COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

JUNE 30, 1997

3:00 P.M.

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

OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Barbara Monohan-IGR; Budget: Joe Phelan- Director; CBAC: George Hosey, Barbara Strauss; BKS: Les Storch, Nick DeSantis, Susan Friend; Others: Ed Krauss, Ned Bentley; BOL: Legislator Carsky, Dan Rodriguez, Robert J. Boland-Budget Analyst, Glenn Guzi- Program Specialist, Tina Seckerson-Secretary to Committee

Co-Chairs Swanson and Wishnie called the meeting to order at 2:10 p.m.

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

On motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion to approve the Minutes of June 23, 1997 was carried by a vote of 3-0. (Legislators Abinanti, Darcy and Young out for vote)

• WCMC & RTI: The auditors stated that all things being equal, if WCMC and RTI operate as anticipated, there will be a savings of some $5 million in the General Fund.
• The biggest unknown for 1998 and 1999, separate from state funding, is how the Medical Center will operate as a Public Benefit Corporation.
• Health Dept: Anticipate 59.5% state reimbursement for transportation of handicapped children; 50% for early intervention program
• Mrs. Carsky asked for an explanation of what is meant by "management initiatives". Mr. DeSantis stated that management initiatives represent the elimination of salary increases projected for 1996, 1997 and 1998 for all County Departments, except in the Hospital and RTI. In both of these entities, management initiatives represent the equivalent of the projected salary increases for all years as a result of instituting a public benefit corporation, which is expected to exact savings and maximize revenue reimbursement.

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• Mrs. Swanson asked how much of the County budget is mandated. The auditors stated it is somewhere around 70%.
• Dept of Correction: Auditors project an additional 10 federal inmates per day. Mr. Abinanti requested, in writing, the answer to the following: What was the 1996 revenue from federal prisoners as well as the FTE’s? what did the Administration propose for 1997? and What is the actual to date?
• Mr. Wishnie asked what the status of payment from the state is. Mr. Phelan responded that we received $2 million with another $1 million coming.
• Certioraris: $11.4 million has been estimated in each of the years through 1999. The auditors stated that a special reserve of an additional $1.075 for certiorari expenditures was provided by the Board of Legislators in the 1997 adopted budget. The Committee asked where we stand for 1997. Mr. Phelan stated that the year to date numbers show that we are right on target for $11.4 million.
• 1997 appropriation for 6N Fund reduced as compared to 1996.
• In the discussion of the 6N Fund the Committee requested a copy of the actuary’s recommendations, what was used and what the outcome was. It will be provided by Mr. Phelan.
• There was a discussion as to the balance in the 6N Fund and how much would go to the Hospital when it becomes a PBC.
• Mr. Boland asked the auditors if the actuaries numbers were taken into consideration for their calculations. There was no response.
• The Committee will set up a meeting at a future date to discuss the 6N Fund in more detail.

• The Committee discussed a proposed Budget Committee Resolution requesting the Dormitory Authority respond to various questions with regard to:
• Renovating the Courthouse while occupied
• Constructing the annex and utilizing the annex for swing space
• Utilizing 365,000 sq. ft. of swing space at 360 Hamilton Avenue
• Engineering Report from Severud Associates
• Mr. Abinanti suggested that in addition to a contract with the Dormitory Authority the County should have a contract with someone else to supervise (act as a liaison to the Dormitory Authority). He stated that he believes you need someone other than the builder to give advice on a construction project - an engineering firm should be hired.
• Mr. Abinanti suggested another alternative might be to enlarge the existing courthouse.

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• The Committee was informed that the Chairman of the Board has had some preliminary discussions with the Dormitory Authority.

The Committee recessed at 4:15 p.m. to attend a scheduled Committee of the Whole meeting and will reconvene at its conclusion.

The Committee reconvened at 5:45 p.m.

After a short discussion a couple of amendments were made to the language of the Resolution. On motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Swanson the motion to approve the following Budget Committee Resolution was carried by a vote of 4-2 with Legislators Abinanti and Young recorded in the negative.

BUDGET COMMITTEE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Budget and Appropriations Committee has been designated by the Westchester County Board of Legislators as the Committee to review and study proposals to replace, renovate or rehabilitate the Westchester County Courthouse and provide a recommendation to the Board; and

WHEREAS, the Budget and Appropriations Committee is in need of additional information in connection with its review and desires input in connection with the expected positive or negative effects of various proposals, as well as a reasonable estimate of additional costs likely to be incurred by reason of various proposals in order to better evaluate the cost-benefits of each; and

WHEREAS, the New York State Dormitory Authority in connection with their presentation to the Westchester County Board of Legislators regarding the Westchester County Courthouse, had advised the Board that they were willing to provide technical assistance to the Board in connection with its review of any proposals; and

WHEREAS, the Budget and Appropriations Committee has formulated several scenarios and requests for additional information; and

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WHEREAS, the Budget and Appropriations Committee intends to circulate its requests for additional information to the New York State Dormitory Authority and the Office of Court Administration;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Budget and Appropriations Committee of the Westchester County Board of Legislators requests that the County executive negotiate an agreement with the New York State Dormitory Authority and requests the Office of Court Administration be asked to respond to the following:

1. SCENARIO A: RENOVATE COURTHOUSE WHILE OCCUPIED:

Assuming that the Courthouse was to be renovated while occupied, please provide a brief narrative of what could reasonably be anticipated to occur from the implementation of such a plan. Include the expected course of renovations (i.e. floor by floor, side of building by side of building, top to bottom), as well as a timeline for such a renovation. Also provide an estimate of how much space would need to be vacated at a time to facilitate any such renovation.

Please provide an estimate of the additional costs incurred by reason of renovating an occupied building including the costs of any noise mitigating measures, or security measures.

Please provide comments on any anticipated negative effects or positive benefits from such a scenario.

2. SCENARIO B: CONSTRUCT ANNEX AND UTILIZE ANNEX FOR SWING SPACE

Assuming that a decision was made to first construct an annex and then utilize the annex as temporary facilities to expedite the renovation of the existing Courthouse, please provide an estimate for a timeline for such construction, and indicate how it would delay the timetable for the renovation of the Courthouse. Indicate expected operating costs on a sq. ft. basis for the annex.

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3. SCENARIO C: UTILIZE 365,000 sq. ft. SWING SPACE AT 360 HAMILTON AVENUE

The County is considering leasing 365,000 of office space at 360 Hamilton Avenue in White Plains, as swing space to expedite and facilitate the renovation of the Courthouse. Please provide an estimate of the benefits from such a scenario as they relate to the renovation of the tower, including time or cost savings. Please provide a narrative plan including timeline for any such renovation, and evaluate same with the variations of (i) build/no build annex; and/or (ii) build annex first/build annex last. Please provide an opinion on the amount of proposed swing space.

4. SCENARIO D: RECENTLY OBTAINED ENGINEERING REPORT

The County has recently received an Engineering Report from SEVERUD ASSOCIATES. Please review the report and comment on its usefulness, and the scope of what additional preliminary engineering work as should prudently be obtained prior to any final decisions being made.

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.