COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

JUNE 7, 1999

 

ATTENDANCE:

B & A MEMBERS: Wishnie, Carsky, LaMotte, Kaplowitz, Mosiello,

Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, Young

OTHERS: Budget Dept.: Leslie Bennett, Dianne Kearney; CBAC: George Hosey; C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph, David Meyers; DEF: Commissioner Landi; BOL: Robert Boland, Chris Chang, Tina Seckerson

Chairman Wishnie called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m.

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

MINUTES:

More detailed information with regard to the CDBG discussion will be added to the Minutes of June 2, 1999.

Mrs. LaMotte suggested that a written synopsis of the CDBG grant parameters with regard to low income loans as well as eligibility requirements be obtained through the Planning Department to share with Town Boards as well as constituents.

On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve the Minutes of June 2, 1999 as amended, was carried by a vote of 8-0.

BOND ACTS:

III. 21. Bond Act: (RD008): Authorizing the issuance of $1,250,000 in bonds to finance the work necessary to utilize Croton Point Landfill Gas as fuel to generate electrical power to serve Croton Point Park, the pump stations for the Croton Point Landfill leachate collection system and fuel for boilers at nearby Metro-North Facilities. (5/25/99)

  • Commissioner Landi explained that there are two pieces to this legislation:
  1. To utilize Croton Point Landfill Gas as fuel to generate electrical power to serve Croton Point Park
  2. Fuel for boilers at nearby Metro-North Facilities.

COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES – JUNE 7, 1999

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  • Mr. Mosiello inquired as to what the savings for the parks and revenue from Metro North will be. Mr. Landi stated that the revenue from Metro North is expected to be $13,000 per year, which will go back to DEF-sewage districts. They estimate that the parks savings will be $20,000.
  • The Commissioner informed the Committee that the estimated cost for the pipeline connection from the present location to the property line will be $100,000 . He further explained that the current electrical distribution system is owned by Con Edison. They have had discussions with Con Ed requesting that they donate the electrical system to the County. Unfortunately, Con Ed does not have the ability to donate it. Therefore, the County has to purchase it at a cost of $100,000. The cost to install the electrical generator is $800,000, there is a building associated with that to house the generator. He further stated that PRC uses approximately $20,000 worth of electricity per year. This cost may go up due to greater demand because of park enhancements (i.e. swimming pool; recreational vehicle parking spaces). The cost of the project would be $900,000 to save $20,000 per year in electrical costs.
  • Mr. Mosiello asked if there is any environmental justification (i.e. burning off gas so it’s better than the environment) to warrant the investment. Commissioner Landi stated that this project has to be looked at as an environmental project whereby natural gas is being utilized and recycled. Mr. Mosiello asked how dangerous it would be to just continue to burn the gas, would it be harmful to the environment? The Commissioner stated that he did not know the answer to that question.
  • The Committee would like to study this matter further as well as the possibility of separating the two projects.
  • The Commissioner stated that there is a time concern because they would like to install the pipeline so as to heat the Metro North building in the winter. The capital investment to do this would be approximately $125,000.
  • Mrs. Carsky asked if this bond would be charged back to the waste district. The Commissioner stated that it would be charged back to the solid waste district.

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AGENDA ITEMS:

20. LEGISLATORS SPRECKMAN, CARSKY, MOSIELLO AND STEWART-COUSINS: Repairs to Tibbetts Brook Park: Forwarding a letter from a Yonkers resident urging the County to make repairs to Tibbetts Brook Park. (3/8/99) (Also referred to CAH)
  • Committee asked for a status update on issues at Tibbetts. Commissioner Landi stated that this is really a matter to be addressed by PRC, but there are some major projects going on there (i.e. tennis courts and pathways). Dianne Kearney stated that she believed the BOL had recently approved a $200,000 bond act for pathways but she would check on it and get back to the Committee.

 

RECEIVED & FILED: On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion to Receive and File Agenda Items 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13,16, 17 & 27 (captioned below) was carried by a vote of 8-0.

