Mineola, NY - Legislators Patrick Williams (D-Uniondale) and Joseph Scannell (D-Baldwin) joined members of the Democratic majority of the Nassau County Legislature in voting December 3, to institute a new set of fees for materials compiled through the county's Department of Recreation, Parks and Support Services and distributed through the Nassau County Geographic Informational System.

The measure, which was adopted unanimously, will create a standard fee structure that could expand GIS revenues. According to legislative leaders, sales could be expanded through partnerships with towns and villages, data sets could be copyrighted, and access to GIS data could be provided on the Internet, with fees charged. The law will take effect on January 31, 2002.

In addition, legislators voted to authorize $985,000 in serial bonds to finance the establishment of a County DNA Laboratory in Nassau. A DNA Lab has been requested by the NCPD and District Attorney's office to ensure the continued safety of county residents. The purpose of this lab is to assist in the prosecution of criminal cases. State funding is in the form of aid and grants may be available to supplement the DNA operating budget. Presently, DNA testing is being sent out and performed by private labs and being paid for by NCPD and DA funds The DNA lab will be run by the Medical Examiner's office. This project is included in the five year Capital Plan.

In other business, Democrats approved:

• a bond ordinance to finance construction of buildings at Nassau Community College and authorizing $1,200,000 serial bonds of the County of Nassau. Funds are also needed to continue litigation against the Manshul Construction Company in its lack of performance with respect to the above referenced project. The County is trying to recover $22 million.
• a bond ordinance to finance the acquisition of Emergency Vehicles for the County Police Dept.
• an ordinance authorizing the County Executive of the County of Nassau to accept an offer of purchase in connection with certain premises located in Roosevelt. Said property consists of 15 vacant lots. These properties will be utilized as a part of an Urban Renewal Plan for the Roosevelt Housing Improvement District.
• an ordinance authorizing the County Executive to execute a license and agreement between the County and the Village of Sands Point in relation to the Water Storage Tank located on the Sands Point Preserve. The County owns the land on which a new tank will be located. The Village uses the old tank on that property and will, under this agreement, be given license to use this property for a demolition, construction, access to and maintenance of the new tank. The County and the Village have had a tank Agreement since 1972. Demolition, construction, and maintenance would be at the expense of the Village. The Village will also be liable for all accidents and injuries. The term of the license is for 20 years, for a fee of $1 per year. The Village will have the right to renew this license for two additional 20 year terms, under the same terms and conditions. The County will be the owner of the new Tank, along with the waterlines that will be built as part of the project.
• an ordinance appropriating $217,000 for Medical Examiner Toxicology Lab. These funds are 100% reimbursable by the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services.
• an ordinance appropriating $277,885 for a Federal Forfeiture Treasury Dept. These funds are monies seized under the Federal Forfeiture Act. The Police Dept. has received checks totaling $256,122 which were forwarded from the United States Dept. of Treasury as the fiscal fruits seized under the authority of the Federal Forfeiture Act. These monies are held in an interest bearing account at Fleet Bank. Accordingly, $21,762 of interest has been earned. The program deprives criminals of property used in or acquired through illegal activities; encourages joint operations among Federal, State and Local law enforcement; converts forfeited assets into law enforcement initiatives; and protects the rights of individuals.
• an ordinance appropriating $146,728 in connection with program entitled "Federal Forfeiture - Dept. of Justice". The NC Police Dept. has received funds from the United States Dept. of Justice in the amount of $146,728 representing monies seized under the Federal Forfeiture Act; $12,429 in interest. The funds are used to enhance law enforcement activities.
• an ordinance appropriating $186,321.00 for Community Services for the Elderly Programs. These funds are 75% reimbursable by the NYS Office for the Aging. The number of clients served is 5,500. The purpose of this program is to provide coordinated supportive services to those elderly who are in greatest social and economic need, to enable them to remain out of institutions for as long as possible.
• an ordinance appropriating $22,627 for New York State Citizenship Initiative Project. These funds are 100% reimbursable by the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Some 700 clients are served annually, which is the same number as last year. This program conducts outreach to elderly aliens who are lawful permanent residents of the County and eligible for naturalization. Services provided include assistance in filing applications for citizenship, increased access to legal services and to English language and civics classes, and information and referral to support services.
