COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS

MINUTES

MARCH 11, 1996

BA MEMBERS: Swanson, Wishnie, Darcy, Young, Delfino, Abinanti, LaMotte

PW MEMBERS: Swanson, Wishnie, Carsky, Latimer, Darcy, Delfino

OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Gina Angiulo, John Zakian, Dave Laemle; Budget Dept: Joe Phelan, Brian Fitzpatrick; Planning: Gina D’Agrossa; DPW: Comm. Landi, Ralph Butler, John Egner; LWV: Harriet Goldberg, Barbara Strauss, Jo Brill; Various High School Students; Planning Board: George Hosey; BOL: Robert Boland, Tina Seckerson

Co-Chairs Swanson and Wishnie opened the meeting at 2:17 p.m.

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

• The M-Unit has been vacant for approximately 18 months. Originally it was a maintenance shop in the 1970’s. In the 1980’s it was used to house prisoners. There are currently 35-37 people in the Department of Correction Administration that would be moved into this space from Elmwood Hall along with a small Probation Unit.
• The project has not yet been started. The design will be done by in-house staff and construction will incorporate some inmate labor as well as go out to bid.
• Legislator Carsky asked the square footage of Elmwood Hall (10,000) vs. the M-Unit (15,000). She also inquired as to what the space in Elmwood Hall that they are vacating will be used for. Commissioner Landi stated that it may possibly be used for hospital staff moving out of the Bradhurst space; although the space occupied in Bradhurst is larger.
• Legislator Abinanti asked what factors were considered in deciding to move Correction Administration into this space. Mr. Phelan stated that for supervisory and operational purposes the Administration could be consolidated into one place. The M-Unit is a permanent structure, built in the late 1960’s. Mr. Abinanti asked if moving them into the jail or the pen had been considered. Mr. Phelan stated that there is not enough room in either one of those facilities and that security problems would occur with having civilians occupying the pen and/or the jail.
• Timetable: Have to begin construction now to occupy the space in late October of 1996.
• Mr. Boland asked when the next bond sale will be. Mr. Phelan responded that it will be in the Fall of 1996.

On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 5-0. (Legislators Abinanti and Delfino out for vote)

COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS

MINUTES - MARCH 11, 1996

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• This project would bring the pool up to current OSHA and health standards.
• The work to be done includes replacement of the filter and gutter systems and some electrical work.
• Timeframe: DPW would like to have this designed and out to bid by September of 1996 to have the work completed for the 1997 season.
• To keep the pool open for the 1996 season we will have to acquire additional portable filtration systems.

• This project includes major site improvements such as regrading, planting and paving.
• Legislator Abinanti inquired as to how this plan compares in size to the project that was disapproved last year by the BOL. The Aquatic Facility proposal was $4 million, the current proposal for this project and the pool rehab is $4.2 million.
• Mr. Zakian stated that the pool rehab is critical and they would like to start work at the time the pool closes for the ‘96 season to be able to open for the ‘97 season. He said that some of the work in the facility improvements project could be done at the same time making it cost beneficial.
• Mr. Abinanti stated his concern with receiving a blanket request such as this and asked for more specificity. Legislator LaMotte stated that the Planning Board looks over and approves these plans.
• Mr. Delfino requested a budget estimate - listing what the $2 million is comprised of. Mr. Landi agreed to provide.
• Mr. Darcy asked if there are any drawings of the concept. Mr. Landi stated that they are very preliminary.
• Mr. Abinanti expressed his concern with the BOL granting a blanket approval for money without specifics as to what will be done. Mr. Zakian stated that the BOL set a policy last year when they disapproved the Aquatic Park; the Administration has accepted that and there will be no change in the concept of what the Board wants and the improvements will be made within that concept.
• Mr. Boland requested that 19-11’s be provided for each of the projects as has been done in the past.
• Mr. Phelan stated that the Administration will provide the information requested.
• Mr. Latimer stated that once the information has been provided and the Budget Committee looks it over, he would have no problem with the project being signed out to go to the floor of the Board (barring anything strange).

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COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS

MINUTES - MARCH 11, 1996

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• Mr. Phelan stated that this project has been on the County books for 2 years. There were existing deficiencies in the building when the County first acquired it and they need to be corrected.
• Mr. Abinanti again stressed his concern with the lack of back-up information available. Mr. Phelan stated he would do whatever possible to provide data.
• Mr. Boland questioned the new price tag of $3.4 million as originally the BOL approved this project for $1.3 million. Mr. Phelan stated that $1.3 million was never the ultimate cost; now with full ownership the County recognizes the need for permanent rehab.

• This is for a Capital Budget Amendment in the amount of $250,000 for design and construction of systems and/or equipment to monitor and control access to the county Courthouse and parking facility.
• Co-Chair Swanson asked if there have been any problems. Commissioner Landi stated that there have not, but there has been concern since the World Trade Center bombing. Currently there is access to the courthouse parking structure at night - that will be stopped. The perimeter will be sealed off with chain link fences and roll up gates which will be manned by guards.
• Legislator LaMotte asked if there is money available from any other sources due to other bombings such as the World Trade Center. Mr. Phelan stated that there is none that he is aware of.
• Commissioner Landi said that they will try to keep the traffic patterns the same.
• Legislator Delfino suggested that the County Administration talk to the City of White Plains Administration since the Courthouse and Library parking structures are connected.
• Mr. Delfino asked for a description of the various levels of security mentioned by the Commissioner. Mr. Landi stated that there is no description per se as they decided on the levels in-house.

There being no further items for discussion (for the Budget Committee) on motion of Legislator Delfino, seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the meeting was adjourned at 3:35 p.m.

There being no further items for discussion (for PW Committee) on motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the meeting was adjourned at 3:35 p.m.