[38:02] What's got Davis? President.

[38:06] Legislator of Cilibino. Legislator Kerry, Kerry A. Salaj.

[38:11] Legislator Patrick Malaney. Legislator, Senator Couslo, President. Legislator Deborah Malay.

[38:18] Here. I am here. Legislator John Jeffrey. Legislator Scott Strauss.

[38:25] President, Legislator Massey, the League, Legislator Dilia, to Reggie Whitton, Legislator Michael,

[38:33] Gian Grigolio, Legislator Tom McKabit, Legislator Bill Gaylor, William Gaylor,

[38:40] President, Legislator Tom Ferretty Jr, Legislator Arnold Drucker, Legislator Rosemary Walker,

[38:47] Legislator Samantha Getz, and Legislator James Kennedy, OK, 19 members, all 19 members

[38:54] present in the chamber we have a quorum. Now the first order of business is procedural

[39:00] relative resolution number one of 2024 which is to point a clerk pro temp of NASA county

[39:08] legislature, pursuant to the county charter section one ten subsection one. I nominate Michael

[39:16] Pulitzer as clerk pro temp of the Kinesa county legislature seconded by the legislator

[39:22] Kevin. Any other nominations, hearing none,

[39:30] and a motion to close the floor for nominations,

[39:33] let us say to Freddie, move it, let us say to the Reggie Whitten, seconds it. All of

[39:39] favor of closing nominations, please say aye, aye, any opposed, the eyes have it, nineteen

[39:44] to zero.

[39:49] Now I'm going to ask for a roll call vote on the nomination. Let us say to Davis,

[39:57] Legislative Bino, Legislative Solages, Legislative Malini, Legislative Coslo, Legislative Milite,

[40:11] I think I skipped the page.

[40:20] Legislative Senator Fray, Legislative Strauss, Legislative Pilip, Legislative the Reggie

[40:26] Whitton, Legislative Gian Gregorio, Legislative McCavit, Legislative Gailor, Legislative

[40:32] for ready, legislative drocker, and legislative walker that we have everybody know, legislative

[40:38] gets, and legislative Kennedy.

[40:41] And I'm a yes.

[40:44] The record indicates that I am reporting that with a vote of all members, Michael Pulitzer

[40:49] is the clerk, Pro Temp, by vote 19 to 0.

[40:54] Congratulations, Mr. Pulitzer.

[40:55] I now ask you to conduct the meeting.

[41:04] Thank you very much. It's an absolute pleasure to work with this legislature. You couldn't be nicer to me.

[41:11] You couldn't be nicer people and from the heart I really appreciate it.

[41:16] And I would certainly like to thank my staff who extremely underrated that work hard in long hours.

[41:22] So thank you guys. We appreciate it.

[41:29] The next order of business is procedural resolution.

[41:35] 2-20-24, which is the election of the Presiding Officer, pursuant the Section 106 of the

[41:42] NASA County Trotter. The legislative who received the highest number of votes, she'll be

[41:47] the Presiding Officer and the legislative who receives the second highest, she'll be the

[41:51] minority leader.

[41:56] Legislative McEphitt, from the majority.

[42:04] I nominate, let's say, or how or take a poll as presiding officer.

[42:08] Do we have a second here?

[42:10] Thank you.

[42:14] Are there any of the nominations?

[42:17] Thank you, Mr. Pulitzer.

[42:18] I nominate, Dilia, Division Witten.

[42:21] I second the nomination.

[42:25] Thank you.

[42:26] Are there any of the nominations?

[42:29] Seeing none is there a motion to close the nominations.

[42:35] Thank you, any opposed?

[42:38] The nomination of Howard J. Copell and Dilia Amdirigi Whitton are now before this legislation for a vote.

[42:46] I will now call the roll.

[42:48] Legislative Davis.

[42:50] Dilia.

[42:51] Dilia.

[42:52] Thank you.

[42:53] Legislator.

[42:54] Celia.

[42:56] Dilia.

[42:58] Dilia.

[42:58] Thank you.

[43:00] Legislator.

[43:00] Carrier.

[43:02] Dilia.

[43:02] Thank you.

[43:04] Legislator.

[43:05] Malini.

[43:09] Legislator.

[43:10] Coslaw. Do you have to read you with it? Thank you. Legislate of Muley.

[43:15] Do you have to read you? Thank you. Legislate of copel.

[43:20] Pension builds. Copel. Thank you, sir. Kind of you. Legislate of June 4.

[43:30] How are jake copel? Thank you. Legislate of Stravs. How are jake copel?

[43:39] Legislate of

[43:44] Thank you.

[43:46] It's a very strange to vote for your self.

[43:52] Legislative GM Garrio.

[43:55] Thank you.

[43:56] Legislative Mayor Thomas McEvitt.

[43:59] Thank you.

[44:00] Legislative Gaylord.

[44:01] How are Jankal Pal?

[44:03] Thank you.

[44:03] Legislative John Foretty.

[44:06] Legislative Arnold Drucker.

[44:07] Deliant the ridge you wouldn't thank you legislator Rosemary Walker legislator Gets

[44:16] Thank you legislator Kennedy

[44:19] Thank you all ladies and gentlemen and members of this legislature by a vote of 12 to 7

[44:26] Howard Copeland is here by elected to serve as the president resigning officer of the NASA county legislator

[44:40] I just want to thank all of you, and we'll have a good time, we'll work together.

[44:47] Thank you Howard.

[44:49] Ladies and gentlemen, members of this legislative deal, you're M.

[44:52] The Ridge you Witton, having received the secondized number of votes,

[44:56] gas is elected to serve and are delivered to the National County Legislature.

[45:05] I will now go on for the signing of the co-palt to preside and to point members to serve as deputy presiding officer and alternate presiding officer.

[45:39] as the deputy minority leader, and Zilla A. by now, as the alternate deputy,

[45:48] and thank you both.

[45:49] I'm going to be calling on you quite a lot.

[45:53] Thank you.

[45:54] The next item of business is procedural resolution number 3 of 2024, which is a resolution to a point.

[46:02] Michael Pulitzeris clerk of the legislature, pursuant to the county government law of NASA county.

[46:07] I have a motion, motion by, let's say, to Walker, seconded by, let's say to Obama.

[46:16] I need the beta discussion.

[46:20] I will, seeing none.

[46:24] All in favour, signifies by the saying aye.

[46:28] All right.

[46:28] Let the record reflect that this unanimous vote.

[46:31] Congratulations, Michael.

[46:38] Thank you very much.

[46:39] It's a pleasure to serve you.

[46:41] Thank you.

[46:42] Next item of business is procedural resolution number 4 of 2024,

[46:46] which is to establish and adopt the rules.

[46:48] the procedure for the 15th NASA County Legislature, pursuant the county government law of

[46:54] NASA County, time stamped at 202 on January 8th.

[47:00] Now, it may have a motion to consider the rules as proposed, motion by the Legislator

[47:05] for ready, seconded by Legislator Solage,

[47:10] any of the better discussion, all those in favor?

[47:13] All those in favour?

[47:16] Aye, aye.

[47:17] OK.

[47:19] Any opposed?

[47:20] It is a past that resolution is passed by a vote of 1920.

[47:26] We now move on to procedural resolution number five of 2024, which is to establish a calendar for meetings of the Legislature of the County of the County of 2020.

[47:36] for pursuing the County Government Law of Nassau County, motion by Legislative Kennedy, seconded

[47:44] by Legislative Drucker, I need to debate a discussion, all those in favor, and he

[47:51] opposed that is passed by of 19 to 0. Thank you. Resolution number 6 is to establish

[47:59] procedure to establish committee on economic and community development, labor and transportation,

[48:05] motion by Legislative Gaylord, seconded by Legislative Strauss, and the Debater Discussion,

[48:15] all those in favor.

[48:17] Aye.

[48:17] Opposed.

[48:18] Nineteen to zero.

[48:20] Thank you.

[48:22] Resolution number seven is to establish a committee on towns, villages, and cities.

[48:28] Motion by Legislative Walker, seconded by Legislative Malay.

[48:33] And he debated discussion, all those in favor, and he opposed that also passes 19 to 0.

[48:42] Resolution 8 is to establish a committee on veterans, and there is a motion by legislator Mulaney.

[48:51] Seconded by legislator Davis.

[48:54] Any debate or discussion, all those in favor, aye.

[48:58] Any opposed?

[48:59] 19 to zero in favor, thank you.

[49:01] Resolution number nine.

[49:03] The establishes a committee on senior affairs.

[49:07] Let's see this emotion by legislative,

[49:08] Gian Gregorio.

[49:11] Seconded by legislative, caslow.

[49:14] Any debate or discussion?

[49:16] All those in favor, saying aye.

[49:18] Any opposed that is passed by a vote of 19 to zero?

[49:23] Okay, now pursuant to Section 20 to 11, the members of the legislature are presenting

[49:29] two political parties as candidates who receive the highest and next highest of votes

[49:35] in the county at the General Election, which the governor was chosen.

[49:39] Sheldez Ignatin writing an official newspaper and filed the designation with the Office

[49:43] of the clerk of the legislature.

[49:46] Both designations have been submitted.

[49:49] The Republican delegation has selected Newstay as its official newspaper, the Democratic

[49:54] Democrat delegation has selected Newstay, Newstay as well as the official newspaper.

[50:06] At this time, the floor is open for the purpose of announcing committee assignments

[50:09] and the appointment of chair and vice chair of all committees.

[50:12] Pursuing to section 1111 of the NASA County Charter, the NASA County Legislative

[50:19] shall have the following committees, rules, finance, public works, including matters involving

[50:26] the parks and the NASA County parks, public safety, health and social services, government

[50:33] services and operations, including assessment, planning development and the environment,

[50:39] including matters pertaining to aircraft noise.

[50:43] Minority affairs, towns, villages and cities,

[50:46] economic and community development, labor and transportation,

[50:50] veterans and senior affairs.

[50:53] Additionally, Section 182 of the Charter Requires

[50:56] at the Legislature shall re-create a budget review committee

[51:00] for the purpose of maintaining general supervision of

[51:02] and liaison with the Office of Legislative Budget Review.

[51:07] The members of this committee shall also be designated.

[51:17] In order to lead the Reggie Whitten, I will begin with my designations, and then I'll ask you to make yours as the committees are called.

[51:25] On rules, I will be chair.

[51:28] Tom McKevitt is Vice Chair, John Farretti and James Kennedy.

[51:33] Girls Committee, Delia Gerrigi Witten, will be ranking, Arnold W. Drucker, Silla A.

[51:39] Bynow.

[51:40] For finance, Tom McKevita's chair, John Farelli's vice.

[51:45] James Kennedy and Rose will be Walker.

[51:48] Finance Committee, Carrier Solage, Ranking.

[51:51] Scott M. Davis, Seth I. Kaza.

[51:55] For public works and parks.

[51:57] Michael D. Angugorio is chair, John D. Frey is vice chair, James Kennedy and Scott Strauss.

[52:05] Public works and parks committee, Silla A. Bino is ranking, Arnold W. Drucker and Carrier Slice.

[52:14] For public safety, Patrick Malene is chair, Scott Strauss is vice chair, John Freddy and Mazie Melissa Pillar.

[52:23] Public safety committee, Silla A. Bino is ranking,

[52:26] Deborah Mulee and Scott M. Davis for Health and Social Services Rosemary Walker as Chair

[52:34] Michael Gianconcario, Vice Chair, Masi Pilip and Samantha Gets

[52:41] For Health and Social Service Community,

[52:44] Diliaturigi Whitton is Wanking, Arnold W. Drucker and Seth I. Coslaw

[52:49] Right for government services, John Foretty Chair, Scott Strauss, Vice Chair,

[52:56] Michael D. Angkorio and John Jeffrey.

[53:01] Government and service operation committee, Arnold Zaytah,

[53:05] and Arnold W. Drucker, is ranking

[53:07] Carrier Salash and Seth I. Caslow.

[53:12] Planning development and environment,

[53:14] Samantha Getzes Chair,

[53:16] Tom Acabit Vice Chair, John Jeffrey and James Kennedy.

[53:20] Planning development and the Environment Committee,

[53:23] Carrier Salash is ranking,

[53:25] Arnold W. Drucker,

[53:26] Silla A. Bynum.

[53:29] Minority affairs, Scott Strauss-Chair, Samantha Gets,

[53:32] Vice Chair, Rosemary Walker, and Michael G. Engugorio.

[53:36] Minority affairs committee, Carrier Solage Ranking,

[53:40] Deborah Muley, and Seth I. Caslow.

[53:43] Hey, for economic and community development

[53:45] labor and transportation, James Kennedy-Chair,

[53:48] Tom McKevitt, Vice Chair,

[53:51] C. William Gaylor, and Samantha Gets.

[53:53] For economic and community development, labor and transportation committee,

[53:59] Silla A. Bynow is ranking, Arnold W. Drucker and Deborah Miele.

[54:06] Ones villages and cities, Masi Pilipe is chair,

[54:11] Siwilim Gailor vice chair Samantha Gats and Scott Strauss.

[54:17] Townsville is city's committee, Deborah Miele is ranking, Scott M. Davis and Seth I. Coslov.

[54:24] Veterans Committee. William Gaylor as chair Rosemary Walker vice chair, Mazie Pelip and Patrick Malene.

[54:35] Veterans Committee, Deborah Miele is ranking. Scott M Davis and Seth I. Kaza.

[54:42] Senior Affairs, John Jeffrey is chair, Rose Walker as vice chair, Tom McKenna and Patrick Malene.

[54:50] Senior Affairs Committee, Deborah Miele is ranking, Delia Terigie Witten.

[54:55] Scott M Davis.

[54:58] And finally, budget review, Tom McEvichair, Michael G. and Riklorio is vice chair and me.

[55:06] Budget review committee is tele-attirigie what me ranking and Arnold W. Jocker.

[55:12] Thank you. So at this time, I'm going to put the full legislature and recess.

[55:17] Each committee will be called to order by the chair from their assigned seat.

[55:21] Every committee will vote on their statement of purpose and rules.

[55:24] The Budget Review Committee has set forth in the charter, will not convene today.

