OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph, Larry Schwartz; Budget Department: Kate Carrano, Dianne Vanadia; Planning Dept.: Bill Brady, Fran McLaughlin; Schulman Realty Group: Tom Julius; Office for the Aging: Judith Richburg; Westhab: Peter Confille; CBAC/LWV: Barbara Strauss; BOL: Legislator Mosiello, Barbara Dodds, Tara Bernard, Robert Boland, Sally Schecter, Chris Chang, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Wishnie called the Budget Committee meeting to order at 10:15 a.m.
DISCUSSION:
MINUTES: On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this Minutes of September 25, 2000 was carried by a vote of 9-0.
Hudson Hills Golf Course: C11: RGC07: Proposed Bond Act which would amend a previous bond act to finance the cost of design of the Hudson Hills Golf Course. (8/1/00) (Also referred to Env)
· Approval of this bond act would amend a previous bond act which the Board approved to finance the cost of design of the Hudson Hills golf course so that the County may proceed with the construction phase of the golf course.
· Project Manager, Tom Julius, President of Schulman Realty Group distributed and a map (on file) of the plan for the golf course. He discussed the modifications to the project design, including:
Ø Access Road: modified to provide a more aesthetically pleasing entrance to the new golf course. This includes a reduction in road length of 250 feet, reduction in the area of woodland disturbed of 0.2 acres, and crossing of a rock ledge area that may require rock blasting.
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Ø Greens Fees: Hudson Hills would be in the possible low $40 per round range compared to other municipal courses which average $17 a round with park fee. Hudson Hills annual rounds estimated at 40,000.
Ø Golf Course Layout: Includes modifications to the layout of tees, fairways and greens; elimination of a small starter’s hut near the tee of hole #1; addition of a rest station; relocation of the maintenance facility; and the reduction in the area of wetland impacted by filling and grading to less than 1/3 acre.
Ø Water supply: The currently proposed use of both municipal water and on-site wells to supply water to recharge the irrigation ponds will not alter the projected irrigation demand for golf course operation, which is 165,000 gallons of water per day. Investigations conducted during preparation of the 1997 EIS indicated that sufficient on-site groundwater supply was available to operate the golf course and no adverse impacts to adjacent wells or wetlands would result. The Town of New Castle has indicated that sufficient capacity exists in the Town’s water supply system to provide water to the golf course. Legislator Swanson stressed her concern with regard to the cost of municipal water and the possibility of an increase in the water rates and the financial impact that would incur. Legislator Swanson requested a copy of the water analysis which was distributed and is on file.
· Legislator Kaplowitz asked if the probability of a Pesticide Reduction Law has been taken into account. Mr. Julius stated that they have not developed an IPM (Integrated Pest Management Program) for the project yet.
· Mr. Julius briefed the Committee on the budget for the project. (Summary on File)
· Mrs. Carrano stated that we are retiring the debt on the acquisition and she will get back to the Committee with the exact number. Actual acquisition cost was $3.8 million. Bonds authorized were $4.6 million.
· Original estimate for design and construction was $5.4 million, which included the clubhouse. Total current cost is $7,750,000.
· Legislator Stewart-Cousins referred to the original Statement of Findings and asked how this golf course will significantly enhance access to golf for “…seniors, minorities, juniors and other individuals who are unable or unwilling to join private golf clubs to play golf”. She noted that further on in the report there is reference made to “higher fees than now charged at other County courses” and a “premier course”. There was a discussion as to fees. Mr. Schwartz stated that it is premature at this point to set fees but that they would be kept as low as possible. Mr. Schwartz stated that it will be affordable golf and a better quality golf course. Mr. Julius stated that he was
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – OCTOBER 2, 2000
not responsible for the original language. Mr. Schwartz stated that they will
take another look at the language.
· Legislator Carsky asked if another Public Hearing needs to be held on a revised Supplemental EIS. Environment Committee will discuss.
· Clubhouse and maintenance buildings are being done separately and are not included in this bond act.
On motion of Legislator Noto, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0 with Legislator Abinanti out for the vote and Legislators Stewart-Cousins, Carsky, Young, & Swanson signing “Without Prejudice”.
