COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 3, 1997

1:00 P.M.

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

OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Jamie Hastings-Director of IGR, Barbara Monohan-IGR; Budget Dept.: Joe Phelan; Planning: Gerry Mulligan; CBAC: George Hosey; County Clerk’s Office: Leonard N. Spano, Eugene Rogers; LWV: Jo Brill; Ed Krauss; BOL: Robert J. Boland-Budget Analyst, Glenn Guzi-Program Specialist, Dan Rodriquez, Don Sandford- Deputy Clerk; Tina Seckerson-Secretary to Committee

Co-Chairs Swanson and Wishnie called the meeting to order at 1:15 p.m.

12. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed legislation authorizing the County to reconvey certain residual property to the City of New Rochelle. (8/18/97) (Also referred to CA)

• This is a residual parcel (known as Parcel B), one of 12, previously conveyed to the City of New Rochelle for park and recreation purposes. The City’s failure to comply with this requirement resulted in the property reverting back to the County.
• The City of New Rochelle sold the property to an individual, Vito Guiliano at auction for $200. They did not realize that it was supposed to have reverted back to the County and is now requesting that the County reconvey this property to the City. The City has informed the County that Mr. Guiliano has commenced work on Parcel B pursuant to a building permit to construct a one- family residence on Parcel B and an adjoining parcel.
• Mr. Mulligan informed the Committee that this is not a buildable piece of property by itself it will only be valuable when added to another lot. Mr. Boland inquired as to the market value of this parcel. Mr. Mulligan stated that the value is assumed to be the price received at public auction ($200).
• Mr. Darcy suggested that the City of New Rochelle be contacted for an update on the status of the remaining parcels of land.

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• The Committee noted that the action taken on this item should not be viewed as "precedent setting" and other requests such as this will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

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

14. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Act authorizing the County to enter into agreements with one or more financing agencies or card issuers to provide for the acceptance by the County Clerk, of credit cards as a means of payment of fines, civil penalties, special assessments and interest, owed to the County pursuant to New York State General Municipal Law Section 5. (7/21/97)

• Mr. Rogers stated that this will lessen the administrative burden on all parties.
• Mr. Rogers explained that the transaction charge will be absorbed by the use of compensating balance. Mr. Phelan informed the Committee that the method compensating balances is used successfully with other agencies.
• Mr. Boland inquired as to whether the procurement policy will be adhered to in choosing the financial institutions. Mr. Rogers replied that it will.
• Mr. Guzi inquired as to the percentage of checks being returned to the County Clerk’s Office for insufficient funds and the amount of time spent by the office’s staff on paperwork. Mr. Rogers stated that a minimal amount of checks are returned but when they are the paperwork involved is quite time consuming.
• Mr. Abinanti suggested the Committee add a Sunset Provision to the legislation requiring that the County Clerk’s Office report back to the Board on the success/failure of the program in one year. Mr. Phelan suggested the time frame be extended to 18 months rather than one year due to all of the paperwork involved in putting the numbers and report together. The Committee agreed to amend the legislation and Committee Report to reflect this change.

On motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Darcy, the motion to approve this item, as amended, was carried by a vote of 5-0. (Legislators Swanson and Delfino out for vote.

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2. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed legislation authorizing the County to acquire certain improvements at the Valhalla Armory. (9/9/96)

• Committee requested a copy of the lease on 3/25. Site tour taken on 5/19. Memo sent on 7/31. Awaiting response to memo.

3. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed legislation to finance the design and construction of the Family Justice Center and the rehabilitation of the existing Richard J. Daronco Westchester County Courthouse. (3/10/97) (Also referred to PSCJ)

4. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Forwarding Capital Budget Amendments and Bond Acts regarding the reconstruction of the Courthouse. (7/21/97)

• On motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Delfino, the motion to Receive, File and place items 3 & 4 in the County Courthouse File for tracking purposes was carried by a vote of 7-0.

8. HON. ANDREW DONOVAN: Forwarding a letter from the Supervisor of the Town of Yorktown regarding the segmented equalization rate. (7/21/97)

• Legislator LaMotte suggested that the Committee meet with Tax Commissioner Margaret Iacomini, Legislators Donovan and Oros and any other appropriate representatives on this matter.

9. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Acceptance of a gift from John and Brenda Fareri of a temporary, one-story building at the Westchester County Medical Center to be used as a Development Center for the Children’s Hospital. (6/2/97)

• Mr. Darcy expressed his concern with regard to the adequacy of a temporary building to avoid any liabilities. He further stated that he would like to make sure that the Commissioner of Public Works has signed off on this as it may not need a Certificate of Occupancy form the local community as it is located on County property. He requested the Committee get clarification from the Law Department as to any legalities or liabilities as well as clarification from DPW as to whether a Certificate of Occupancy is required and, if so, the status of it. Mr. Abinanti also wanted to know how a building could be built on County property without the approval of the Board of Legislators.

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13. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed resolution authorizing the County to apply for federal grants re: New Rochelle Bus Plaza. (8/18/97)

• On motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0 (Legislator Delfino out for vote)

15. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed legislation authorizing the Westchester Community College to install and develop an independent stand alone computer facility. (8/18/97)

• Mr. Boland stated that the CBAC is taking this matter under advisement and will report back to the Budget Committee. He suggested the Committee wait for that report before taking any action on this matter.
• Mr. Abinanti stated that he would like to see written confirmation from WCC making sure they agree with the requested year end 1996 transfers.

20. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed act amending the 1996 County Operating Budget - Year-end Transfers. (8/18/97)

• This item will be discussed along with items 21 & 22 (captioned below) on Monday, September 8th at 1:00 p.m. Mrs. Swanson reminded Mr. Phelan that the Committee will need to know the surplus amount before taking any action on this items. Mr. Phelan stated that the necessary information will be provided to the Committee.

21. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Act amending the 1996 Water District No. 1 Operating Budget. (8/18/97)

22. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Act amending the 1996 Westchester County Medical Center Operating Budget. (8/18/97)

23. HON. LOUIS MOSIELLO: Forwarding a letter from a constituent regarding the removal of money from the County Budget for the Summer Ethnic Park Festivals. (8/18/97)

• The Committee asked how much was previously in the PRC Budget for the Summer Ethnic Park Festivals and why it was removed. Mr. Phelan stated that he will find out and report back to the Committee.

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24. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed legislation authorizing the County to enter into a 62 month lease agreement with 360 Hamilton Plaza, LLC. for the lease of approximately 365,000 square feet of space in the building at 360 Hamilton Avenue in White Plains. (6/16/97)

• Signed out on 8/4 by B & A Committee for Public Hearing only, recommitted by BOL on 8/12.
• The Committee discussed a letter from Chief Administrative Judge Jonathan Lippmann stating that the County would be charged $140 million in sanctions if there is no plan to replace or repair the Courthouse by October 1st.
• Mr. Darcy reiterated his position that until their is a decision made as to what is going to be done with the Courthouse the County should not be spending $50 million on a lease.
• Legislator Abinanti made a motion, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, to sign this item out to set a Public Hearing, which motion was defeated by a vote of 3-3.

25. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS: Forwarding a memorandum concerning the Courthouse rehabilitation. (8/18/97)

• On motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to Receive, File and place this item in the County Courthouse File for tracking purposes was carried by a vote of 6-0 (Legislator Delfino out for vote).

26. HON. THOMAS ABINANTI: Forwarding a copy of his letter to the County Executive re: parking at Grasslands. (8/18/97)

• On motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the motion to Receive, File and Refer this item to the Committee on Health and the Medical Center was carried by a vote of 6-0 (Legislator Delfino out for vote).

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27. HON. THOMAS ABINANTI: Forwarding a copy of a letter from the President of White Plains Hospital Center re: Greenburgh Neighborhood Health Center. (8/18/97)

• On motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Darcy, the motion to Receive and File this item was carried by a vote of 6-0 (Legislator Delfino out for vote)

28. HON. THOMAS ABINANTI: Forwarding a Gannett Newspaper Editorial response entitled "Center’s Spin-off Raises Problems". (8/18/97)

• On motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion to Receive and File this item was carried by a vote of 6-0 (Legislator Delfino out for vote)

29. HON. THOMAS ABINANTI: Forwarding a Gannett Newspaper Editorial entitled "Merging Two Health Centers Raises Concerns". (8/18/97)

• On motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion to Receive and File this item was carried by a vote of 6-0 (Legislator Delfino out for vote)

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m.