[55:29] Committees will convene in the following order, senior affairs then followed by veterans,

[55:36] towns, villages and cities, economic and community development, labor and transportation,

[55:42] minority affairs, planning, development and environment, government services and operations, health

[55:48] and social services, public safety, public works and parks.

[55:54] Finance followed by rules.

[55:58] If there is public comment, today we will listen to those who wish to speak after the meeting

[56:03] after the first meeting of the Legislature is adjourned and that will be following the committees.

[56:13] Now, the full legislature is now reconvened and I will call the full legislature to adjourn.

[56:21] Motion to adjourn made by the legislature.

[56:39] Sorry, we're going to do the committees.

[56:43] So the first committee will start off with the senior affairs.

[56:47] At this time, I will call the senior affairs committee to order.

[56:50] I would like this clerk to call the roll, ranking member, Legislator Deborah Muley,

[56:57] minority leader, Deelia, Derrigi Whitten,

[57:02] member Scott M. Davis, Legislator Rosemary Walker,

[57:07] Legislator Thomas McEvid, Legislator Patrick Mulaney, and myself.

[57:15] We have a quorum.

[57:16] We have two items on the agenda and they are procedural resolutions, numbers 1 and 2, procedural

[57:22] Resolution 1 of 2024 is a resolution to adopt the proposed statement of purpose for the senior affairs committee per person to the rules of the procedure of the NASA county legislature

[57:33] Procedural resolution 2 of 2024 is a resolution to adopt the proposed rules of the procedure of the senior affairs committee

[57:40] Person to the rules of procedure of the NASA county legislature

[57:43] May I have a motion moved by legislator Walker second

[57:48] was a second bi-legislator mule. These two items are now before us. Is there any debate or discussion?

[57:59] Hearing none? Is there any public comment?

[58:04] Hearing none? All those in favor of adopting these rules? Please signify by saying aye.

[58:10] Opposed?

[58:13] The items passed unanimously. There is no other business in front of this committee. May I have a motion to adjourn?

[58:20] moved by Legislator Davis seconded by Legislator Walker all those in favor I

[58:28] pass as unanimously the committee is now adjourned.

[58:36] Okay at this time I'd like to

[58:37] hold Veterans Committed Order I'll ask. I'll act as the clerk and call the

[58:42] role. Ranking member Legislator Deborah Mulay. Legislator Seth Coslo.

[58:54] Legislator

[58:54] I'm going to let him Aussie Philippe.

[58:56] I'm just laid a patch of my landing.

[58:58] And I'm here.

[58:59] We have a quorum.

[59:00] If two items on the agenda and they all procedural resolutions number one and number two.

[59:06] Procedural Resolution 1-2024 is a resolution to adopt a post statement of purpose for the veterans

[59:13] committee.

[59:19] Procedural Resolution 2-2024 is a resolution to adopt a post report.

[59:24] rules of procedure of the Veterans Committee,

[59:26] pursuant to the rules of procedure of the National

[59:28] Canada Legislature.

[59:30] I have a motion.

[59:31] Move by legislative walker.

[59:33] Seconded by legislative, you like.

[59:36] These items are before us.

[59:37] Any debate or discussion?

[59:39] Non, any public comment?

[59:42] Yes.

[59:42] I think that I heard Ms.

[59:50] Meridae.

[59:51] Good afternoon, Ms. Meridae.

[59:53] I was hoping it gets to speak before it became good evening.

[59:56] Yeah, no. Please state your name for the record, though.

[59:57] Me today, Maraday. I'm Maraday.

[1:00:00] I encourage, I'm glad to see that legislative galore is still chairing. I think there were some significant

[1:00:06] inroads that were made on this committee. I welcome the new members to the committee as well as the new members of the legislature.

[1:00:13] I'm still, I want to be optimistic since this is January that we're going to do a better job for the thousands of veterans and their families who continue to

[1:00:21] underserved in this county. It's my hope, again, that we can direct our efforts, and a bipartisan

[1:00:29] fashion to address the increase and suicides homelessness and despair within a veteran

[1:00:36] community and the military family community. So, again, I'm hoping that we can look towards

[1:00:41] the resources that we continue to not track on the state and federal level to address these

[1:00:47] issues to bring some resolution on myself who drafted, I think, enough legislation for the

[1:00:54] body to not be an elected official considering. One particular piece of legislation that's,

[1:01:00] I believe, almost 10 years old now, for contracting opportunities for services-abled

[1:01:05] veteran businesses. I have yet to see any real teeth to that. I've yet to see any real

[1:01:11] development and outreach to grow veteran businesses to provide qualified paying jobs for

[1:01:17] veterans to keep our young veterans here to address again.

[1:01:21] The suicide, the debt, and that type of despair is again.

[1:01:25] I want to be encouraged, and I have stayed, I stood before here, with before this group,

[1:01:30] and I'm also working behind the scenes, but we all have to do this together.

[1:01:34] The suicide rate for our veteran community is on the rise.

[1:01:38] We have issues with mental health and support services for veterans of color.

[1:01:42] And again, we need to do this together on a bipartisan basis again.

[1:01:47] Welcome aboard for those who are new.

[1:01:49] Let's get busy for those who are here.

[1:01:51] And let's all work together.

[1:01:52] Thank you very much.

[1:01:54] Thank you, Ms. Merida.

[1:01:55] And thank you for your service and dedication to all our veterans.

[1:02:00] Any other public comment?

[1:02:03] All right.

[1:02:03] All those in favor adopted these rules.

[1:02:05] Please signify by saying aye.

[1:02:07] Any opposed?

[1:02:08] The item passes.

[1:02:09] These items pass unanimously.

[1:02:11] If you're being no other business in front of the committee,

[1:02:13] I have a motion to adjourn, move, move by legislative belief, seconded by legislative

[1:02:18] planning.

[1:02:20] All those of favour?

[1:02:22] Communities now adjourn.

[1:02:26] At this time, I will call the Council's villages cities, committee to order.

[1:02:30] I will act as a clerk and call the court, ranking member of Legislator Melee, Legislator

[1:02:35] Kaslo, Legislator Davis, Legislator Kero, Legislator Guards, Legislator Strauss, and I are here.

[1:02:42] We have two items on the agenda and they are

[1:02:45] are residual resolution number one and two, residual resolution 1-2024 is the resolution

[1:02:51] to adapt the proposed statement of proposed proposed for the towns villages and cities

[1:02:57] committee, pursued to the rules of the procedure of the NASO county legislature.

[1:03:04] The residual resolution 2-2024 is the resolution to adapt the proposed rules of the procedure

[1:03:12] of the towns, villages, and cities, communities, pursuits through the rules of the procedure

[1:03:17] of the NASA county legislator may have a motion, more by legislator, yellow or second

[1:03:23] by legislator.

[1:03:25] This through items are before us any debate or discussion.

[1:03:30] For those in favor of adapting those rules, please identify by saying aye, opposed.

[1:03:36] The item passed unanimously.

[1:03:38] There is no other business in front of this committee.

[1:03:40] I have a motion to adjourn, move by Legislature.

[1:03:45] Class law and second by Legislature Galloway, also in favor.

[1:03:49] The committee is now adjourned.

[1:03:52] Thank you.

[1:03:56] At this time, I will call the Economic and Community Development

[1:03:59] Labor and Transportation Committee to Water.

[1:04:02] I will act as a clerk and call the roll.

[1:04:05] I'm ranking member Legislators Seal Abino.

[1:04:09] Legislators Deborah Muley.

[1:04:11] Legislator Arnold Drucker.

[1:04:14] Deputy Presiding Officer Tom McKevitt, Legislator C.

[1:04:17] Let's see William Gailor III, Legislator Samantha Getz, and I am here.

[1:04:25] We have a quorum.

[1:04:26] We have two items on the agenda, and they are procedural resolutions number 1 and 2.

[1:04:31] Procedural Resolution 1-2024 is a resolution to adopt the proposed statement of purpose for

[1:04:37] the economic and community development, labor, and transportation committee pursuant to the

[1:04:43] The procedure of the NASA county legislature, procedure of Resolution 2-2022-24, is a resolution

[1:04:50] to adopt the proposed rules of the procedure of the economic and community development, labor

[1:04:56] and transportation committee, pursuant to the rules of procedure of the NASA county legislature.

[1:05:02] May I have a motion.

[1:05:04] Move by legislator Gaylord.

[1:05:07] Seconded by Legislator Mule, these two items are before us, is there any debate or discussion?

[1:05:15] Okay, all those in favor of adopting these rules please say goodbye by saying aye.

[1:05:20] Opposed?

[1:05:22] The items have passed unanimously.

[1:05:24] There's no other business upon this committee.

[1:05:26] May have a motion to adjourn.

[1:05:29] Move by Legislator Bino.

[1:05:31] Seconded by Legislator Kats.

[1:05:34] Okay, all those in favor, committee is now adjourned.

[1:05:54] At this time, I will quote a minority of fairs committee to order.

[1:05:57] I will like this clerk in call, roll.

[1:05:59] Ranking member, legislator, sawages.

[1:06:03] Legislator, move leg.

[1:06:06] Legislator, causal.

[1:06:08] Legislator, gets.

[1:06:10] Legislator Walker.

[1:06:11] Legislator, Gian Gregorio.

[1:06:13] And I are here.

[1:06:15] We have a quorum.

[1:06:16] We have two items on the agenda.

[1:06:18] and the Air Procedural Resolutions number 1 and 2.

[1:06:21] Procedural Resolution 1-2024 is a resolution to adopt the proposed statement of purpose for the minority affairs committee,

[1:06:28] pursuant to the rules of the procedure of the NASA County Legislator.

[1:06:33] Let's just let you share.

[1:06:34] Procedural Resolution 2-2024 is a resolution to adopt the proposed rules of the procedure of the community affairs committee pursuant to the rules of the procedure of the NASA County Legislature.

[1:06:47] May have a motion moved

[1:06:51] by legislative G and Gregorio, seconded by legislature, legislative and relay.

[1:06:59] These two items are before us, any debate or discussion.

[1:07:03] Here are none.

[1:07:04] All those in favor of adopting these.

[1:07:10] We're just doing an organizational meeting.

[1:07:12] There's nothing we don't need to comment on the organization on the organizational meeting.

[1:07:18] All those in favor of adopting these rules please signify by saying aye.

[1:07:24] Opposed, the items pass unanimously, if there's no other business in front of this committee,

[1:07:29] may have a motion to adjourn, move by legislator, Walker, second by legislator,

[1:07:37] Coslo, all those in favor, the committee is now adjourned.

[1:07:43] Just for everyone, there will be public comment following the German of the legislature.

[1:07:50] That will be a little bit later.

[1:07:57] At this time, I will call the Planning Development and Environmental Committee to Order.

[1:08:01] I will act as clerk and call the roll.

[1:08:03] Ranking member, Legislator, Carrier, Solages.

[1:08:07] Legislator, Sealab, Bino.

[1:08:10] Legislator, Arnold Drucker.

[1:08:13] Deputy Presiding Officer, Thomas McKevitt.

[1:08:16] Legislator, John J. Gray.

[1:08:19] Legislator, James Kennedy.

[1:08:21] And I are here.

[1:08:22] We have a forum.

[1:08:23] We have two items on the agenda and they are procedural resolutions 1 and 2.

[1:08:28] Procedural Resolution 1-2024 is a resolution to adopt the proposed statement of purpose for the planning development and the environment's committee,

[1:08:37] pursuant to the rules procedure of the NASA County Legislature.

[1:08:40] Procedural Resolution 2-2024 is a resolution to adopt the proposed rules of the procedure of planning development and environmental committee,

[1:08:51] pursuant to the rules of procedure of the National County Legislature. May I have a motion.

[1:08:58] Move by Legislature. Do you pray? Seconded by Legislature

[1:09:07] Kennedy. There are two items before us.

[1:09:10] Any debate or discussion?

[1:09:14] All those in favour of adopting these rules please signify by saying aye.

[1:09:18] Opposed? These items pass unanimously. This committee is now in recess.

[1:09:24] At this time, I'll call the Government Services and Operations Committee to order.

[1:09:28] I'll add a clerk and call the roll, ranking member, legislator, Arnold Drucker, legislator

[1:09:33] Salaaj, legislative council.

[1:09:37] Legislator Strauss, legislative jingregorial, legislative jingregorial, legislative

[1:09:42] jingregorial, legislative jingregorial, legislative jingregorial, legislative jingregorial.

[1:09:43] And I am here.

[1:09:44] We have a quorum.

[1:09:45] We have two items on the agenda and the procedural resolution numbers 1 and 2.

[1:09:49] Precedural Resolution 1-2024 is a resolution to adopt if a post-statement of purpose for the government services and operations committee

[1:09:56] pursuing to the rules of the procedure of the National Accounting legislature.

[1:09:59] Precedural Resolution 2-2024 is a resolution to adopt.

[1:10:03] The rules of the procedure of the government services and operations committee pursuant to the rules of procedure of the National Accounting legislature management.

[1:10:09] motion, moved by a ranking member of Drucker, second and

[1:10:14] bi-legislator Strauss.

[1:10:16] The two items are before us.

[1:10:18] Do we have any debate of discussion?

[1:10:20] They're being none.

[1:10:20] All those in favor of adopting the rules.

[1:10:22] Please signify by saying aye.

[1:10:24] Opposed.

[1:10:25] The items pass unanimously to the committee.

[1:10:27] The committee is down at recess.

[1:10:37] At this time, I will call the Health and Social Services Committee

[1:10:40] to order.

[1:10:41] I will act as the clerk and call the roll.

[1:10:43] Ranking Member, Legislator D'Arigi Whitten, Legislator Drucker, Legislator Koslow, Legislator G. and Gregorio, Legislator PLEEP, Legislator Gets, and I am also here.

[1:10:58] We have a qualum. We have two items on the agenda, and they are procedural resolutions number 1 and 2.

[1:11:05] Procedural Resolution 1-204 is a resolution to adopt the proposed statement of purpose with the Health and Social Services Committee

[1:11:15] pursuant to the rules of the procedure of the NASA County Legislature.

[1:11:20] Procedural Resolution 2-2024 is a resolution to adopt the proposed rules of procedure of the Health and Social Services Committee

[1:11:30] pursuant to the rules of the procedure of the NASA County Legislature.

