COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

NOVEMBER 30, 1998

ATTENDANCE:

Chairman Wishnie called the meeting to order at 9:45 a.m.

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

• IMAs with 32 municipalities for prisoner transport.
• IMAs will commence on January 1, 1999 and terminate on December 31, 2000
• Annual reimbursement to the municipalities will not exceed $450,000.00 for a total amount not to exceed $900,000.00

On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0 with Legislator Abinanti signing "Without Prejudice".

• Projection is to be $1 million in the black
• Tax levy down to $500,000
• Playland: net loss of $631,630 Projecting a loss of $1.4 million for 1999
• Services by Public Works (Playland) (5280): Increase due to carting, boiler work and some other work to be done at Playland. Committee requested a list of work being done at Playland by DPW.

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• Mr. Mosiello asked if there is any charge back in the PRC budget allocated to the Inspector General’s office. The Commissioner stated there is not.

• Mrs. LaMotte inquired as to what is being done with regard to illegal hunting in the County. Commissioner DeSantis stated that there are problems with illegal hunting at most of the large parks. Parks patrol has been considered ($75,000 - $80,000) expenditure that has not been put into the budget because things are very tight financially. Mrs. LaMotte stated that she had been speaking with someone from Georgia where they have a wildlife management program where they allow hunters in late at night to curtail illegal hunting. The Commissioner responded that according to the Charter there is no access for hunting on County parkland.
• Mrs. LaMotte suggested that perhaps an advertising campaign and discount could be given for people to come to Playland for miniature golf (if covered) to help the revenue stream on rainy days.

• Currently senior discounts are being given Monday through Friday but will be changed to Monday through Thursday.
• Over the years reduction of 40+ staff in PRC. Mrs. Carsky stated that parkland such as the Bronx River Reservation is deteriorating rapidly from lack of maintenance and should be looked at. More people are accessing parks system all the time.
• Mr. Wishnie stated that programs such as an adopt-a-trail program are needed to remove the burden from the taxpayers.
• PRC: Estimated number of people playing golf has increased. Anticipate additional revenues.

• Marketing: $600,000: Mr. Kaplowitz asked if it is enough. Commissioner DeSantis stated that it is never enough when dealing with advertising. They have been doing well, maximizing the amount by being creative.
• Mrs. Stewart-Cousins inquired as to how the North Ridge Equestrian Center is doing. Is it cost effective? There is no County personnel other than on the trail. It is a privately run operation and does not cost the taxpayer anything. This entrepreneur is doing better than the previous one.

• Contractual services: Mrs. Stewart-Cousins asked about the outreach to women and minorities by PRC. The Commissioner responded that they advertise in a number of trade journals and much of capital work is done through DPW.

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• Mrs. LaMotte stated that she would like some projections with regard to the fish farm before moving ahead. Mr. Wishnie reminded the Committee that this matter was discussed at length with Commissioner Landi and he gave his word that they would not move ahead without giving the Board more info first.

• Modify Glen Island bridge hours of operation: considering changing from manning it 24 hours a day year-round to an abbreviated schedule. This will only affect the boating population.
• Salary Adjustments – General Services Summary (421000) Account 1500: There is no number listed under 1998 appropriated. Budget Department will check into this and get back to Committee.
• Hudson Hills: Mrs. LaMotte requested an update of the planned facility and questioned a catering facility. Mr. DeSantis stated he knows nothing about a catering facility and that they are participating in an open RFP process as a representative of open golf. Planning Department will update the Committee on the status of the RFP.

• In the process of reviewing both revenue and expenditures.
• Looking at recent impact of interest on investments.
• Auto use tax: on the 1997 cycle as we approach the 1999 year.
• Verifying sales and hotel taxes
• Getting information on Pilots.
• Correction: looking at federal inmate program and decline in program
• Sales tax revenue: growth is about 3.1% growth from October to October
• Aware of December 7^th deadline for additions and working to meet that deadline to be able to provide the Committee with information by the end of this week.

