MINUTES
OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph, Liddon Norman; Budget Dept.: Kate Carrano, Brian Fitzpatrick; CBAC: George Hosey, Barbara Strauss; CIO: Norm Jacknis; Law Dept.: Rick Cashman, David Vutera; DoIT: Lisa Losier; PRC: David DeLucia, Paul Reitano; DOT: Larry Salley, Patty Chemka; DPW: Anthony Landi, Ralph Butler; BOL: Robert Boland, Sally Schecter, Chris Chang, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Wishnie called the Budget Committee meeting to order at 10:10 a.m.
DISCUSSION:
MINUTES:
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve the Minutes of June 5, 2000 and June 12, 2000 was carried by a vote of 7-0.
A) COMMUNICATIONS - COUNTY EXECUTIVE:
1. Cablevision Lightpath IMA: Proposed Act authorizing the County to enter into IMA’s with municipalities located in the County whereby such municipalities would receive telecommunications services from Cablevision Lightpath, Inc. through Cablevision’s contract with the County. (6/5/00)
· On March 2, 2000 the County entered into an agreement with Cablevision Lightpath 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.
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· The County will undertake IMA’s with municipalities so they can get the benefit of this and receive telecommunications services from Cablevision Lightpath. This will be opened up to all municipalities early next year. Right now Mt. Vernon, New Rochelle and Peekskill.
· The municipality will be charged the exact cost of the service provided by Cablevision Lightpath plus an administrative overhead fee which will be equal to the County’s internal cost (i.e. costs for personnel, equipment, materials, etc.). If the municipality requests any other services from the County (e.g. technical services for telecommunications or data networking), the municipality will be charged as if they were an internal County department.
· Dr. Jacknis explained the benefits and savings of these services to the County. The Committee discussed video conferencing as well as broadcasting meetings on the internet.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0.
3. Gift Acceptance: Acceptance of a gift from the Louis R. Cappelli Foundation to be used by the Millennium Commission for the White Plains Celebration in July, 2000. (6/5/00)
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to Receive and File this item was carried by a vote of 6-0. (Mr. Noto abstained)
JOINT MEETING WITH ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE:
Chairman Kaplowitz called the Environment Committee meeting to order at 10:30 a.m.
Environment Committee Members Present: Kaplowitz, LaMotte
9. Scenic Hudson Land Trust: Proposed Act amending Act 55-2000 to
authorize the County to convey a conservation easement to Scenic Hudson Land Trust. (5/22/00) (Also referred to ENV)
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· Scenic Hudson informed the County that, due to certain business requirements of the owner of the property, the County and the Town will have to convey the conservation easement to Scenic Hudson immediately after the conveyance of title of the Southern Property to the County and Town.
· This request made by Scenic Hudson is a change from what was presented in Act 55-2000, namely that the conservation easement would be recorded against the Hillpoint property prior to the Southern Property being conveyed to the County.
· The amendatory Act provides for this change as requested by Scenic Hudson.
· There is no financial impact on the County with this change.
FOR THE BUDGET COMMITTEE:
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0.
FOR THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE:
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 2-0.
ADJOURNMENT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE:
There being no further items for discussion for the Environment Committee, on motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the meeting was adjourned at 10:35 a.m.
C) BOND ACTS:
1. RP13A: Bond Act and Capital Budget Amendment: Proposed legislation to finance the construction of a building for the carpentry, plumbing and upholstery functions under the Dragon Coaster at Playland Park. (5/8/00)
· Mr. DeLucia explained that the request for a new maintenance facility was for a number of reasons. Currently there are separate little building for these facilities under the dragon coaster. When choosing a site the criteria was as follows: consolidate the workers in one spot, make the spot accessible to the whole park and keep it out of the public eye.
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· An additional $500,000 is needed due to soil conditions that will require pilings and a structural floor slab. These conditions were discovered during design and were not known to exist prior to design. Also the recommendation by the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee to construct a building which is consistent with the character of the park has increased the cost for items such as the roof and construction materials.
· They are moving $500,000 to a different year within the same project. There will no change to the cost of the total project.
· Mrs. LaMotte inquired as to grant funding especially due to the recommendations of the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee. Mr. DeLucia stated that they are hard to come by but they do look into them.
· There was discussion with regard to the underground oil tanks. Mr. DeLucia stated that the architects have studied that matter and feel they are safe there.
On motion of Legislator Noto, seconded by Legislator LaMotte the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0.
26. RP002 Proposed Bond Act authorizing the issuance of $890,000 in bonds – Ice Casino Improvements. (5/22/00)
· To replace the existing façade.
· Work will include the replacement of lintels and the repair and waterproofing of the stucco on the exterior of the building.
On motion of Legislator Noto, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0 with Legislator Swanson signing “Without Prejudice”.
27. RP23A: Proposed Bond Act authorizing the issuance of $1,100,000 in bonds – Various rides and components – Old Mill/Playland Park. (5/22/00)
· To finance the rehabilitative work on the Old Mill (an historic ride at Playland).
· The work will include the replacement of scenes throughout the entire ride.