• an ordinance appropriating $65,252 for Federal Drug Forfeiture Laws. These funds are 100% reimbursable by the Federal Enforcement Agency. The Dept. of Sheriff is designated to carry out this program. These funds can only be used for law enforcement training and equipment.
• an ordinance appropriating $100,000 for Runaway and Homeless Youth. These funds are 100% reimbursable by the US Dept. of Health and Human Services.
• a resolution authorizing the improvement of Woodbury Road at Piquets Lane from Cantor Drive to Dalor Court, Woodbury. Estimated cost is: $420,000. This contract consists of superelevation of Woodbury Road from Candor Drive to Dalor Court. The work will consist of new curb and sidewalk, minor drainage installation, asphalt paving and other incidental work.
• a resolution authorizing a tax exemption agreement between the County and Cambridge Court at Hicksville Redevelopment Company Owners Corp., a mutual redevelopment company redeveloping a senior citizen housing cooperative of 122 units in the Town of Oyster Bay. The assessed value of the property (land and improvements) that is the subject of this exemption from County, Town, Special District and School District taxes is $72,190. The exemption is for 25 years.
• a resolution ratifying a grant application with the NYS Dept. of Criminal Justice Services whereby the County will receive $606,128 in federal funds towards the Juvenile Accountability Program. There will also be a County in kind contribution in the sum of $268,268 making the total program funding $874,396 for the period. This program is designed to speed judicial processing of serious and violent juvenile offenders and hold convicted juvenile offenders accountable for their crimes by providing enhanced supervision and graduated sanctions. County Departments involved in program are: Probation, Youth Board, Mental Health, County Attorney, Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.
• a resolution to accept a gift from the Syosset Fire District to the Office of the Fire Marshall of a 1990 International Truck. The truck would be used for Hazardous Materials Response in the County. The vehicle is of great use and value to the Office of the Fire Marshal and the department deems it to be in the best interest of the County.
• a resolution to accept approximately 250 work stations, including lateral files, metal cabinets, desks, tables, misc. furniture, landscape panels, book shelves, computer desks, etc. as a gift from Grumman to the Department of Recreation, Parks and Support Services.
• a resolution authorizing the County Attorney to compromise and settle the action of the County against Plainview Properties (Wang). This action began when Plainview Properties sought to terminate the lease on property that the County occupied on the Plainview land. The grounds for terminating the lease was the failure to move the Veterans facility from the property on a timely basis. Plainview Properties also made damage claims against the County resulting from the failure of the Veterans facility to be moved. The County countersued. This settlement would dismiss all of the suits and claims based on the following stipulation: If any of the County occupied facilities remain on the Plainview land, they could not move to a location any closer to the residences on Beatrice Road than the current facilities are located. The occupied space on the Plainview land would be reduced to not more than 45,000 square feet plus 10,000 square feet for the Veterans' facility. If any of the facilities are moved off of the County land, then they can only be located (at Wang's expense) in non-residential areas and with the County's approval.
• resolutions designating official newspapers and publications of the County and Towns and Cities with respect to the filing and completion of the County Assessment Role and for tax lien sale purposes.
• a resolution to fix the time and date on which consolidated tax warrants shall be issued to the town and city receivers for taxes for the collection of taxes and assessments levied by the Nassau County Legislature.
• a resolution to authorize the Board of Assessors to extend the annual assessment roll of the County for 2002 for the Town of Oyster Bay for the construction and reconstruction of sidewalks.
• a resolution authorizing the Board of Assessors to extend the annual assessment roll of the County for 2002 for the Town of Hempstead amounts assessed by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead for survey, demolition and/or clearing costs.
• resolutions authorizing the County Board of Assessors of County Treasurer to enter ssomitted properties in the 2002 County Assessment Rolls in North Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Glen Cove and Long Beach.
• resolutions correcting erroneous assessments and exempting property from taxation in the towns of Hempstead, North Hempstead, and Oyster Bay.
• a resolution directing the issuance of a warrant directing the Treasurer of the County to pay to the Supervisors of the Towns and the Treasurers of the villages and the Cities within the County the mortgage taxes for the October 1, 2001 through September 31, 2001 time frame.
• an amending ordinance establishing a schedule of rates for the rental of snow removal equipment and directing the Deputy Commissioner of Purchase and Supply to establish a blanket purchase.