COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

JUNE 1, 1998

 

 

ATTENDANCE:

 

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

 

OTHERS: Budget Dept.: Leslie Bennett, Brian Fitzpatrick; LWV: Anne Nelson; CBAC: George Hosey, Barbara Strauss, Joe Whelan; C.E.’s Office: Larry Schwartz; Bill Randolph; 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 Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Mosiello, the motion to approve the Minutes of May 18, 1998 was carried by a vote of 7-0. (Legislators Stewart-Cousins and Abinanti out for vote)

 

 

AGENDA ITEMS:

 

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

 

To be discussed on June 8th

 

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

 

To be discussed on June 8th

 

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6.* HON. RICHARD WISHNIE: Sales Tax on Clothing: Forwarding a Town of New Castle Resolution concerning the reduction of sales tax on clothing. (5/18/98)

 

On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the motion to Receive, File and place this item in a separate tracking file was carried by a vote of 7-0. (Legislators Abinanti and Stewart-Cousins out for vote).

 

7. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Budget Transfers/Various County Departments: Proposed Resolution providing for transfers within various county departments. (4/20/98)

 

To be discussed on June 8th

 

8. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Certiorari Refunds: Forwarding a package of court-ordered certiorari refunds. (4/20/98)

 

On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0. (Legislators Abinanti and Stewart-Cousins out for vote)

 

10. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Amending Schedules of Pay: Proposed Act amending personnel rules with regard to schedules of pay. (Director of Westchester 2000). (4/20/98)

 

To be discussed on June 15th with Personnel representatives.

 

11.* CLERK OF THE BOARD: Certified 1997 State Equalization Rates: Forwarding the State Board of Real Property Services list of certified 1997 State Equalization Rates. (5/18/98)

 

On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to Receive and File this item was carried by a vote of 7-0. (Legislators Abinanti and Stewart-Cousins out for vote)

 

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13. HON. KATHERINE CARSKY: Sales Tax Elimination on Clothing:

Forwarding resolutions from the Town of Somers and the Town of Scarsdale expressing opposition to Westchester County opting into the proposed sales tax exemption on clothing. (5/4/98)

 

On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to Receive, File and place this item in a separate tracking file was carried by a vote of 7-0. (Legislators Abinanti and Stewart-Cousins out for vote).

 

15. HON. GEORGE OROS: Adoption of Clothing Exemption from Sales

and Use Tax: Forwarding a copy of his letter to the Chair of the Legislation Committee forwarding a Proposed Resolution which would enable the Board to choose to opt into the enactment of the clothing exemption from the Sales and Use Taxes during the week of September 1 through September 7, 1998. (5/4/98)

 

On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion to Receive, File and place this item in a separate tracking file was carried by a vote of 7-0. (Legislators Abinanti and Stewart-Cousins out for vote).

25.* COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Gift Acceptance: Acceptance of a gift from IBM of twelve (12) IBM Think Pads. (5/18/98)

 

On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion to Receive and File this item was carried by a vote of 7-0. (Legislators Abinanti and Stewart-Cousins out for vote)

 

26.* COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Gift Acceptance: Acceptance of a gift from

Restaurant Row, Inc. of an Internet "Web Site". (5/18/98)


On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion to Receive and File this item was carried by a vote of 7-0. (Legislators Abinanti and Stewart-Cousins out for vote)

 

 

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COURTHOUSE UPDATE:

 

  • Mr. Wishnie stated that members of the Budget Committee would like to work on a sub-committee with the Administration on the Courthouse.
  • Mr. Schwartz informed the Committee that he is the point person to oversee the construction and the Administration anticipates the project will be completed under-budget. He has met with both Judge Lippman and John Buono and they guarantee that the project will be completed under-budget.
  • Phase I: Façade: (Firm of HDR & Lothrop). Design work is in progress. Façade for tower should match low-rise as well as the Federal Courthouse.
  • Dormitory Authority has the lead since they are providing the financing although there is a very close working relationship with the County.
  • Phase II: Hiring architect – Firm: PEI, Cobb, Fuller & D’Angelo. This portion of the project consists of the interior tower and construction of an 8 story courthouse annex.
  • Phase III: Hiring construction management team for the project.
  • Project is on-schedule. Twice a month there are meetings with the Dormitory Authority where the Commissioner of Public Works is present. Mr. Schwartz is in touch with the Dormitory Authority on a weekly basis and is present at any meeting where there are policy discussions.
  • Working closely with the Dormitory Authority to insure a strong Affirmative Action Program is in place.
  • The building will be a "smart building" – updated technology - as well as an environmental "green building" – proper air ventilation with separate thermostats for each floor.
  • Sidewalk – replace old pavers in areas that will not be affected by construction project
  • Elevators – bonding legislation in place
  • Schedule: Façade must be completed by the end of 1999; Annex work should begin around the year 2000.
  • Mr. Schwartz stated that all people involved in construction will have courthouse construction experience.
  • Commissioner Landi stated that they have a construction team that has worked together.
  • Is being modeled after Buffalo courthouse regarding minority contractors.
  • Ed Dowdy is the County’s contact person for minority contractors.

 

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  • Original Building: Financial problems; changed facade; changed mechanicals
  • Committee Requested: Copies of "as built" plans from the Dormitory Authority as well as a list of people interviewed for Phase I and Phase II work.
  • Mr. Schwartz informed the Committee that they will be happy to come back monthly to update the Committee on the project’s progress rather than creating a sub-committee. Mr. Young stated that he felt it was still important for a sub-committee to be formed. Chairman Wishnie will discuss it with the Chairman of the Board.

 

 

A&C CALENDAR: (JUNE 4, 1998):

 

Mr. Boland reviewed the June 4, 1998 A& C Calendar with the Committee.

  1. Re: Authority to enter into an agreement with the Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York, Inc. to perform a concert. Requested by Committee: a) Why are we entering into an agreement with New York when Westchester has it’s own Philharmonic; b) Who will be sponsoring this event?
  2. 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?
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

 

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  1. Re: Lawsuit settlement: Cortlandt Colonial Restaurant v. County of Westchester by payment from the County of $40,000. Committee requested back-up
  2. 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.

 

CAPITAL PROJECTS: REPLACEMENT OF FUEL TANKS AT AIRPORT:

 

  • Legislator Swanson asked at last week’s B&A meeting if this project was covered under a prior action. Ms. Bennett stated that there wasn’t a previous bond act that covered the Airport tanks. [Editor’s Note: Subsequent to the meeting, it was determined that there was a prior Board appropriation on this matter.]
  • Mr. Boland stated that he thought Capital Project B0032 was to cover all tank replacements in the County. Ms. Bennett informed the Committee that they have created a new Capital Project A0057 which will be used for replacement of fuel tanks at the Airport.
  • The $900,000 appropriation will be financed by bonds.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the meeting was adjourned at 11:35 a.m.