COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND
APPROPRIATIONS
COMMITTEE
ON COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND HOUSING
MINUTES
JUNE 1421JULY 21, 1999
ATTENDANCE:
B & A
MEMBERS: Wishnie, Abinanti,
Carsky, LaMotte, Kaplowitz, Mosiello,
Stewart-Cousins,
Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, Young,
Young
CAH
MEMBERS: Oros, Spreckman, Bronz, Young
OTHERS: Budget Dept.: Kate Carrano, Meredith WaltmanLeslie
Bennett, Dianne KearneyVanadia; CBAC: George Hosey; C.E.s Office: Bill Randolph, Mike
Wittenberg, Larry SchwartzBill RandolphSymra Brandon,
Michael Goodstein,
David Meyers; DEF:
Commissioner Landi; Planning: Fran McLaughlin, Joe
Adelman; aePRC: Commissioner DeSantis, Paul ReitanoPersonnel
Dept.: Paula Redd Zeman; MaryAnne Mikulsky;; WCC: Dr.
Hankin, Mark Gesoff, Harry Phillips, Fred Boyar, Lou Torrieri; CBAC:
George Hosey, Barbara Strauss; BOL:
Legislator Ryan, Rob Hoch, Barbara Dodds,
Sally Schecter, Chris Chang, RBarbara Dodds, Robert
Boland, Chris Chang, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Chairmean Wishnie and
Oros called the meeting to order at 10:10 10a.m.
DISCUSSION: (There is a
cassette tape on file for more detailed information)
MINUTES:
On motion of Legislator KaplowitzCarskyKaplowitz,
seconded by Legislator YoungKaplowitzYoung,
the motion to approve the Minutes of June 714,
1999July
7, 1999; July 8, 1999 and July 12, 1999 was carried by a vote of 7-0 (Legislator
Abinanti out for vote)
AGENDA
ITEMS:
7.* COUNTY
EXECUTIVE: Early Retirement (County): Proposed Local Law in relation to electing a retirement incentive
program for eligible County of Westchester employees (except Westchester
Community College employees) pursuant to the provisions of Chapter Seventy of
the Laws of Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Nine.
(7/12/99)
8.* COUNTY
EXECUTIVE: Early Retirement (WCC): Proposed Local Law approving a Resolution by
the Westchester Community College Board of Trustees, dated June 30, 1999,
electing to provide the benefits of a retirement incentive program pursuant to
the provisions of Chapter Seventy of the Laws of Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Nine. (7/12/99)
COMMITTEE ON
BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES JULY
21, 1999
PAGE 2
· Estimated total
number of employees to take early retirement is 80 at a cost of $2 million.
· Mrs. Swanson
inquired as to where the money is coming from.
Ms. Redd Zeman stated that the money has already been budgeted and the
Budget Department would have the specifics. Each department is required to have a plan
for savings.
· Lines of those
retiring are frozen lines and there is a
process for backfilling those positions.
·
Committee would like to see a savings column included
in the breakdown.
On motion of
Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve items
7 & 8 (captioned above) was carried by a vote of 8-0.
WESTCHESTER
COMMUNITY COLLEGE BUDGET:
·
$1.5 million net increase in net salary account. $150, 000 is due
to negotiated contractsalary settlements with CSEA and WCCFT. Salaries at
the College have not been increased in 10 years.Under Ethnic Studies (4480)reduction $140,000 because those people
were moved up into net annual regular salaries. WCC has not increased its share of salaries
in 10 years. As a result positions have
had to be left open for a longer period of time resulting in less
service from those jobs just to pay for the salary increase. Dr. Hankin explained that they have also had to
rely on early retirement savings. For
the 1998-1999 period, early retirement cost was $313,000 but they saved over $564,000 over the 2
years.
· So far 14 people
have expressed interest in early retirement.
· Pending Regular
increase of $150,000 due to 3 new jobs that have been added. (1 new faculty member & 2
programming speciapositionslists) Even in the height of the Colleges growth
they did not add any new faculty members and are beginning to hurt in this
area. Dr. Hankin
stated that it is his intention to budget for one new full-time faculty member eachper year for 10
years. He further stated that WCC has one of the
highest ratios of part-time faculty to full-time faculty
in the State of New York and people (i.e. State Education Department, Regional
Accrediting bodies, SUNY, etc.) are beginning to look at it and question it.
