COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY AFFAIRS & HOUSING

MINUTES

JULY 26, 1999

                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                       

ATTENDANCE:

 

B&A MEMBERS:  Latimer, Wishnie, Abinanti, LaMotte, Kaplowitz, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, Young, Mosiello

CAH MEMBERS: Oros, Young, Latimer

 

OTHERS:               Budget Dept.: Kate Carrano; C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph, Larry Schwartz; WCC: Dr. Hankin, Fred Boyar, Lou Torrieri; CBAC: George Hosey, Barbara Strauss; LWVW: Jo Brill, Fran MacEachron; Planning: Joseph Adelman; BOL: Barbara Dodds, Sally Schecter, Chris Chang, Robert Boland

 

Chairman Wishnie called the Budget and Appropriations meeting to order at

10:15 a.m.

 

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

 

MINUTES:

 

On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve the Minutes on July 21, 1999 was carried by a vote 7-0 (Legislator Abinanti out for vote)

 

Chairman Oros called the meeting to order at 10:17 a.m

 

AGENDA ITEMS:

 

14.           Proposed Changes in the Operation of WCC:  Proposal allowing Westchester Community College to use other entities other than just the Department of Public Works to conduct projects at the College.

 

·       George Latimer explained that this proposal would allow WCC to have more control over the business of the College but they would not have complete autonomy.

 

·       Legislator LaMotte asked why it was important to do this piece now?

·       Dr. Hankin stated there is a deadline of August 3^rd for anything to be on a referendum for the November election

 

·       Mr. Latimer, Chairman of the Board, stated that he supported the College having more control.

 

·       Legislator Kaplowitz expressed concern over the language in the resolution stating that the language could possibly exclude the Department of Public Works from doing any work at the College.  Mr. Kaplowitz suggested that the language in the Committee Report be changed in order to make certain that DPW would not be excluded from attaining work at WCC.

 

·       Legislator Kaplowitz also expressed concern over a possible infringement on the Board’s power.

 

·       Mr. Wishnie stated that it was important to be aware of the time sensitivity in regards to the referendum.

 

·       Mr. Oros stated that the committee could change the Committee report since there was no change in the local law.

 

·       Mr. Latimer proposed that the Committee make whatever modifications they deem necessary in order to approve this resolution today provided that no legislator had any major issues with it and then he would work with any legislator to resolve any smaller issues, if any.

 

·       Larry Schwartz assured the Committee that DPW would not be excluded from any bidding on projects at the College.

 

·       Oros recommended that changes be made to pages 2,3,4, & 5 of the Community Report. (The Modified Committee Report is on File)

 

·       Legislator Oros voiced his support for more autonomy at Westchester Community College.

 

·       Legislator LaMotte suggested that the Committee have Alan Scheinkman look at the changes to the Committee Report

·       Mr. Wishnie stated that the County Attorney would be joining them shortly and that he would look over the changes then.

 

·       Legislator Mosiello expressed concern that the county would be held liable for poor work done by another company.

·       Mr. Schwartz stated that any company doing work at the College must follow the same rules and regulations and held to the same standards as DPW.

 

·       On motion by Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve item 14 was carried by a vote 7-0. (Committee on Budget and Appropriations)

·       On motion by Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Oros, the motion to approve item 14 was carried  by a vote of 2-0 (Committee on Community Affairs and Housing)

 

 

Legislator Oros made a motion to adjourn the meeting of the Committee on Community Affairs and Housing at 10:45, which was seconded by Legislator Young.

 

 

4.              Teamsters Agreement: An act approving an agreement between the County of Westchester and Local 456, International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

 

·       Mr. Wishnie turned the meeting over to the Chief Advisor to the County Executive who presented the proposed Teamsters Contract

 

·       Mr. Schwartz focused on the major points of the contract:

·       It is a 6yr. Contract: (Retroactive 1 ½ %  for ‘96; 1% in ’97; 3.5% to 2001)

·       Minor change in Dental Plan & Optical Plan

·       Minor changes in Sick Leave

 

·       Mr. Schwartz stated that the Teamsters agreed to get rid of the titles of Assistant to the County Executive 1&2; Senior County Attorney and Coordinator of Veterans Affairs.

 

·       Legislator LaMotte inquired how many people are involved in this. 

·       Mr. Schwartz replied that there are (15) Senior County Attorney Titles; (3) Asst. to The County Executives, and (1) Veterans affairs Coordinator

 

·       George Latimer stated that he sees no need to have a separate bargaining unit for the Board of Legislators.

 

·       Mr. Kaplowitz stated that this is consistent with the other contract settlements.

 

·       Legislator Abinanti voiced concerns that the Board of Legislators would have no control over the teamster positions.

 

·       Legislator Swanson requested a list of job titles to keep her files up to date

 

 

On motion of Legislator Mosiello, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz the motioned to approve the memorandum of additions by a vote of  (8-0)

 

 

Westchester Community College Budget:

 

·       The original amount of aid was reduced from $150.00 to $75.00 per student.

 

·       Bob Boland stated that the $700,000 breaks down to be 75.00 per student and there are roughly 9,022 students

 

·       Bob Boland stated that the Board has approved the $700,000 addition to WCC budget and the board will discuss any deletions in the future.

 

On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte the motion was approved  (9-0)

 

 

 

Acquisitions and Contracts Agenda:

 

·       Mr. Wishnie asked if any of the Legislators had any question in regards to the A&C Agenda

 

·       Mr. Kaplowitz inquired if item number eight on the A&C agenda was an expected revenue

 

·       Budget Director, Kate Carrano stated that this was an unbudgeted revenue so it is an added 100,000 (figure rounded up) to the County Budget

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.