school-aged children of essential workers from November 1, 2020, through December 30, 2020, for an amount not to exceed $368,324. Following discussion, agenda items 1 through 49 were approved. The meeting was subsequently adjourned.

The weekly update, delayed due to national news, covered several key county initiatives. The primary focus included the launch of a new mobile application for the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, which allows residents and visitors to receive emergency notifications, traffic alerts, and connect with officers. This initiative resulted from the Police Reform and Reimagining Committee. The update also detailed a new program, the 2022 Business First Grant Program, targeted at providing financial assistance to religious institutions economically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, updates were provided on the municipal partners program, featuring the Mayor of Mount Kisco, Gina Piconich. This involved discussing the county police providing day-to-day enforcement services to Mount Kisco and the trial implementation of a Community Resource Officer in the village. Finally, an initiative regarding a cellular master plan program for northern Westchester, managed in partnership with multiple communities to improve infrastructure and service gaps, was discussed.

The document provides an overview of Westchester County's affordable housing initiatives for 2022. It highlights the opening of new affordable housing projects in towns such as Greenburg, Port Chester, White Plains, and Peekskill. A significant aspect is the allocation of $100 million in the 2022 budget for capital projects, including land acquisition and infrastructure improvements, to facilitate housing development. The county's efforts aim to enhance the quality of life and economic diversity by ensuring housing options are available for its growing and diverse population, including those who cannot afford market-rate housing.

The briefing covered updates on flu activity and the importance of vaccination. It featured a presentation from the Town of Pound Ridge Supervisor regarding the Village Green project, which received a 2025 Merit Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects for its design transforming a former gas station into a public gathering space. Discussions also covered the Connect Westchester digital equity program, highlighting a study showing a significant economic return on investment, and the official adoption of the MTA's Omni contactless fare payment system for all Bee-Line buses, along with related fare adjustments and the phasing out of MetroCard sales. Finally, the launch of 'This Week in Westchester: The Podcast' was announced to increase accessibility to county news.