Mineola, NY - Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) joined Democrats in the Nassau County Legislature in approving new rules and procedures for the Assessment Review Commission which amend the powers and duties of the Commission, modify the application process for filing property tax grievances, and revamp the procedures for review and determination of tax grievances. It also sets minimum staffing levels.

The measure, sponsored by Legislators Dave Denenberg (D-Merrick), and Roger Corbin (D-Westbury), has been in the works for several months and will be incorporated into a comprehensive plan now under review by the County Executive.

Approved by the Legislature:

• An ordinance appropriating $327,462.00 for the Student Support Services Program (TRIO Grant). This award provides academic supplemental support services for approximately 450 disadvantaged students with disabilities, 1/3 of whom also have low income.
• A supplemental SUNY grant to Nassau Community College's Children's Greenhouse; a child care program.
• An appropriation of $4,705.00 for the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention program. Funds are 100% reimbursable by the NYS Dept. of Health.
• An ordinance appropriating $150,000.00 for the Adolescent Resource Network, which provides education about HIV/AIDS to adolescents through the use of adult and adolescent peer educators.
• An ordinance appropriating $55,000.00 for DPW to purpose of which is to provide the funds needed to Bay Park for the processing of Inwood's sewage.
• An ordinance appropriating $12,379.00 for Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP) to be administered through the Family and Children'' Association.
• A resolution authorizing the bidding of a requirements contract in the amount of $3,000,000 for traffic signal construction and modification-phase XI, various locations within the County.
• A resolution authorizing the County Executive to execute a grant application between the County's Department of Senior Citizen Affairs and the Corporation for National Service in relation to the Foster Grandparent Program in the amount of $370,346.
• A resolution to execute a grant in the amount of $218,470.00 for the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee in relation to the Traffic Safety Enforcement and Education Program for the Traffic Safety Board.
• A resolution authorizing a grant in the amount of $101,772 with the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee in relation to STEP-Selective Traffic Enforcement Program, a program targeting a specific traffic violation or behavior.
• A resolution accepting a gift of a 2001 Southwest Trailer valued at approximately $5,000 for use in the Police Department's child car seat safety program.
• A resolutions authorizing an exemption from taxation for religious purposes, certain properties situated in various school districts in the Town of North Hempstead.

Approved in Committee:

• A local law sponsored by Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs and supported by the Police Department, District Attorney, and Traffic Safety which requires all ice cream vendors to equip their trucks with a swing arm STOP sign (similar to that of a school bus). Vehicles failing to stop face penalties from $100 to $500.
• An amendment to an existing agreement between the Village of Sands Point and Nassau County. Currently the Village permits the County to use the preserve to hold one event per year. This amendment increases the number to 24, with proceeds going to refurbish the Preserve. This allows the County to rely less on County funds for upkeep while also tapping a new revenue source.
• A resolution confirming an appointment of David Mejias by the County Executive to the Industrial Development Agency.
• A resolution confirming the appointment of Fred Hirsch to the Second Judicial District, term expiring December 31, 2002.

Defeated:

• A bond ordinance in the amount of $509,852.69 to settle a PERB case dealing with county cars and their use by DPW employees. The amount of the settlement has increased four-fold during a protracted appeals process. Because it requires bonding, the measure required a 13 vote majority. The measured failed 10-9 along party lines with Democrats supporting it and Republicans mounting opposition.