OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Liddon Norman, Bill Randolph; Budget Dept.: Kate Carrano, Robert Kopenhaver; CBAC: George Hosey, Barbara Strauss; Planning: Commissioner Lannert; Real Estate: Sal Carrera, Law Dept.: Rick Cashman; BOL: Tara Bernard, Barbara Dodds, Robert Boland, Sally Schecter, Chris Chang, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Wishnie called the meeting to order at 10:20 a.m.
DISCUSSION:
MINUTES:
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve the Minutes of July 31, 2000 was carried by a vote of 5-0.
2nd Quarter Projections:
Budget Director Kate Carrano briefed the Committee on the 2nd Quarter Projections, making the following points:
· The forecast is driven by the economy.
· Projecting a sales tax increase of $12 million over budget. Growth factor of 5% since people are spending more money on home improvements.
· DSS-caseloads are down dramatically. Safety net is up which is the usual case for the summertime.
· The cost of the Corrections contract has been accounted for in this projection.
· Medicaid account: cost containments were built in but eaten up by normal Medicare growth – we see a 4% increase. Upstate is higher. Budget Department is speaking with counties upstate to see where their growth in Medicaid is. There is no cushion in this account.
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· Debt Service-Bond Interest: borrowing costs came in lower. The interest payment budgeted for November-December was not needed. When the bonds were sold they didn’t require an interest payment. The bonds were sold with a 6 month interest payment.
· Overtime is being looked at carefully as it will continue and no savings from the new Corrections contract are projected in this account at this time.
13.* 24 South Third Corp. Lease: Proposed Local Law which would authorize the County to enter into a lease agreement with 24 South Third Corp. for space located at 24 South Third Avenue in Mount Vernon. (8/1/00)
· This space is required to house a Day Reporting Center for Probation.
· Probation Department will move the remainder of its operation from 100 East First Street to 24 South Third Avenue.
· The space consists of approximately 14,500 SF with an additional 5,000 SF in the basement, taking up 3 floors of this building, which will encompass the entire building.
· During the initial term of the lease the annual rent will be $243,310.00 Payable in advance in equal monthly installments of $20,275.83.
· The County will pay an additional rent of $14,500.00 per year in equal monthly installments of $1,208.33 in consideration of janitorial services to be provided by the landlord.
· If the County exercises its option to extend the lease, annual rental will be $205,320.00
· Under the terms of the lease the County will be responsible for utilities, maintenance of the leased premises and property taxes which are approximately $8,000.00 per year currently.
· Besides providing janitorial services, the landlord will be responsible for completing approximately $290,000.00 in renovations to the leased space to make it ready for occupancy by the County. To the extent that the landlord’s total expenditure for renovations is less than $290,000.00, the County will receive a credit against rental in the first year of the lease.
On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 5-0.
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14.* WCC Building Lease in Ossining
· This Local Law will authorize the County to enter into a lease agreement with Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc. for space located at 22 Rockledge Avenue, Ossining (Arcadian Shopping Center) for a ten year term commencing on January 1, 2001, following completion of renovations.
· The space consists of approximately 12,588 SF and will be occupied by WCC.
· Under the terms of the lease, the landlord will be responsible for completing approximately $1.5 million in renovations to the leased space to make it ready for occupancy by the college. It is anticipated that the leased space will be ready for occupancy for the college’s January, 2001 term.
· This satellite campus will be accessible by train, bus, car. Bus shelters are being put up.
· During the initial five years of the lease the basic annual rental will be $125,580.00 payable in advance in equal monthly installments of $10,465.00. For the subsequent five years of the lease, basic annual rental will be $150,696.00 payable in equal monthly installments of $12,558.00.
· The landlord will provide the renovated leased premises and use of parking areas, maintain all common areas, including among other things, providing security, snow removal and rubbish removal.
· In consideration of the County’s share of common area maintenance, the county will pay an additional rent of approximately $21,976.50 per year in equal monthly installments of $1,831.38 during the entire term.
· The County will also be responsible for property taxes that are approximately $31,395.00 per year currently, as well as utilities and maintenance of the leased premises.
On motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 5-0.
12.* Unification Church Property: Proposed legislation relating to the acquisition of property in the Village of Tarrytown from the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity. (8/1/00)
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· This legislation will authorize the County to acquire property consisting of approximately 39 acres of wooded terrain adjacent to the Hudson river for passive recreational purposes along with a conservation easement which will restrict development on certain property located across the Croton Aqueduct Trail, known as “Belvedere”, that is being retained by the Unification Church.
· The site is located on Sunnyside Lane in the Village of Tarrytown between the Sunnyside and Lyndhurst National Historic Sites.
· The Scenic Hudson Land Trust, Inc. currently holds an option to buy the property and conservation easement from the Unification Church for $4.5 million. The County will pay Scenic Hudson $100,000 for this option, in recognition of the time and expense for appraisals (appraised at $6 million), environmental audits, surveys, legal services and related costs incurred by Scenic Hudson.
· The assignment of option is conditioned upon the County agreeing to enter into a long term management agreement wherein Historic Hudson Valley, the operator of the adjacent Sunnyside site and the National Trust for Historic Preservation which is the operator of the adjacent Lyndhurst site will jointly operate, maintain and make improvements to the property. This management agreement will become effective with the transfer of the property to the county.
· As part of the acquisition, the County will acquire an easement from Historic Hudson Valley allowing access across Sunnyside to a parking area that will be constructed on the acquired property.
· Also included in this package is a Bond Act to authorize issuance of up to $4.8 million in bonds to cover the costs of this transaction, including the reasonable and customary closing costs and the cost of purchasing the option. The appropriation for this project is contained in the County’s Capital Budget as project BLA01 – Parkland Acquisition.
· Committee would like to see the environmental audit. According to Commissioner Lannert Phase II is in the process of being completed and will be available upon completion. Legislator Swanson stated that she would like to see Phase I, as well as anything completed thus far on Phase II, of the environmental audit.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 5-0 with Legislator Swanson signing “Without Prejudice”.
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A2. Gift Acceptance: Acceptance of a gift from James H. Hatch for the sponsorship of the “Marine Corps League” float in the July 1st parade recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War and its veterans. (8/1/00)
On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to Receive and File this item was carried by a vote of 5-0
A&C CALENDAR:
Committee reviewed the August 24, 2000 A&C Calendar.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Young, the meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.