COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

APRIL 6, 1998

 

ATTENDANCE:

 

B & A MEMBERS: Wishnie, Abinanti, Carsky, Kaplowitz, LaMotte, Mosiello, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, Young

 

OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph, Barbara Fratianni; Budget Dept: Kate Tooher, Leslie Bennett, Dianne Kearney; Law Department: County Attorney Scheinkman; CBAC: George Hosey; LWV: Anne Nelson; Medical Center: Marianne Oros, John Markiewicz; WCC: Fred Boyar; Planning Dept.: Fran McLaughlin, Jerry Mulligan, Paul Gisondo, William Brady, Larry Salley; PRC: Commissioner DeSantis, Dave DeLucia, Joseph Montalto; DPW: Commissioner Landi, Ralph Butler; BOL: Robert J. Boland, Tina Seckerson

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

 

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

 

MINUTES: On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion to approve the Minutes of March 16, 1998, March 24, 1998 and March 30, 1998 was carried by a vote of 9-0.

 

COUNTY CLERK RE: OVERTIME:

 

  • Mr. Spano explained that business is booming in home sales and re-financing and in order to keep up with the volume he had to put people on overtime.
  • Cost over runs are more than made up for by revenue brought in.
  • Extra business will far exceed the cost of overtime costs.
  • Ms. Tooher stated that the Budget Department is usually very conservative with revenue numbers for the County Clerk’s office so when it is a good year it is not uncommon to see more overtime costs.
  • Mr. Spano informed the Committee that the Pistol Permit licensing is overwhelming and therefore he may be putting the people who work on the licensing on overtime.

 

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BOND ACTS:

 

1. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: North County Trailway: Forwarding a Capital Budget Amendment and related Bond Act re: North County Trailway. (3/23/98) (Also referred to ENV)

 

  • This is for completion of the North County Trailway and includes the construction of two critical trail gaps - Missing Link I totaling 0.6 miles, and Missing Link II being 500 feet in length. The completion of these two segments will result in a continuous trailway spanning 22.1 miles from the Eastview section of Mt. Pleasant to the Putnam County Boundary.
  • Mrs. Carsky expressed her concern about totally eliminating Yonkers from the trailway. Mr. Mosiello stated that he represents the people in the area where the trailway would be in Yonkers and the residents are against it. Mrs. LaMotte stated that she believed it was a safety issue and suggested perhaps a fence could be put in place. Mr. LaMotte stated that some right-of-ways should be kept even if they are not used at this time because once the land is developed you lose any potential of a trail.
  • Mr. Kaplowitz stated that Committee on the Environment has discussed this matter and signed it out.

 

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

 

2. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Bond Act authorizing the issuance of $1,200,000 in bonds - Utility Reinforcement - Valhalla Campus. (3/23/98)

  • To finance a new main steam connection for the Labs & Research Building and Woodfield Cottage into the County’s central system at the Valhalla Campus.
  • Currently steam for these facilities is purchased from the New York Medical College.

 

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

 

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MINUTES - APRIL 6, 1998

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3. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Bond Act authorizing the issuance of $2,220,000 in bonds - Playland Infrastructure. (3/23/98)

 

  • To finance a portion of a four-phase comprehensive rehabilitation of the infrastructure at Playland, including all utilities and the colonnades and colonnade pavilions, and to provide the park with state-of-the-art telecommunications and emergency generator systems.
  • Mrs. LaMotte stated that we should be looking at the whole cost of Playland to the County - cost benefit analysis.
  • Phase 1 work to be done includes rehabilitation and upgrade to: electrical distribution, site utilities, and emergency generator needs in park quadrant s one and two, along with relocation of electrical equipment in the towers of quadrants three and four. Phase 2 design is for rehabilitation and upgrade to electrical distribution, site utilities and emergency generator needs in park quadrant three.
  • Playland is 70 years old and in need of some repair in some areas.
  • Mr. Kaplowitz asked if there is any other (outside) source of dollars for work to be done at Playland. Mr. DeLucia stated that they apply for grants whenever possible.
  • The Committee will not take action on this item until after touring the facility.

