COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

APRIL 12, 1999

ATTENDANCE:

Chairman Wishnie called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m.

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

On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve the Minutes of April 5, 1999 was carried by a vote of 9-0.

2. Proposed Bond Act authorizing the issuance of $1,500,000 in bonds – Rehabilitation of tees and greens at the Maple Moor Golf Course. (3/22/99)

• Fast tracking to be out to bid in June and in construction in August. Three tees at a time will be done.

• Went through the review process and received a Negative Declaration from the Planning Department.
• Sent plans to NYS Dept of Preservation – the areas slated to do work on are okay and have been constructed upon before. The Commissioner stated that they have been archeologically sensitive in that reports have been done but they will have an archeological consultant review the site before doing work.
• Legislator Swanson requested a copy of the debt service for the golf courses. Budget Department will provide.

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

2. 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. (3/22/99) (Also referred to CAH)

• To authorize the filing of the 24^th Year Application to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for $8,331,000 from three federal sources: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, the Federal HOME Program, and the Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) Program.
• To authorize the County to submit to HUD an Action Plan consistent with the requirements of federal regulations.
• Signed out by CAH on April 5, 1999
• Ms. Drummond reviewed the FY 1999 Action Plan. (Copy on file)
• The Federal award will provide $6,603,000 from CDBG; $1,494,000 from HOME; and $234,000 from ESG.
• Almost all projects included in the Plan meet one of the priorities identified by the Westchester Urban County Consortium. Ten projects will create or retain affordable housing, twenty-one projects will help with the implementation of neighborhood revitalization strategies, and twenty projects will provide expanded opportunities for daycare and seniors.
• Ms. Drummond stated that they are hoping that Mt. Pleasant and Pound Ridge will join the consortium for the year 2000.
• 1999 is the last year of the 5 year consolidation program.

• Westchester just received a separate $4 million lead abatement grant.
• Mrs. Carsky requested a breakdown, by community, of what percentage of the CDBG funding goes towards housing. Mr. Salley informed the Committee that CDBG funds cannot be used for new construction.
• Committee requested updates from the Department of Planning on local projects. Ms. Drummond informed the Committee that they advise the developers to inform the Legislators of local projects.
• Committee requested a breakdown of administrative costs and program delivery costs by program.

COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES – APRIL 12, 1999

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

2. Proposed Bond Act to amend the 1999 Capital Budget and two Bond Acts to provide funding for the capital project entitled: Mt. Vernon District Office Infrastructure and Space Upgrades. (3/22/99)

• Roof was 90% complete before fire. The fire damage has all been taken care of – work is continuing.
• County occupants of the building are: DSS; Dept. of Community Mental Health; Office for the Aging. Rent space to Yonkers General Hospital and Cellular Telephone Company.
• Total gross square footage of the building is 123,961.
• Mr. Mosiello expressed his concerns about putting more money into the building. Approval of this legislation would bring the total dollars spent on this building up to $16.75 million. He asked what the building would be worth if we were to sell it today. Mr. Carerra responded that the County has already invested $11,460 million into this building. At this point if the building were sold vacant it would go for approximately $2.5 million. If the County stayed on and occupied the building on a long term lease, the building would sell for $4.5 million but the County would spend $2 million per year on rent.

• Mr. Carerra informed the Committee that the 3-5 year plan is to vacate as much rental space as possible in White Plains. The plan is to totally vacate 150 Grand Street ($1.3 million in rent per year), move DOT from 112 East Post Road to Mt. Vernon, make some other moves to Mt. Vernon and use 112 as swing space for people moving out of 150 Grand. He stated that they anticipate that the Mt. Vernon building will be completely occupied by 2000/2001. The occupants of the building will be the Office for the Aging; DOT; DSS; Mental Health and Probation.
• Currently housed at 150 Grand: DSS; TASK; Section 8; DWI; Vets
• The Committee requested a meeting be set up with Mr. Carerra and other representatives of the Administration for a full presentation with regard to space.

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• The Committee inquired as to the parking situation for employees moving to the Mt. Vernon building. Mr. Carerra stated that there will be a need for 100 additional parking spaces. The County owns 5 different lots in Mt. Vernon. He informed the Committee that Commissioner Church of DOT and Mayor Davis of Mt. Vernon have been meeting and working on a parking plan. . Mrs. Stewart-Cousins stated that she is pleased to see that there is city input into this matter.
• Mrs. Swanson stated that she would like to see a parking plan in place before any moves are made as well as an overall space/moving plan. Mr. Carerra stated that the master plan is complete as far as going forward over the next few years with regard to moving out of leased space. A parking plan will be provided.
• Mrs. Carsky stated that she had previously requested a breakdown of County parking facilities, how much County employees pay for parking, and how much the County subsidizes.
• Mrs. LaMotte suggested that there be a discussion of mass transit options. She suggested perhaps using vans from the various train stations to transport employees to the building. She further stated that incentives such as County subsidization of mass transit or reduced rates should be explored.
• Mr. Boland stated that when the Mt. Vernon building was originally purchased the "19-11" stated that it was well constructed and maintained. He questioned why so much money has been invested into repairs and renovations. The Commissioner did not have an answer.
• The Committee questioned whether other options, i.e. other buildings in Mt. Vernon are available that would suit the County’s needs. Mr. Carerra stated that the building we own is the largest building in Mt. Vernon on a commercial site. He further stated that in the long run the County will get its money back on this investment.
• Mr. Carerra stated that the County will be sensitive to the parking issue and will work with DOT on it. He further stated that they will inventory the employees moving into the Mt. Vernon building as to the need for parking space vs. mass transit use.
• Mr. Carerra stated that over the period of the ten year bond the County will see over $5 million in savings per year after the 10^th year.
• Mr. Carerra stated that this building was purchased as part of the County’s commitment to the southern cities and the fact that we should own not rent space

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• Mrs. Stewart-Cousins requested a breakdown of savings with regard to moving out of leased space into County-owned space.

• Mr. Young stated that if this legislation is not signed out of Committee today that the Administration needs to be clear about what is expected of the Committee on this matter. He further stated that the decision to approve this matter should not be based on the parking issue and should move forward.

• The Committee took no action on this item pending answers to their questions with regard to space/moving plans and parking.

The Committee reviewed the April 15^th A&C Calendar.

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