[1:11:34] May I have a motion, move by legislator trucker, set-ended by legislator, G. and Gregorio.

[1:11:45] These two items are before us, any debate or discussion.

[1:11:51] All those in favor of these adopting these rules, please signify by saying aye.

[1:11:57] Any opposed?

[1:11:58] They pass unanimously.

[1:12:00] This committee is now in recess.

[1:12:01] At

[1:12:05] this time, I will call the Public Safety Committee to order.

[1:12:08] I will act as clerk and call the roll.

[1:12:10] Ranking member, Legislative Seal of the Bino, Legislative Deborah Malay, Legislative

[1:12:16] Scott Davis, Legislative Scott Strauss, Legislative Mozzie Pilip, Legislative John Ferretti,

[1:12:24] and I'm here.

[1:12:25] We have a quorum.

[1:12:27] We have two items on the agenda and they have procedural resolutions number 1 and 2.

[1:12:31] Procedure Resolution 1-2024 is a resolution to adopt a proposed statement of purpose to the public safety committee,

[1:12:39] pursuant to the rules of the Procedure of the National County Legislature.

[1:12:43] Procedure by solution 2-2024 is a resolution to adopt the proposed rules of the Procedure of the Public Safety Committee,

[1:12:50] pursuant to the rules of Procedure of the National County Legislature.

[1:12:54] May I have a motion?

[1:12:57] Move by legislative for ready.

[1:13:00] Second, second by legislative malay, these two items are before us and you'd discuss in the debate.

[1:13:07] All those in favor of adopting these rules please signify by saying aye.

[1:13:12] Opposed?

[1:13:15] These items pay us unanimously.

[1:13:17] The committee is now in recess.

[1:13:20] At this time I'll call the finance committee.

[1:13:25] At this time I will call the public works committee to order.

[1:13:28] I will act as the clerk and call the roll.

[1:13:30] Ranking member, Legislator Guino, Legislator Drucker, Legislator Solages, Legislator

[1:13:38] Jepray, Legislator Straps, Legislator Kennedy, and I am here.

[1:13:46] We have a quorum.

[1:13:47] We have two items on the agenda and they are procedural resolutions number 1 and number 2.

[1:13:52] Procedural resolution 1-2024 is a resolution to adopt the proposed statement of the purpose

[1:13:57] public works committee pursuant to the rules of the procedure of the National County Legislature.

[1:14:03] Procedural rule 2-2024 is a resolution to adopt the proposed rules of the procedures of the public works committee pursuant to the rules of procedure of the National County Legislature.

[1:14:14] May I have a motion. Motion by Legislator Kennedy, second

[1:14:21] by Legislator Strauss. These two items have before us. Any debated discussion?

[1:14:28] Hearing none, all those in favor by adopting these rules, please signify by saying aye.

[1:14:34] Opposed?

[1:14:36] These items passed unanimously.

[1:14:38] There is no other business in front of this committee.

[1:14:40] May have a motion to adjourn.

[1:14:42] Move by legislature phrase second by.

[1:14:46] Legislator Strauss, all those in favor?

[1:14:50] The committee is now adjourned.

[1:14:57] this time we'll call finance committee in order

[1:15:00] On the roll, ranking members, lodges, let's say a casel out, let's say a Davis, alternate deputy,

[1:15:06] presiding officer Freddie, let's say a candy, let's say a walker. We have a quorum. We have two items.

[1:15:12] Procedural resolution number one and number two. Procedural resolution one,

[1:15:17] dash 2024, is a resolution to adopt the proposed statement of purpose for the finance committee,

[1:15:23] pursuant to the rules of the procedure of the national county legislature. Procedural resolution two,

[1:15:28] as 2024 is a resolution to adopt rules of the procedure of the finance committee, pursuant

[1:15:33] to the rules of the procedure of the NASCAR legislature.

[1:15:37] I have a motion by breaking that move by that player for ready.

[1:15:41] Second by the legislature's law, just two items before us, any debate or discussion.

[1:15:47] All in fair by signifying by saying aye.

[1:15:49] Aye.

[1:15:49] All posed?

[1:15:51] I'm as passed unanimously.

[1:15:52] Finance committee is now in recess.

[1:15:54] Speaking

[1:16:06] member, Legislator DeRigi Whitton, Legislator Bino, Legislator Drucker, Deputy

[1:16:13] Presiding Officer of McCubit, Alternate Deputy Presiding Officer for ready, Legislator

[1:16:19] Kennedy.

[1:16:20] I am here.

[1:16:21] We've got a quorum.

[1:16:22] We've got three items on the agenda.

[1:16:24] First, two, our procedural resolution, number one, dash 2024, which is to adopt the

[1:16:31] proposed statement of purpose of the rules committee pursuant to the rules of procedure

[1:16:34] of the NASA County Legislature.

[1:16:37] Procedure resolution number two is a resolution to adopt the proposed rules of the procedure

[1:16:42] of the rules committee, presumably rules of procedure, of the NASA County Legislature.

[1:16:49] Motion by Deputy Pres. Officer McEvid, and seconded by ranking of the legislative

[1:16:57] the Ritchie Whitten, all those in favour? Please say aye.

[1:17:02] Aye. Any opposed? Okay, those, those items pass unanimously.

[1:17:09] The next item is procedural

[1:17:10] resolution number 3 of 2024, which is to adopt the rules of procedure and statements of purpose

[1:17:16] of all standing committees of the NASA County Legislature, pursuant to the rules of procedure

[1:17:21] of the NASA County Legislature. And we have a motion by that alternate deputy presiding

[1:17:29] officer for ready.

[1:17:31] Seconded by Legislator Kennedy.

[1:17:34] All those in favor, please say aye.

[1:17:35] Aye.

[1:17:36] Any opposed?

[1:17:38] That item passes unanimously as well.

[1:17:41] And I will now place the rules committee in recess.

[1:18:52] Pull legislature.

[1:18:57] We are going to now entertain members of the public who wish to speak.

[1:19:03] Now, let me remind you, please, that there's a three-minute limit

[1:19:06] Mr. Pulitzer, will you crack, right?

[1:19:11] Because if you go over, then other people won't get a chance.

[1:19:14] So please confine yourself to the three minutes as I call you out.

[1:19:19] Our first speaker will be Monica Nichols, and please come over to the podium.

[1:19:25] Yeah, got the mic on.

[1:19:32] Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to speak today.

[1:19:35] My name is Monica Nichols, and I am the mother of a child who is significantly impacted by his diagnosis

[1:19:43] of autism. Navigating the world of special needs is not an easy journey. All a parent ever

[1:19:50] hopes for us to see their child reach their fullest potential. Accessing therapies such

[1:19:56] as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and behavior therapy is crucial

[1:20:02] to a child with disabilities. I'm speaking on behalf of all parents of special needs

[1:20:09] children who are currently unable to access the therapies that their child needs, due to

[1:20:16] weightless and lack of available providers.

[1:20:20] The reimbursement rates for related services in NASA County has not increased since 1997.

[1:20:31] In that same period of time, approximately 27 years, the cost of living has nearly doubled.

[1:20:37] We are asking therapists who are now required to have a higher level of qualifications and degrees to work for a rate that is not at part with their level of education or the cost of living.

[1:20:53] Bottom line, we are losing providers and delaying the delivery of services to children who desperately need them.

[1:21:02] We need your help.

[1:21:04] In the audience today, we have other parents of special needs children.

[1:21:08] We have therapists, agencies, school district representatives, and we're all here to speak

[1:21:14] on this urgent matter.

[1:21:16] I just, if you guys can just raise your hand, everyone is here to speak on this, just raise

[1:21:20] your hand, who's supporting this.

[1:21:22] I really hope that we're in the right place today to launch change in this very important

[1:21:27] area.

[1:21:28] Thank you.

[1:21:33] Okay, next could be Lenny, can I be no, is that right?

[1:21:42] Sorry, I'll tell the B&O.

[1:21:44] Good afternoon. My name is Dr. Lenny Kaltviano.

[1:21:47] I'm chief executive officer of Kids Therapy Services.

[1:21:51] I'm also a licensed psychologist at a New York State Certified School Psychologist.

[1:21:55] Kids therapy, my agency has been providing services for over 25 years

[1:21:59] to preschoolers with disabilities.

[1:22:01] Perhaps the most consistent research findings are those

[1:22:04] demonstrate that intervention at these early stages have the most profound impact not just

[1:22:10] for the child with the disability, but for the family and for the entire community.

[1:22:15] Today I'm here to sound the alarm and I am not an alarmist. This used to be a field

[1:22:21] that therapists and educators wanted to be in. Today it is a struggle to find providers and

[1:22:27] maintain providers. With the cost of living so high and the fact that there has not been an increase

[1:22:32] of related services for over 25 years, providers do not simply have the income to stay in

[1:22:38] the field.

[1:22:40] There are some circumstances in which we don't receive any reimbursement at all as in

[1:22:45] $0 dollars, for example, we don't get reimbursed to attend critical mandated meetings

[1:22:52] for children, although the school districts and the parents want us there and we should

[1:22:56] there. There is no reimbursement for this. How do you operate a business at a 100% loss and margins

[1:23:04] for certain areas of services? It is important to note that other agencies have already stepped

[1:23:10] away. Dr. Andrew Vaughn co-founder of Upweigh Grow and director allowed me to speak for him today,

[1:23:17] and I want to quote when he's describing why he stepped away. We had no choice but to shut down

[1:23:23] our CPSC therapy services due to unacceptable and unattentable pre-school therapy session rates.

[1:23:30] Currently, the only way to run these sessions is out of loss.

[1:23:35] At Kids Therapy, my agency, we're trying to hang on and continue with these related services.

[1:23:41] At Kids Therapy, we conduct over 6,000 evaluations a year.

[1:23:46] We provide thousands of hours of services in a given week.

[1:23:49] These include speech, occupational, physical, and mental health services.

[1:23:55] We also turn away thousands of hours of services because of the lack of providers.

[1:24:03] What if an agency like ours was to step away?

[1:24:06] That would be completely parallelizing to the preschool field in Nassau County.

[1:24:12] It's time to increase the preschool service rates and to make sure we take care of those

[1:24:18] who take care of our most vulnerable children.

[1:24:32] Hello,

[1:24:39] I'm Philio Fandaros.

[1:24:41] I've been an pediatric occupational therapist for 22 years.

[1:24:45] The preschool year is the most critical for making progress in motor skills and development.

[1:24:49] I truly enjoy my job and look forward to going to work every day.

[1:24:52] Unfortunately, the reimbursement for my services has been the same since 2002.

[1:24:56] I have never had an increase.

[1:24:58] Actually, I've had a decrease.

[1:25:00] New York State, part 200, regs, education law, and mandates to all of us attend meetings

[1:25:05] for all of our children.

[1:25:08] We use to get reimbursed for these meetings, and now we don't even get reimbursed for

[1:25:11] these meetings.

[1:25:11] So I'm canceling paid sessions to attend non-paid mandated meetings.

[1:25:16] Aside from not even a lack of a cost of living increase, the paperwork demands from the

[1:25:20] county continues to increase.

[1:25:23] I treat 13 children back to back each day, then I go home and spend about one to two hours

[1:25:28] night doing paperwork, which is not reimbursable.

[1:25:31] And at the point where I might need to switch my career path to hospital based on nursing

[1:25:35] care services, the cost of living in NASA can be continued to increase year after year,

[1:25:39] but we have not seen a not even a penny increase.

[1:25:44] As clinicians, we go into this field to help children, but we all need to survive as well.

[1:25:49] Many of my colleagues have already switched fields.

[1:25:53] They've already made a switch into the hospital settings.

[1:25:55] This is creating a huge crisis for us on Long Island.

[1:25:59] Pediatric therapists are leaving the field in masses, which is creating a shortage of providers

[1:26:02] for our children.

[1:26:04] There are a list of hundreds of children without providers to provide these necessary treatments.

[1:26:08] We must do something to continue to provide this important service to our children as they

[1:26:11] are our future.

[1:26:13] Thank you for listening.

[1:26:16] Thank you.

[1:26:20] Thank you.

[1:26:21] My name

[1:26:29] is Kristen Catalano.

[1:26:31] I'm a school district committee on preschool, special education, chairperson.

[1:26:35] I chair meetings throughout this school year for preschool age students who are suspected

[1:26:40] of having a disability or have already been found eligible for services, following the process

[1:26:45] of multi-disciplinary evaluations, some children are identified as preschoolers with

[1:26:50] the disability.

[1:26:52] Reality now sets in for parents, some feel relief, they have seen their child struggle and

[1:26:59] are anxious to get them the help that they need.

[1:27:02] Others are fearful.

[1:27:03] They didn't expect this outcome and now have to face a new world of services.

[1:27:08] No matter what the feelings of the parent imagine the stress when faced with the next hurdle,

[1:27:13] there might not be a provider to give services to their child.

[1:27:17] Over the past few school years, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find providers,

[1:27:22] especially once this school year has begun.

[1:27:25] Turn over rates in agencies or high,

[1:27:28] Sorry, agency struggles to hire qualified individuals only to have them leave within a short period of time because they found a better paying job in their field.

[1:27:38] Early intervention is vitally important for these young learners to have success later in life, not only educationally, but socially and with activities of daily living.

[1:27:48] Early intervention cannot happen without a pool of consistent providers that can keep up with the demand.

[1:27:54] My colleagues and other school districts and I have the responsibility to follow the law with

[1:27:59] regards to the identification of preschool students with disabilities and the development

[1:28:03] of IEPs that afford those students to free appropriate public education.

[1:28:08] As elected representatives of the districts within our county, we ask that you help us to

[1:28:14] help these young learners get the services they require.

[1:28:17] We need your help with reimbursement rates so that talented and dedicated providers don't

[1:28:22] leave the job for higher paying ones.

[1:28:25] There's also a need for there to be reimbursement for meeting attendance, so that all providers

[1:28:29] can be compensated for participating in committee meetings where the progress and services

[1:28:34] for the students on their case load are discussed.

[1:28:36] Their input is essential to making data-driven decisions and ensuring that preschool students

[1:28:41] with disabilities are getting the level of services they require.

