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COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND
APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES
OCTOBER 28, 1996
ATTENDANCE:
B & A MEMBERS: Wishnie, Swanson,
LaMotte, Darcy, Young, Delfino
OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Gina Angiulo,
Jamie Hastings, Dave Laemle; WCC: Dr. Hankin; WCMC: Dorothy Day,
Jane Milazzo; DEF: Comm. Trelewicz, Bob Matarazzo; Recycling
Coordinator: Jim Hogan; Budget: Joe Phelan, Dianne Kearney; PRC:
Comm. DeSantis, Bob Young; DPW: Comm. Landi, Ralph Butler; DOT:
Comm. Petrocelli, John Murray, Patty Chemka; CBAC: George Hosey;
LWV: Esther Shay; Planning: Comm. Oliva, Norma Drummond; BOL:
Legislator Carsky, Robert J. Boland, Glenn Guzi, Tina Seckerson
Co-Chairs Swanson and Wishnie called the
meeting to order at 3:10 p.m.
DISCUSSION: (There is
a cassette tape on file for more detailed information):
MINUTES: On motion of Legislator
Darcy, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion to approve the
Minutes of October 21, 1996 was carried by a vote of 6-0.
BOND ACTS:
2. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Bond Act
authorizing the issuance of $400,000 in bonds - Sewer District
Study. (6/17/96)
This would fund a comprehensive study
of the legal, financial and technical issues related to
changing the legal structure of the sewerage system.
On motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by
Legislator Delfino, the motion to approve this item was carried
by a vote of 6-0 with Legislator Young signing Without Prejudice.
30. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: PROPOSED BOND ACT
AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $350,000 IN BONDS - PLAYLAND
INFRASTRUCTURE RECONSTRUCTION. (REFERENCE # 30)
This would fund design of Phase I work
which will include electrical distribution, site utility and
emergency generator needs.
On motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded
by Legislator Delfino, the motion to approve this item was
carried by a vote of 6-0 with Legislators Swanson, Young, Delfino
and Darcy signing Without Prejudice.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES - OCTOBER 28, 1996
PAGE 2
57. PROPOSED BOND ACT: $2,500,000 - EAST
MAIN STREET, SHRUB OAK.
This authorization is required to
finance the cost of design, construction and reconstruction
of approximately 1.46 miles of County road, East Main Street,
from Strawberry Road to Old Yorktown Road.
On motion of Legislator Delfino, seconded
by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item was
carried by a vote of 6-0 with Legislators Swanson, Young, and
Darcy signing Without Prejudice.
58. PROPOSED BOND ACT: $1,000,000 - BEDFORD
CENTER ROAD, BEDFORD.
This authorization is required to
finance the cost of reconstruction of approximately 2 miles
of the County road, Bedford Center Road, from Buxton Road to
Canitoe Street as part of our Capital Program.
Commissioner Landi informed the
Committee that this project has been part of an ongoing 5
year cycle.
Legislator LaMotte disclosed that she
lives on Bedford Center Road and asked to abstain from the
vote.
Co-Chair Wishnie stated that as long as
Legislator LaMotte disclosed that she lives on the street she
would not have to abstain from the vote.
On motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by
Legislator Delfino, the motion to approve this item was carried
by a vote of 6-0 with Legislators Swanson, Young, and LaMotte
signing Without Prejudice.
AGENDA ITEMS:
4. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Act
authorizing the County to enter into an IMA with the Somers
Central School District to provide for the co-sponsorship of
Adult and Continuing Education Programs to be offered to the
general public. (10/7/96)
Term: one year commencing September 1,
1996 and ending August 31, 1997, with options to the County
to renew for four additional one year
On motion of Legislator Delfino, seconded
by Legislator Young, the motion to approve this item was carried
by a vote of 6-0 with Legislator Swanson signing Without
Prejudice.