7. STATE OF NEW YORK REAL PROPERTY SERVICES: Certified 1998 State Equalization Rates: Forwarding a copy of the list of Certified 1998 State Equalization Rates. (5/24/99)

8. STATE OF NEW YORK REAL PROPERTY SERVICES: Certified 1998 State Homestead Provisions: Forwarding the list of the final class equalization rates for those municipalities who adopted the Homestead Provisions. (5/24/99)

10. HON. JAMES MAISANO: Davids Island: Forwarding a copy of his letter to the County Executive asking that he, as the Legislator for the District, and the other members of the Board be kept apprised of the status and progress of any negotiations relating to the County’s proposal to purchase of a portion of the Island and use it for a County Park. (2/22/99) (Also referred to CAH & ENV)

 

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11. HON. KATHERINE CARSKY: Stokes-Greene Property:

(a) Forwarding a copy of her letter to the County Executive repeating her request that he act to divest the County of the considerable real estate on the general purpose portion of the Stokes-Greene property. (1/25/99) (Also referred to CAH)

(b) Forwarding a copy of her letter to the County Executive urging the County to sell the 20 acre parcel containing a mansion, several cottages and a carriage house that came with the County’s acquisition of the Stokes-Greene property. (4/6/98) (Also referred to Env)
  • This site was visited on Tuesday, June 23rd as part of an all-day parks tour
  • Mrs. Carsky was assured by the Chair of the Environment Committee that she would be alerted when that Committee next takes up the issue.

12. LEGISLATORS OROS, LATIMER AND NOTO: State Equalization Rates: Forwarding an outline for review of the State Equalization Rates. (1/25/99)

13. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Hudson River Estuary Marine Enforcement: Proposed IMA with various municipalities located in the Hudson Valley for the purpose of coordinating marine enforcement in the Hudson River Estuary. (1/25/99) (Also referred to PSCJ)

16. HON. MICHAEL KAPLOWITZ: Ossining Sanitary Sewer District Modification: Forwarding letters from two Croton-on-Hudson residents supporting the removal of properties in their Village from the Ossining Sanitary Sewer District. (5/10/99) (Also referred to PW)

17. HON. GEORGE LATIMER: Assistant Parks Curators: Urging the Board to see to it that the three Assistant Curator positions that were approved in the 1999 budget be used as planned. (4/12/99)

27. HON. URSULA LA MOTTE: Bidding Process – Transportation of Pre-School Handicapped Children: Forwarding a letter from the President of Transit Services, Inc. with regard to the bidding process regarding the transportation of pre-school handicapped children. (8/17/98) (Also referred to Health)

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FUTURE MEETING ITEM:

18. HON. URSULA LA MOTTE: Elimination of #84 Bee-Line Bus: Forwarding a letter from a constituent expressing opposition to the proposed elimination of the #84 Bee-Line Bus. (5/10/99)

Committee will set up a meeting with Commissioner Church from DOT on this matter.

A&C CALENDAR:

The Committee reviewed the June 10th A&C Calendar.

Some matters of concern:

#2 & #3 Re: Road Projects Resurfacing of Long Ridge Road & Resurfacing of Bedford-Banksville Road): Mrs. LaMotte stated that neither she or the supervisors of the town the roads are in were apprised at all and she asked in the future that at least the Supervisor of the town be informed.

#18 Re: Rejection of Bids. Mrs. Stewart-Cousins asked why the bids were being rejected.

#15 Re: ADA Requirements: Mr. Kaplowitz inquired as to whether there has ever been an audit with regard to the ADA requirements and the County’s compliance. He suggested a survey of all facilities be done. Ms. Bennett stated that she was not aware of such an audit or survey but will check. She further stated that it is her understanding of the ADA Act you don’t have to go in modify something if you are not doing other work. If you are doing a certain percentage of construction that it must be in compliance with ADA regulations.

PROCUREMENT POLICY:

Mrs. Carsky inquired as to whether any answers were received with regard to her memo regarding the Procurement Policy. Mr. Wishnie stated that he will follow-up on this with the County Attorney.

ADJOURNMENT:

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Mosiello, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m.