COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

JUNE 26, 1996

ATTENDANCE:

B & A MEMBERS: Swanson, Wishnie, Young, LaMotte, Delfino

OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Barbara Monohan; Budget Dept.: Joe Phelan, Tom Coleman, Olivia Rhodes; CBAC: George Hosey, Barbara Strauss;

WCC: Dr. Hankin, Linda Gilberto; Legislator Carsky; BOL: Robert J. Boland, Glenn Guzi, Don Sandford, Tina Seckerson

Co-Chairs Swanson and Wishnie called the meeting to order at 3:09 p.m.

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

8. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Act authorizing the County to enter into IMA’s with municipalities, school districts and Boards of Cooperative Education located within the County for the purpose of obtaining classroom space for the Adult Education Program of Westchester Community College and for other related matters on an annual basis during the period of September 1, 1996 to August 31, 2001. (4/22/96)

• Mr. Wishnie stated that when this item was discussed at the last Budget Committee meeting the Committee stressed its concern with regard to the five year period being too long a time frame and felt this was approving a blank check.
• Dr. Hankin stated that WCC has offered classes at 120 locations off campus for the 25 years he has been there. Two years ago Mt. Vernon changed its forms to include a "hold harmless clause", Yonkers followed shortly thereafter. Due to the change in forms the Law Department felt WCC should enter into IMAs. WCC felt it would not make sense to come back on a yearly basis since they have to come back to A&C every year for contracts. Dr. Hankin stated that coming back to the Board on a yearly basis would only unnecessarily bog them down in details. Detail for each agreement goes before A&C every year. If the Committee feels that a five year IMA is too long, Dr. Hankin stated that he would agree to a two or three year agreement and provide the Committee with a yearly report with regard to agreement details.
• Legislator LaMotte stated that she sees no problem with the IMA but also feels that keeping the Board informed is important.
• Dr. Hankin stated that he thought the Board received a report as part of the College’s minutes on a monthly basis. Mr. Boland stated that we have not been receiving the minutes or the report. Dr. Hankin responded that he will check on it and make sure the Board receives the level of detail the Board wants with regard to the rental arrangements
• Dr. Hankin reiterated that WCC approaches A&C for each individual island (at least three of which are directly in the College Operating budget) Mr. Boland asked why only three are in the operating budget. Dr. Hankin stated that it is a Hankin: bookkeeping issue.
• Legislator Young stated that he understands the concern with regard to a five year IMA but at the same time would like to resolve the issue and move quickly on it.

COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES - JUNE 26, 1996

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• Dr. Hankin again stated that he would agree to amending the time frame of the IMAs to anything more than 1 year.

On motion of Legislator Delfino, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to amend this the time frame from 5 years to 2 years was carried by a vote of 5-0. (Legislator Abinanti out for vote)

Legislation was given to Barbara Monohan for the Administration.

30. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Act amending the 1996 County Current Operating Budget (+$1,404,138 - WCMC) (3/25/96)

• This is a Board transfer and requires full Board action to allow the Medical Center to assume liability in rental of Bradhurst Building.
• Health Dept. & GS are charged for rental space they occupy.
• Fee: $1.75 (overhead) per square foot for each dept. paid out of their budgets. According to Mr. Phelan, ultimately that fee will be charged to the new occupants of the building. He further stated that Commissioner Stolzenberg has said that he wants a uniform rate set for the entire building.
• Mr. Wishnie asked what the fee is for. Mr. Phelan responded that it is a necessary element of the financing of the operations for the building. Mrs. LaMotte stated that it was her understanding that the $1.75 fee was for buildout of medical office space.
• Mr. Phelan stated that WCMC is responsible for paying 100% of the rent to landlord.
• Mr. Phelan stated that they are increasing the expense side of WCMC with a corresponding revenue.
• The basic charge to other departments for rental space is $16.50 plus administrative charges bringing the total to $20.32.
• Mr. Boland asked what was in the General Services budget for rental space at the Bradhurst building (before the transfer). Mr. Phelan reminded the Committee that the Board cut out $1.3 million from GS in rental costs that have to be made up.
• Mrs. Swanson asked if the Health Department will be using money from staff positions that did not allocate yet? Mr. Phelan stated that it is too soon to answer that.
• Mr. Abinanti stated that he will not vote for transfer if the 12 positions are not going to be filled. Mr. Phelan stated that in his mind the two are not connected although the state budget is connected to this transaction. Mr. Abinanti stated his concern if this act was to be approved, the expenditure would be approved and then it would be left up to the Administration to find the savings which could well be taken for the 12 unfilled positions. He continued that the BOL worked hard to specifically put the 12 jobs back in the budget and was concerned that the positions have not yet been filled because they were led to believe that these positions were vital to the operation of the Health Department.
• Mr. Abinanti requested the Committee continue this discussion at next Monday’s meeting to allow for time for the members to go over their notes on this matter.
• The Committee requested that Ms. Monohan arrange for the Commissioners of all of the affected departments (WCMC, Health & GS) to come in on Monday.

COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES - JUNE 26, 1996

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On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Delfino, the motion to approve the Minutes of June 17, 1996 was carried by a vote of 5-0. (Legislator Young out for vote)

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Delfino, the meeting was adjourned at 4:05 p.m.