COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

FEBRUARY 1, 1999

ATTENDANCE:

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

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

On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve the Minutes of January 25, 1999 was carried by a vote of 7-0. (Legislator Abinanti out for vote)

9. Proposed Pay Plan Amendment – Amending Classification of Positions and Schedules of Pay. (Various Titles). (1/25/99)

• Pay plan consists of deletion of titles no longer used, a number of title changes and new titles to be added to the pay plan to facilitate the creation of the new department of Information Technology as well as reallocations of job titles.
• The total revised cost of this act is $436,838.
• The previous pay plan amendment included positions for the Office of Inspector General which have since been removed.
• Ms. Redd Zeman will provide a spreadsheet for the Committee.

On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0 with Legislators LaMotte and Carsky signing "Without Prejudice".

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Ms. Redd Zeman informed the Committee that this item supercedes Items 3, 4 and 26 on the B & A agenda.

On motion of Legislator Mosiello, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to Receive and File items II, 3, 4, and 26 was carried by a vote of 7-0.

III, 4.: Proposed Bond Act, Act and Resolution authorizing the County’s

purchase of 1.09 acres of land in the City of New Rochelle to be used

for parkland. (1/26/99)

• The County Attorney explained that the County would be buying a park. The County shall have no obligation to purchase the property unless the City constructs the park. He further stated that due to New Rochelle’s urban development plan this property purchase is exempt from the restrictions on alienation of parkland.

• The County will receive an undivided 99% interest, the City will assume all obligations relating to operation, repair and maintenance of the park.
• The County will pay $2,810,000 (Bond Act) for its interest in the property. The City shall retain an undivided 1% interest in the property so that the County and the City shall be tenants in common of the property.

• The funding source for this acquisition is the Parkland Acquisition Capital Project (BLA01).
• The IMA provides that the tenants in common agree that the site will be used as a park after the purchase by the County of its interest. It also provides that prior to the purchase by the County, the City shall construct the park in accordance with plans to be approved by the County and the County shall receive the construction manager’s certificate of completion. The term of the IMA is April 1, 1999 through March 31, 2029.

• Committee members expressed concern with regard to might be found underground (i.e. asbestos, fuel tanks, etc.) when building the park. Mr. Wishnie reminded the Committee that the County is under no obligation to purchase the property until after the completion of the park.

• Mr. Scheinkman reminded the Committee that this is a small piece of a very large project, (Cost to the City of New Rochelle is $4.2 million) which is vital to the revitalization of downtown New Rochelle.
• Committee will submit a list of questions to the County Attorney’s office including requests for copies of the environmental audit as well as an appraisal of the property.

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• Dr. Jacknis updated the Committee on the County’s Y2K status (hand-out on file).
• The County began very late to address Y2K issues, substantial work did not begin until January 1998.
• Dr. Jacknis stated that the County departments need to have a contingency plan in place. They are working on an essential services contingency plan for police and fire services.
• They have gone through an extensive inventory of existing computer systems.
• Re: liability – there is no blanket indemnity.
• Utility (power) industry has set a June 30^th date for final testing.
• Environmental Facilities: in the process of bringing in new software (Y2K ready) to upgrade all systems. DEF has begun an inventory of wastewater treatment plants. The Commissioner has indicated that there are no embedded systems that are expected to cause Y2K related problems.

• Finance & Payroll systems: upgraded old system.
• Corrections: replacing current system - to be completed by July 15^th.
• Probation: held up by State’s procurement policy. Will be using same vendor as Corrections.
• Legislator Stewart-Cousins asked if there is anything relating to Y2K that can be put into the State Legislative Package to benefit the County. Dr. Jacknis stated that they want the County to be indemnified from any mistakes the State might make. Ms. Stewart-Cousins requested something in writing for the Legislation Committee to review.

• Board of Elections: New system to be installed and ready by the 3^rd quarter of the year although its first use is expected to be in the Year 2000 elections. One complication is the conversion of 2 million signature cards.
• Health: The DOH relies on the State DOH for some software products, many of which are of undetermined Y2K status. One example is the KIDS Programs. The State reports that a Y2K upgrade for KIDS will be made available, but it has not been delivered yet. New system will be operational by 3^rd Quarter of 1999.

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• County Clerk: massive effort to move of the County Clerk’s records. Will go live in 2^nd quarter.

• DSS: DSS systems will be renovated in the 1^st and 2^nd quarters of 1999. State takeover of "Pride in Work" is expected by March 15^th and takeover of Managed Care is expected by April 15^th. The overall Welfare Management System is state controlled.

• Transportation: Potential problem area. Paratransit scheduling system needs to be replaced.
• Airport: Dr. Jacknis met with FAA who has assured him that the air traffic control system will be fine. Reservations may have delays.
• Security Systems: Have been assured that security systems at Airport, Jail and DPW posts are all okay.
• Upgrading of OfisLink system to Microsoft Word is on target for the end of this year.
• 60 Control has some Y2K problems but the biggest issues right now are legal ones.

• All departments have been asked to examine their operations and to produce an inventory of any systems that rely on embedded computer chips or technology.

• Essential Services: A special task force was formed involving all entities in the County that deliver essential public services. The purpose is to develop contingency plans for the beginning of 2000 to minimize the impact of disruptions. Committee composition: The County Executive, Commissioners of the Departments of Corrections, Public Safety and DEF, ODES representative, Regional Managers from Bell Atlantic and Con Ed, the head of the Police Chiefs Association and representatives of the Mayor’s office from Yonkers and White Plains.

• Dr. Jacknis stated that they are not expecting to have any systems not repaired.
• Dr. Jacknis will continue to provide periodic updates to the Committee.

Mr. Boland distributed the February 4, 1999 A&C Calendar.

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Carsky the meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m.