[1:28:45] Thank you for your time.

[1:28:49] Thank you, David Tolman.

[1:28:51] Hello,

[1:29:00] my name is David Tellerman, and I am the Director of New York Therapy, one along

[1:29:05] I'll in Swarges Agency, Services and Special Needs Children.

[1:29:09] I'm here today to speak specifically about the reimbursement rate for preschool related services,

[1:29:13] specifically for children aged 3 to 5 years old, which is currently at $40 per session.

[1:29:18] For those of you who may not know, related services are occupational, physical, and speech therapy.

[1:29:24] While that rate may sound reasonable to you at first glance, this rate has stayed the same

[1:29:28] since we as a company entered into a contract with NASA County in 1997.

[1:29:33] That is 26 years ago, and that time the cost of living has risen by 95% and $40

[1:29:39] 26 years ago is now worth $20 in 56 cents today.

[1:29:44] How many of you before me would be willing to work at the salary that they had back in 1997?

[1:29:50] Because it is lack of increase the provided service in these children or leaving the pre-school arena for other positions where the reimbursement rates are much more in line with today's cost to living.

[1:30:00] This is called significant stresses in providing the services to our most vulnerable who are unable to speak on their own behalf.

[1:30:08] Parents who are upset that services for their children are often significantly delayed or not provided at all due to a lack of providers willing to work at below market rates.

[1:30:17] Ultimately, special needs children are paying the price.

[1:30:21] As a private agency, we are unable to continue to work in this market with a raise of thin or negative margins.

[1:30:26] New York therapy has provided 250,000 preschool services in National County alone in the past five years.

[1:30:34] As a major stakeholder in the special needs community, this rate has become more and more unsustainable.

[1:30:39] We've used every tool in the private industry toolbox to attempt to work within this framework,

[1:30:44] but we, along with other agencies, similar to us strategically exiting this piece of the market to concentrate on other opportunities.

[1:30:51] Because NASA County is the one that sets a reimbursement rate only NASA County can fix this broken system.

[1:30:58] In the 62 counties of New York State, NASA County's reimbursement rate is at the bottom of the list.

[1:31:06] The average reimbursement rate today is $59 in change statewide.

[1:31:10] NASA County should be the one who leads and sets the gold standard for services in the preschool related services arena and not be a follower.

[1:31:17] local school districts, and New York State have raised rates and reasoned years for programs

[1:31:22] under their watch, so it's a stem to loss of providers.

[1:31:26] National County has not.

[1:31:28] New York Therapy wants to be and continues to be a partner with National County to provide

[1:31:32] services to our special needs children, but we need to help with this.

[1:31:36] There are only a finite amount of providers who work within this population, and that

[1:31:40] provide a field that's shrinking rapidly because it's antiquated rate.

[1:31:43] Therefore, and we respectfully request a review of the pre-school related services rate, currently

[1:31:50] at $40 to be raised to a market rate to slow down the exit of providers and bring

[1:31:54] some stability in the space.

[1:31:57] We as a company or willing to sit down, offline to discuss this further, if more clarity is

[1:32:02] needed.

[1:32:03] And please, please, please wrap up.

[1:32:06] Sure.

[1:32:06] I do have a printed PowerPoint for anybody that does want to learn more about this.

[1:32:10] Thank you so much for your time.

[1:32:18] Yes, why don't you go ahead, please sir, sir and give your power point to the clerk who did his part of the record.

[1:32:27] Thank you.

[1:32:28] Lauren from Burke.

[1:32:37] Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Lauren from Burke. I'm a special education teacher.

[1:32:42] And I'm also a parent of a child with special needs.

[1:32:46] Let's go back 18 years ago.

[1:32:48] My son had just been diagnosed with autism.

[1:32:51] His name is Zachary.

[1:32:53] And I had numerous therapists coming to my home throughout the day.

[1:32:56] I was lucky enough to receive OT, PT, speech, and special education, specifically ABA therapy

[1:33:03] as well as parent training.

[1:33:05] Meanwhile, while I was being taught everything, I felt that passion inside that I wanted

[1:33:11] to do more with my life.

[1:33:13] So I went back to school after begging my parents for money, and I got a master's degree in

[1:33:18] special education.

[1:33:20] I graduated from Hofstra with a 40 with the master's in advance certificate maybe as well.

[1:33:27] So at this point I was super, super excited to get a job.

[1:33:31] And I was ready to help the most vulnerable population, the babies.

[1:33:35] So here I am now looking for a job.

[1:33:37] And here the job offers for early childhood special education therapists.

[1:33:42] Responsibilities include but not limited.

[1:33:45] You must have a bachelor's and a master's degree.

[1:33:47] Okay, I have that.

[1:33:48] You must have a driver's license, and a car, and be able to drive all over New York, but you get no gas reimbursement.

[1:33:57] Okay? That's not good. You must have liability insurance.

[1:34:03] You must provide mental health support for parents who have just been parents who have children who have just been diagnosed with disability.

[1:34:11] But you can't afford that mental health for yourself because, well, as an independent contractor, you get no health insurance yourself.

[1:34:22] You never will receive a raise.

[1:34:26] Now, looking at this, why would anybody want to do this?

[1:34:30] Well, in the time that I became the therapist, the rates have not gone up.

[1:34:34] In fact, they've only gone down.

[1:34:36] I don't make anything more than I did 20 years ago.

[1:34:39] It's not reasonable to support a family on a rate that doesn't change.

[1:34:45] The rates are far below the cost of living, especially among Islanders.

[1:34:49] We all know how expensive it is.

[1:34:51] Many of my colleagues have chosen other job professions, and unfortunately, this is me as well.

[1:34:59] I took another job because I had no choice.

[1:35:02] I became a health coach.

[1:35:03] I make double as a health coach, so then I do as a special education ABA therapist.

[1:35:08] I provide very little direct therapy now, but I just want to say one thing that happened

[1:35:13] today because this is an amazing story.

[1:35:15] So my daughter is now studying to be either a speech with theologist and occupational

[1:35:20] therapists and I honestly don't know if I should pursue this with her.

[1:35:24] She walks into your her class and she's 16 and she's in turn and they said the woman at

[1:35:29] the front desk said, is your mom Lauren Framberg and she said yes and she said, your mom

[1:35:36] Grant a group from my son eight years ago.

[1:35:39] It was the best social skills group he's ever been to.

[1:35:42] And I literally was crying over that.

[1:35:45] So thank you for listening to me.

[1:35:46] I hope you guys listened to us.

[1:35:48] Please give us a sustainable wage.

[1:35:50] Thank you.

[1:35:51] Well, let me just say that I appreciate everyone bringing

[1:35:54] this to our attention.

[1:35:55] And we're going to definitely look into it.

[1:36:00] You ain't a polazo.

[1:36:11] Hi, how are you?

[1:36:11] My name is Elena Plaza. I'm a owner of more than a jam, which is a very, very small agency where we provide physical occupational and speech therapy services.

[1:36:22] We are actually one of the agencies that did have to stop providing CPSC services, which is the preschool related services.

[1:36:30] Out of the goodness of our heart, we have caps, a lot of the kids that have transitions from early intervention to preschool, so you age out of early intervention at age three.

[1:36:41] And you go into school district preschool services, which is ages three to five.

[1:36:47] There are some agencies that literally were kicking kids out once they turn three.

[1:36:51] I'm sad you have to find another provider.

[1:36:53] We couldn't do that.

[1:36:55] We kept those kids on.

[1:36:57] But we technically call that like our pro bono work at this point.

[1:37:02] It's very unfortunate that we can continue with preschool services.

[1:37:06] But I've had ads for physical therapists, occupational therapists for over a year and no one is going into the pediatric field anymore because it really is just not paying as much as it should be.

[1:37:20] The other thing I want to bring to everyone's attention is, at this point, even if there is a 10, 20% increase, it's just, it's going to do nothing. No one's going to come back into the field.

[1:37:30] The rate needs to be doubled at this time because it really has been way too long.

[1:37:36] Westchester is making almost doubled the amount as NASA County is.

[1:37:40] I just think it's unacceptable.

[1:37:44] Early intervention, too.

[1:37:45] A lot of people are pulling out of, but right now we have a weight list of over 65 kids.

[1:37:50] We stop taking weightless kids.

[1:37:54] It's not right.

[1:37:55] I think that the numbers currently is over 50% of kids in Assault County are not receiving services,

[1:38:02] PTOT and speech.

[1:38:04] I don't think that this is fair for the kids.

[1:38:07] I feel horrible that we're no longer taking them, but it's not feasible.

[1:38:11] It's not sustainable.

[1:38:13] We're not big.

[1:38:13] We don't have hundreds of providers.

[1:38:16] We have a sensory gym, and we do the bus that we can, so I think at this point you really have to look very closely at the numbers.

[1:38:24] Thank you for your time.

[1:38:29] Thank you, Andrea Subredo.

[1:38:35] My name is Andrea Subredo.

[1:38:37] I'm the Service Manager for Kid Therapy.

[1:38:39] I'm being with more than 27 years.

[1:38:43] I'm not a provider, but I'm the one that is in charge of finding the providers for this family.

[1:38:49] When we started, it was like easy to convince a provider to take one kid, take another.

[1:38:56] This past year, first we say was because of COVID,

[1:39:00] they were not in a provider's, but this past year when I came

[1:39:05] up from vacation, 10 therapists have left to other places.

[1:39:12] Like hospitals, school districts, to make more money.

[1:39:16] And we say, OK, let's survive.

[1:39:19] Let's start September.

[1:39:21] We hire more therapists and we say, OK, we are done for the year.

[1:39:24] We are, you know, like the therapists will be there the four year until June.

[1:39:31] The last three weeks before the Christmas break, we lost 12 therapists.

[1:39:36] I have to make more than 150 calls to these families to tell that there was no providers.

[1:39:43] And there was not even, like, usually I will call them and say, but we are looking for someone else.

[1:39:49] We have resumes. There's no resumes. There's no hope.

[1:39:54] And everybody is talking about special ed, but I was talking to some of the preschool directors.

[1:40:01] And this is affecting the kids that don't need help, because now these teachers are in the classroom

[1:40:06] with three or four kids that they need providers. They don't have them. So they pay attention to those kids

[1:40:15] and leave in the other ones behind too. So if it's affecting the help population of these preschoolers

[1:40:21] I feel they are the little sponges that if we used to I used to love my job because it was

[1:40:28] I could call it a little miracle factory. This case will give them speech or TPD. They will go to kindergarten with

[1:40:36] no help. They were okay to go to regular classroom. Now they are picking up on the kids and me help.

[1:40:47] So they need to increase the rate to the therapists.

[1:40:51] They love working for us.

[1:40:52] And they always take, when they leave, they cry.

[1:40:54] It's not about you guys.

[1:40:56] It's about that we can't support, live in.

[1:40:58] One of the therapists, email me.

[1:41:00] Andrea, I love working for you guys.

[1:41:02] But if I stay here, by forever, I won't be able to pay my mortgage.

[1:41:07] So we need to do something about it.

[1:41:10] Thank you.

[1:41:13] Thank you.

[1:41:14] Joe Klein,

[1:41:23] the rain glass.

[1:41:24] Oh, I'm sorry.

[1:41:25] Will Joe Klein be coming up?

[1:41:33] Good afternoon. My name is Jill Klein. I'm a speech in language pathologist. I have been working in this profession as an independent contractor for over 15 years and have not gotten a single

[1:41:45] dollar raise, making a salary of $30. The cost of living has gone up as well as my cost as an independent contractor.

[1:41:52] If you take into account inflation alone, I have gotten a decrease in my pay over time.

[1:41:58] Each year, more and more, is asked of us with absolutely no compensation.

[1:42:04] As a matter of fact, we used to be compensated for meetings, and two years ago they just said,

[1:42:10] no, we're not paying for those meetings anymore.

[1:42:12] And those meetings are half out, but extend before and after losing sessions,

[1:42:17] and sessions each time there's a meeting with no pay.

[1:42:21] even minimum wage has gone up. This is unacceptable. It actually costs me money to be here today.

[1:42:27] I lost half a day, just coming here to plead in my case. We are professionals who need to be compensated for all that we do.

[1:42:35] As legislators, would you have worked without a pay increase of 15 years? I am hoping this will bring some light as to the frustration.

[1:42:43] We have all been going through as professionals and help us to get compensated adequately. Thank you.

[1:43:04] Good afternoon.

[1:43:06] My name is Lorraine Glass.

[1:43:08] I'm a special education-itinerate teacher.

[1:43:11] I perform a service called parent training.

[1:43:14] I go into a child's home and I work on helping parents,

[1:43:18] parent effectively, children with special needs.

[1:43:21] I help the children to change their behaviors.

[1:43:24] With the parents I put them to bed.

[1:43:27] I teach them to eat.

[1:43:29] It's amazing for things that we.

[1:43:32] Collectively do with these families.

[1:43:38] I've been working as a parent-trainer for over 25 years and I've not seen an increase in pay as a parent-trainer

[1:43:47] This is totally unacceptable

[1:43:50] Due to the lack of compensation fewer professionals choose to do this job. I'm an old-timer. I'm an idiot. I state

[1:43:59] Young people I can't even mentor them. They leave. I mentor them and they leave. They go to hospitals

[1:44:06] There's a significant shortage in the professionals willing to do our work as speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and parent trainers and psychologists.

[1:44:19] Please, please, take a serious look at this issue.

[1:44:25] Okay? Give us the raise for which we have waited a quarter of a century.

[1:44:34] Okay, a quarter of a century.

[1:44:36] Please.

[1:44:39] I'm an old timer.

[1:44:40] I've broken four teeth with my children.

[1:44:42] I've herniated six discs.

[1:44:44] I love this job.

[1:44:45] And I'm not even well paid.

[1:44:48] I'm 63 years old.

[1:44:50] I'm ready to retire.

[1:44:51] I've been saying that for five years.

[1:44:53] I can't leave.

[1:44:54] I love it.

[1:44:55] But really?

[1:44:56] Am I that much of an idiot?

[1:44:58] Should I stay?

[1:45:00] Tute it! And please don't talk while you're up there, listen to us. Please! You know, some of the people are gone.