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A) COMMUNICATIONS - COUNTY EXECUTIVE:
4. Bee-Line Bus System Grant Funds: Proposed Resolution authorizing the County to execute and file a grant application to accept grant funds that will be used to support the County’s Bee-Line Bus System. (6/5/00)
· The funds will be used to purchase approximately 30 replacement vehicles (15 Paratransit vehicles, 4 supervisory vehicles, and setting aside funds for the flexible buses) furnishings and equipment for the new DOT offices in Mount Vernon..
· Mrs. Swanson requested the total capital budget
· County has to make a commitment of resources before applying for funding.
· Bonding in the amount of $200,000 together with $800,000 in federal grant assistance, is required for Project T0031 to finance the acquisition of furniture and equipment necessary to relocate DOT Bus System Management Offices to Mt. Vernon.
· The Committee requested a copy of the space plan
On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0.
2. FTA Funds: Proposed Resolution authorizing the County to apply for and accept from the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration up to $80,000 in Job Access and Reverse Commute Program Funds. (6/5/00)
· The funds will be used to establish a new transit service that will connect low-income residents of Southwest Yonkers to newly developed job sites (Austin Avenue) that are not now accessible by mass transit.
· Westchester County has been working with the Yonkers Industrial Development Agency (YIDA) which submitted and was awarded an $80,000 federal JARC (Job Access and Reverse Commute) grant.
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· In discussions with the YIDA, it was determined to be most appropriate that the WCDOT operate the service to the Austin Avenue site as part of the Bee-Line Bus System due to the Department’s experience in providing mass transit service, and that the federal grant awarded to the YIDA be transferred to the County to offset the Department’s operational costs.
· The annual cost is expected to be approximately $320,000.
· The Job Access and Reverse Commute program requires a 50% local match to the federal funding. DOT operating budget funds in the amount of $80,000 will be allocated as the match for the federal funding.
On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0.
C) BOND ACTS:
24. RB026: Proposed Bond Act Amendment authorizing the issuance of $1,000,000 in bonds – Anderson Hill Road, Harrison and Rye. (5/22/00)
· Work to be accomplished includes: pavement widening, resurfacing and miscellaneous drainage work.
· The previous bond act (33-1999) authorized the design of this project in the amount of $100,000. This bonding legislation amends that act to authorize the construction of this project, increase the period of probable usefulness and increase the authorization by $900,000 for a total authorization of $1,000,000.
On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0.
25. RB042 Proposed Bond Act authorizing the issuance of $500,000 in bonds – Bedford Banksville Road/North Castle. (5/22/00)
· Required to finance the design of a reconstruction of approximately 3.63 miles of Bedford Banksville Road from Mill Brook Road to the Connecticut border.
· Work will consist of resurfacing, drainage, reflectorized pavement markings and shoulder repairs.
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On motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0.
ITEMS FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION: Meeting dates to be set:
· BKS-Multi year Report
· Impact of State Budget on County
· 911 Audit – breakdown of revenues and expenditures
PARKING LOT AT MEDICAL CENTER:
Legislator Swanson stated that she had yet to receive a response to her questions on this matter and would like to have the item recommitted until the response is received.
Mrs. Carrano stated that her office is in the process of putting a response together and it would be given to the Legislators before the end of the day.
A&C CALENDAR:
The Committee reviewed the June 22, 2000 A&C Calendar.
RECESS:
At 11:45 a.m. Chairman Wishnie recessed the meeting until the call of the Chair.
RECONVENE:
Chairman Wishnie reconvened the meeting at 3:50 p.m.
Attendance was as follows:
B&A COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Wishnie, Latimer, Carsky, Kaplowitz, Young,
LaMotte, Swanson, Stewart-Cousins
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OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph, Liddon Norman; Journal News: Glenn
Blaine; Budget Dept. Kate Carrano, Brian Fitzpatrick; BOL:
Robert Boland, Sally Schecter, Tina Seckerson
SPEED MONITORING AWARENESS RADAR TRAILER (SMART) IMAS:
· This legislation would authorize the County to enter into intermunicipal agreements with all municipalities within the County for the use of a County-owned Speed Monitoring Awareness Radar Trailer.
· The SMART is a portable radar unit that is towed to areas experiencing speed-related problems.
· SMART displays the applicable speed limit and the actual speed of oncoming vehicles.
· Under the IMA, the County will loan the SMART to individual municipalities for short periods of time and it will be rotated among municipalities according to demand.
· There will be no charge for the use of the equipment.
· Municipalities will indemnify and defend the County against any claims resulting from their use of the SMART, as well as repair any damage to the equipment.
· The term of the IMA will be 5 years.
· One SMART will be used permanently on the Bronx River Parkway.
· Legislator Swanson stressed her concern that every municipality is notified of their option to use the SMART as well as the time period for use being consistent for all municipalities.
On motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0.
PARKING LOT AT MEDICAL CENTER:
· There was a discussion with regard to Mrs. Swanson’s questions with regard to bonding at the Medical Center.
· The intent for the $2.4 million was to be used on parking lot improvements but it was instead used to purchase the garage which helped to reduce parking rates significantly.
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· Mr. Kaplowitz asked if there was any obligation on the County’s part beyond the $2 million. Mrs. Carrano stated that there is not.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Young, the meeting was adjourned at 4:15 p.m.