12.* COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Act
authorizing the County to enter into an IMA with the Northern
Westchester Boces to provides for the co-sponsorship of Adult and
Continuing Education Programs to be offered to the general
public. (10/21/96)
On motion of Legislator Delfino, seconded
by Legislator Young, the motion to approve this item was carried
by a vote of 6-0 with Legislator Swanson signing Without
Prejudice.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES - OCTOBER 28, 1996
PAGE 3
16.* COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Act
authorizing the County to enter into an IMA with the Southern
Westchester Boces to provides for the co-sponsorship of Adult and
Continuing Education Programs to be offered to the general
public. (10/21/96)
On motion of Legislator Delfino, seconded
by Legislator Young, the motion to approve this item was carried
by a vote of 6-0 with Legislator Swanson signing Without
Prejudice.
***NOTE: Mr. Boland requested total cost
of the three above referenced programs.
5. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Act
authorizing the County to enter into an IMA with Municipal
Corporations in order for the County to receive household
batteries for recycling. (10/7/96) (Also referred to ENV)
This act would authorize the County to
enter into IMAs with municipal corporations, pursuant to
which the County would collect household batteries for
recycling or environmentally sound disposal, to be delivered
by the participating municipalities to annual Household
Chemical Clean-Up Day events sponsored by the County.
On motion of Legislator Delfino, seconded
by Legislator Darcy, the motion to approve this item was carried
by a vote of 6-0.
7. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed legislation
authorizing the County to extend a lease agreement with The
County Tennis Club of Westchester, Inc. (10/7/96)
Commissioner DeSantis explained that
the existing lease agreement runs to 1999. This legislation
requests a 3 year extension to 2002.
Pursuant to the terms of the current
lease the Tennis Club made $40,000 worth of improvements to
the tennis court surfaces. The Tennis Club has since made
$35,000 worth of improvements to the courts at their own
expense which were not required under the existing lease.
The Tennis Club has requested that its
lease be extended for an additional 3 years at the current
rental rate of $14,000 per year. Pursuant to the terms of the
existing lease, the Tennis Club will continue to be
responsible for all utilities and taxes and pay an additional
rental fee of 5% of the Tennis Club’s tennis
professional’s gross receipts.
Mr. Wishnie inquired as to the
membership of the Tennis Club. The Commissioner explained
that it is open to the public, the only requirements being
that one must be a Westchester County resident and have the
ability to pay the membership fee. Mr. Wishnie asked if there
are any minority members. Mr. DeSantis stated that there are
Asian and African-American members of the Tennis Club. He
further stated that the Tennis Club makes every effort to
encourage minority membership including recruiting through
their current membership.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES - OCTOBER 28, 1996
PAGE 4
Mrs. LaMotte inquired as to whether
young people (day camps, etc.) are encouraged to use the
County’s tennis facilities. Mr. DeSantis stated that
there is a sliding scale used for membership fees (adults:
$500 per year; Junior rate: $80 per year). While there is a
family rate there is not an organizational rate. He said he
did not believe they were equipped to handle large groups
such as day camps.
Mr. Delfino asked why the County is in
the tennis club business anyway. Mr. DeSantis responded that
the County is not, we only rent the facility to an
organization that runs its.
Mr. Boland stated that if you amortize
the improvements over the terms of the lease it comes to
$20,000 per year. He asked if this is enough. Mr. DeSantis
responded that considering the County has not put a dime into
the improvements, it is a fair remuneration.
Mrs. Swanson asked if, and how,
receipts are monitored. The Commissioner stated that the
County gets annual statements.
Mrs. Swanson asked why there is an
lease extension request now when the current lease
doesn’t expire until 1999. Based on the fact that the
Tennis Club just made $35,000 worth of improvements,
Commissioner DeSantis stated that is not an unfair request.
Mr. Delfino stated his concern with
extending the lease at this time. He wanted to know what
would happen if somewhere down the road the County decided on
a different use for this facility. Mr. DeSantis stated that
if that should happen the County would not renew the lease at
that time. He reminded the Committee that this facility is
being maintained and operated without any cost to the County.
Mrs. Swanson again stated that she does not see the rationale
when there are still three years left on the lease. Mr. Darcy
stated that you have to consider fairness to the people
maintaining and operating the facility. They have to be given
the opportunity to get a return on their investment. Mr.
Wishnie stated that there have been similar types of
initiatives done by Westchester (i.e. lease agreements at
Airport)
On motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by
Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item was carried
by a vote of 6-0 with Legislators Swanson and Young signing
Without Prejudice.
