COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

MARCH 3, 1997

 

 

 

ATTENDANCE:

 

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

 

OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Gina Angiulo, Jamie Hastings; Budget: Joe Phelan; CBAC: Barbara Strauss, George Hosey; Law Dept: Marilyn Slaatten; General Services: Susan Egginton, WCC: Lou Torrieri;

Health Dept: Dr. Adel, Karen Kelly; Planning Dept: Lynn Oliva; Jim Anderson; BOL: Legislator Stewart-Cousins, Legislator George Oros, Robert J. Boland, Glenn Guzi, Dan Rodriguez, Tina Seckerson

 

Co-Chairs Wishnie and Swanson called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.

 

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

 

AGENDA ITEMS:

 

6.* COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Resolution authorizing the County and the

Community College to enter into an agreement with the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York relevant to the sale of its bonds to finance the construction and rehabilitation of the Library building, construction of the Early Childhood Training Center and traffic site utility and drainage improvements at the College. (2/26/97)

 
  • Mr. Torrieri explained that this was pro forma.

 

On motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Darcy, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.

 

10.* COUNTY ATTORNEY: Proposed Act authorizing the County Attorney to settle the

lawsuit of Steven Feldman, individually and as Executor of the Goods, Chattels and Credits that were of Debra Feldman, deceased v. Norman Ackerman and Richard Kay. (2/26/97)

 
  • The County Attorney cited examples of some cases that have gone to trial.
  • Ms. Slaatten explained that this is a wrongful death and medical malpractice action commenced in NYS Supreme Court, Westchester County against Dr. Norman Ackerman and Dr. Richard Kay. She gave a general description of the case. The Plaintiff alleges due to Dr. Ackerman’s negligent post-operative care of his wife, specifically, his failure to monitor the electrical functioning of her heart and his failure to follow the recommendations of Dr. Richard Kay, a cardiologist at WCMC, Debra Feldman suffered sudden cardiac arrest which caused her death. Plaintiff has since discontinued the action against Dr. Richard Kay.

 

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  • The County Attorney suggested the Committee go into Executive Session to discuss the case in more detail. On motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Darcy, the motion to go into Executive Session at 3:11 p.m. was carried by a vote of 6-0.
  • On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Darcy, the motion to go out of Executive Session at 3:25 p.m. was carried by a vote of 6-0.

 

On motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.

 

 

15.* COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed legislation authorizing the County to enter into a ten year lease agreement with Rotterdam Ventures, Inc. for lease of 56,618 square feet of space in the building at 145 Huguenot Street, New Rochelle, to be used by the Department of Health. (2/26/97)

 
  • Ms. Egginton explained that this project began last summer when the Administration made a commitment to relocate all non-medical departments out of 19 Bradhurst.
  • Ms. Egginton distributed a Health Department RFP analysis and a lease proposal, both of which are attached.
  • She stated that the New Rochelle property is the most affordable and meets many of the County’s requirements.
  • There is some renovation, varying degrees, required at each building that was considered.
  • Mrs. LaMotte questioned how many people will be working in this building. The response was 291. She also asked about demographics to see if people will have access to public transportation to help meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act. She inquired as to whether the demographics have been looked at.
  • There are 55 parking spaces adjacent to the building for the exclusive use of the Health Department. There is a municipal lot across the street to accommodate the rest of the workers.
  • Mrs. Swanson asked if the base rent includes taxes. Ms. Egginton explained that it includes current taxes although the County would be required to pay its proportionate share of any increase in taxes.
  • Mr. Oros asked why there are only 272 parking spaces if 291 employees will be moved there. Ms. Egginton explained that this was a target number used. Mr. Darcy indicated that there are 1500 parking spaces in the municipal garage.
  • Mr. Delfino questioned the philosophy in making these decisions to move departments. He stated that some departments do not need to be centralized (i.e. PRC) while others do and wondered if this had been taken into consideration. Ms. Egginton stated that it had and also stated that sometimes there are trade-offs.
  • Dr. Adel stated that the department is comprised of professionals who will perform the necessary job where ever they are located.
  • Mr. Wishnie questioned the impact the proposed move will have on the employees who live all over the County and then have to drive around the County on field visits. He asked if this cost has been factored into the rent or if there will be an additional cost attached to it.

