COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE

MINUTES

APRIL 14, 1997

3:00 P.M.

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

ps MEMBERS: Darcy, Wishnie, Mosiello, Albanese, Stewart-Cousins

OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Gina Angiulo-IGR; Budget: Joe Phelan- Budget Director; Dept. of Correction: Robert Maccarone- Deputy Commissioner; DOT: Commissioner Joe Petrocelli, Rob Bracchitta; Airport: Joel Russell; Armand Vartibian-Proprietor Skytop Restaurant; Airport Advisory Board: Irene Sandford; CBAC: George Hosey; BOL: Don Sandford-Deputy Clerk, Dan Rodriguez-Asst to the Chairman, Robert J. Boland-Budget Analyst, Glenn Guzi, Program Specialist, Tina Seckerson-Secretary to Committee

Chairman Darcy called Public Safety & Criminal Justice Committee meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.

Co-Chairs Wishnie and Swanson called Budget & Appropriations Committee meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.

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

AGENDA ITEMS:

4.* COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Act authorizing the County to enter into a

grant agreement with the United States Department of Justice for funding to support the Local Law Enforcement Block Grants - Community Safety Program. (4/7/97) (Also referred to ps)

• Mr. Maccarone explained that this is an authorization for the County to accept a grant in the amount of $40,759.00 from the U.S. Department of Justice to be used by the Department of Public Safety to operate the Local Law Enforcement Block Grants - Community Safety Program through September 30, 1998.

COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE

MINUTES - APRIL 14, 1997

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• Mr. Maccarone stated that this will provide resources to the Department of Public Safety’s Special Response Team to assist local police departments in responding to critical incidents. The program will support the purchase of specialized equipment which will enhance the function of the Special Response Team.
• Mrs. Swanson asked why this matter was already approved by A&C and is now coming before the BOL? Mr. Maccarone stated that in keeping with their normal process of executing agreements the grant award was signed off by Deputy C.E. He was then advised by Law Department that it was necessary to get approval by BOL.
• Mr. Albanese asked who decides that the Special Response Team should come in. Mr. Maccarone stated that the Police Chiefs make that judgment.

FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: On motion of Legislator Mosiello, seconded by Legislator Albanese, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 5-0.

FOR THE BUDGET COMMITTEE: On motion of Legislator Delfino, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 5-0.

ADJOURNMENT - PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by Legislator Mosiello, the ps meeting was adjourned at 3:10 p.m.

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17. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Local Law authorizing the County to enter into a lease agreement with Skytop Restaurant, Inc. for the operation of a first class full service restaurant, bar, coffee shop and specialty food shop at the

Westchester County Airport for a term of ten years with the option of one five- year renewal. (3/24/97)

• The Chair of the Airport Advisory Board, Irene Sandford, stated that the Advisory Board had advocated for a larger building at the Airport from the beginning. She said that since this improvement would be entirely for public use, not aviation, and located on the second floor of the terminal, the Airport Advisory had no objection to it.
• Mr. Darcy stated that if the plan is properly presented to the public it should alleviate whatever apprehension they may have.
• Mr. Delfino stated that each and every recommendation for improvement at the Airport needs to be evaluated independently. He further stated that this, in his opinion, is a necessary and worthwhile improvement that could bring in more revenue.
• Commissioner Petrocelli stated that in negotiating the original lease they had made an assumption as to the cost of operating a restaurant at approximately $280,000 - $290,000. The County gave the shell space only. The actual cost turned out to be closer to $700,000.
• Mr. Wishnie asked who would own the improvements after they are made. The Commissioner stated that the County would.
• Mr. Abinanti stated that a comparison of losses vs. gains over a specified period of time has to be made. He stated that the County will lose money based on proposal. The Commissioner stated that this is not necessarily so because the improvements may help the restaurant bring in more revenues. He explained that revenues from the restaurant have increased dramatically since Skytop took over.

On motion of Legislator Delfino, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item (for Public Hearing and a vote) was carried by a vote of 7-0 with Legislator Abinanti signing "Without Prejudice".

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14.* COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Act authorizing the County to enter into

IMA’s with cities, villages, towns and fire districts in Westchester for the operation of a computer aided dispatch and records management system and the provision of related equipment, computers, software and services. [ON FILE] (4/7/97)

• Mr. Abinanti requested a pro forma copy of the IMA.
• The Committee Co-Chairs will send a copy of this legislation to the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice for review and recommendations before acting on it.

On motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Darcy, the motion to approve the Minutes of April 7, 1997 was carried by a vote of 7-0.

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m.