COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

JANUARY 29, 1996

B & A MEMBERS: Swanson, Wishnie, Abinanti, Darcy La Motte, Young

OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Gina Angiulo; Law Dept: Marilyn Slaatten, Rick Cashman, Denise D’Ambrosio, Budget Dept: Joe Phelan; BOL: Robert Boland, Budget Analyst, Tina Seckerson, Secretary

Discussion: (There is a cassette tape on file for more detailed information).

Glen Island Lease Assignment:

County Attorney Slaatten was in to update the Committee on the proposed amendments to the Glen Island lease assignment that they had asked her to negotiate with Soundview.

Ms. Slaatten stated that Soundview would not agree to the percentage rate being paid twice a year but did agree to provide a quarterly statement of gross receipts. When the threshold for rent percentage is reached it will be put in a joint (Soundview & County) escrow account and left there until the percentage rent is due. Soundview will be able to use the interest money.

The County will be able to go in on a yearly basis and audit the books.

Ms. Slaatten suggested that the BOL will have to direct PRC to perform audits.

Co-Chair Swanson asked if the memo stating these terms will be attached to the lease. Ms. Slaatten stated that it will not be necessary as the provisions will be a part of the lease.

 

Mr. Abinanti moved to amend the Committee Report to add the new terms of the lease. The motion was seconded by Mr. Darcy and approved by a vote of 6-0.

Mr. Abinanti made a motion to approve the Committee Report as amended. The motion was seconded by Mrs. LaMotte and approved by a vote of 6-0.

At 2:00 p.m. on motion of Co-Chair Swanson, seconded by Legislator Abinanti the motion to recess the meeting until 3:00 p.m. was carried by a vote of 6-0.

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At 3:00 p.m. a joint meeting of the Committees on Budget and Appropriations and Public Safety and Criminal Justice was called to order by Co-Chairs Swanson and Wishnie and Chair Darcy.

Additional attendance was as follows:

B & A Members: Delfino

PSCJ Members: Darcy, Mosiello, Wishnie

Others: Budget Dept: Tom Coleman, Dianne Kearney; Administration: Jamie, Hastings, John Zakian; Planning Dept: Lynn Oliva, Gerry Mulligan, Paul Gisonda; BOL: Legislator Stewart-Cousins; Don Sandford, Deputy Clerk

Minutes:

On motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve the Minutes of January 24, 1996 was carried by a vote of 5-0. (Legislators Abinanti and Delfino out for vote)

Bond Act: Burn House at Fire Training Center:

Mr. Zakian was in to discuss the burn house with the Committee. He stated that the new facility will be a state-of-the-art cement block facility with a 20-30 year useful life.

Mr. Phelan informed the Committee that we currently have a (cold) smoke house facility which was used as a burn house. As a result this facility was severely damaged and is in the process of being rehabilitated.

Co-Chair Swanson inquired as to who will be operating the new building. Co-Chair Wishnie reminded the Committee that the Assistant Fire Coordinator position was eliminated from the budget thereby reducing the staff of the Fire Training Center.

Co-Chair Swanson suggested that someone with firematic experience should be overlooking the burn house project.

Mr. Zakian stated that the C.E. is aware of the situation and that it was always his intent to assign someone from DPW to take over the duties of operating the burn house. He further stated that there will be sufficient staff to be sure it is the proper kind of facility to suit the County’s needs.

 

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Legislator Abinanti asked if there is a Masterplan and, if so, has it been approved by anyone. Commissioner Oliva stated that it has been done and approved by the Board of the Fire Training Center. Mr. Abinanti stated that he would like to see the Masterplan before taking any action on this bond act.

Mr. Zakian stated that in terms of a Masterplan there is a scope of activity for what is necessary in the Capital Projects Plan. The three key elements are: a free standing smoke house, a fully functional burn house and training classrooms.

The Fire Training facility is available for use by all facilities but not all use it. Part of the reason for not using it is that it is not complete without a burn house. There are alternate sites for bun house training but they are costly and timely.

The Co-Chairs will send a letter requesting a 5 year plan for the Fire Training Center as well as any information available with regard to a Masterplan inclusive of a staffing and timing plan.

 

At 3:35 p.m. on motion of Legislator Mosiello, seconded by Legislator Darcy, the PSCJ portion of the meeting was adjourned.

Easements with the Village of Elmsford and the Central Westchester Humane Society:

Commissioner Oliva informed the Committee that this is the last link to the Putnam Right-of-Way Trailway in Elmsford.

Mr. Abinanti asked if the County were to dedicate the Trailway as parkland would the easements be included? Commissioner Oliva stated that they would not.

Mr. Abinanti asked if the County decided not to pave the Trailway, would be forfeiting any rights? Mr. Mulligan stated that the we would have the easement agreements with don’t care but the Trailway Committee has decided that paving is better than gravel.

The Committee decided that due to the ongoing controversy with regard to the benefits of a paved Trailway versus an unpaved one that it would be best not to specify the type of path to be constructed. This request will be put in writing to IGR who will refer it to the proper department.

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Budget Transfers:

Mr. Abinanti stated that there was some concern that if the Committee approved the budget transfers for services relating to Woodfield Cottage and the Department of Correction food services it might jeopardize the lawsuit and give the impression that the BOL endorses privatization. After discussion with private counsel accompanying resolutions to the transfer resolutions were drafted.

Mr. Abinanti stated for the record that he feels that in these instances of privatization County employees could have provided the services.

Item II, 5: Budget Transfer: re: Department of Correction: On motion of Legislator Delfino, seconded by Legislator Darcy the motion to approve the budget transfer was carried by a vote of 7-0.

On motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve the accompanying resolution to this item was carried by a vote of 6-1 with Legislator LaMotte being recorded in the negative.

Item II, 4: Budget Transfer: re: Woodfield Cottage: On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator LaMotte the motion to approve the budget transfer was carried by a vote of 7-0.

On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Delfino, the motion to approve the accompanying resolution to this item was carried by a vote of 5-2 with Legislators LaMotte and Darcy being recorded in the negative.

Item II, 6: re: Charter Change - County Fiscal Year: The Committee will request that the Budget Director, the Finance Commissioner and the County Attorney come in on this item.

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Delfino, seconded by Legislator Young, the meeting was adjourned at 4:20 p.m.