COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

JUNE 2, 1997

1:30 P.M.

B & A MEMBERS: Wishnie, LaMotte, Darcy, Abinanti

OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Deputy C.E. Neil DeLuca, Jamie Hastings- Director of IGR, Gina Angiulo-IGR; Budget Department: Joe Phelan-Budget Director, Leslie Bennett, Brian Fitzpatrick, Dianne Kearney; DOT: Commissioner Petrocelli; Airport: Joel Russell; DPW: Commissioner Landi, Deputy Commissioner Butler; Personnel: Anthony Giambruno-Personnel Officer, Planning: Commissioner Oliva; LWV: Anne Nelson; CBAC: George Hosey, Barbara Strauss; Mark Weingarten; BOL: Legislators Carsky, Oros, Mosiello, Latimer, Pat Gorski, Dan Rodriguez, Robert J. Boland-Budget Analyst, Glenn Guzi- Program Specialist, Tina Seckerson-Secretary to Committee

Co-Chair Wishnie called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m.

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

On motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve the Minutes of May 19, 1997 was carried by a vote of 3-0 (Legislator Abinanti out for vote).

1. Mortgage Tax Receipts: An Act that would authorize and direct the Commissioner of Finance to pay the amounts of Mortgage Tax receipts, apportioned according to Section 261 of the New York State Tax Law, to the cities, towns and villages listed in the report (on file).

On motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Darcy, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 4-0.

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2. Light Aviation Bond Act - (Item III, 2): Proposed (Bond) Act authorizing the issuance of $3,216,000 in bonds to finance part of the cost of various Light Aviation improvements. (12/2/96)

• Originally this legislation was also referred to the Committee on the Environment.
• The Environment Committee has completed its review of the environmental aspect of the proposals to develop two FBO sites, mitigate wetland, manage stormwater and remove trees presenting hazards to life and safety at the Airport. By memo of May 30, 1997 from Chair Carsky of the Environment Committee this item was commended to the B & A Committee for review of the bonding legislation.
• There will be no loss to Airport revenue with this bonding

On motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Darcy, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 4-0.

3. IMA’s with Municipal Corporations for the County to provide stencils

(Item II, 1): COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Act authorizing the County to enter into IMA’s with Municipal Corporations for the County to provide stencils to participating municipalities and reimburse the participating municipalities for paint costs in an aggregate amount of $4,000 less the cost of the stencils to be purchased for the participating municipalities. (5/5/97) (Also referred to Env)

• This item was previously approved by the Environment Committee
• Mr. Abinanti suggested the following addendum to the Committee Report: The Committee has reviewed the list of municipalities and supporting documentation and recommends approval of the annexed proposed Act.

On motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the motion to approve this item as well as the Addendum to the Committee Report was carried by a vote of 4-0.

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4. Petty Cash/Change Funds (Item II, 32): COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Authorizing various petty cash/change funds for various departments within the County. (4/21/97)

• Since adoption of Resolution 137-1995, establishing a comprehensive schedule of Petty Cash/Change Funds for various departments within the county, certain changes have occurred effecting the need for Petty Cash/Change Funds.

On motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Darcy, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 4-0.

5. Wightman Mansion IMA (Item II, 5): COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Act authorizing the County to enter into an IMA with the City of Yonkers Board of Education for the lease of the Wightman Mansion and Garage and the property directly adjacent to these structures for park purposes. (4/7/97)

Committee received requested copy of new (and old) lease.

On motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 4-0.

6. Woodlands Viaduct (Item II, 9): COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed legislation increasing the project appropriation for the Woodlands Viaduct to a new total of $16,000,000. (5/19/97)

• This amendment would increase the project appropriation from $12 million to $16 million. It represents additional funding from NYS and does not increase the County’s $4,100,000 share of the project.
• NYSDOT has allowed this additional funding to cover the increased costs associated with keeping at least one lane of traffic open in each direction during the bridge reconstruction.
• commissioner Landi stated that they have already expended some of the $12 million appropriation in design. They anticipate the project going out for bid in September with construction beginning in the spring of 1998.

On motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 4-0.

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The Committee on Public Safety was called to order by Chairman Darcy at 2:05 p.m. to consider the Fire District IMAs (captioned below):

The following PSCJ Members were in attendance: Darcy, Wishnie, Mosiello

7. Act 76-1997: (RECOMMITTED ON 5/19): Authorizing the County to enter into an IMA with cities, villages, towns and fire districts in Westchester County for the operation of a computer aided dispatch and records management system and the provision of related equipment, computers, software and services. (Also referred to PSCJ)

The Committees reviewed the list of municipalities as well as the draft IMA (on file).

For PSCJ: On motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 3-0 with Legislator Mosiello signing "Without Prejudice".

For B&A: On motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Darcy, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 4-0.

On motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the PSCJ meeting was adjourned at 2:10 p.m.

8. Early Retirement legislation (Item II, 8): COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Local Law enabling employees of the County and Westchester Community College to participate in an Early Retirement Incentive Program. (5/19/97)

• Mr. Giambruno was in to present the Early Retirement legislation.
• The proposed legislation for WCC employees provides for an "open period" of 45 days from July 18, 1997 to August 31, 1997.
• The proposed legislation for all other County employees provides for an "open period" from November 17, 1997 to December 31, 1997.
• Committee agreed to sign out for Public Hearing only.

On motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve the two Local Laws, for the purpose of setting Public Hearings only, was carried by a vote of 4-0.

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• The Committee discussed the proposal to rent 365,000 sq. ft. at 360 Hamilton Avenue for a term of 5-6 years. The estimated annual rental would be $5,982,350. with operating costs estimated at $2,555,000 for the first year and electrical costs of $730,000 which amounts to a total annual cost of $9,267,350. The representatives of the owners stated that they believed that the County would save approximately 20% of the $70 million cost of renovating the present Courthouse. Commissioner Landi estimated the cost savings to be in the 10% range.
• The Committee discussed Mr. Abinanti’s proposed resolution. The Committee agreed to several ministerial changes.

At 3:30 p.m. Co-Chair Wishnie recessed the meeting.

Co-Chair Wishnie reconvened the meeting at 4:00 p.m.

• The Committee reviewed the amended resolution.
• The Committee discussed whether swing space is necessary as well as the possibility of eliminating the low-rise building.

NOTE: There was a Committee of the Whole meeting with regard to the Courthouse proposal held earlier in the day. Please see those minutes for more detailed information.

On motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the motion to approve the resolution was carried by a vote of 4-0 with Legislators Darcy and LaMotte signing "Without Prejudice".

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2. Res. - 1997: Authorizing the County Executive of his designee to execute and file an application on behalf of Westchester County with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration and to accept up to $32 million received thereunder.

It was explained that approving this legislation would reserve the County’s opportunity to get the available money and the longer we wait to apply the more chance we have of losing the opportunity. Ms. Angiulo stated that if the County decided not to buy the bus garage the money would be eligible to go to other projects.

Mr. Abinanti stated his concern that too many decisions are being made for the future in light of the fact that there will be a new C.E. next year.

On motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this legislation was carried by a vote of 4-0 with Legislator Abinanti signing "Without Prejudice".

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m.