· Increase in employee
health insurance is because there are a number of new positions as well
as increasing
rates. There are 8 new jobs that were not in there
next year. Mr. Phillips stated that if
the College had its own health insurance it would save a lot of money.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET
& APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES JULY 21,
1999
PAGE 3
· Dr. Hankin stated
that the Total Equipment number goes down partly because it
was an inflated number in 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 Due to the Peekskill satellite and becausethey had in such a
large number for increase in tax levy and they decided to make up savings here.
made savings here
· Capital
financing 125 tax levy & 125 financingCapital financing
The Budget department recommended they put another $250,000 in. WCC balked at that so as a compromise they
added $125,000 in tax levy & $125,000 into the financing account itself.
Workers
Compensation Insurance: Dr. Hankin stated
that they are now chargedon the
basis of own
experience. They went out and got three independent bids
showing that they could do it for less, so the County dropped their rates.
Data
Processing will need cty services for another year
· Workers Compensation
Insurance is down Dr. Hankin explained due to an agreement reached last year
that the county would stop charging them on the basis of pro-rated salary and
instead charge them on the basis of their own experience. They went out and got three independent bids
showing that they could do it for less, so the County dropped their rates.
· Data Processing
will need county services for another year
· Total college
expenses up 3.5%
· State aid: Although the State
budget has yet to be adopted Dr. Hankin said he received a call from Albany that they State will
be giving them $75.00 more per FTE student in aid. He further stated that reductionthe College is very
cautious and therefore the budget does does not reflect anything not already in hand. If the funding is received it would amount
to $690,000.
They would have to make another adjustment because as the State aid increases
the charge back rate decreases due to the formula and so they would have to
subtract $100,000. The net savings
would be $575,000 by which number they could lower the fund balance they are
using. Dr. Hankin reminded the Committee that State
aid lags one year. The
College had a reduction in FTEs last year which is now being
reversed. That reduction as well
projects like the Peekskill expansion project reduces State aid because they
have to use more of the State aid in the island account.
· Student
Tuition: at 2350 max state will allow
is 2500. Student
Tuition: Student tuition has risen 74%
over the last several years. Tuition at
the College is currently at $2350. The
maximum the State will allow is $2500.
Dr. Hankin stated that he does not believe that tuition should be
increased without getting State and/or County aid. The Board of Trustees is holding the line on tuition increases
until it sees the willingness of the County to participate.
· Dr. Hankin explained
that they are asking for a large fund balance to balance this budget because
without additional tax levy increases there are no other sources.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES JULY 21, 1999
PAGE 4
Bdo
ftrustees holding line on tuition increases
County
share - Tax levy 1.63% increase
· County share - Tax
levy 1.63% increase in the Colleges budget.
If you look at it as a total of the County tax levy it is .0006% of
increase.
· Mr. Kaplowitz
inquired as to the cCurrent
state of fund balance. According
to Mr. Boyar, the fund balance is : currently at $2.7 million
(excluding this year). As of
August 1998, the Colleges last fiscal year end, it is $3.7 million. The expectation for August of 1999 isanticipate $1.2.
· Dr. Hankin stated
that student enrollment is on the increase.
· for this year
·
Capital financing:
Mr.
Boyar stated that as they were getting closer to printing the budget it was
identified that they would have to make a payment oforinterest only on the
library project of approximately $250,000.
for interest only on library project bonding. Working with the
Budget Department
they reached a compromise to increase tax levy by Compromise
tax levy
went up $125,000.
· Budget does not
reflect proposed changes with regard to public works at the College.
· Mrs. Stewart-Cousins
inquired if the budget reflects the possibility of an extension somewhere in
the southern tier of the county. Dr.
Hankin stated that it is not because that is done through the island accounts
and hopefully would be
self-sustaining. Dr. Hankin that they
are talking about making a branch campus rather than an extension campus.
· Mrs. Stewart-Cousins
inquired as to the decrease in Ethnic Studies.
Dr. Hankin stated that it is due to the multi-cultural program project that was moved
up into net annual regular salaries. Mr. Boyar further explained that 2
positions which were previously in Ethnic Studies were moved into net annual regular
salary
account but there was no decrease in the program itself.