 

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  • Dr. Adel replied that there will be mileage costs from where ever the department is located and depending on where they go it will be harder on some than others. Some employees will have to work out of the central location while others will work from satellite offices.
  • Ms. Egginton stated that they are looking at low cost/no facilities for the satellite location.
  • Mr. Delfino questioned the impact the proposed move will have on the 6,000 visits made to the Health Department offices per year. Dr. Adel responded that the visits come from residents all over the County adding that the department has two district offices, one not far from the proposed New Rochelle site and one in Port Chester.
  • Mr. Wishnie asked for an analysis of how many employees report to each County facility daily. Mrs. Stewart-Cousins asked if there is a tracking system for the required field visits. Dr. Adel stated that they will try to put some detail on this matter in writing.
  • Mr. Darcy asked what the time frame for moving the department is. Ms. Egginton replied that New Rochelle has committed to having the space ready within 120 days of approval of the lease agreement.
  • Mr. Delfino stated that he is interested in getting more in-depth information on possible lease agreements with the other sites that were listed on the RFP analysis. Ms. Egginton agreed to provide.
  • Mrs. Stewart-Cousins questioned the consistency of the build-out costs (some are given in more depth than others, some not at all. Ms. Egginton said that not everyone answered that area of the RFP.
  • Mr. Young asked that the Board’s concern that Minority and Women owned businesses be considered for the renovation jobs be passed along. Ms. Egginton stated that this issue was also addressed in the RFPs.
  • Mr. Wishnie stated that if the Committee’s concerns and questions (as a whole and individually) be addressed before Monday’s Budget Committee meeting, barring any unforeseen obstacles the Committee will consider signing it out for the blue sheet.
  • Concerns to be addressed:

- locations to where field visits are to be made by employees

- where the people visiting the Health Department locations are traveling from

- number of employees reporting to each county facility

- something in writing re: satellite uses and sites

 

 

MINUTES: On motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion to approve the Minutes of February 26, 1997 was carried by a vote of 6-0.

AGENDA ITEMS:

 

1.* COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Forwarding the 1996 Annual Report of the Westchester County

Tax Commission. (2/26/97)

 

On motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to Receive and file this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.

 

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3.* COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Forwarding a package of court-ordered certiorari refunds. [ON

FILE] (2/26/97)

 

On motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to Receive and file this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.

 

8.* COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed legislation authorizing the County to enter into an IMA

with the City of New Rochelle which would enable the City to plan and develop an Intermodal Transportation Center in the City of New Rochelle. (2/26/97)

 
  • Mr. Darcy explained that the County will act as the "designated recipient" for federal transportation funds for the required environmental review of the Intermodal Transportation Center, as well as for the design and construction of the inter-city bus terminal and the Bee-Line System bus plaza portion of the ITC.

 

On motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.

 

13.* HON. ANDREA STEWART-COUSINS: Forwarding a newspaper article entitled County

Faces Cuts of $20m in State Aid. (2/26/97) (Also referred to HMC)

 

On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Darcy, the motion to Receive and file this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.

 

14. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Forwarding a copy of the 1996 Annual Dog Licensing Report. (1/27/97)

 

Awaiting explanation from Finance re: deficit

 

26. LEGISLATORS MOSIELLO, CARSKY, SPRECKMAN AND STEWART-COUSINS: Forwarding a Resolution from the City of Yonkers requesting that the County consider relocating the Health Department’s Administrative Offices to a location within the City of Yonkers. (11/18/96) (Also referred to HMC)

 

On motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to Receive and file this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.

 

 

 

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