 

4. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Bond Act authorizing the issuance of $1,868,000 in bonds - Bradhurst Modifications. (3/23/98)

 

  • To convert office space to medical office/ambulatory care use at 19 Bradhurst Avenue and provide for miscellaneous common space improvements and exterior repairs as required for an outpatient facility.
  • 210,139 total rentable square feet
  • Current Project Status of the "First 60,000 Square Feet" is as follows:
    1. sq. ft. of space is already rented (Cardiology consultants of Westchester since mid-November of 1997; University OB/GYN, PC since December of 1997 and Westchester Faculty Associates since December of 1997).
    2. sq. ft. is currently under construction for the following: Westchester Oncology & Hemotology PC; Patrick Molt, MD, FACS; and Westchester Radiation Medicine, PC.
    3. sq. ft. of space is pending construction and return of lease agreements. (Cardiac Surgery Group, PC et al; and University Orthopedics, PC

 

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MINUTES - APRIL 6, 1998

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  • Construction "Beyond the First 60,000 Square Feet" is as follows:
    1. Under construction: Dialysis Clinic - 19,232 sq. ft.
    2. Pending Construction: 28,583
  • The Committee will discuss this item further before taking any action.

 

5. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Bond Act authorizing the issuance of $238,000 in bonds - Conversion of Former Children’s Center. (3/23/98)

 

  • To finance part of the cost of the design and construction of an addition and alterations, including HVAC and electrical work, to the Knollwood Center at Westchester Community College.
  • It was suggested that a site visit be taken before the Community College budget comes in.

 

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

 

6. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Bond Act authorizing the issuance of $418,000 in bonds - Campus Wide Traffic Site Project. (3/23/98)

 

  • To finance a campus wide traffic project. The improvements focus on roads, paths, parking areas, services areas, storm drainage, lighting and signage.

 

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

 

7. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed legislation authorizing the County to enter

into an IMA with the City of New Rochelle in connection with the Housing Implementation Fund project known as the Lawn Avenue Affordable Housing Project. (3/23/98) (Also referred to CA)

 
  • Authority of the Board of Legislators is required for the issuance of $350,000 in bonds to provide funds for infrastructure improvements in conjunction with the development of the project.
  • Additional funding for the project will be provided from the NYS Affordable Housing Corporation ($500,000); the City’s HOME Program ($650,00); the City’s Section 8 Rental Assistance Program ($75,000); Marine Midland Bank construction loan ($727,000) and the City of New Rochelle ($300,000).

 

COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES - APRIL 6, 1998

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  • The site is .55 of an acre.
  • The project consists of the construction of ten 2-family (three bedrooms, 1.5 bath, ownership unit; one bedroom, 1 bath rental unit). The unites (1,240 sq. ft. ownership, and 630 sq. ft. rental) will sell for $133,000-$140,000 to households at 60% of median income. The apartments will be rented to seniors at 50% of the HUD defined median income for Westchester.
  • Term of affordability for these units is 30 years.
  • HIF improvements include: sewers, road, sidewalk, street lighting, landscaping, engineering
  • Mr. Salley informed the Committee that the project has received all local approvals. Mr. Mosiello informed the Committee that legislator Maisano who represents the area informed him that the City is very supportive of the project.
  • The Committee requested a list of completed projects under HIF as well as a listing of projects under consideration.

 

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

AGENDA ITEMS:

 

24. COUNTY ATTORNEY: Compromise Authorization - Health Care

Benefits: Proposed act authorizing the County Attorney to compromise the County’s right to be reimbursed for health care benefits expended on behalf of the listed insured’s recovery from legal action or settlement. (2/23/98)

 
  • These are compromises of affirmative claims that the County has to recover for medical expenses for employees who then sued other parties.

 

On motion of Legislators Young, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0.

 

A&C CALENDAR UPDATE:

 

Mr. Boland reviewed the April 2, 1998, A&C Calendar with the Committee.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

There being no further items for discussion on motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.