· Mrs. Carsky asked
what the percentage increase in employee health insurance after
8 new employees. Mr. Boyar stated that
they estimate 10-12%. Dr. Hankin
stated that school districts that have the same basic coverage as the College
pay a lot less per employee. He said given the
opportunity they would go out on their own they may be able to do better
than they are now. Mrs.
Swanson stated that if the College goes out on its own for insurance they would
have to look at the impact on the rest of the County.
· Mr. Kaplowitz
congratulated the College on saving $1.5 million in expenses (actual projected
1998 vs. projected 1998) and asked how it was accomplished. Mr. Boyar stated that a lot of it was due to
salary savings because of early retirement. Dr. Hankin stated that positions are being
kept vacant longer and longer.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES JULY 21, 1999
PAGE 5
· Mr. Boland asked
when the Committee can expect to receive the list of reserves and accounts
payable that was previously requested.
Mr. Boyar stated that they are working on it. Mr. Boland asked for a more definitive time frame. Mr. Boyar stated that they will provide it
as soon as they can.
ASC
satellite
%
increase in employee health insurance costs
10-12%
plan
on doubling size of Peekskill office.
Start-up costs
· The Committee will
discuss the WCC Budget further at next weeks meeting.
TEAMSTERS AGREEMENT:
4.* COUNTY
EXECUTIVE: Teamsters Agreement:
Forwarding an Act to approve the agreement between the County of
Westchester and Local 456, International Brotherhood of Teamsters. (7/12/99)
Due toconcerns of
Legislator Abinanti it was decided by the Administration that the scheduled pWESTCHESTER
COMMUNITY COLLEGE BUDGET:
was carried by a vote of 8-06-0.
AGENDA
ITEMS:
16.*Hudson River Waterfront Acquisition: Proposed legislation authorizing the County
to acquire Hudson River Waterfront Property known as the Habirshaw Club
Property. (6/21/99) (Also referred to CAH)
The property is located at 35 Alexander Street in
Yonkers and was the site of the Habirshaw Club and consists of approximately
1.97 acres of land (1.23 acres above water, .74 acres under water) with a
one-story structure.
The site has approximately 124 linear feet of
water.
The property is contiguous to the Countys former
Naval Militia site, which is the northern boundary of the proposed
County esplanade park component of the Yonkers Waterfront Revitalization
Project.
The property, once improved as a park, would form a
natural terminus to the County esplanade park.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY AFFAIRS & HOUSING
MINUTES JUNE 28, 1999
PAGE 2
Mr. Pietropaolo assured the Committees that there
would be expansion of
the Yonkers Pump Station.
Mr. Oros asked if the Yonkers City Council passed a
resolution in support of the acquisition of this property. Ms. Brandon stated that they did recently pass a resolution and are in support
of this acquisition.
Mr. Oros inquired as to whether an appraisal had
been done. Mr. Pietropaolo stated that
Scenic Hudson had an appraisal done. The Committees would like to see the
appraisal.
Scenic Hudson has an option to purchase the
property for $850,000 which must be exercised no later than July 13, 1999.
Scenic Hudson will contribute approximately
$682,716 toward the purchase price of a conservation easement on the property
and the County will pay the remaining approximate amount of $167,284, which is expected to be reimbursed to a State account.
The property will be conveyed to the County, via an
assignment agreement with Scenic Hudson, subject to the conservation easement running to Scenic Hudson that would restrict
development on the property, require its use as a public park and provide for
indemnification of Scenic Hudson by the County for personal injury, death,
accidents, negligence or
damage relating to the property.
Bond Counsel is Hawkins, Delafield & Wood
Mr. Oros expressed his concernas
to bonding the $950,000
(taken from the
general purpose acquisition account) rather than using cash.
The Committees would
like a detailed explanation on this matter from the Administration.
Breakdown of the $950,000 is: $682,000 for Scenic Hudson; $167,000
anticipated State grant; $100,000 combined County & Scenic Hudson closing
costs.
Under the terms of this agreement, the County will
put approximately $682,716 from bond proceedsinto
an escrow account as security to ensure the timely
completion of park improvements. If the
park is not constructed according to the material terms set forth in the
development agreement, Scenic
Hudson will either a) draw down on the funds in order to finish the work, with
any remaining money to be retained by the County, or b) take the full $682,716
as consideration for its investment.