[1:45:09] You don't care? I care! I care about my students here in New York. I could be retired. I could be retired. I have two rental homes

[1:45:18] I'm worth 11. But you know what? I am not in Florida. I'm here, still servicing my babies, because I love them.

[1:45:26] And I love my parents and the families that I'm involved with.

[1:45:30] I live it's my breath of life.

[1:45:32] I'm 63.

[1:45:33] Let me go out with a bang.

[1:45:35] Give me a raise.

[1:45:36] Please, 25 years.

[1:45:41] Oh, you'll be too ralious.

[1:45:44] Hope I got that right.

[1:45:49] Hi, my name is Carly.

[1:45:51] I'm a new timer.

[1:45:52] So I am 28 years old.

[1:45:53] I started working for Kids Therapy.

[1:45:55] In 2019, I completed my clinical fellowship with them.

[1:45:59] just to backtrack I graduated from L.I.U. in 2017 with my bachelor's at

[1:46:04] graduate in 2019 from New York University so you could imagine how much

[1:46:09] schooling was to get my master of science from there and I'm left with a big

[1:46:13] chunk of loans. No one told me going into the field that I would be getting

[1:46:20] paid so little so it's $40 a half hour but of course the agency has to take a

[1:46:25] So I'm left with $30 an hour, a $30 for a half hour, which is $60 an hour. That is not enough money for me to pay my loans, pay my bills, and pay a mortgage on the island.

[1:46:37] It's ridiculous because as a 20-year-old, I graduate NYU with like ambitions and goals to work as a speech therapist and do so much for the CPSC kids for all the preschools on the island, but you are forced to leave because you are not getting paid enough.

[1:46:52] So we are stupid to work for fields in a field for National County that you guys are taking us almost for granted.

[1:47:00] If you look at the rates for New York, Westchester is getting paid $55, living

[1:47:07] in a matter of speed is getting paid $75, and we are $40, and we live in the most expensive

[1:47:13] county, Illinois.

[1:47:14] I am a millennial, and I'm telling you by a millennial standpoint, all of the speed therapists

[1:47:20] might have left. There is no more speech therapy as my age running around Long Island servicing

[1:47:27] preschoolers. I go to local preschools in South, on the South Shore, so I work for

[1:47:32] we friends in Belmore, and it's the same therapist circling around and they're older than

[1:47:35] me because all the 28 year olds, 27 year olds are just finishing, are not going to work

[1:47:41] for those below rate. So you guys really have to take these rates into account because

[1:47:46] everybody is going to leave, and there's going to be no service providers for preschoolers.

[1:47:50] and I promise you that. Nobody wants to work for low rates for preschoolers and they're going

[1:47:56] to be left with nobody and like Andrea said from kids there are all these kids through

[1:48:01] to five, they're like sponges. They need us to survive and thrive and go to kindergarten

[1:48:07] and meet their milestones and all these kids that need so much help at the preschool level,

[1:48:14] all the teachers are paying attention to them and ignoring the other kids that are typically

[1:48:19] developing and then they're but they're also not getting the support they need.

[1:48:23] So no millennial on Long Island that's living in Asla County is going to stay and work

[1:48:28] for these preschool rates because it's absolutely absurd and we're not making any money

[1:48:33] and rates have increased in 20 plus years.

[1:48:35] So you guys really need to take into account that we're trying our best to service the preschoolers

[1:48:40] with the end when we leave, you're going to be stuck with all these preschoolers that

[1:48:43] have no providers and they're not going to be getting any services.

[1:48:45] So seriously, Tata's into account because it's a serious issue. Thank you so much.

[1:48:51] Thank you, Dana Camerano.

[1:48:59] Hi, my name is Dana Camerano, I'm a Baldwin Committee on Peaceful Special Education Chairperson.

[1:49:05] I don't like public speaking, so bear with me.

[1:49:11] So I'm here.

[1:49:13] You guys seem like you really do well with it.

[1:49:16] So, I'm here on behalf of the preschool students with disabilities in their families of the

[1:49:20] Baldwin School District who have not been able to secure providers for their mandate

[1:49:24] of services.

[1:49:26] As you all know, after the students leave early intervention, they go to their

[1:49:31] school district of residency for their services afterwards.

[1:49:35] So, it's our job to recommend services based on evaluations, but then it's the

[1:49:45] in the back on all these students and needs help.

[1:49:49] So the two concerns, one is that there's

[1:49:51] a lack of providers for these students.

[1:49:54] As you know by now, there's really not

[1:49:57] a shortage of providers in speech therapists,

[1:49:59] occupational therapists, physical therapists.

[1:50:01] There's no shortage.

[1:50:03] They're just not willing to work for the NASA County

[1:50:05] preschool special education program.

[1:50:09] The second one really concerns us all.

[1:50:11] How does this affect the families of these students and what are the implications of underserving our communities?

[1:50:20] These programs exist because we know that early interventions for children with developmental delays mitigate potential poor outcomes.

[1:50:30] Research supports the idea that these programs offer benefits from school age through adulthood.

[1:50:35] They are improved outcomes in a host of domains, not only within the school system, but also

[1:50:42] are evident in the public, including social welfare.

[1:50:46] These are most vulnerable kids, and this is the population that we could make most

[1:50:51] change.

[1:50:52] It's not a unique issue to Baldwin, but the entirety of NASA County.

[1:50:58] Thank you.

[1:51:01] Thank you.

[1:51:02] Michael Grossfeld.

[1:51:08] Thank you for letting us all discuss this very important topic.

[1:51:12] I wear two hats, I'm a speech-language pathologist, co-owner of all about kids who provide

[1:51:17] these services in Asmer County, and I'm also president of agencies for children's therapy

[1:51:23] services, a professional trade association statewide, and we provide most of these services

[1:51:28] in Asmer County, and many of the companies and agencies that just spoke our part of Acts.

[1:51:35] I want to focus on two areas that have been touched on by not spoken about, and they involve

[1:51:40] the direct impact on the children that are receiving these services.

[1:51:47] In order for a child to receive preschool-related services, they go through a rigorous objective

[1:51:53] evaluation process.

[1:51:55] They're seen for hours by certified teachers and licensed therapists that could be from speech

[1:52:00] pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, sometimes a diagnosis by psychologists

[1:52:06] as having autism other times they have developmental disabilities.

[1:52:09] They're also observed in their preschool environment to see what impact it has on learning which

[1:52:15] it always does.

[1:52:17] And the tragedy is that, first of all, this evaluation standardized processes excellent,

[1:52:23] very good, very accurate at determining which children need these services in which they don't.

[1:52:28] Problem is, and the tragedy is, the ones that do, now in large plant and now in county don't

[1:52:33] get it.

[1:52:34] They either get partial services or they get no services.

[1:52:37] And why is this so tragic?

[1:52:40] Well, obviously it's tragic because the child is not being able to develop their learning

[1:52:45] and speech and language skills and fine motor and gross motor skills, but also, and you

[1:52:50] can all look at this on the internet very easily, there's a word called plasticity.

[1:52:56] When a child is born through the age of six, they are neurons in their brain absorb this

[1:53:01] skills, learn through these educational services most rapidly.

[1:53:06] Once you get into school age levels, it's much slower, much less progress is made.

[1:53:12] So you have a very tight window.

[1:53:14] You have five or six years to get these services going, get them intensive, and many of

[1:53:21] the children over 50 percent don't receive the school age services, but by not getting

[1:53:26] the services as three, four, and five-year-olds, many will, which is tragic because once

[1:53:33] child enters preschool, kindergarten, school aid services, when you have a developmental disability.

[1:53:41] It affects self-confidence, it affects how you interact with your peers.

[1:53:45] There's both an emotional and an emotional impact, in addition to the developmental disability

[1:53:52] impact.

[1:53:53] So this is really really where the rub of meets the road.

[1:53:58] We don't want to hurt these children anymore.

[1:54:00] and the issue is the rate. It's one issue. It's the rate.

[1:54:06] Nasser County on the New York State Education Department list is at the bottom.

[1:54:10] The lowest county rate.

[1:54:12] Please, somebody.

[1:54:13] Please, somebody.

[1:54:14] The average as was said is $59.13.

[1:54:17] There are counties at $80.

[1:54:19] Please, this legislative session, please do something about this.

[1:54:22] Thank you.

[1:54:23] Thank you, sir.

[1:54:24] Police?

[1:54:26] How more?

[1:54:32] I could have to know everyone.

[1:54:34] I am Helis Palmore, I'm an educator of 27 years currently serving as the director for early childhood education and the assistant director for special education and pupil personnel services in the

[1:54:46] Eversault or some an amazing Elmont Union Free School District. The largest elementary district here in Nassau County.

[1:54:54] We are grateful for this opportunity to speak to you as our districts located here in Nassau County.

[1:54:59] have been engaged in facing what we consider a state of emergency, or for a lack of better

[1:55:05] terms of crisis as it pertains to meeting the state and federal requirements of students

[1:55:10] with disabilities and also qualified for support under the criteria in guidelines for

[1:55:15] special education. Over the last few years, we have watched the needs of our youngest and

[1:55:20] most vulnerable scholars, our preschoolers increase, while the availability of and resources

[1:55:26] And services we traditionally receive from the county, approved agencies and programs, has decreased profoundly, especially since the pandemic.

[1:55:36] Last year, many of us, my colleagues and other districts, we lost countless nights of sleep trying to figure out how or where we could go to advocate for the needs of additional center-based programs to house our students.

[1:55:51] This year it's different because now we're facing yet another challenge, as not only are we dealing with a lack of programs to place our preschool students.

[1:56:00] We're now facing the lack of available therapists to provide services to our students.

[1:56:04] Agency is unable to maintain or keep therapists due to the fact that the hourly rate has not increased in over 25 years.

[1:56:13] Therapists are now taking opportunities in surrounding communities, leaving our districts with little to no options to provide.

[1:56:19] Our preschoolers with the services and programs, they so desperately need, and an end on title

[1:56:25] to excuse me to receive, something needs to be done.

[1:56:30] Keeping in mind that in certain communities, I will not be in one of them, that it sometimes

[1:56:35] requires tremendous effort to even get parents and guardians to agree to have their children

[1:56:41] evaluated.

[1:56:42] And once we do, they then, and they qualify, having to go back to those families, to tell

[1:56:49] them that we don't have therapists to serve their children because they are none available.

[1:56:54] It's simply not fair and to be honest it's unacceptable and it's problematic.

[1:56:59] It goes against everything that we stand for as educators.

[1:57:03] We've emailed the county, we've emailed our regional representatives at the New York Department

[1:57:08] of Education and we've gotten little to no direction.

[1:57:14] So we all know that when it comes to children that are that young, it's not the years

[1:57:18] that matter for each month, week and day, has an impact on their growth and development.

[1:57:24] We're asking the county to please get involved. We need agencies not only to be able

[1:57:29] to pay their therapists with other counties, too. We want National County, I know I'm going

[1:57:34] to wrap up. Okay? We want National County to take the initiative to pay these therapists

[1:57:41] more than what the other counties are paying so that we can attract therapists to even

[1:57:46] want to come back and work here in NASA or county.

[1:57:51] Please, listen very carefully to what we've said.

[1:57:53] We are all here because we understand the need to advocate

[1:57:56] and make known to all of you.

[1:57:58] You may not have been aware of it now, you know,

[1:58:00] I think after today that our youngest scholars,

[1:58:03] our babies are really in desperate need.

[1:58:05] We can only tell you how it's impacting us

[1:58:09] and we're asking you to get involved

[1:58:11] and make the difference for our students.

[1:58:13] I appreciate your time.

[1:58:14] Thank you.

[1:58:15] I'm sorry.

[1:58:16] I'm sorry.

[1:58:18] I just want to say something briefly.

[1:58:20] All right.

[1:58:21] But, spare mind that these are generally,

[1:58:23] I told them that we're going to look into it because we really haven't had time.

[1:58:28] And we don't want to make these sessions question and answers,

[1:58:31] because that's not what the officials say.

[1:58:33] I understand.

[1:58:33] I just want to thank Thomas Palmer for contributions to education to the school district.

[1:58:38] Now, Mon, and that, uh,

[1:58:40] In terms of my colleagues and I, and I, and that we're going to caucus, we will do everything we can to address this issue.

[1:58:45] Thank you.

[1:58:49] Great.

[1:58:50] Great.

[1:58:50] Goodman.

[1:59:02] Your national county legislators.

[1:59:03] Thank you for this opportunity to talk with you today.

[1:59:07] We've heard from other school districts and from providers.

[1:59:13] I, too, am a preschool special education chairperson in, in great neck.

[1:59:18] and my experience is equal to what is happening in Elmont, Baldwin, and other school districts

[1:59:27] were all experiencing the same thing.

[1:59:30] I've been in education for 27 years working as a school psychologist and then in part of that

[1:59:38] 14 years in preschool special education and when I started in preschool special education

[1:59:44] there was never an issue about finding providers. We were always able to find providers

[1:59:49] and as the years have gone on, it's become progressively more challenging. The last couple

[1:59:57] of years have been really quite...

[2:00:00] Unbelievable. That we were in a position where we're not finding providers, we're on telling parents, well, if I can't, you know, find you a provider now. I'll try to put it in for the summer for you before, you know, before you go to kindergarten or something like that.

[2:00:17] The issue is not only with related services, again, speech, OTPT,

[2:00:25] they're also with center-based programs.

[2:00:27] There is a lack of availability of center-based programs.

[2:00:31] So I've been in positions where imagine having children,

[2:00:37] your children diagnosed twins with autism,

[2:00:41] and I can't find a program.

[2:00:43] And then, as I'm calling different programs,

[2:00:45] I'm fortunate enough to call it the right time, and my colleague as a director of a program

[2:00:51] says, you know, I just had somebody move out. I have one spot. So how does a parent make

[2:00:56] a decision about which of their twin autistic children goes to the center-based program

[2:01:00] and who does not? These are the types of decisions that parents have to make. And this

[2:01:06] is, you know, great neck is a district that, yes, it has its components of wealth, of parents

[2:01:12] who can afford to pay privately for things, but there are also a large contingent of families

[2:01:18] that are really unable to pay for speech or OT, let alone tuition for the Center-based

[2:01:22] programs that do not exist privately. They're really just for children where the tuition

[2:01:28] is paid by the county. Oftentimes, we create, as my colleagues were saying, it could take

[2:01:36] upwards of six weeks to do the evaluation process.

