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Mineola, NY – Nassau County Legislator Lisanne Altmann (D-Great Neck) recently agreed to a unique agreement between St. Francis Hospital and Christopher Morley Park, by which the hospital will build a covered gazebo at the park in exchange for hospital employees’ use of some parking spaces at the park. The gazebo will be rented to the general public.

Altmann also approved a merger between two county departments—the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Drug and Alcohol. The new department will be called the Nassau County Department of Mental Health, Chemical Dependencies and Developmental Disabilities. The merger will provide comprehensive services consistent with the New York State Mental Hygiene Law. The new department should eliminate duplication, close gaps, improve appropriate services, reduce costs and increase accountability. Nassau County is the last county in the state to maintain separate departments.

Altmann also approved a contract with Smith Drake Realty Corp, to license, maintain, operate, manage and supervise 25 county landmark properties located in Sands Point Park & Preserve, Jericho Historic Preserve, Eldersfield Preserve, Muttontown Park & Preserve, Maintenance House Apartment, Cedarmere, Shattuck Estate, Tiffany Creek Preserve andWellwyn Preserve. The company has agreed to fund a host of repairs and improvements to the properties for a percentage of the increased license fees. The administration anticipates a minimum of $1,690,220 over the five year term and estimates the repairs at $570,000.

Legislator Altmann also approved agreements with:

•New York Coalition for Transportation Safety to establish emergency evacuation procedures, from buildings and mass transit, for persons with disabilities, who live and work in the County.

•Gannett Fleming Engineers, P.C., for design services for the rehabilitation of seven county operated storm water pumping stations located in various areas of the county.

• E & A Restoration, Inc. for roof repairs at 240 Old Country Road, Correctional Center “E” Satellite Facility and other county buildings.

The legislature also approved supplemental appropriations for the following:

•Office of Housing & Intergovernmental Affairs (Emergency Shelter Grant) in the amount of $675,727 to be received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Emergency Shelter Grants Program to support the rehabilitation or conversion of buildings and payment of operating expenses and essential services in connection with emergency shelters.

•Senior Citizens Affairs (Long Term Care Insurance Education) in the amount of $50,000 to inform and educate the general public about long term care insurance, including those available through the NYS Partnership for Long Term Care. This program allows New Yorkers to protect their assets while remaining eligible for Medicaid if their long term care needs exceed the period covered by their Partnership private insurance policy.

•Health Department (WIC) in the amount of $2,380,638 to provide nutrition services and food vouchers to women, infants and children based on income and nutritional risk.

•Health Department (Public Health Preparedness Response Grant) in the amount of $1,199,250 to be received from Health Research, Inc., through the Center for Disease Control, to provide additional funding for the development of local public health infrastructure and emergency response and preparedness plans.

•Office of Housing & Intergovernmental Affairs (HOME) in the amount of $3,727,240 to be received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the HOME Partnership Program which supports a wide range of activities that build buy and/or rehabilitate affordable housing for rent or home ownership or provide direct rental assistance to low-income people.

Altmann agrees to accept funds from St. Francis Hospital for improvements to Christopher Morley Park

Also approves merger of two county departments to improve delivery of services