• Commissioner Lannert informed the Committee that November 12^th submission date for RFPs for the Hudson Hills Golf Course. Committee will be put together to review the 4 responses.
• Increase of personnel of one from 27 to 28 yet the numbers have gone from $1 million to $1.5 million. Ms. Tooher explained that this is due to the grossing up of salary accounts that were charged to capital before.

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• Less Services to other Departments: Change due to GIS employees going to IT.
• The Committee requested a schedule of the departmental income of $824,700. Ms. Tooher explained that it is revenue coming from capital funds to offset salaries.

• Soil & Water Conservation District: There was an expenditure in 1997 ($35,000), nothing in 1998 or 1999. In light of what the County has done recently, entering into an agreement for a 5 year term to be reimbursed for a portion, Mr. Kaplowitz asked if it can be found on the revenue side. He asked for an explanation of the line. Commissioner DeSantis explained that the $35,000 was for one salary. In 1998 that salary was moved into annual regular so there is no expenditure for soil & water. Any revenue from the state for the Soil & Water Conservation would be found under state aid but it was not budgeted. Mr. Kaplowitz asked if when corporations want to build a facility out at one of the County facility’s and they go through the Planning Department for purposes of the application process are there any permit fees, revenue to be derived or an charge levied on those kinds of applications? Commissioner Lannert stated that currently there is no charge for such services. Mr. Kaplowitz stated that since they are profit making enterprises a fee schedule could be factored into proposals for the future. The Commissioner stated that it is a good idea and should be looked into.
• CDBG: There were 2 lines filled by people doing GIS work. The two individuals have now been transferred to the IT budget leaving the two lines vacant. These two lines left vacant will now be filled with people to do CDBG work.
• Applications for next CDBG funding cycle will be available in February with the due date being June and the money becoming available in May of 2000.
• Mrs. LaMotte asked if the County is planning to get involved with the President’s recent initiative with regard to senior affordable housing. Mr. Salley stated that the County has applied for 400 additional vouchers and certificates.
• Family Self Sufficiency Program: assisting 157 households this year and expecting 240 next year. Mrs. Carsky asked how they plan to accomplish this. Mr. Salley explained they will be stepping up outreach and they have brought in about 4 communities based organizations that will help do outreach and bring people who presently receive Section 8 rental assistance into the Family Self Sufficiency Program.

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• HIF: units completed going from 146 to 280. Some major projects that hopefully will be completed in 1999 (i.e. 120 unit project in Peekskill, 126 unit project in Yonkers).
• Mrs. Carsky asked if we have been successful in reaching out to those communities that haven’t achieved the goals imposed upon them regarding fair share housing. Mr. Salley stated that they are currently in discussion with the Town of New Castle regarding a project that will range between 50-100 units. There are discussions with several other north county communities that have expressed an interest in participating.
• GIS & Soil Studies: Mr. Kaplowitz stated that many communities have expressed that they are in desperate need for some of this and would be willing to pay a reasonable price for it. He asked what is being done to move aggressively in both of these areas to move into the next millennium. Commissioner Lannert stated that one area that will do this in large measure is watershed planning. There are ten communities that will have their land use and master plan re-looked at in light of the watershed planning.
• Mrs. Stewart-Cousins asked how many inspectors there are with regard to the Section 8 housing program. There are 2 that do housing quality inspections. According to Mr. Salley, there are 1,890 household that receive Section 8 rental assistance. Approximately 20% of them turn over each year and have to be re-inspected while the remainder are inspected on an annual basis. If they do get more certificates/vouchers they will have to bring on another inspector. The position count for Section 8 housing program is 19. Mr. Salley gave the following breakdown: 2 inspectors, 8 staff assistants, 3 supervisory employees and the rest are clerical staff. The Committee requested a community by community breakdown of the 1,890 households. Any complaint or request for inspection is carried out within 5 days.
• Mr. Wishnie asked about the 9A – Route 117 – Bike Trail. Mr. Mulligan stated that it is the Missing Link. The County has agreed to cooperate with the state. The County would provide 20% and the state would do 80%. The state is proceeding with design right now. They are anticipating two missing links, hopefully with construction in the fall of 1999.
• Mrs. Swanson asked about the 9A Corridor. Commissioner Lannert stated that there are ongoing meetings with the state on this matter.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.