COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

JULY 13, 1998

ATTENDANCE:

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

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

On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the motion to approve the Minutes of June 8, 1998, and June 29, 1998, was carried by a vote of 5-0. (Legislators Abinanti and Swanson out for vote)

• Signed out by Committee on Community Affairs on July 6, 1998.
• The County’s right to this easement arises from notes on maps filed in the County Clerk’s Office which refer to "a 100 foot Easement to the County of Westchester – Proposed Route 9A Access".

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• During construction of the Charles Point Project, this easement was proposed as an access route for sanitation trucks – subsequently a more desirable alternative access route was designed and constructed over Louisa Street.
• A local appraisal company has determined that the 100 foot easement is of little or no value to the County due to its location and the fact that it would serve no useful purpose. A building was constructed by VAMCO Realty of Peekskill, Inc. directly over the County’s easement.
• VAMCO will pay the County $1,000 to cover costs incurred by the County in connection with terminating the 100 foot easement.

On motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0. (Legislator Carsky out for the vote)

• Grant application is for $23,763,272 that will be used to support the County’s Bee-Line System.
• County is seeking up to $17,724,888 in federal Capital funds and $803,581 in federal Operating Assistance funds from an FTA grant to finance the purchase of approximately 43 replacement transit vehicles and to offset a portion of the Bee-Line System’s operating expenses.

• The FTA grant will require $5,234,803 in local matching funds ($4,431,222 capital funds, $803,581 operating funds).
• NYS will contribute approximately $2,215,611 to the local matching funds and sufficient funds will be available in the County’s 1998 Capital (T001K) & Operating Budgets to finance the County’s share ($3,019,192).

On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator LaMotte the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0.

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BUS ACQUISITION:

• The Capital Budget amendment increases the project appropriation by $16.155 million and revises the financing plan to reflect an 80% non-County share and 20% County share of the new total project amount of $28.755 million.
• The purpose of the Capital Budget amendment is to enable the County to qualify for up to $23 million in 1998 Federal fiscal year and 1997/98 State fiscal year funds towards the acquisition of approximately 58 articulated buses. This $23 million represents the 80% share of a total cost of $28.755 million for approximately 58 vehicles.
• DOT has been notified recently by the FTA and the NYSDOT that an additional $12.924 million in funds are available toward the purchase of articulated buses. In order to qualify for this additional funding, it is necessary to increase the project appropriation to reflect the additional amount.

• Mrs. LaMotte asked about accident statistics with regard to articulated buses vs. regular buses. Mr. Stiller stated that there really is not much difference. Mrs. LaMotte inquired as to a specific accident involving an articulated bus that the Committee had discussed at their last meeting. Mr. Stiller stated that he was not familiar with the specific case but that it is possible for an articulated bus to hit something and the driver be unaware.
• Safety level of articulated buses has increased dramatically and are now made in these country rather than Germany.

On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator LaMotte the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0.

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• Environment Committee signed this item out on June 30, 1998.
• The Capital Project - Light General Aviation is currently appropriated at $16.14 million, with $9.2 million allocated for Phase 1 (design and construction) and Phase 2 (design). The remaining $6.94 million is allocated for Phase II construction. This amount is insufficient, since a recently completed estimate indicates Phase 2 will cost $9.4 million. It is necessary to amend the Capital Budget by $2.46 million to allow for this increased cost.
• The cost overrun of $2.4 million is due to enhanced storm-water diversion, more plantings and some minor changes in road design as well as escalated costs since the project was first proposed.
• Design firm is Ronald Freeman & Associates

• There is also a proposed Bond Act amendment of Bond Act No. 85-1997 in the amount of $3,216,000 to finance Phase 1 Light General Aviation infrastructure improvements. The Bond Act Amendment is to incorporate Phase 2 construction, increasing the bonding authorization to $6,880,000 (an increase of $3,664,000).

• Ms. Tooher stated that the work being done is being paid for out of revenue being generated from the project.

On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0.

27. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Local Law providing for a Retirement Incentive Program for employees of

Westchester County and Westchester Community College. (6/15/98)

• Mrs. LaMotte stated that a major concern with early retirement incentives is losing key people to the organization. Ms. Tooher stated that while it is true that the County has no control over who elects to take advantage of the early retirement incentive, the void is filled by others moving up the ranks. She also stated that the County may not save any money with this Early Retirement Program.

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• The Committee stressed concern with regard to the date of commencement for the WCC Early Retirement Program as stated in the legislation (July 17, 1998) when the Board will not be considering the matter for approval until the July 20^th Board meeting. It was the belief of some of the Committee members that the date need not be changed as the legislation will only become effective immediately after approval by the Board and ratification by the County Executive. Mr. Wishnie stated that the matter of the commencement date will be discussed with the County Attorney.

On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion to approve the legislation with regard to the Early Retirement Incentive for WCC employees, with the amendment of the July 17, 1998 commencement date, was carried by a vote of 6-0 with Legislator Carsky out for the vote and Legislator LaMotte signing "Without Prejudice".

On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion to approve the legislation with regard to the Early Retirement Incentive for Westchester County employees (except WCC) was carried by a vote of 7-0.

• According to Ms. Tooher this is strictly an accounting entry to close the Enterprise Account deficit.

• The Committee inquired as to the additional $10 million in deficit in one year. Mr. Martell of Peat Marwick explained that $ 8 million of the $10 million is due to current year (1997) operations.
• He further explained that in 1996 there was a $4.5 million shortfall in the Medical Center and RTI accounts. If you add in the current year (1997) of $7.1 million at the Medical Center and $800,000 at RTI it brings the shortfall up to $12.5 million. Additional County adjustment brings the $8 million up to the $10 million loss.

• Workers Compensation: Overall cost $2.8 million

• According to Ms. Tooher, this closes out Enterprise Fund. Any retroactivity on contract settlements must come back to BOL for funding. Negotiations are slow, therefore this is no way to quantify the number. According to Mr. Miller, the total salary base is $120-$130 million.
• The Committee is concerned as to what happened to make these transfers necessary.
• Committee requested a breakdown of the mix of revenue for 1996 and 1997
• Need to look at Charity Care and bad debt as one category.

7/20 10:00 a.m. Hospital Transfers

7/27 10:00 a.m. Site Visit – Mt. Vernon District Office

8/3 10:00 a.m. First 6 Months Projections

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the meeting was adjourned at 12:40 p.m.