MINUTES
OTHERS: Budget Dept.: Kate Carrano, Dianne Vanadia, Leslie Bennett, Brian Fitzpatrick; CBAC: George Hosey, Joseph Whelan, Fran MacEachron, John Mattis; C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph, Ingrid Bent, Dave Meyers, Symra Brandon; DSS: Kevin Mahon, Fred Broege; Labs & Research: Millard Hyland, Tom McGimpsey; Planning Dept.: Fran McLaughlin; Dept. of Public Safety: Louis D’Aliso, Mary Ellen Solicito, Martin McGlynn; Finance Dept.: Peter Pucillo; Law Dept. Alan Scheinkman, Linda Trenacosta; Fire Services: Henry Campbell; BOL: Legislator Bronz, Barbara Dodds, Robert Boland, Chris Chang, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Wishnie called the meeting to order at 10:25 a.m.
DISCUSSION: (There is a cassette tape on file for more detailed information)
MINUTES: On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion to approve the Minutes of October 13, 1999 and November 1, 1999 was carried by a vote of 7-0 with Legislators Abinanti and LaMotte out for the vote.
3RD QUARTER PROJECTIONS:
· Sales Tax has shown some improvement since last meeting. Still not happy with state delays (according to the state the delays are due to computer problems)
· Seeing a lot of growth in hotel tax
· Doing well on interests on investments.
· Hit badly in DSS and Medicaid in health insurance.
· This subject will be discussed in more detail in conjunction with Budget 2000 discussions.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – NOVEMBER 8, 1999
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CAPITAL BUDGET: DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION:
Commissioner Pozzi discussed several Capital Projects including:
· Infrastructure Improvements: BCR05: Roofing work
· Life Safety Renovations: BCR19: on-going project mainly in the old building
· Pen Housing Replacement Project moved out to 2005
BUDGET TRANSFER ARBITRAGE SETTLEMENT:
· Commissioners Pucillo informed the Committee that the calculations for the arbitrage payments to the IRS are based on information just received from Bond Counsel. The IRS penalties are for not spending capital monies in a timely fashion. We did not meet all of our target dates. The issues involved bonds sold in 1990 through 1996.
· Mr. Pucillo stated that the total amount is $3.4 million with $2.6 million coming from the General Fund and $850,000 from various Sewer, Water and Refuse Disposal Districts.
· Mrs. Carsky and Mr. Boland questioned what controls are in place to prevent this from happening again. Mr. Pucillo stated that the Finance and Budget Departments are working together to work on setting controls and a greater portion of the responsibility will be shifted to the Finance Department. Mrs. Swanson asked if this is at all due to not closing out projects. Mr. Pucillo stated that it certainly did have some effect.
· Mr. Kaplowitz asked how much of the $3.4 million is penalties and how much is taxes. Mr. Pucillo responded that most is penalties although he did not have the exact numbers.
· Committee requested the back-up of detail – by project. Ms. Bennett stated that it was calculated by bond sale not necessarily by project
On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0 with Legislators Stewart-Cousins, Mosiello, Carsky, LaMotte and Swanson signing “Without Prejudice”.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – NOVEMBER 8, 1999
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LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT:
· This proceeding is due to delays by State to take state ready inmates from the County within the 14 day legally permitted of time. These delays on the part of the State resulted in increased costs and an increased population resulting in overcrowding.
· Under the proposed settlement, the State has agreed to reimburse the County $975,000 within 60 days of being notified of the County’s approval of the proposed settlement.
· This will be unanticipated revenue.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.
PERPETUAL EASEMENT/NY MEDICAL COLLEGE:
· This would grant a perpetual easement to NY Medical College to use part of the County’s property at Grasslands Reservation as an emergency access route to obtain access to the rear side of NYMC’s student housing complex.
· Details of the proposed easement were worked out between the County, NYMC and the Valhalla Fire Department.
· Mrs. Carsky expressed her concern that someone in DPW might have let this slip as this should have been accounted for in the planning stages. Mrs. Swanson responded that the problem was that there was no communication between the builder and the Valhalla Fire Department.
On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.
CAPITAL BUDGET: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY:
· Expansion of Parking and Shelter for Specialized Vehicles: BPS07: Like to get vehicles inside for better control
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – NOVEMBER 8, 1999
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CAPITAL BUDGET: FIRE SERVICES:
Mr. Campbell discussed several Capital Projects, including:
· Equipment and Apparatus for Fire Training Center: BFT08: $190,000: for fire apparatus for training center. With existing 140,000 appropriation, intention was to purchase a flash-over simulator. It was later decided that this would not be appropriate training apparatus. Instead they will now replace a fire truck for the training center
· Fire Services – Fire & EMS Radio System Upgrade: will now be addressed under project BIT05 under IT. This will address all emergency radio needs
CAPITAL BUDGET: LABS & RESEARCH:
Dr. Hyland discussed the following:
· BLR02: Equipment & Acquisition: For 17 year old dishwasher replacement as well as instruments that measure metals which are EPA requirements. These instruments will pay for themselves within 9 months of purchasing.
CAPITAL BUDGET: DSS:
Commissioner Mahon discussed the following:
85 Court Street Renovation: BSS07: 2 year project. Next year just planning for redesign. This will help the current overcrowding conditions in waiting rooms. Proposing to redesign front door and main lobby to include a child care area. Upstairs redesign to allow for more space for staff. Will be going to PCs on everyone’s desks.
Peekskill D.O. Renovations: BSS08: similar to above project for the Peekskill D.O.
LAWSUIT/SETTLEMENT:
· This act would authorize the County Attorney to institute legal proceedings on behalf of the County against the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability assistance, NYS and any other necessary and appropriate parties to challenge, among other things, the Administration of the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Grant.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – NOVEMBER 8, 1999
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· Mr. Scheinkman explained that although it is coming in on the Board’s Agenda for this evening (on the Blue Sheet) there is some time sensitivity to it. The County Attorney strongly urged that a proceeding pursuant to Section 78 of the NY Civil Practice Law and rules be filed on behalf of the County on or before November 14, 1999.
· States must meet the Maintenance of Effort (“MOE”) requirements in order to maintain eligibility to receive TANF funds each year. In 1998-1999, NYS (and its counties) met the employment participation rate. In addition, Westchester County’s expenditures will exceed $26.4 million, thereby meetings its proportionate share of the MOE. However, NYS failed to satisfy the overall state MOE and several local social services districts failed to satisfy their proportionate shares of MOE.
· On July 14, 1999, the NYS Office of Temporary Disability Assistance and NYS Office of Budget, Finance and Data Management wrote a letter to all of the local district commissioners, informing them that drastic action was required to ensure sufficient State/local spending to guarantee that NYS meet its MOE requirements. It further indicated that such action was necessary in order to avoid federal sanctions.
· As a result of the State’s “necessary” action it has failed to reimburse the County in excess of approximately $3 million for its public assistance expenditures.
· By withholding reimbursement, the State is mandating that Westchester and its residents share the financial burden of those other counties that have failed to meet their proportionate share of MOE.
· Efforts to resolve this matter with the State have proven unsuccessful to this date.
On motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.
A&C CALENDAR:
The Committee reviewed the November 10, 1999 A&C Calendar and requested back-up information on several items.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.