MINUTES
OTHERS: Budget Dept.: Dianne Vanadia, Kate Tooher, Brian Fitzpatrick; CBAC: George Hosey, Barbara Strauss, Fran MacEachron; LWV: Jo Brill; C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph, Ingrid Bent, Dave Meyers; IT: Norm Jacknis, Allen Elliott, Kay Foster; Planning Dept.: Commissioner Lannert, Fran McLaughlin, Paul Pietropaolo; Others: Thomas F. McGrath; BOL: Legislator Bronz, Barbara Dodds, Robert Boland, Chris Chang, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Wishnie called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m.
DISCUSSION: (There is a cassette tape on file for more detailed information)
MINUTES: On motion of Legislator Mosiello, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve the Minutes of September 21, 1999; October 4, 1999 and October 25, 1999 was carried by a vote of 6-0.
WESTCHESTER LIBRARY SYSTEM (WLS) OUTREACH PROGRAM:
· This communication from Maurice Freedman, Director of WLS, requests that the County help support the WLS Outreach Program for the remainder of 1999. WLS serves the County’s underserved target populations as part of its overall responsibilities as a cooperative public library system. These populations include, among others, ethnic minorities, and the under and unemployed. Therefore, Mr. Young, Chairman of the Committee on Minority Affairs requested that this communication be referred to his Committee for discussion and will report back to B&A.
On motion of Legislator Mosiello, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to refer this item to the Committee on Minority Affairs was carried by a vote of 6-0.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – NOVEMBER 1, 1999
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RESOLUTION HIRING A CPA FIRM TO CONDUCT AUDITS:
· If approved, this resolution would authorize the Chairman of the Board to enter into a contract on behalf of the County with Bennett Kielson Storch Yablon & DeSantis (BKS) to audit its financial statements for the years ending 12/31/99, 12/31/2000 and 12/31/2001. Rates would be $260,000; $285,000 and $310,000 respectively.
· 3 year contract is standard procedure.
· BKS was the only bidder
· BKS was recommended by Commissioner Pucillo due to their experience and knowledge of the County.
On motion of Legislator Mosiello, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 5-0 with Legislator Carsky out for the vote.
GENERAL SERVICES: CAPITAL BUDGET:
Dr. Norm Jacknis briefed the Committee on the General Services Capital Projects including:
· BGS19: Westnet Infrastructure and Local Area Network Upgrade: This is the last phase of this project.
· BGS20: Purchase of Computer Equipment: $570,000: These are for servers to wrap up mainframe project.
· BGS25: Image Management System: Capital project is being closed out. No more money needs to be invested in this project although the system will continue to be used.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT): CAPITAL BUDGET:
Dr. Norm Jacknis briefed the Committee on the IT Capital Projects including:
· BIT02: Electronic Government & Public Access: New project including a number of initiatives pertaining to “smart cards” to help control cash flow at parks.
· BIT03: New Desktop Systems: Replacement of existing PCs will be in Operating Budget form now on. This is only for new PCs where there were none before. 200 per year at $2,500 plus 600 in the year 2000 for DSS at $2,500 = $2 million.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS,
MINUTES – NOVEMBER 1, 1999
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· BIT04: POWER Tools: Replaces old approach towards workforce automation. This is for purchasing software. POWER= Productivity, Optimization, Workflow, Empowerment, Reengineering. Help save money by increasing employee productivity and reengineering work. Will provide for smoother integration and better interaction between departments and with state/federal agencies. Reusable software components are integrated together to meet the particular requirements of a user, instead of buying a monolithic “one-size-fits-all” software package. This is the general direction of the software industry.
· BIT05: County-wide Wireless Communications: To provide county-side wireless communications to emergency services and others. Reduce costs by consolidating County radio/wireless projects. Combine voice and data to provide better communications resources. $4.5 million for first phase of construction.
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING: CAPITAL BUDGET:
· BPL01: Housing Implementation Fund: Looked at what would actually be needed for the year when budgeting the $600,000 for 2000.
· BPL2A: Capital Projects – Feasibility Studies (2001-2005): for feasibility studies needed by other departments to complete work.
· BPL11: Bronx River Pathway: Money appropriated for a while but has not been expended. Why is it not being advanced. Received ISTEA funding for project. Design work will be starting in the 1st quarter of 2000 which will probably take about 4 months (community review and state approval are needed) Mrs. Carsky expressed her concern that this is the most used portion of the trailway and the project should be expedited.
· Mrs. Stewart-Cousins inquired as to the status of the Yonkers Waterfront Project (Recrea RY0N1). Commissioner Lannert stated that the County has a commitment to Yonkers and are still working with Yonkers to meet timetable that has been set.
· BPL14: Croton Watershed Planning: Mrs. LaMotte stated her concern that this is not on the 2000 schedule. The Commissioner replied that they don’t necessarily have expenditures until specific projects have been determined. Have to work with communities and DEP to determine the specific projects. Mrs. LaMotte stated that she would like to see this fast-tracked. It was suggested that perhaps a Committee of the Whole should be held with the Planning Dept and Planning Bd to discuss this as well as sewage diversion.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS,
MINUTES – NOVEMBER 1, 1999
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A&C CALENDAR:
Mr. Boland briefed the Committee on the November 4, 1999 A&C Calendar.
One issue discussed was the need for a meeting to get a status update on the deferred comp transition. Mr. Wishnie stated that a note will be sent to Chairman Latimer to set up such a meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins seconded by Legislator LaMotte the meeting was adjourned at 11:1 a.m.