8.* COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Act
authorizing the County to enter into an IMA with the City of New
York to accept a Federal Grant from the Housing Opportunities for
Persons With AIDS Program for fiscal year 1996. (10/21/96)
Commissioner Oliva reported that the
1996 grant funds would be used to supply 35 additional rental
vouchers to families or individuals with AIDS.
On motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by
Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item was carried
by a vote of 5-0. (Legislator Young out for vote)
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES - OCTOBER 28, 1996
PAGE 5
11.* COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed legislation
authorizing the County to accept $7,000 plus interest as
compensation for the taking by the State New York’s
Department of Environmental Conservation of certain property
rights of the County in two parcels of land located in the Nepera
Park Section of the City of Yonkers. (10/21/96)
Commissioner Oliva explained that the
State DEC had taken the rights to certain lands in the Nepera
Park section of Yonkers for access to the Saw Mill River
basin and parkway. She reported that the state’s
offering of $7,000 plus interest as compensation was
considered to be fair by industry experts.
On motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by
Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item was carried
by a vote of 5-0. (Legislator Young out for vote)
17. HON. THOMAS ABINANTI: Forwarding a
letter from the Parks Commissioner regarding the parking lot at
the County Center. (9/9/96)
The Co-Chairs informed the Committee
that this matter had been discussed in Public Works
Committee. Co-Chair Swanson stated that Commissioner DeSantis
indicated he would discuss the matter with WCC. They might
possibly be able to incorporate the cost of parking into
tuition charges.
Co-Chair Wishnie explained that the
County made arrangements with a private operator who is
charging $2.00 per day for parking. The College can
incorporate the cost into tuition or add it into the
agreement for the rental of classroom space.
Since Commissioner DeSantis had stated
in PW that he would write a letter to WCC Mrs. Swanson
suggested it be received and filed by B & A.
On motion of Legislator Delfino, seconded
by Legislator Darcy, the motion to Receive and File this item was
carried by a vote of 5-0 with Legislator Young out and Legislator
Swanson signing Without Prejudice.
23. HON. RICHARD WISHNIE: Forwarding a
Resolution from the Town of New Castle supporting participation
in the Westchester County Sales Tax exemption Program from
January 18-24, 1997. (10/7/96)
On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by
Legislator Wishnie, the motion to Receive and File this item was
carried by a vote of 6-0.
Mr. Delfino informed the Committee that the
Task Force on Economic Development, which he co-chairs, had faxed
a letter to the Chamber of Commerce requesting feedback from the
municipalities on this matter. They are currently in the process
of re-capping the responses and the Task Force will send a
communication to BOL members informing them of the results.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES - OCTOBER 28, 1996
PAGE 6
9. FTA Section 3 Grant Funds (Yonkers Bus
Garage):
Commissioner Petrocelli reviewed the
situation with the Committee explaining that what was before
them was a resolution authorizing the Department to make
application to the FTA for $32 million to fund the
acquisition by the county of the Yonkers bus facility.
The Commissioner stated that we
don’t have a home for 280 buses. The bus garage is a 7
day a week, 20 hour per day operation. He stated that there
is nowhere else to go after the current lease is up in June
of 2002.
If the county is unsuccessful in
securing the full $32 million, Commissioner Petrocelli stated
that it would have the option to turn down the grant for
anything less than the full allocation. However, if the full
$32 million was appropriated, then the county would be
obligated to expend the funds. He reminded the Committee that
these funds are very limited and very competitive.
Commissioner Petrocelli reminded the
Committee that the issue would be presented for the
BOL’s approval twice more, once to accept the grant
monies and again to approve the acquisition and expenditure
of county dollars to cover our share of the acquisition cost
(approx. $8 million)
Legislator Carsky suggested that the
Committee should look at the square footage to see where else
it could be placed. She stated that she suspected that no one
else would want the garage.
Co-Chair Wishnie will suggest to the
Chairman of the Board that a Committee of the Whole meeting
be held on this matter.
22. A constituent letter complaining about
parking rates at the Westchester County Center.
On motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by
Legislator LaMotte, the motion to Receive and File this item was
carried by a vote of 3-0. (Legislators Swanson, Young and Delfino
out for vote)
There being no further items for
discussion, on motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by Legislator
LaMotte, the meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
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