COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

DECEMBER 8, 1998

ATTENDANCE:

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

OTHERS: Budget Dept.: Kate Tooher, Leslie Bennett, Dianne Kearney; C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph; CBAC: George Hosey, Barbara Strauss; DPW/DEF: Commissioner Landi; Savin Engineers; BOL: Chris Chang, Sally Schecter, Barbara Dodds, Robert J. Boland, Tina Seckerson

Chairman Wishnie called the meeting to order at 10:20 a.m.

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

CROTON POINT LANDFILL:
  • Study began in 1995 – it is a continuing process that will probably take about 2 full years.
  • Do not have a long term plan for the site. Have committed to using the gas for the boiler facility. They will do the retro-fitting of the boilers.
  • Will produce methane between 25 and 30 years
  • 130 acre site
  • Private venture: RFP issued; 2 proposals; One non-responsive and low payback; second withdrew.
  • Phase I: gas quantification, gas quality assessment, gas utilization options, end product market identification and feasibility analysis.
  • Jobs: will employ 15-25 people for full operation. Staffing will depend on automation as automation determines how many days/hours people have to be there.
  • Met with Croton officials on gas portion of project not on the fish farm. Mr. Kaplowitz suggested they meet with them.
  • Mrs. Carsky stated that the problem has been where we are in the process. Do we need to have $7.5 million approved in ’99 budget or can we put them "under review"? The response was that the $2 million will cover $1.3 for the fish farm, $700,000 for compressed natural gas demo project. Need additional $700,00.

COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES – DECEMBER 8, 1998

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MINUTES:

On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve the Minutes of November 30th and December 2, 1998 was carried unanimously.

AGENDA ITEMS:

 

4.* COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Gift Acceptance: Acceptance of a gift from the Estate of Elizabeth S. Blumlein to be used by the Department of Social Services on behalf of emotionally disturbed children. (11/30/98)

6.* COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Certiorari Refunds: Forwarding a package of court-ordered certiorari refunds. (11/30/98)

13. HON. LOIS BRONZ AND HON. PAUL NOTO: Domestic Violence Unit: Forwarding a letter from the Executive Director of Westchester/Putnam Legal Services regarding funding for the WPLS Domestic Violence Unit. (11/16/98)

31. HON. JAMES MAISANO: Staffing for Marshlands Conservancy and Read Preserve: Forwarding a letter from the Chair of the LIS/Marshlands Subcommittee requesting that the Board provide sufficient funding for Assistant Curators for the Marshlands Conservancy and Read Preserve. (7/20/98) (Also referred to ENV)

32. LEGISLATORS LATIMER, LA MOTTE AND KAPLOWITZ: Assistant Curator for Trailside Nature Museum: Forwarding two letters from County residents requesting that the Board provide sufficient funds to pay for an Assistant Curator at the Trailside Nature Museum in Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. (7/20/98)

35. HON. GEORGE LATIMER: Women’s Justice Center of Westchester: Forwarding a letter from the Chairperson and Executive Director of the Women’s Justice Center of Westchester detailing their programs. (7/20/98) (Also referred to PSCJ and Task Force on Families)

COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES – DECEMBER 8, 1998

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52. HON. LOUIS MOSIELLO: Assistant Curator at County Nature Preserves: Forwarding a copy of a letter to the County Executive from the President of the Yonkers Audobon Society requesting that an Assistant Curator be hired for each of the County’s five nature preserves. (9/22/98) (Also referred to ENV)

On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion to Receive and File the above referenced items, II, 4, 6, 13, 31, 32, 35 and 52, was carried unanimously.

7.* COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Mortgage Taxes: Proposed Act authorizing the Commissioner of Finance to pay the Mortgage Tax Receipts. (11/30/98)

On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion to approve this item was carried unanimously.

 

9.* COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Compromise of Property Damage Claims: Proposed Act authorizing the County Attorney to compromise the County’s claims for reimbursement for losses sustained as a result of damage to County property. (11/30/98)

On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item was carried unanimously.

CAPITAL CLOSEOUTS:

There was a brief discussion on capital closeouts.

ADJOURNMENT:

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the meeting was adjourned at 12:00 p.m.