COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

JUNE 8, 1998

ATTENDANCE:

Chairman Latimer called the meeting to order at 10:40 a.m.

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

The Minutes of June 1, 1998 were amended with regard the bond act for the replacement of fuel tanks at the Airport as follows:

1. The addition of an Editor’s Note stating that subsequent to the meeting, it was determined that there was a prior Board appropriation on this matter.
2. The $900,000 will be financed by bonds (not cash as previously stated)

On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Mosiello, the motion to approve the Minutes of June 1, 1998, as amended, was carried by a vote of 7-0. (Legislators Abinanti and Stewart-Cousins out for vote)

The June 11, 1998 A&C Calendar was distributed to the Committee. Chairman Latimer asked that the members look it over at their convenience and contact either himself or Bob Boland with any comments or questions.

Mr. Latimer provided the Committee with responses to questions asked last week with regard to the June 4, 1998 A&C Calendar as follows:

4. Re: Authority to enter into an agreement with the Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York, Inc. to perform a concert. Requested by Committee: Why are we entering into an agreement with New York when Westchester has it’s own Philharmonic? Response: This concert is a 20 year tradition and the New York Philharmonic is considered to be high quality.

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5. Re: License agreement with Keren Management for the purpose of utilizing an off-site parking facility during Philharmonic concert. Requested by Committee: Are we paying anything to Keren Management? Response: No.

7. Re: License agreement with Hudson Valley Bank to operate an ATM at Airport. Requested by Committee: a) Is there an RFP for this agreement? B_) How was this bank chosen? Mr. Boland stated that since it is a license agreement it is excluded from the RFP process under the current Procurement policy. Response: Other banks were solicited in 1996, and Hudson Valley Bank was the only one who agreed to pay for the installation of the ATM equipment.

10. Re: Agreement with the Young Women’s Christian Association of White Plains to provide services to 12 homeless single women housed at YWCA in an amount not to exceed $29,629. Requested by Committee: Exactly what is being provided. Response: Back-up available with Mr. Boland.
11. Re: Agreement with the Family Resource Center to manage & provide services to homeless families housed in 8 scattered site apartments in Peekskill. Committee requested back-up. Response: Back-up available with Mr. Boland.
12. Re: Agreement with Volunteers of America – Greater New York, Inc. to provide services to 19 homeless singles temporarily housed at the Valhalla Residence, Sunshine Cottage Road in an amount not to exceed $779,172. Committee requested an explanation of the amount. Response: According to Commissioner Steve Friedman, the amount is due to the acute level of psychiatric medical needs.

18. Re: Lawsuit settlement: Cortlandt Colonial Restaurant v. County of Westchester by payment from the County of $40,000. Committee requested back-up. Response: Back-up available with Mr. Boland.
19. Re: Authority, pursuant to Section 3(a)xxi of the Westchester County Procurement Policy and Procedures, to exempt the procurement of an agreement with Fireworks by Grucci, Inc. for fireworks display services. Committee requested back-up as to why Grucci was chosen. Response: The sponsors involved in the subsidy of this event wanted Grucci due to their high name recognition.

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• Ms. Tooher explained that there is a time sensitivity on the transfers due to the fact that the County’s financial reports have to be filed.
• Ms. Tooher explained the difference between "committee transfers" and "board transfers".
• The auditors were involved with working on the transfers.

2. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Budget Transfers/Sewer and Water Districts: Proposed Resolution providing for appropriations transfers within County Sewer and Water Districts. (4/20/98)

3. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: 1997 Budget Amendment: Proposed Act amending the 1997 Operating Budget by making transfers between various County departments. (4/20/98)

• Committee requested a breakdown of health insurance accounts
• There was a discussion with regard to funding of employee contracts. Ms. Tooher stated that when there is a contract settlement the Administration will come down to the Board of Legislators with a budget amendment to dip into the undesignated fund balance.
• On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the motion to move into Executive Session to discuss employee contract negotiations at 11:40 a.m. was carried by a vote of 9-0.

• On motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to move out of Executive Session 11:45 a.m. was carried by a vote of 9-0.
• 3% increase included in budget for 1997 for retroactive settlement.
• Committee had questions with regard to timeliness of legal services billing.
• Committee expressed concern with the amount of overtime being paid – need to take a sterner approach.

On motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.

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• There were questions with regard to the Playland Ice Casino hourly account. It was explained that they experimented keeping the ice casino open during the summer and found there was not a sufficient demand.
• There was a discussion with regard to the fleet management account.
• The Committee discussed the County Clerk’s numbers and the possibility of having him in at a future meeting to discuss revenue & expenditure numbers in more detail.

On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.

24. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Water District Budget Amendments: Proposed Act amending the 1997 Water District No. 1 and Water District No. 3 Operating Budgets. (4/20/98)

• Due to an increase in water rates and consumption.

On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.

• There was an additional expense due tot he acquisition of Hudson Hills. The Committee asked why it was not taken off the tax rolls. Ms. Tooher explained that it was a mid-year purchase and we had to reimburse the seller for property taxes that were paid up front.
• Satellite Bus Garage: sewer tax was not included in last year’s budget. Ms. Tooher explained that it was an oversight and will appear in the Miscellaneous Budget under Taxes on County Property.
• Committee requested a breakdown of the County taxes account.

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On motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to Receive, File & place this item in the Sales Tax Folder was carried by a vote of 9-0.

18. Re: Stokes-Green Property

Mr. Kaplowitz informed the Committee that this site will be visited on June 23^rd as part of an all day tour of park facilities.

19. Certiorari Refunds:

On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to Receive and File this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.

21. & 22. Items with regard to Sales Tax Revenue:

On motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to Receive, File & place these items in the Sales Tax Folder was carried by a vote of 9-0.

On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.

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1. Suspending Rules 9 & 11: On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.
2. Rules for Conduct of Public Hearing: On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.
3. Setting a Public Hearing on the WCC Budget: On motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the meeting was adjourned at 12:25 p.m.