COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

JUNE 2, 1999

 

ATTENDANCE:

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

OTHERS: Budget Dept.: Leslie Bennett, Dianne Kearney; CBAC: George Hosey, Barbara Strauss, Fran MacEachron; C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph; DPW: Deputy Commissioner Butler; PRC: Dave DeLucia; Planning Dept.: Larry Salley, Norma Drummond, Bill Brady; DSS: Joel Levy; BOL: Robert Boland, Chris Chang, Tina Seckerson

Chairman Wishnie called the meeting to order at 10:08 a.m.

DISCUSSION:

MINUTES:

On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve the Minutes of May 24, 1999 was carried by a vote of 6-0.

BOND ACTS:
  1. Bond Act: (RP030): Authorizing the issuance of $700,000 in bonds – Playland Infrastructure Reconstruction. (5/25/99)
  • Includes Phase 1 construction (approximately $300,000) and Phase II (Approximately $400,000) design to achieve a phased comprehensive rehabilitation of the infrastructure at Playland.
  • Phase 1 includes site utility work, emergency generators and conduit for fire alarm, telephone security and public address systems.
  • Phase 2 will include wiring and equipment for fire alarm, security, public address systems (all quadrants), drainage improvements (all quadrants), Music Tower electrical infrastructure improvements, and new electrical distribution systems at Boathouse and Bathhouse.
  • Previous bonding legislation in the amount of $3,220,000 was approved by Act 156-1998.

 

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On motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.

Scarsdale Village Annex:

2. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Act authorizing lease agreement with the Village of Scarsdale for the use of the "Village Annex" to provide housing for a homeless family. (4/12/99) (Also referred to CAH)
  • For the past 10 years, DSS has leased the Village Annex from the Village of Scarsdale to house a homeless family.
  • Of the 4 families housed there, 3 families have gone on to permanent housing while 1 has moved out of state. The premises is currently is vacant.
  • The current lease expired on April 30, 1999. The proposed lease agreement would be for 5 year commencing May 1, 1999 and terminable at the option of the County.
  • The rent will equal the $361 per month shelter allowance approved by the NYS DSS, plus $250 annual cost of hazard insurance (liability) for a total cost not to exceed $22,910 over the term of the lease.
  • The County will continue to engage Westhab, Inc. to provide property management services for the leased premises.

On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.

Community Development Block Grant:

1.* COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Act authorizing the County to enter into cooperation agreements with municipalities to receive CDBG Funds as an Urban County. (5/24/99) (Also referred to CAH)
  • Ms. Drummond informed the Committee that the Westchester Urban County Consortium will celebrate 25 years in the Year 2000.
  • Of the 41 eligible municipalities, there are currently 39 participants. Ms. Drummond explained that they are hoping that Pound Ridge and Mt. Pleasant will join the consortium.
  • Schedule: 6/4 is the deadline for municipal submission; 6/21 is the deadline for Board action and 7/16 is the deadline for submission to HUD.
  • Need to execute these agreements to maintain entitlement status.

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  • Mrs. Carsky asked what efforts have been made by the County to the municipalities within the last 5 years with regard to CDBG qualifications. Ms. Drummond explained that urban County CDBG funds cannot be used in NYS for new housing projects but rather for housing rehab or stabilization. The County has made great efforts to identify priorities (i.e. day care opportunities, transportation) for municipalities. The Committee stressed the importance of outreach to the communities to make housing a priority also. Nationally the CDBG program allocates 36% of funding to housing whereas Westchester County CDBG allocates 19%.
  • Mrs. Carsky again requested from the Planning Department a breakdown of how the $815,000 in 1999’s proposed CDBG funding targeted to housing would be distributed by program and community. She also asked for a breakout of CDBG monies expended over the life of the program for housing and housing related activities in each community of the Urban Consortium.
  • Mrs. LaMotte suggested that an outreach program for high schools with regard to Planning be developed focusing on how the community interacts with County government and other agencies to create needed housing.

On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.

 

Housing Implementation Fund Project:

25. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed legislation authorizing the County to enter into an IMA with the City of Peekskill in connection with the Housing Implementation Fund Project known as the Park Street Flats Affordable Housing Development. (5/10/99) (Also referred to CAH)
  • This legislation was signed out by the Committee on Community Affairs and Housing at its last meeting.
  • The City of Peekskill submitted an HIF application requesting the County to provide funds for the construction of public infrastructure improvements including: the construction of sidewalks, driveways, curbs, lighting, parking areas, storm drainage, grading, retaining walls, appurtenant landscaping and engineering. The developer will be Peekskill Development Partners.
  • This project, which these infrastructure improvements would facilitate, will consist of 10 units of affordable housing.

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  • The City will construct, on behalf of the County, the infrastructure improvements and will be responsible for the costs of operation and maintenance of the improvements.
  • Term of affordability will be 30 years.
  • The units will be affordable for families at or below 80% of the County’s median income.
  • Additional funding for the project will be provided from Westchester County’s federal HOME Investment Partnership Program ($400,000), Chase Community Development Corporation Loan ($700,000) and the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation ($250,000). According to Mr. Brady, originally the $700,000 was from a Community Preservation Corporation Loan but after shopping around it was changed to a Chase Community Development Corporation Loan. He also informed the Community Affairs Committee of this change. The Committee amended the Committee Report to reflect this change.
  • To permit bonding for the infrastructure improvements the County must be granted an easement to construct the improvements. The City has agreed to grant the easement to the County at no cost.

On the motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0 with Legislator Swanson signing "Without Prejudice".

WCC Proposed 1999/2000 Budget Public Hearing Rules:
  1. Resolution adopting rules re: conduct of public hearing
  2. Resolution setting the public hearing on the proposed 1999/2000 WCC Budget
  3. Suspending Rules 9 &11 of the Rules of Westchester County solely and exclusively with regard to the 1999/2000 WCC Budget

On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve the WCC resolutions (captioned above) was carried by a vote of 6-0.

A & C CALENDAR:

Mr. Boland gave the Committee a re-cap of today’s A&C meeting.

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ADJOURNMENT:

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the meeting was adjourned at 11:17 a.m.