Mrs. Carsky asked if there would be any need in the
future to expand the Yonkers Pump Station.
Mr. Robertson stated that dechlorination
facilities are a concern for all of the Countys sewage plants but there .
Mrs. Stewart-Cousins assured the Committee that the
City of Yonkers plan is for recreational purposes only and would remain open
to all.
COMMITTEE
ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
COMMITTEE
ON COMMUNITY AFFAIRS & HOUSING
MINUTES
JUNE 28, 1999
PAGE
3
The
County Planning Board has approved this project.
FOR B&A COMMITTEE:
On motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator LaMotte,
the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0 with Legislators
Swanson, Young, LaMotte, Carsky and Mosiello signing Without Prejudice.
FOR
CAH COMMITTEE:
On
motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the
motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0 with Legislators Swanson,
Young, LaMotte, Carsky and Mosiello signing Without Prejudice.
COUNTY
EXECUTIVE:
Ms.
Drummond explained that the
New York Metropolitan Region, inlcuding Westchester and Rockland Counties, has
been designated as an eligible metropolitan statistical area (EMSA) to be
provided formula entitlement funds under HOPWA. New York City has
been designated as the eligible applicant for the EMSA for the purpose of
submitting applications to HUD, receiving the grant, insuring that the grant is
administered in accordance with HOPWA, and selecting project sponsors to carry
out activities authorized under HOPWA.
The
County would enter into IMAs for the distribution of Fiscal Year (Year 8)
HOPWA grant funds as follows:
City of Mt. Vernon $429,335; City of New Rochelle $107,000;
City of Yonkers $394,000.
The County would use the portion that is not
disbursed
INVEST IN KIDS:
16.*COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Hudson River Waterfront Acquisition: Proposed legislation authorizing the County to acquire Hudson
River Waterfront Property known as the Habirshaw Club Property. (6/21/99)
(Also referred to CAH)
GAISMAN
PROPERTY:
Archdiocese needs to close on this property by the
end of the month.
The legal description of the Gaisman Estate,
provided by the Trust for Public Land, contained approximately
1/3 of an acre of encroachments by adjoining property owners onto the
approximately 123-acre parcel. This
legislation would provide for removal
of the 4 encroachments, which create a legal impediment
to the transfer of title to the Estate to the State, the Town and the County.
The Committee expressed concern with regard to encroachments
on County properties. A letter will be
sent to Sal Carrera, Director of Real Estate noting the Committees concern and inquiring as to whether inspections
of County property with regard to encroachments are being performed.
Committee requested a map and a list of the owners
of the encroachments.
On
motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to
approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0
with Legislators
Stewart-Cousins, Mosiello, LaMotte, Swanson and Young signing Without Prejudice.
COMMITTEE
ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES JUNE 21, 1999
PAGE 2
Legislator Carsky suggested that a letter be sent
to the County Attorney, from the Committee, requesting that the County beging to do surveys
of County properties. She noted that
currently the County does not have good surveys, for title purposes, of the
BRPR. Mr. Wishnie stated that he will
also seek County Planning Board input.
FILING OF COUNTYs
COUNTYS
REPORT WITH THE OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPRTROLLER:
Commissioner
Pucillo explained that the report being electronically transmitted today. They did not meet the 5/31 deadline due to
the Countys Y2K conversion of its financial system. The Countys financial system is now Y2K compliant.
The
financial report will be printed and finalized by end of month. They are currently writing footnotes.
MORTGAGE
TAX RECIPTESRECEIPTS:
Commissioner
Pucillo explained that for the first time they are electronically wiring checksthe beginning
June 15th. By law must be transmitted
by June 15th.
Amount of
mortgage tax receipts are sSlightly
up from previous year due to increase in property values.
On
motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion to
approve this item was carried by a vote of
COMMITTEE ON
BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES JUNE
14, 1999
PAGE 2
On motion of
Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion to approve
this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.
III.BOND ACTS: (Note: All bond acts have been reviewed, in detail,
by
sub-committees)
1.Bond Act:
Authorizing the issuance of $900,000 in bonds Air Conditioning
Equipment Replacement and Chloroflouro Carbons. (7/20/98)
This Bond Act
has been superseded by Bond Act #3
(B0038)
Bond Act: (RGIP2):
Authorizing the issuance of $400,000 in bonds Park Wide Comfort
Station Rehabilitation. (5/25/99)
Mrs. LaMotte
began by informing the Committee
that the reason for some of the smaller amounts (i.e. $100,000) is due to 10%
for design phases.
