MINUTES
OTHERS: Budget Dept.: Kate Carrano; Finance Dept.: Peter Pucillo; CBAC: George Hosey, Barbara Strauss, Fran MacEachron; C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph, Ingrid Bent, Larry Schwartz; Sal Carrera (Director of Real Estate), Terry Waivada (Director of IDA & Deputy Director of Economic Development); Law Dept: Alan Scheinkman, Cheryl Neiman; County Clerk’s Office: Leonard Spano, Eugene Rogers; IT: Norm Jacknis, Lisa Losier; BOL: Barbara Dodds, Chris Chang, Sally Schecter, Robert J. Boland, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Wishnie called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m.
DISCUSSION:
BUDGET MINUTES:
With regard to the Singer Property acquisition, the February 28, 2000 Minutes stated “The County has agreed that the expiration of the bond it will turn this property over, as it is doing with all of the Sprout Brook property at some point in time, to the town of Cortlandt for whatever purposes they wish to use it for.” Committee deleted the portion underlined above.
On motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve the Budget Committee Minutes of February 28, 2000 (as amended) was carried by a vote of 6-0.
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CREDIT CARD PROGRAM-COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE:
· Mr. Scheinkman stated that when the Committee discussed this matter last term there was an issue with regard to the liability of the county to the state in the case of rescinding credit card payments. He further stated that the overall savings to county are such that the relative infrequency of charge back issue is miniscule.
· According to Mr. Rogers, the benefit of using credit cards would greatly streamline the County Clerk’s operations. With respect to the charge back issue, there are very few instances there is a mechanism in place by the state to cover these with virtually no loss to the county.
· Westchester is involved in an electronic pilot program with regard to legal documents.
· There is a lot of push for credit card payment on the state level.
· According to Mr. Scheinkman the county has had ongoing negotiations with a credit card vendor which they anticipate can be worked out within the next 30-60 days.
· Cost to county is estimated at 1-1.5% per transaction total.
· Mr. Kaplowitz asked if there is anything else legislatively the Board needs to do to get this program going. Mr. Scheinkman stated that there is not, they just wanted to make sure the Board had all of their questions answered.
· Mrs. LaMotte asked what, if any impact, this program would have on land records operations. Mr. Rogers stated that it would have none as the issue in land records is a processing one. Mr. Spano informed the committee that they are seeing a leveling off in land records.
· Mrs. Stewart-Cousins asked what impact this program will have on personnel in the County Clerk’s Office. Mr. Rogers stated that they try to keep the number of personnel down and supplement with hourlies whenever possible.
7. COUNTY ATTORNEY: Compromise of Health Care Claims: Proposed Act authorizing the County Attorney to compromise health care claims of Westchester County for reimbursement of Health Care Expenditures from
Insured’s Recovery as a result of legal action or settlement. (1/24/00)
· Mr. Scheinkman briefly reviewed the each of the 5 cases with the committee.
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· 1) Personal injury action in which the injured sustained a head injury and concussion after being hit by a bar from a weight lifting machine when a cable snapped on June 18, 1995. Insured filed claims under the POMCO plan. The total medical expenditure by the County in this case was $9,452.78. The insured’s litigation had a structured settlement of $72,500.00. The amount the County seeks to be reimbursed is $6,300.00.
· 2) Personal injury action in which the insured purportedly sustained a fractured leg and pulmonary embolism from a slip and fall accident. The accident took place on March 1, 1994 when the insured slipped and fell on a patch of road outside the insured’s home. Insured filed claims under the POMCO plan. Total health care expenditure by the County was $16,765.09. Insured’s litigation settled for $25,000.00. Amount the County seeks to be reimbursed in $6,762.06.
· 3) Personal injury action in which the insured sustained food poisoning from eating at a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant on June 27, 1996. Insured made health care claims under POMCO plan. Total health care expenditure by the County was $5,295.00. Insured’s litigation settled for $3,000.00. Amount County seeks to be reimbursed is $736.46.
· 4) Personal injury action in which the insured sustained a fractured ankle in a slip and fall accident on December 1, 1997. Insured filed health care claims under POMCO plan. Total health care expenditure by the County was $13,566.71. Insured’s litigation settled for $165,000. Amount County seeks to be reimbursed is $10,000.
· 5) Personal injury action in which the injured sustained an injury to his back on December 22, 1995.Insured filed health care claims under POMCO. Total health care expenditure by the County was $5,274.59. Insured’s litigation settled for $13,000.00.The amount the County seeks to be reimbursed is $3,200.00.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.
