COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENTS
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, June 21, 2006; 4:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Chair: Swanson. Members: Bronz, Pinto, Stewart-Cousins, Ryan. Staff: Vita.
GUESTS: James Vanoli, Refuse Disposal District #1; Blanca Lopez, Housing Opportunity Commission (recommendation only); Shelly Weintraub, Housing Opportunity Commission (CE Appointment); Jean Anderson, Youth Board.
Mrs. Swanson called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
REAPPOINTMENTS
Refuse Disposal District #1:
James Vanoli, P.E.: Is a resident of Thornwood, New York and appointed by the County Executive as a Town member, for a term to expire on December 31, 2006. He is presently the Town Engineer for the town of Mount Pleasant and has served since 1984. He was a private consulting engineering in his own private practice, and was responsible for municipal and private clients. He also served as Commissioner of the Thornwood Water Department.
Mr. Vanoli comes highly recommended by the engineering sector which includes Dolph Rotfeld Associates, Daniel Mann Johnson and Mendenhall Architectural and engineering Operations as well as Malcolm Pirnie in design and construction administration,.
The committee members agreed that Mr. Vanoli’s background was impressive and extensive and he will prove to be an asset to this Board.
On the motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the appointment is hereby approved by a 4-0 vote. All in favor, none opposed.
RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE FOR APPOINTMENT
Housing Opportunity Commission
Blanca P. Lopez, a resident of Port Chester, New York, has been referred to this committee to be considered to fill a vacant position in district 4 of the Housing Commission. Ms. Lopez has worked at Human Development Services of Westchester since 2004, a non-profit agency located in Westchester, which provides housing, vocational services, case management, community support and mental rehabilitation services as well.
As the Housing Director of the Neighborhood Preservation Company, she is responsible for the contracts and implementation of all N.Y.S. Division of housing and Community Renewal’s Neighborhood Preservation Company and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development HOME and Local Program Administrator projects. She was also successful in the prevention of over 45 evictions and leveraging over $35,000 in tenant subsidies.
The committee members were impressed with Ms. Lopez’s background and expertise and will recommend he to the County Executive to serve as a member of the Housing Opportunity Commission. Mrs. Swanson mentioned to her that a confirmation letter will be send if chosen and thanked her for taking time out of her busy schedule to meet with the committee.
A recommendation letter will be forwarded to the CE from the Chair of this committee recommending her appointment as soon as possible.
APPOINTMENTS:
HOUSING OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Shelly Weintraub: Is a resident of Yonkers, New York and has been appointed by the County Executive, as a member, for a term to expire on December 31, 2009. She has 22 years of real estate experience and extensive work experience with Housing & Urban Development (HUD); New York Housing Preservation and Development; Low Income Tax Credits and Public Housing programs.
Ms. Weintraub has served as both, President, Vice President and consultant of Real Estate for the Greyston Foundation in Yonkers, As a project leader, she was instrumental in bringing affordable home ownership to Westchester County.
The Committee members were please with Ms. Weintraub’s extensive experience and background and invited her back to the Board of Legislators any time she feels the need to relay any concerns of the Commission or if she needs to discuss any issues the BOL needs to address.
The appointment was approved on the motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Bronz. Ass in favor, none opposed, motion carried 4-0.
YOUTH BOARD
Jean Anderson: is a resident of New Rochelle, New York and has been appointed by the County Executive as a member for a term to expire on December 31, 2008. She has a B.A. in Psychology from the College of New Rochelle and has been an active member in the community for many years. She served as New Rochelle’s Youth Bureau Commissioner, Democratic District Leader, Past President of Inter-Religious Council of New Rochelle and the Westchester Council for Woman. She was a Teacher Assistant, aiding 30-35 students and supervised field trips and recreational activities, and worked with small group of learning disable students.
As a retiree, Ms. Anderson remains active in the community where she is an Assistant Manager at the Westchester Christian bookstore, volunteers for the New Rochelle Meals on Wheels Program; and she serves as a Community relations director at the Union Baptist Church. Her extensive background working with children in the N.Y.S. Division for Youth, where she served as a Weekend House parent for many years, adds to her knowledge and background dealing with families and hands-on youth issues,
All members of the committee agreed that Ms. Anderson will be an asset to this Boar and welcomed her to come before the committee anytime to discuss youth issues with the Board.
The appointment was approved on the motion of Legislator Bronz, seconded by Legislator Pinto. All in favor, none, opposed, motion carried 4-0.
Mrs. Swanson announced that she tentatively scheduled a committee meeting on Monday, July 10, 2006, at 9 a.m. for the purpose of discussing the Ethics Waiver Request for Bob Matarazzo, Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Environmental Facilities, to accept employment with Malcolm Pirnie, Inc.
She asked that all members be present in order to have a quorum.
With no other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 5 p.m.
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