Mr. Kaplowitz
informed the Committee that there
is no per unit cost on a smaller bond than a larger bond.
Dianne Vanadia
informed the Committee that oftentimes a projects deign has to be at a certain
point before a SEQR review can be completed.
This bonding
legislation is required to finance the cost of recreational area improvements
at Tibbetts Brook Park and Ridge Road Park as part of a
project to rehabilitate comfort stations.
Commissioner
DeSantis stressed that they
intend to rehab all of the parks comfort stations but had to prioritize which ones had to be
done first based on current condition as well as park usage.
On motion of
Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Mosiello, the motion to approve
this item was carried by a vote of 6-0
with Legislator Swanson signing Without
Prejudice.
Bond
Act: (B0021): Authorizing the issuance of $2,200,000 in bonds Michaelian
Office Building Modernization.
(5/25/99)
Bond
Act: (B0038): Authorizing the issuance of $1,900,000 in bonds Air
Conditioning Equipment Replacement and Chloroflouro Carbons, DPW Locations. (5/25/99)
Bond
Act: (B0045): Authorizing the issuance of $88,000 in bonds Putnam
Right-of-Way/South County Trailway Improvements. (5/25/99)
Bond
Act: (RB02D): Authorizing the issuance of $360,000 in bonds, Bronx River
Parkway over Bronx River, North of Leewood Drive Yonkers and Eastchester. (5/25/99)
Bond
Act: (RB02E): Authorizing the issuance of $240,000 in bonds Bronx River
Parkway over Bronx River, South of Leewood Drive, Yonkers and Eastchester. (5/25/99)
Bond
Act: (RB011): Authorizing the issuance of $500,000 in bonds Mamaroneck
Avenue, White Plains/Harrison/Mamaroneck.
(5/25/99)
Bond
Act: (RB012): Authorizing the issuance of $600,000 in bonds Westchester
Avenue, East and Westbound, between White Plains Avenue and Purchase Street. (5/25/99)
Bond
Act: (RB025): Authorizing the issuance of $200,000 in bonds Tuckahoe Road,
Yonkers. (5/25/99)
COMMITTEE ON
BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES JUNE
14, 1999
PAGE 3
Bond Act: (RGIP2):
Authorizing the issuance of $400,000 in bonds Park Wide Comfort
Station Rehabilitation. (5/25/99)
Mrs.
LaMottee began by informed
the Committee that the resaon
for some of the smaller amounts (i.e. $100,000) is due to 10% for design
phases.
Mr.
Kaplowitz informed the Committee that
Bond
Act: (RGC05): Authorizing the issuance of $125,000 in bonds Mohansic Golf
Course Rehabilitation, Tees/Greens.
(5/25/99)
This bonding
legislation is required to finance the cost of preparation of surveys,
preliminary and detailed plans, specifications and estimates necessary for
planning tees, greens and fairways rehabilitation at the Mohansic
Golf Course.
The $8 million cost estimate
for the total
project is being
reduced as they continue to evaluate the current facility
and project. So
far it has been reduced
down to $5 million
and may be reduced further. Committee will be kept apprised.
$8
million number is being reduced as they continue to evaluate the project,. Continue to investiagte
current facility. Reduced down to $5
million. May be a further
reduction. Committee will bne
kept apprised.
Bond
Act: (RGC12): Authorizing the issuance of $1,100,000 in bonds Dunwoodie Golf
Course Parking Improvements. (5/25/99)
The Commissioner
stated that the eE. This bonding legislation will finance the
cost of recreational area improvements, including realignment and reorganization
of the entrance area and main parking lot.
will be provided.
Bond
Act: (RMAC1): Authorizing the issuance of $100,000 in bonds V.E. Macy Park
Improvements. (5/25/99)
This project
will implement the Woodlands South County Family Recreation Center development
plan. It involves the conversion of the
former Cantina
restaurant at the Woodlands Lake
portion of V.E. Macy Park into an all-around recreation center.This plan is for the site
to serve as an all-around recreation center, focusing on
the new South County Trailway.