[2:01:40] another two weeks to start the service and then not having providers and having to tell parents

[2:01:45] look, I'd love to be able to provide you with the service but I'm struggling to find

[2:01:50] anybody to do the service.

[2:01:54] It's almost like a like a sign felt episode. It's like I can make a plan,

[2:02:02] I just can't implement the plan which frankly is the most important part of the plan. So you know

[2:02:09] It's, this is a long standing issue to go ahead and sum up, please.

[2:02:14] Yes, sorry, the cost of not doing anything is wasted time, the need for more intensive

[2:02:22] future services and loss potential for better outcomes.

[2:02:26] Thank you.

[2:02:29] Better fast tone.

[2:02:37] Good afternoon.

[2:02:38] My name is Derek Bastone.

[2:02:40] I am the Assistant Director of PPS in Court, Washington, Dr. Elisa Samuel Stein.

[2:02:44] is also our in attendees, these are districts psychologists.

[2:02:49] On behalf of the districts, agencies and parents that are present today, I want to address

[2:02:53] the challenge of retaining end-maintaining CPSC providers for our children.

[2:02:58] This includes, see its speed, OT's, PT's, and parent trainers.

[2:03:03] We just received notice a couple of weeks ago that over 10 of our preschool students

[2:03:08] in all different schools are affected now because of resignations that occurred with

[2:03:13] feet therapists and see it. This is caused this content among families and their schools to

[2:03:18] find new providers.

[2:03:22] The cost of living and inflation is skyrocketing with no end in sight.

[2:03:26] How is it possible that there has not been any increase in rates for over 25 years? This

[2:03:31] is significantly impacting the educational progress of our students. More importantly, some

[2:03:36] of these students will be entering kindergarten. If these children do not receive services,

[2:03:41] How are we supposed to make effective decisions when we have the annual review?

[2:03:46] What are we supposed to be reviewing if the child does not receive any services yet?

[2:03:51] Our family supposed to repeatedly call call providers who do not have any availability.

[2:03:56] Pre-school is the first experience for a family and it should be a positive one.

[2:04:01] We need your help with increasing reimbursement rates.

[2:04:04] We are doing a disservice to all of our special education students who are the most impacted.

[2:04:08] But therefore, it is clear that we have talked a long time about this over an hour, and we really

[2:04:16] need to make it change right now.

[2:04:18] Thank you very much for your time.

[2:04:20] Thank you.

[2:04:21] And as I said to all of you, we will look into this both side to the aisle, it's obviously

[2:04:27] enough work, much to me.

[2:04:29] Meet a matter day.

[2:04:51] Getting close to good evening.

[2:04:53] Meet a day, Marida.

[2:04:55] Sadly, the sentiment's echoed by the speakers here,

[2:05:02] resonate loudly in a number of areas for NASA County

[2:05:06] with its four point whatever billion dollar budget,

[2:05:09] and its recent allocation of $10 million for a

[2:05:14] anniversary celebration.

[2:05:16] Our children are suffering.

[2:05:18] Our veterans are suffering.

[2:05:20] Our seniors are suffering.

[2:05:22] Again, as I was mentioning earlier, people are leaving in droves.

[2:05:26] Our young people, our seniors, are being priced out, forced out, kicked out.

[2:05:31] The lack of diversity is glaring.

[2:05:34] We have committees once again that have names and titles, but once again, we're going to

[2:05:41] go through a year where most of this is going to be wasted paper, because the second page

[2:05:46] on most of these committees are going to have, there are no items on this committee

[2:05:51] at this time. That was 2023. So I hate to be the reality check, but that is the reality.

[2:06:03] I hate to say that the young lady who gave the hourly rate for what speech therapists

[2:06:09] make for our children is more in most cases than what the veteran services officers make

[2:06:17] So provide the benefits in the outreach for our returning veterans and ladies they don't pay

[2:06:23] much attention to me either so it's all good, it goes on the record, that's all it matters.

[2:06:30] So I encourage you, not just to use this meeting as your opportunity to get them to look

[2:06:35] into it, stay with it, go to your state and federal representatives, tell them what you need to

[2:06:44] happen here. Because they have the money. NASA County is the least likely in terms of their record

[2:06:51] to pursue state and federal funds that you pay your taxes for. We all need to do better.

[2:06:57] We all need to be consistent. We all need to stand strong. And don't worry, presiding officer.

[2:07:03] I'm going to probably stay within the three minutes for now, even though President was established

[2:07:07] and you let other people wrap up. I'll also speak to the fact that earlier when the committee

[2:07:12] assignments were done to committees allowed for public comment and the rest did not.

[2:07:18] A precedent was established. So either we're going to start this year off following

[2:07:24] the rules for everybody or we're just going to have to break the rules and actually get

[2:07:30] some stuff done. Bernard Baruch said at one point millions of people saw the apples falling

[2:07:35] but it was Newton who asked the question, why? They're going to be a lot of people asking

[2:07:41] questions. Why? Why are we paying all as money for lack of services like a resources and

[2:07:46] lack of support? This is an election year. Some of you don't necessarily get voted out

[2:07:51] of office. You get indicted. Watch out.

[2:08:01] We're going to reconvene rules.

[2:08:21] Works is that what we do

[2:08:22] First is we go through the contracts, and then we recess, and then we do some other committees,

[2:08:34] and we finish rules after that.

[2:08:37] So I'm

[2:09:21] now going to call a number of contracts together,

[2:09:30] we'll move on them, one at a time

[2:09:32] afterwards. Okay. Number one, number one, number one, number one, number two,

[2:09:40] of 24, number three of 24, E4, E5, E6, E7, E10,

[2:09:51] E11, which are

[2:09:53] respectively. Resolutions authorizing the kind of executive to

[2:09:58] execute personal services, agreements or amendments there to

[2:10:02] between the county and LAH law firm WSPUSA, NV5 Lewis, came the key in associates, NVP

[2:10:12] engineering, VHB, engineering, harvesting, and handover construction services, sokoloft

[2:10:18] and strain, and B-reporting agency, and E8 of 24, which is a resolution, gratifying the county

[2:10:27] Executive Execution of a Personal Services Agreement between the County of Nassau and tech engineering.

[2:10:34] Okay, we have a motion by Legislative McKevitt.

[2:10:37] Seconded by Legislative, ready, we'll do you.

[2:10:45] Okay, so there we go.

[2:10:48] E1 of 24.

[2:10:51] So the law firms who is here to speak on that?

[2:10:53] Anyone?

[2:10:53] Good

[2:10:59] afternoon. Good afternoon, let's just there. Sorry, don't usually call the County Attorney Contracts first. That was a surprise.

[2:11:06] We just love you. I very much appreciate it. I love you, too.

[2:11:14] I just want to make sure I speak to the right ones along.

[2:11:17] I have them both here.

[2:11:19] Why don't we start off with LEH? Well, actually you could go on going to it.

[2:11:23] I was going to just go E1, is that that's the one? Very good.

[2:11:31] This is for a case called High Smith. I'll just give you a very brief summary of the facts on August 15, 2017 at Approximal 845 P.M.

[2:11:43] The plaintiff was walking her at her job from an Ikea store. She was struck by a car driven by defendant.

[2:11:49] When it was struck as she walked through the crosswalk in West John Street. This is an accident designed case.

[2:11:56] road design case my fault about accident design road design. So in other words there is not a

[2:12:01] county vehicle involved just to clarify what I was saying. Okay the county's involvement is

[2:12:06] relative to its engineering and design of that road and that intersection. Any questions on this?

[2:12:19] I'm sure so are you. I'm just asking a question. This seems like a run of the mill accident case.

[2:12:29] Why is it so necessary to hire a special accounts?

[2:12:35] I think actually road design cases are in my view, not run of the mill, they're quite complicated

[2:12:42] because the county has a funny obligation relative to the MUTCD, the manual uniform traffic

[2:12:50] control devices, and what that basically says is that the county has an obligation, speaking

[2:12:56] generally, if there's any plaintiffs in the audience, you can put some of them, don't get

[2:12:59] me on the way out and say this is your theory of the case.

[2:13:02] So the general idea is that the county's obligation is to drive around or to monitor

[2:13:08] these locations all the time, sort of on a constant basis.

[2:13:12] And it makes it very tricky to get out on motion and just on procedural ground.

[2:13:17] So from my personal professional view, the road design cases from a governmental standpoint

[2:13:23] are, they are especially tricky.

[2:13:30] Obviously, it requires an expert to come and evaluate the road and render an opinion, but

[2:13:39] in terms of trying the case and presenting that witness, why does that require a special counsel?

[2:13:48] I mean, you have attorneys who are capable of evaluating the expert opinions on the road safety.

[2:13:55] They provide you with the reports you go with them.

[2:13:59] And I really, this is something that's an ongoing problem for me.

[2:14:03] I don't understand why we have capable town of county attorneys who can't drive these cases.

[2:14:09] They can't evaluate the expert witnesses testimony and their reports.

[2:14:14] I don't understand that.

[2:14:15] I really don't.

[2:14:17] My perspective of that is that the very talented attorneys that you speak of are the very

[2:14:22] same ones who recommended this case in fact to go to outside council.

[2:14:27] they themselves. I'm on the mouthpiece for them. I work with them, but they themselves

[2:14:32] analyze the files and issues involved and they make these requests. So to the extent

[2:14:37] that there are questions that have been made, it's been made by those skilled attorneys.

[2:14:41] And we're always available to answer any questions you have specifically about cases. Although

[2:14:45] we try not to get into it on the record as it could involve trial stradders.

[2:14:50] I want to get on the record about it, but you're now asking us to approve money to pay

[2:14:54] for a special attorney who I think is unnecessary.

[2:15:01] The other thing is, I see here,

[2:15:05] that the work was supposed to commence in June 30, 2023.

[2:15:10] Correct. And yet, you sent them an engagement letter on August 21st, almost two months later.

[2:15:19] And now it's coming before us now. How does employment of a law firm start without an engagement letter?

[2:15:30] I don't write off the bat. I don't know. We don't do it in my office and there's a lot of lawyers here on this day

[2:15:35] It's wouldn't do it either. Sure. I'll happy to address that. We did have this question. I think a very similar one. The last time I was here

[2:15:42] And I think I gave a similar answer and I will just sort of symbolically turn some of it right and look at Robert Cleary who can feel the heat coming his direction

[2:15:50] But he's aware sort of of these issues that county attorney has been having with disclosure and

[2:15:56] and procurement, but relative to your question specifically about engagement letters, we as a matter

[2:16:01] of policy cannot issue engagement letters because it would be ultra-viries to the legislators

[2:16:07] power.

[2:16:08] So what we do is we tell someone that you may begin in writing, they are informed at your own

[2:16:14] peril.

[2:16:14] You may begin until the legislature approves it, and that is in writing, in all cases,

[2:16:19] because I'm the one who issues that instruction.

[2:16:20] And so they begin, but they cannot get paid up until the legislature approves it.

[2:16:27] So that's how that process works.

[2:16:28] We do not do retainer letters.

[2:16:30] It's literally not a process for our office.

[2:16:33] So then we do assume that they've worked for six months and may not get paid.

[2:16:38] Do not only not get paid if you don't approve it.

[2:16:41] That's certainly a possibility, correct?

[2:16:43] That's always a possibility, yes.

[2:16:45] And that law firm was perfectly capable and willing to at their peril work for six months

[2:16:50] about the correct.

[2:16:51] Did

[2:16:57] we correct the roadway or is it still the same way?

[2:17:01] I actually would have to look at the specific allegation in this case as to what the design

[2:17:05] was.

[2:17:07] I think without going too much down the road, obviously no pun intended, as legislative

[2:17:11] drucker had asked that the road design cases are fairly complicated, so that analysis can

[2:17:17] it's sometimes in the view of my personal professional view, it's sometimes that the

[2:17:24] allegation is spacious but difficult to knock out. So that's why special counsel is

[2:17:31] especially useful in some of those situations. Well, I mean if we were held in as being

[2:17:36] liable for this, you know, with this instance, it could possibly open us up for further

[2:17:42] situation. More than happy to look into that specific intersection and just make sure that whatever

[2:17:49] was alleged is correct and I'd off the top might I don't know specifically but more than

[2:17:54] happy to look into it. It would be a good system to have in place whenever we pay out on some

[2:17:59] poor road design. We then send CPW a memo explaining what happened. Otherwise the next time

[2:18:11] that point and I think we've made a process of doing that. This is just a contract at this point,

[2:18:15] but if Council were to come back and say, making things up, not about this case, just in general,

[2:18:21] if Council were to come back and say, look, you have a liability problem. This is something you

[2:18:24] should address certainly our office would respond swiftly to such a report.

[2:18:36] Brian, just real quick,

[2:18:38] in terms of the work beginning by the law firm prior at their own peril, is that based on your

[2:18:46] a new policy or is that been in place for decades?

[2:18:50] Decades.

[2:18:51] So it predates this administration even the administration before that, correct?

[2:18:56] Okay.

[2:18:56] Thank you.

[2:18:59] Brian, next one.

[2:19:00] So, go off.

[2:19:02] Let's eat.

[2:19:10] This is a case we call seaweed.

[2:19:11] And I don't know if the person's here is certainly on a mispronounced

[2:19:14] their name.

[2:19:14] We call it seaweed.

[2:19:16] This is an inmate case.

[2:19:18] In 2018, the plaintiff was in a cell while the nurse is distributing medication.

[2:19:22] in, uh, plaintiff made a comment about lockdown, um, and the plaintiff, uh, reached out of

[2:19:30] his cell, and he threw his belongings on the floor, uh, and essentially, uh, part of me,

[2:19:38] this is not the grandn nicest thing to say on the record. He urnated on the bed and as a result

[2:19:43] of urinating on the bed, God begs source. So that is the nature of the lawsuit.

[2:19:58] You'll

[2:20:00] A11 is a contract with the core reporters.

[2:20:03] This is a closed-out contract.

[2:20:04] There's a new RFQ.

[2:20:05] I believe it's complete or in-processed.

