COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

APRIL 13, 1998

ATTENDANCE:

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

OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph; Budget Dept: Kate Tooher; Law Department: County Attorney Scheinkman; CBAC: George Hosey; LWV: Anne Nelson; Planning Dept.: Larry Salley, Kim Holland; 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 Young, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve the Minutes of April 6, 1998, was carried by a vote of 7-0.

10. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Community Development Block Grants: Proposed Act authorizing the County to submit an Urban County Application under the Federal Community Development Block Grant Program, including an action plan and to accept such grant. (3/23/98) (Also referred to CA)

• This Act will authorize the filing of the 23rd Year Application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for $8,198,000 from three federal sources: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds ($6,561,000), the Federal HOME Program ($1,394,000) and the Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) Program ($243,000).
• Guidelines used for distribution of CDBG funding: Affordable Housing; Neighborhood Revitalization & Activities that benefit Senior/Youth
• Eight projects will create or retain affordable housing, 21 projects will help with the implementation of neighborhood revitalization strategies and 35 projects will provide expanded opportunities for day care and seniors.
• Some restrictions to the CDBG program: no more than 15% of the total grant can be spent on Social Services; no more than 20% on planning and administrative fees; it is required that 70% of the total be spent on benefiting low or moderate income households.

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• Public Hearing has been held as well as meetings with the Community Development Advisory Group (citizen body from all 37 municipalities) and the Urban County Council (the elected officials from all participating municipalities), received endorsement from the Planning Board (provided to the Committee by Mr. Hosey). After approval by the Board of Legislators the application must be submitted to HUD by June 1st and the program year begins on August 1st.
• Legislator Carsky asked what percentage of the total $8 million in CDBG funds is committed to housing and housing related activities - broken down by community. Mr. Salley explained that the second program which is a part of this application, the HOME Program ($1,394, 000) is all dollars that are committed for housing purposes (i.e. rehabilitation or new construction). Out of the CDBG program, a major chunk of that money (only in some very limited circumstances can this money be used for new construction) is used for rehabilitation. There is currently approximately $2 million in a property improvement account (a revolving loan fund) used for housing rehabilitation. There is very little out of this year’s CDBG program that will rehabilitate housing because that money is coming out a different pool. Mrs. Carsky stated that she would like to see a growing proportion of the CDBG going into fixing up housing directly for lower and moderate income folks rather than fixing up storefronts and the like.
• Legislator LaMotte asked about the timing for CDBG funding. Mr. Salley explained that applications will be accepted in the Fall of 1999 for Program year that will begin May 1, 2000.
• Legislator Stewart-Cousins inquired as to the amount and types of outreach to Women and Minority owned businesses for participation in project work. Mr. Salley explained that every quarter all of the projects that involve construction or services are published in all of the so-called "Minority" publications. Delphi Associates has been brought on board to assist in identifying the specific impediments that Women and Minority owned businesses encounter when doing work either with the County or the municipalities that the County funds projects in and to propose solutions to those problems. He further stated that the County is being much more aggressive in outreach efforts and monitoring which contracts are awarded and to whom. Mr. Salley stated that one of the problems in increasing participation is that all of these projects must be publicly bid and have to be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. Mrs. Stewart-Cousins asked if there are any supplemental requirements attached to the federal funds. Mr. Salley responded that there are goals but there is no specific number of contracts which must be awarded to Women and Minority owned businesses.

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• The CDBG of $6,561,000 is comprosed of the following components:

CDBG Grants to Communities: $5,590,000

(Includes design & construction $ 519,105)

Property Improvement: $ 160,000

Administration: $ 811,000

• Legislator Kaplowitz asked if there are there circumstances where money is forfeited or brought back in to the program. Mr. Salley stated that there sometimes is and when that occurs the BOL is informed and the first preference is to keep the money in the community where it was originally allocated.
• The Committee requested a schedule indicating 1997 allocations for Property Improvement Fund, Federal Home Program and Emergency Shelter Grant.

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

19.* COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Bond Counsel: Proposed Act amending Act 4-

• This Act will amend Act 4-1988 to extend the interim contracts through September 30, 1998 and to increase the aggregate not-to-exceed contract value to $203,856. The proposed amended not-to-exceed contract value is based upon a pro rata share of the average annual contract values for bond counsel services.
• The extension of these interim agreements for bond counsel services will ensure the continuity of the everyday business of the County, will allow the County Attorney to make a comprehensive evaluation of the services of the four bond counsel firms, whose contracts have now been in effect for only 1 month, and will allow time for evaluation of the proposals submitted in response to the Request for Proposal.

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

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Mr. Boland reviewed the April 14, 1998, A&C Calendar with the Committee.

Some of the points made were as follows:

(4) Re: Parking Lot Improvements at Ridge Road Park: 9 bids were received and the contract was awarded to the lowest bidder - Intercounty Paving Associates.

(11) Re: Authority to enter into an agreement with the Greenburgh Health Center for the County to provide them with telephone service from 3/22/98-12/21/99. The Committee questioned why the County should be responsible for this. Kate Tooher will check on it.

(22) Re: Request authority, pursuant to Section (a) xxi of the Westchester County

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

• This matter was discussed in detail at the Committee’s April 6th meeting (See Minutes of April 6th)
• A tour of the facility was held last week.

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

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• Mr. Boland informed the Committee that to date, for 1998, the Board has approved $45,872,000 of the $51,996,000 in bonds sent down. The Committee just approved and additional $2 million (Playland) and there is an additional bond act for $1.8 million in Committee.
• MIS: Vacancy Report shows 34 vacancies. The County will have to recruit, recertify positions or use outside consulting services.
• Food Services: 28 vacancies - these positions will be abolished
• Capital Projects meeting scheduled for Thursday, 4/16 at 2:00 p.m. will take place at Westchester Community College

There being no further items for discussion on motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m.