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WESTCHESTER COUNTY IDA:
· Mr. Schwartz began by stating that the Westchester County IDA has embarked on a mission to become more active and aggressive in promoting economic development in Westchester.
· Economic Development study was done by a consultant and is expected to be released sometime this month. The IDA contributed $165,000 to the $225,000 cost of the consultant’s report. Mr. Schwartz stated he believes this report will become the blueprint for economic development for the County.
· Working to create an integrated structure within the operation of the IDA. The Office of Economic Development, IDA and the Westchester County Association work as one integrated component to maximize resources. Through the office of Economic Development (from the county’s operating budget) a fee is paid to the Westchester County Association.
· The Committee was informed that through the efforts of the IDA and Economic Development, the County has been able to attract 4 new companies to Westchester and retain 6 others that were considering leaving the County.
· Mr. Schwartz stated that the IDA is a creature of the state, created under state legislation. The Westchester County IDA consists of seven members. The revenue the IDA receives is through a number of sources. Ms. Waivada explained that they issue revenue bonds (backed by insurance) and they can issue sales tax exemptions. Requirement is that the action must result in retained jobs and/or new jobs. There is a cap on tax exempt bonds. Ms. Waivada explained that the bonds are issued in Westchester County IDA’s name but are done through an underwriter. In the case of default, the sponsor of the project is responsible, Westchester County IDA acts as a pass through. IDA actually holds title to the real property (not a lien) until the bonds are retired. Mr. Schwartz stated that there are numerous safeguards put into the contracts to protect the Westchester County IDA from liability issues.
· Mrs. LaMotte stated her concern that sometimes companies use inducements to barter to try to get more. Mr. Schwartz stated that right now Westchester is a very desirable location right now. Mr. Carrera stated that Westchester has space at fair prices and will negotiate the best deal possible.
· According to Mr. Schwartz, eviction proceedings were brought against the Austin Avenue developer in December because he is $675,000 in arrears.
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· Mr. Schwartz said that they will provide an updated report on current balance on IDA.
· Committee requested a breakdown of salaries, legal fees and anticipated revenues for the IDA.
RECEIVED & FILED:
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to Receive and File Agenda Items A 1, 2, 4, 6, & 9 and B 2, 8, 9, & 11 (Captioned Below) was carried by a vote of 6-0.
A) COMMUNICATIONS: COUNTY EXECUTIVE:
1.* Gift Acceptance: Acceptance of a gift from the Bayer Corporation to sponsor the attendance of 182 children at The Nutcracker performance on December 17th at the County Center. (2/28/00)
2.* Dog Licensing Report: Forwarding the 1999 Annual Dog Licensing Report. (2/28/00)
4.* Gift Acceptance: Acceptance of a gift from the Bayer Foundation to be used by the Tarrytown Lighthouse. (2/28/00)
6.* Acquisition of property adjacent to the Sprout Brook Ash Pit: Proposed legislation relating to the acquisition of property in the Town of Cortlandt adjacent to the County’s Sprout Brook Ashfill. (2/28/00) [ON FILE]
NOTE: This item was approved by the Board on 2/28/00 and appears here for tracking purposes only.
9.* Gift Acceptance: Acceptance of a gift from Fleet Bank and Entrepreneurial Service Group to be used to support the County’s “Say Happy New Year” Program. (2/28/00)
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B) COMMUNICATIONS – OTHER:
2. HON. GEORGE LATIMER: Industrial Development Agency Budget: Forwarding the 2000 Operating Budget for the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency. (1/3/00)
8.* HON. KATHERINE CARSKY: List of Certified 1999 Class Equalization Rates: Forwarding the final class equalization rates for the 1999 assessment rolls. (2/28/00)
9.* HON. GEORGE LATIMER: Futia et al v. Spano et al: forwarding the decision in the case of Futia et al v. Spano, et al. (2/28/00)
11.* HON. GEORGE OROS: Singer Property: forwarding a resolution passed by the Town of Cortlandt accepting the County’s offer to convey the Singer Property within the Town. (2/28/00)
A&C CALENDAR:
· The Committee expressed concern that an agreement with Cablevision Lightpath, Inc. for the provision of full voice, video and data transmission services along a high speed telecommunications network for an amount not to exceed $23,453,541 over a five year term was placed on last Thursday’s A&C Calendar that morning and voted upon that same day. Committee asked for an explanation as to why this was done this way and not through regular channels.
· Mr. Boland reviewed the March 9 A&C Calendar with the Committee.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the meeting was adjourned at 11:27 a.m.