[2:20:08] So this is just a close-out for the old contract to pay some bills that were extended.

[2:20:12] I can give you further details, but it's not a new procurement.

[2:20:15] It's just an amendment to close-out the old contract.

[2:20:22] Thank you.

[2:20:23] Okay.

[2:20:23] Now the next buncher with public works.

[2:20:26] First of all, I'm going to take a motion to table E24.

[2:20:31] and E6, E2 of 24 and E6 of 24 and that motion is made by Mr. Kennedy and seconded by Mr. Drucker.

[2:20:46] All those in favor of tabling those two?

[2:20:48] Aye.

[2:20:49] Any opposed?

[2:20:50] Those two are tabled.

[2:20:52] Is that because of the inspector general?

[2:20:53] Yes.

[2:20:54] Thank you for doing that.

[2:20:57] All right.

[2:20:58] Now the rest with public works.

[2:21:00] And first will be E3, which will be NV5.

[2:21:18] Good evening.

[2:21:19] My name is Thomas George, deputy commissioner for DPRW.

[2:21:29] E324.

[2:21:30] This is a professional service contract for on-call design service with NV5.

[2:21:37] The purpose of this contract is to provide on-call civil engineering and site development,

[2:21:42] design and support services for civil engineering and site development you did.

[2:21:49] This is a 4 year term beginning with the NTP, contract cap is 10 million initial and

[2:21:57] is 200,000,

[2:22:06] 4,

[2:22:10] that would be least minus associates. Yes, E4, 24, LKMA. This is also

[2:22:20] the same civil on-call contract, professional service contract for on-call design service,

[2:22:28] the purpose of the contract is to provide on-call, civil engineering and site development,

[2:22:33] design support service for civil engineering and site development unit.

[2:22:37] Again, this is also a 4-year term beginning with the NTP, the contract cap is 10 million, initially

[2:22:44] in competencies 200,000,

[2:22:49] questions E5, which would be N and N engineering.

[2:22:55] E5, 24, that is Nelson and Pope is the firm, it is also a professional service contract

[2:23:01] for our own coal, design service.

[2:23:04] The purpose of the contract is to provide on-cold civil engineering and site development, design

[2:23:09] and support service for civil engineering and civil development unit.

[2:23:15] For term, beginning with the, for your term, beginning with the NTP,

[2:23:20] contract cap is 10 million, initial and components 200,000.

[2:23:30] Is seven hardest in handover?

[2:23:36] Item is 724.

[2:23:38] This is a two year professional service contract with hardest in handover.

[2:23:43] For the construction management and inspection service

[2:23:45] for Glen Curtis Boulevard Bridge over Middle Book State Parkway, which is a, which is

[2:23:52] fairly funded. This service will include providing a resident engineer, office engineer,

[2:23:58] and construction, and specialty bridge inspection service,

[2:24:05] which was anti-cengineering.

[2:24:17] Hi, good afternoon, Dr. Tumant, Deputy Commissioner, D.P.W.

[2:24:21] Item E-24 is a professional service contract for construction management services for the

[2:24:27] emergency contract for the repair of the Correction Center 832 building.

[2:24:33] The construction contract itself primarily consists of installing a new roof and HVAC units.

[2:24:40] This contract is for professional services for construction management for managing that

[2:24:45] contract.

[2:24:53] Comments that all on the actual construction contract?

[2:24:58] No, it has not commenced yet and noticed to proceed should be issued this week.

[2:25:02] And then how long would it take to stock?

[2:25:05] I know this jail needs emergencies like you and Bulu.

[2:25:10] This contract is primarily focusing on a new roof and all in new HVAC units and it's estimated

[2:25:16] at a two-year contract.

[2:25:21] So I'm going to put the rules committee in recess

[2:25:26] and we're going to vote on all these contracts.

[2:25:32] So far, and those would be E1, E10, E11, E23, E4, no, not E2, we're not voting on E2, so E3, E4, E5, E7, and E8, all those in favour of those items, please so indicate by saying aye, aye, and he opposed, okay, those items pass unanimously, we're going to put the rules in general.

[2:26:02] Do I do 10 or 11?

[2:26:05] Well,

[2:26:09] okay, you 10 or 11. All those in favor of those two please say aye. Aye. Any opposed?

[2:26:16] Okay, we've got those unanimously as well. Okay, now we'll put the committee in recess.

[2:26:20] Yes.

[2:26:22] And we're going to allow for what is the public safety help?

[2:26:26] Public safety.

[2:26:27] Public safety is next.

[2:26:30] The government and finance, right?

[2:26:34] I'm receiving the meeting of the Public Safety Committee.

[2:26:37] There is an Addendum.

[2:26:40] May I have a motion to suspend the rules?

[2:26:44] Move by legislator Strauss.

[2:26:47] Second by legislative for ready.

[2:26:49] All those in favor of suspending, please say aye.

[2:26:52] The rules are suspended.

[2:26:53] There are three items on the Addendum, which are Clerk Item Numbers 8-24,

[2:27:00] 10-24, and 11-24-23.

[2:27:05] Clerk Item Number 8-24 is an ordinance supplement

[2:27:08] to the annual portion ordinance and connection with the traffic safety board.

[2:27:13] May I have a motion?

[2:27:15] Motion.

[2:27:17] Moved by Legislative Strauss.

[2:27:19] Second by Legislative Ferretti.

[2:27:21] The item is before us.

[2:27:23] Is there anyone from the administration here to discuss these items?

[2:27:26] Good afternoon, Andy Parsakov.

[2:27:27] Some management budget.

[2:27:28] This item is three supplemental appropriations.

[2:27:31] First, stop the WI grants.

[2:27:33] The first amount is for $53,500.

[2:27:36] dollars, the second amount is through the New York State Stop DWI Foundation for $55,000.

[2:27:42] And the third is for $40,000 for the handicap parking surchoages.

[2:27:47] These are normal recurring grants that we get from New York State for the Stop DWI programs,

[2:27:53] and also for the handicap surchoages to foot forcement of violators at the handicap parking

[2:27:58] spots.

[2:27:59] Perfect.

[2:27:59] Thank you.

[2:28:00] Thank you.

[2:28:02] any debate, a discussion? Any public comments?

[2:28:08] All those in favor of passing these items, stop by saying aye.

[2:28:12] Opposed?

[2:28:14] Guidance patient, anonymously?

[2:28:17] Clerk item number 10-24 is Northern and Supplemental to the annual

[2:28:21] Apportion or the Ninsic Connection with the Medical Examiner.

[2:28:25] May I have a motion?

[2:28:29] Motion by legislative for ready?

[2:28:31] Second, second, second by legislative drafts.

[2:28:34] The item is before us. Is anyone here from the administration to discuss?

[2:28:44] Good afternoon, yes. Carolyn Kelly, Deputy Medical Examiner for Laboratories. This is

[2:28:49] a pass through grant. It's a Paul Coverdale grant in the amount of 57,433 dollars. It's

[2:28:57] for the operational and equipment cost and staffing for the toxicology lab, which is under

[2:29:02] the umbrella of the Medical Examiner's office.

[2:29:07] Is there any questions at this time?

[2:29:08] Any debated discussion? Any public comments? All those in favor of passing this item? Please say aye.

[2:29:17] Opposed? The item passage unanimously.

[2:29:20] Thank you.

[2:29:22] Third clerk item number 11 dash 24 is an ordinance supplemental to the annual appropriation ordinance

[2:29:27] in connection with the officer of emergency management. May have a motion.

[2:29:35] Legislative Malay, second,

[2:29:40] second by legislative for ready. The item is before us.

[2:29:43] is anyone from the Administration to hear the discuss.

[2:29:47] Tom Estollene, the Office of Emergency Management.

[2:29:49] I've got three-stop metal appropriations before you today.

[2:29:54] None of them have a cost match.

[2:29:56] They're all basically free money for the county.

[2:29:59] The first one.

[2:30:00] Is a grant from New York State to support interoperable communications, especially funded by 911 surcharge on your cell phone bill.

[2:30:11] It's 887, 854. Currently, we've been utilizing this to purchase subscriber equipment for the new PD700MHz system.

[2:30:22] The second item is the public safety answering point grant.

[2:30:31] It is also a New York State funded grant.

[2:30:35] It's in the amount of 120,000, 372.

[2:30:39] We've been using that to purchase new furniture.

[2:30:43] Ergonomic furniture for the 911 Center for their operators,

[2:30:47] so they better work in conditions.

[2:30:49] And the last one, we were awarded $2.06 million under the safer grant that we applied

[2:31:00] for last spring.

[2:31:03] I personally really proud to get this award.

[2:31:06] They're really hard to get.

[2:31:09] There's a federal, excuse me, a federally FEMA funded grant that affords us to run the tuition

[2:31:16] reimbursement program at National Community College, along with other marketing to promote

[2:31:22] firefighter recruitment and retention.

[2:31:26] Questions?

[2:31:30] Let's let him be like.

[2:31:32] Yeah, I just want to say, I've seen the benefits of the educational funding that it really

[2:31:40] does help bring in particularly our youth to the fire departments and so I'm so pleased

[2:31:47] that you were able to secure this grant.

[2:31:50] Thank you.

[2:31:54] I need to be able to discussion.

[2:31:55] Anyone else?

[2:31:56] Thank you, Mr. Delaney.

[2:31:57] Any public comment?

[2:32:00] All those in favor of passing this item?

[2:32:02] Please say aye.

[2:32:04] Opposed?

[2:32:06] The item passage unanimously.

[2:32:08] There's no other business.

[2:32:09] Business in front of this committee may have a motion to adjourn.

[2:32:14] Legislature, Strauss, second.

[2:32:20] Legislative Davis.

[2:32:21] All those in favor?

[2:32:22] The committee is now adjourned.

[2:32:27] health committees next.

[2:32:34] It's called the health committee to order and yes, the clerk should take the role you want me to take it.

[2:32:40] Like I could take it.

[2:32:48] Thank you, Chairwoman.

[2:32:51] Health and Social Service, Vice Chairman, Michael G. and Gregorio.

[2:32:56] Legislative Mazi, Colleague. Legislative Samantha Gets.

[2:33:00] Ranking member, Dilia DeRiddy Whitten, Legislative Arnold Trucker, Legislative Seth Coslo,

[2:33:10] we have a quorum.

[2:33:11] And I am here, Jill.

[2:33:13] Of course.

[2:33:14] Chairwoman Rosemary Walker.

[2:33:16] Thank you.

[2:33:18] Okay.

[2:33:18] First, we need a motion to suspend the rules.

[2:33:23] That is by Legislative G. and Gorgio.

[2:33:29] And second it by Seth Cosmo.

[2:33:36] on favor of suspending the rules, signify by saying aye.

[2:33:40] There is one item on the agenda today.

[2:33:43] It is clerk item 9-24.

[2:33:46] It's an ordinance supplemental to the annual corporation ordinance in connection with the Health Department.

[2:33:53] Good afternoon, Andy Simone Health.

[2:33:56] Item 9-24 is supplemental appropriation in the amount of $70,928 for the child fatality review team.

[2:34:05] This is 100% grand fund through the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

[2:34:11] The Child Fatality Review Team reviews all deaths of children who reside and die in Nassau County.

[2:34:18] And whose death is either unexplained or unexpected.

[2:34:21] The review is done to better understand the causes of child's death and the county and to make recommendations based on the findings.

[2:34:29] just before we didn't do a motion on the item. So for Clerk Item 924, it is from Legislator

[2:34:40] Drunker and Seconded by Legislator Police, right? So we heard what was said. Any questions?

[2:34:48] Sure. Just on a side note, we all heard the testimony regarding the funding record

[2:34:54] are different occupational specialists. Let's really commit to find out how we can see where that money

[2:35:01] is coming from and what the process is to evaluate their salaries

[2:35:08] because that money

[2:35:09] would come from really intervention. Correct? Not really sure. I know it's that program's preschool

[2:35:16] and early intervention.

[2:35:20] Andy might be able to better address that. If you get a free new estate money

[2:35:28] If you're referring to what the speakers were talking about probably, yes, it's early in

[2:35:32] to venture money with, there's a 56% reimbursement rate for the money that we spent

[2:35:39] through that. We're evaluating increases, as we speak right now, there's been dialogue

[2:35:44] we're looking at it right now to see if it's what point it should be at. In addition, the

[2:35:50] budget for 2024 is increased by $12 million, because you see additional needs that we're seeing.

[2:35:55] So there's a dynamic here the way I see there's a volume increase, which there's still providing the services which they're getting, but I think we do need to address the rated problem, so it's a rural intervention in the health department.

[2:36:07] Okay, I know that wasn't on there this side.

[2:36:09] I know, but I just gave it so important.

[2:36:11] Right, we appreciate it.

[2:36:12] If you could just let us know once you, yeah, I believe.

[2:36:15] Andy, would you be able to get something back for us by full lunch?

[2:36:19] I will work with my principles and get something to you.

[2:36:22] Thank you.

[2:36:22] Okay, let's slide up weep. Andy, as you know, we spoke about this a couple of months ago and I know you're checking this issue and I really would expect something to take place because it's not fair.

[2:36:35] Those people are working very hard to have our children and we have to evaluate this.

[2:36:41] I'm just going to slide up. Thank you.

[2:36:42] I will work with you guys and get this problem resolved. Thank you.

[2:36:46] And just a quick question on this item.

[2:36:50] Now this was for deaths of, yes, unexplained deaths.

[2:36:57] Has that number gone up or has been steady?

[2:37:01] They remember what the number is.

[2:37:03] It's so sad.

[2:37:04] But it's sad.

[2:37:05] They review about the same amount every year, 6 to 7.

[2:37:10] Sometimes it's high as 10.

[2:37:11] I'll get the exact amount of how many they review for you.

[2:37:15] Thank you very much.

[2:37:16] Any other questions or comments?

[2:37:19] Seeing none, all in favor of Clerk Item 924,

[2:37:23] signify by saying aye.

[2:37:24] Any opposed?

[2:37:26] Then this will move on to Finance.

[2:37:29] Thank you so much.

[2:37:31] That's what you're planning committee.

[2:37:35] roll call for planning committee.

[2:37:39] Chairwoman Samantha Guetz.

