COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

APRIL 29, 1996

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

OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Gina Angiulo; Budget: Joe Phelan; Legislator Carsky; BOL: Pat Gorski, Glenn Guzi, Robert Boland, Tina Seckerson

Co-Chairs Swanson and Wishnie called the meeting to order at 3:15 p.m.

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

MINUTES: On motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve the Minutes of April 22, 1996 was carried by a vote of 7-0.

21. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: PROPOSED BOND ACT AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $300,000 IN BONDS - DESIGN OF ROAD RECONSTRUCTION - CENTRAL PARK AVENUE, YONKERS. (REFERENCE # 21)

• Proposed work will include reprofiling, resurfacing, reconstruction of the drainage structures, and some lighting improvements to ensure safety.
• This is for design.
• Legislator LaMotte inquired as to why the work will not be done until 1998. Mr. Phelan responded that there is not always the money to do all projects in a particular year and this is an example of a project that was consciously moved out.
• On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Darcy, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0.

18. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Act authorizing the County to submit an Urban County Application under the Federal Community Development Block Grant Program, including an action plan, and to accept such grant. (3/25/96) (Also referred to CAH)

• A motion to approve this item was made by Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Darcy.
• Co-Chair Wishnie informed the Committee that the Committee on Community affairs and Housing approved this item and their meeting earlier today and asked Mr. Boland to begin the discussion on this matter.
• Mr. Boland stated that he has received a listing of all projects receiving funding for 1996. He has also requested some further information on this item such as a breakdown of salaries and administrative costs.
• Mr. Abinanti requested a copy of the past year’s funding for comparative purposes. He would like to know, "What went up, what when down and why?"

COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES - APRIL 29, 1996

PAGE 2

• Mr. Abinanti asked what the formula for administrative reimbursement eligibility is as well as how much goes to the community versus how much goes to the County.
• Co-Chair Wishnie suggested that due to time constraints on this matter the Committee consider signing it out today. He assured the Committee that this item will be recommitted at Monday’s Board meeting if satisfactory answers to their questions are not received.
• Co-Chair Wishnie called the question and the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0.

20.* COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Act authorizing the County to enter into an IMA with the Valhalla Fire District in connection with fire safety procedures. (4/22/96)

(Also referred to PSCJ)

• Co-Chair Swanson informed the Committee that this IMA is entered into each year. The previous IMA expired as of December 31, 1995. If this IMA is approved, the Valhalla Fire District will provide services to the County of Westchester in connection with the evaluation of the fire safety procedures at the Grasslands Reservation and the training of the Grasslands Fire Brigade. This supplemental training and evaluation of procedures is essential for the enhancement of fire protection on the Reservation and to continue to reduce the number of necessary responses from the Valhalla Fire District to the Reservation.
• Legislator Darcy informed the Committee that he will be sure that this item is placed on Monday’s agenda for PSCJ to sign out.
• On motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0.

21.* COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Act amending the 1995 Operating Budget (Year End Transfers). (4/22/96)

• Mr. Phelan stated that the transfers are before the Committee practically a month earlier than last year. The Finance Department needs the transfers to be done by the Board now in order to have them before the state controller by the end of June. Mr. Phelan stated that the surplus is positive - slightly higher than last year. He continued that he will go through a briefing on the surplus at the meeting where transfers are discussed. Mr. Boland stated that he met with Mr. Phelan earlier and expressed his concern with regard to the following three items: transportation of handicapped children; workmen’s comp; and Corrections Department overtime. Mr. Phelan stated that he will have the answers to the Committee by next Monday’s meeting. Mr. Boland asked what the timeframe is for having these transfers signed out. Mr. Phelan assured that Committee that if the Board acts upon them by the second meeting in May they will be able to meet the necessary timetable. Finance Commissioner Eric Langeloh later confirmed Mr. Phelan’s response.

COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES - APRIL 29, 1996

PAGE 3

Mr. Abinanti requested that the Budget Director do a "bond" presentation for the Committee detailing what bonding is all about. He would like Mr. Phelan to discuss which accounts are used for bonding; the status of bonds as of 1/1/96; a bond schedule of what’s coming on and what’s going off.

Mr. Phelan asked if there is any additional information required by the Committee with regard to Saxon Woods as it is time sensitive. Mr. Abinanti requested a full breakdown of project costs. (i.e. equipment costs, labor costs, etc.) He also requested a Masterplan for what is going to be done.

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Young, the meeting was adjourned at 3:50 p.m.