Mineola, NY - Legislator Patrick Williams (D-Uniondale) and members of the Democratic majority voted this week to ratify a grant agreement between the County and the Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. in connection to Project Liberty. The grant agreement will allow approximately $1.5 million in federal funds to be funneled to community based agencies via FEMA for reimbursement of costs incurred providing emergency mental health services during the fourteen days following the WTC attack.

The grant will also provide funding for a countywide initiative to plan, coordinate, and deliver Crisis Outreach and Crisis Counseling services to residents directly affected by the tragedy. The funds would focus on servicing the mental health needs of those impacted by the attack.

In addition, a public hearing was held to discuss a map outlining the real property and working easements to be acquired for the improvement of Glen Cove Road and Northern Boulevard in the vicinity of Greenvale, Town of North Hempstead. This project involves widening Glen Cove Road just north and south of Northern Boulevard. It also involves extending the southbound turn lane and adding a left arrow on the traffic signal. Furthermore, it will add one southbound through lane through the intersection. Some acquisition of property will be needed although no buildings will be demolished. It appears that the total cost of this project is $900,000, of which $300,000 has been previously approved.

Also approved during the December 17, legislative session were:

• a bond ordinance borrowing money and making certain environmental determinations with respect to the rehabilitation of the Hicksville and Glen Cove Garages that are used by the Department of Public Works.
• an ordinance authorizing the County Executive to enter into contracts for the disposal of sewage. The Department of Public Works has conducted an analysis of the various costs associated with the operation of the Bay Park Scavenger Waste Facility and has determined that increases in fees charged to permit holders for initial and annual truck inspections and for the treatment and disposal of sewage are in order. The ordinance states that the initial inspection charge of $50 will be imposed on the permit holder for each truck inspected at the time of the issuance of the permit and, thereafter, an annual inspection charge of $50 will be imposed for each truck inspected.
• an ordinance appropriating $356,500 for the Police Department Aid to Labs Forensic Part 11. These funds are a grant from the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services for the period of April 1, 2001 through March 31, 2003. The program seeks to assist Public Forensic Science Lab by providing equipment, personnel and training and audit support to gain and maintain their NYS Accreditation or provisional accreditation.
• an ordinance appropriating $158,525 for Police Dept. Aid to Crime Labs. These funds are a grant renewal from NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services for the period of April 1, 2001 through March 31, 2002. This program provides forensic laboratory testing service to Nassau County Police Dept. and any other designated police agency operating within Nassau County.
• an ordinance appropriating $641,316 for District Attorney Aid To Prosecution. These funds are a grant renewal from the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Service for the period of April 1, 2001 through March 31, 2002. This project funds a specialized District Attorney Bureau designated to maximize prosecutorial resources with respect to major cases involving designated offenders.
• an ordinance appropriating $92,575.00 for Federal forfeiture Money. These funds are used for law enforcement activities.
• an ordinance appropriating $50,909 in civil forfeiture monies to DA's office to cover investigations and prosecutions.
• an ordinance appropriating $7.8 million in connection with a program entitled "Ryan White Supplemental Grant". Grant funding: 3/1/02-2/28/03 $7,800. The program provides funds for comprehensive health and social services for people living with HIV and AIDS.
• an ordinance appropriating $371,124 for the Cost of Living Adjustment Program for 2002. These funds are 100% reimbursable by the New York State Office of Mental Health. This program, which is established by State law, authorizes a 2.5% COLA for employees who work in programs that are funded by the Office of Mental Health and operate by not-for-profits.
• a resolution adopting a map showing the working easements to be acquired by the County for the improvement of Hicksville-Woodbury Road from Candor Drive northeasterly to Dalor Court in Woodbury. The purpose of this road improvement is to improve safety.
• a requirements contract for tree planting on County roads and storm basins at various locations within the County. The original five year plan projected spending of $2.5 million, at a rate of $500,000 per year. This is the fifth year of the plan.
• a resolution originating from the Planning Commission authorizing the renewal of a 12 month $60,000 municipal bus service contract between the County and the City of Long Beach to provide bus service via the N-69 bus from the Long Beach rail station to Point Lookout and Lido Beach.
• a resolution authorizing the County Executive to execute an agreement with the Town of Hempstead for the Town to operate a recreational facility as a licensee at Harold Walker Park on this County owned land. The license is for a 10 year period and requires the town to maintain this parcel as a recreational facility. If the property is not used as a recreational facility, then the property will revert to the County of Nassau. The Town of Hempstead will be responsible for all maintenance on the property and will indemnify the County for any liability arising from the use of the property.
• a resolution seeking authorization for the execution of a tax exemption agreement between the county and The Meadows at Dutch Broadway Redevelopment Company Owners Corp. The company intends to construct low or moderate-income housing for seniors on the entire parcel of land. The assessed valuation of the of the property, both land and improvements, over $73,250, will be exempt from county, town, special districts and school district taxes for 25 years.
• a resolution adding certain organizations to the list of organizations that the County can contract with to provide nutrition services to senior citizens.
• a resolution authorizing the County Executive to execute a grant agreement with NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services to provide necessary equipment, personnel and training support to public municipal forensic science laboratories (toxicology labs) in the state to aid them in maintaining accreditation standards.
• a resolution confirming the appointment to the Nassau County Correctional Center Board of Visitors of Elliot Bloom.
• a resolution designating Banks and Trust Companies for the deposit of monies received by the County Treasurer and fixing the maximum amounts to be deposited therein. The list of depository banks is being amended to reflect the change of name for banks necessary; the addition of City National Bank and First Union National Bank and the elimination of those banks that no long have a Nassau County Branch.