[2:37:42] Thank you, Vice Chairman Thomas McKevitt.

[2:37:47] Thomas here.

[2:37:48] Let's just let it down to pray.

[2:37:52] Thank you.

[2:37:58] I turn right.

[2:38:06] Okay.

[2:38:09] Legislator James Kennedy.

[2:38:10] Here.

[2:38:11] Ranking member Cali A. Salas.

[2:38:14] Legislator Cilla Bino.

[2:38:18] Legislator Arnold Drucker.

[2:38:20] We have a call.

[2:38:23] Good afternoon.

[2:38:24] I'm reconvening the meeting of the Planning Committee.

[2:38:27] First May I have a motion to suspend the

[2:38:30] rules moved by deputy presiding officer McKevitt and seconded by by

[2:38:36] legislative druger. All in favor of suspended the rules signify by saying aye.

[2:38:43] Any opposed? The rules are suspended. There is one item today on today's agenda, which is

[2:38:50] Clerk item number two dash 24. Clerk item number two dash 24. A resolution to

[2:38:56] authorized the release of the 30 bond and escrow deposit covering improvements on the map

[2:39:01] of country point villas at east-medo situated east-medo town of hamstead county of

[2:39:06] nassau at New York may I have a motion moved by legislator McEvitt seconded by

[2:39:16] legislative trucker the item is before us who here is from the administration to speak

[2:39:21] on this item good afternoon good evening whatever it is William Nimo chapter

[2:39:25] The Commissioner of Public Works for NASA County.

[2:39:29] This is the return of a zeroed bond for a country-point villice for the five residential

[2:39:36] condominium units that have completed all their significant public improvements been inspected

[2:39:41] by the county and everything is up to stuff.

[2:39:50] Any debate or discussion?

[2:39:57] Any public comment?

[2:40:04] All those of favor are passing item, please signify by saying aye any opposed?

[2:40:11] The item passes unanimously.

[2:40:14] There's no other business in front of this committee, may I have a motion to adjourn.

[2:40:19] So move by legislative Kennedy and seconded by legislative Ukraine.

[2:40:23] The committee is now adjourned.

[2:40:29] Okay.

[2:40:29] I'm going to re-communinate the meeting of the government services and operations committee.

[2:40:34] I'll call the roll.

[2:40:38] Legislative Strauss.

[2:40:40] Legislative Jinguigoria.

[2:40:43] Legislative Jufray.

[2:40:45] Legislative Drucker.

[2:40:46] Let's lay a slash. Let's lay the cause out. And I am here. There is an

[2:40:54] atendom that I have a motion to spend the rules.

[2:40:58] Okay. Move by a leg, so I'm going to go into the second by a leg, so let's

[2:41:02] lay a slash. All those in favor of spending the rules, please say aye. The rules

[2:41:07] is suspended. There's one item on the atendom, which is per kind of number 12-24.

[2:41:12] Programmed 12, 24 is a resolution ratifying a memorandum of agreement making certain amendments

[2:41:17] to the collective bargaining agreement between the County of Nassau and Nassau Community

[2:41:21] College as joint employers and the Nassau Community College Federation of Teachers may have

[2:41:26] a motion moved by Legislator, Kozlov, second by Legislator, to Frayne.

[2:41:32] The items before us have some of the administration please.

[2:41:39] Good afternoon. I'm John Gross on the Labor Council to National Community College.

[2:41:45] This was a very long-difficult negotiations over a year, 28 bargaining sessions, 5 mediation sessions.

[2:41:54] And we ultimately agreed to a deal that has been approved by substantially all, I should say, substantial majority of the faculty members and unanimously by the Board of Trustees.

[2:42:09] It's a very complicated settlement, well over 50 pages.

[2:42:12] We started out with the Union proposing 120 proposals, which certainly led lengthened the negotiations.

[2:42:21] The money aspects include a 3.25 followed by a 2.75 followed by a 2.25 increase.

[2:42:31] Those numbers are offset for the very first time, three-quarters of the unit of the faculty

[2:42:39] unit, who have never paid any contributions to health insurance, will now pay 2.75% at the

[2:42:47] end of the contract starting in the third year.

[2:42:50] I'll give you starting in the second year, which we're in now, of their salary.

[2:42:56] So in other words, it's key to salary.

[2:42:58] those paid off lower amounts of salary paid less in contributions. The other significant

[2:43:03] agreement was that this will continue during retirement. As I'm sure the legislators

[2:43:10] know, family coverage, for example, under the New York State Health Insurance Plan,

[2:43:15] is about $40,000 per year expense to the college. And we welcome to this move. It also included

[2:43:28] Some of you may remember the controversy regarding Section 365, which was an older provision of the contract that allowed the Board of Trustees to impose any increase in health insurance if it occurred after the contract expired and before a new one was negotiated.

[2:43:52] that was implemented by my client and each of the

[2:43:57] the human members then had to pay a 12 and a half percent of premium

[2:44:01] contribution. As part of this deal, we're getting much more

[2:44:07] money by annual contributions that has been removed from the contract.

[2:44:14] The few other minor things, not minor things, but important things we

[2:44:17] reduce the number of sabbatical leaves that are granted under the terms of the agreement.

[2:44:24] We also extrapated from the bargaining unit the department chairs that has been a consistent

[2:44:30] problem, the department chairs of the first-line administrators in the college and they

[2:44:36] were part of the same bargaining unit as the faculty that they supervised.

[2:44:41] They will now have their own separate bargaining unit, they are protected to the extent

[2:44:46] of what other benefits they had under the general contract will be applied to them, but we will

[2:44:52] begin negotiations on a new agreement very shortly.

[2:44:55] We cleared up some issues regarding merger and mentioned sub-

[2:45:00] Local leaders were reduced. Then there are many other language issues that's essentially the agreement.

[2:45:07] And we respectfully request a positive consideration of this long, difficult, but happily resolved ultimately agreement.

[2:45:19] Okay, thank you, any debated discussion?

[2:45:23] Legislative drunken.

[2:45:25] Thank you.

[2:45:26] Thank you, legislative ready.

[2:45:28] John, nice to see you.

[2:45:30] Thank you.

[2:45:31] I've kudos to you and your team for making those necessary amendments to the agreement.

[2:45:38] I know personally for well.

[2:45:41] How arduous the task is of hammering out all of these CBAs and the emotions that are played

[2:45:49] and then involved. So on behalf of all of us, we're just grateful that you were able to accomplish

[2:45:56] what you did for the benefit of faculty, the administration and primarily for the students

[2:46:03] of NCC. I see Sherry Coembleuth here on behalf of the administration. Thank you to for

[2:46:09] all of you hard work to get it this time.

[2:46:11] Yeah, it involved not just being involved. Many folks from the administration on the bargaining

[2:46:16] many hours, well into the night, particularly when we're mediating the final throws of the

[2:46:23] negotiations.

[2:46:24] But thank you.

[2:46:28] Any further debate or discussion?

[2:46:30] They're being done in any public comment.

[2:46:34] Okay.

[2:46:34] Well, those in favor of passing this item, please signify by saying aye.

[2:46:38] All right.

[2:46:38] Those opposed the item passes unanimously.

[2:46:41] There's no other business from this committee may have a motion to adjourn.

[2:46:44] Move by legislator Drucker, second by legislator Jew Fray.

[2:46:48] All those in favor.

[2:46:51] Aye.

[2:46:52] This committee is now adjourned.

[2:46:55] We're now going to go and go back to finance, which was recessed earlier today.

[2:47:00] We have about five items on the addendum.

[2:47:02] So at this point, I'll take a motion to suspend the rules.

[2:47:05] No, I'll take those items on the addendum.

[2:47:07] I have a motion from legislature for ready.

[2:47:09] Second by legislature, a walker.

[2:47:12] We have previously items numbers eight, nine, ten, eleven, and twelve of twenty-four,

[2:47:18] which have already gone through previous committees. So we will take these up on consent. All those

[2:47:23] in favor of these items, please say aye. All against, the irms are passed 7 to 0. We will now

[2:47:30] go on the regular agenda of the Finance Committee. The first item we have is one day as 24,

[2:47:36] a resolution authorizes a transfer of appropriations for the budget year 2024. It is mobile by a

[2:47:42] later, for ready, second by Legislature County, and Mr. Persich, please have presentation.

[2:47:48] Good afternoon, Andy Persich.

[2:47:49] It's a management budget.

[2:47:50] Item 124 is a boy transfer for revenue loss with inside the ARPA funds.

[2:47:58] It's moving approximately $247 million that will be transferred to the Suadistric

[2:48:03] Dented to the General Fund.

[2:48:05] It also will allocate $15 million for project specific legislative initiatives that are

[2:48:11] on Capitol covered to date, this body has obligated about $86 million of opera funds, and we're

[2:48:20] just taking the revenue loss in for, first of all, we're getting close to the end of

[2:48:25] where this money has to be obligated before 2024. It also is requiring us to make an action

[2:48:30] soon or rather than later. And I think with some of the turmoil in Washington, I think we've

[2:48:35] talked about this at length in 2023, I think it's time that we have to pull a trigger to

[2:48:40] to lock up this money, and it will be subject to this body's approval on how it's spent.

[2:48:47] So I'm here to field any additional questions you may have.

[2:48:51] It's for money that was lost.

[2:48:52] The county lost almost $455 million as a result of COVID.

[2:48:57] And this money will solidify us for future expenses that we may have as a result of this revenue

[2:49:02] loss.

[2:49:03] And I'm here to field any additional questions that you may have.

[2:49:06] Yeah, I know we're going to probably have full discussion on this at our full session meeting on January 22nd, but they remember the legislature of questions at this time.

[2:49:34] We'll be abstaining on these.

[2:49:38] Okay.

[2:49:39] All right.

[2:49:39] This point then we'll just go and take the vote at this point.

[2:49:42] So all in favor, please say aye.

[2:49:45] All those against.

[2:49:47] All those abstaining.

[2:49:49] So it's going to meet four against and three abstaining, correct?

[2:49:54] Four in favor and three abstaining.

[2:49:56] Okay.

[2:49:59] Thank you very much, Mr. President.

[2:50:01] Thank you.

[2:50:02] We will now move on to, we have a three settlements on the

[2:50:06] TNT, which is number three, four, and six of 24.

[2:50:11] I'll have this point take a motion take them up and move by

[2:50:14] Legislative Freddy, second by Legislative Lair of Walker.

[2:50:18] Being in these are matters in litigation.

[2:50:19] We ordinarily teach these up in executive session to be conducted.

[2:50:23] So do I have a motion for executive session?

[2:50:24] So, move by Legislature Trucker, second by Legislature Walker.

[2:50:28] We are now in an executive session, and the rules can be as free as join us as we debate

[2:50:32] this in executive session.

[2:50:34] Thank you.

[2:50:36] Well, I'm sorry.

[2:50:37] Well, I won't jab you on the committee.

[2:50:39] So, yes, I will be second by Mr. Coslaw.

[3:11:24] For an executive session, the Finance Committee. Just so we know so the record, the administration

[3:11:29] answers not to call. I am seven days 24. So may or may not be on a separate calendar. We're

[3:11:35] not calling seven days 24 today. So we've had our discussion in executive committee. And I am

[3:11:40] three, four, and six of 24, all in favor of these items. Say aye. I'll against being there's

[3:11:48] it passes 7-0. I'll have an motion to adjourn. Motion by Legislare Walker, second by

[3:11:54] Legislare Davis, and on Thursday for adjourning, say aye. We are now adjourned. On to rules.

[3:12:29] Back to rules. I'll take a motion to suspend the rules by Mr. Ferretti,

[3:12:36] second by Mr. Kennedy.

[3:12:46] Fulls, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay. I'm going to call

[3:12:49] One item separately, and that would be number

[3:12:55] 24, which is the resolution to authorize transfer of appropriations, all those in favor, please say aye.

[3:13:03] Aye.

[3:13:04] No, any opposed? All of stating?

[3:13:07] Aye.

[3:13:08] Aye.

[3:13:12] Aye.

[3:13:21] Aye.

[3:13:24] Aye.

[3:13:24] in 11 and 12. Motion by Mr. Drucker, seconded by Mr. McEvid.

[3:13:36] All those in favour of those items, please say aye.

[3:13:39] Any opposed?

[3:13:42] Those are unanimous. All opposed?

[3:13:44] No, don't. Don't get mad. I now hate this.

[3:13:47] But just regarding the arbitration, just would love to.

[3:13:53] Let me finish off those items. We'll come back.

[3:14:00] Okay, just before we had asked for funding that was much greater than what they're allocating for the legislature, and the legislature, all of us, only 18 of us were asked to come up with a list of non-for-profits and other groups and back in June, and we came up with some really good groups with that money that we were promised.

[3:14:26] And now it's been reduced substantially.

[3:14:30] So I understand it's passed through, but for full ledge,

[3:14:33] I would really like for the administration

[3:14:36] to consider putting that funding back in the legislative line

[3:14:40] and also possibly funding different agencies like the water

[3:14:46] district, the fire district, the Library of District.

[3:14:49] I know you're a side asked for that as well.

[3:14:54] It's not a huge number compared to what they're putting in the general fund, and I think we have an opportunity.

[3:15:00] 1st in the lifetime opportunity to really make a difference for a lot of these non-for-profits and fired fire districts in order districts. Special districts, et cetera. Christmas, Crystal Whitevalet is that okay?

[3:15:13] Crystal

[3:15:20] Whitevalet. I'm just, I'm just asking. On behalf of myself and I call it with us that we go back to that initial number that was discussed back in June for all 19 legislators.

[3:15:32] I mean, it was depleted by, I think, over 50%, so if they could consider that, or at least

[3:15:40] just put more money in for the fire districts and what it district, in a library district

[3:15:46] specifically, I just think, I understand we need money in the operational, but, you know,

[3:15:52] a couple million dollars, because it goes so far with these non-for-profits.

[3:16:00] Okay, then, I will take a motion to adjourn.

[3:16:05] It's been for ready to move to adjourn.

[3:16:07] Mr. McKevitt, second's the motion, all in favor, please say aye.

[3:16:11] Any opposed?

[3:16:12] Okay, we are adjourned.

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