A1. Hoover Road Affordable Housing Development: Legislation authorizing
the County to enter into an intermunicipal agreement with the City of
Yonkers and Hoover Road, LLC, in connection with the Housing
Implementation Fund Project known as the Hoover Road Affordable
Housing Development. Authorization of the issuance of bonds in the
amount of $256,850 to provide funds for infrastructure improvements is
included. (9/26/00)
· The development will consist of the construction of 20 units in ten two-family townhouses on a 1.6 acre site.
· Five of these townhouses will be affordable, in accordance with the requirements of the Housing Implementation Fund; the five affordable ownership units will be “paired” with five affordable rental units. The balance of the units will be sold and rented at market rate.
· The affordable ownership and rental units will have a mix of affordability. A portion of the units will be marketed to families with incomes at or below 50% of the County’s median income, with the remainder of the affordable units available to families with incomes at or below 80% or 90% of the County’s median income. These income limits are subject to change based on the annual limits in effect at the time of initial occupancy as established by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.
· Mrs. Swanson asked why the period of affordability is 30 years and not in perpetuity. Mrs. LaMotte agreed, stating that the housing should be affordable for a longer period of time. Mr. Brady stated that this is the way it is being done now. Other affordable housing sites have the same period of affordability. He will look into it and get back to the Committee.
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· Mrs. Carsky pointed out that the Planning Board resolution, SEQRA status sheet and Yonkers Resolution endorsing the project are missing from the package. Committee would like to see these items before acting on this item.
· Mrs. Stewart-Cousins inquired as to how the Committee was to know that the proposal supported by the Yonkers City Council Resolution in 1996 was the same proposal as currently before the Board of Legislators.
· Mrs. Stewart-Cousins asked if any minority contractors are going to be used on this project. Mr. Confille stated that the construction project is being overseen by Ed Oliver of the DHCR (Department of Housing & Community Renewal) and that minority contractors were most definitely being used.
· Mr. Mosiello stated that this project falls into his district and he walked the site with several of the members of the community. He asked if there were any plans to widen Delia Court, which is a very narrow street. (Delia Court will be extended into the site) There is concern from the residents regarding getting a fire truck up the street if needed. Mr. Mosiello stated that this issue needs to be addressed. He further asked what the width of the street is, what the width of the new street will be and what width a street should be. What are the plans to make Delia Court an accessible route for fire trucks to get through?
· Mr. Mosiello stated that there was an attempt previously to build on this site. There was some blasting done previously and it was ineffective, project was given up because they couldn’t get through. What has happened since then to make this an acceptable place for a housing site?
· Mr. Mosiello asked about the restrictions on rental rates. Mr. Brady stated that there is and he will get back to the Committee. Mr. Confille stated that the rents will follow the owners income.
· Mr. Mosiello asked if the federal judge has the right to supercede the local zoning ordinances and construction codes to build affordable housing? Mr. Confille stated that he does have the right to supercede zoning codes but not construction codes.
· Committee did not act on this item at this time.
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A3. Mount Vernon Property Purchase: Legislation authorizing the County to
purchase and subsequently convey approximately 5,250 square feet of real property, containing a vacant apartment building of approximately 13,000 square feet with vacant retail space on the 1st floor, located at 125 South Fourth Avenue, Mount Vernon for the purpose of providing affordable housing. Authorization of the issuance of bonds in the amount of $400,000 to finance the purchase is also included. (9/26/00)
· Westhab approached the County to use the New Homes Land Acquisition Funds for this project.
· It is proposed that the County purchase and subsequently convey the building to Westhab for $1.00.
· Westhab will rehabilitate the building for use as nine units of affordable housing.
· In addition to the $400,000 in County New Homes Land Acquisition Funds to purchase the property, Westhab will rehabilitate the building at a cost of $982,302.
· The apartments will be affordable for families having an income of no more than 60% of the County’s median income in accordance with the requirements of the County’s New Homes Land Acquisition Funds.
· These income requirements shall be in effect for 30 years.
· Planning Board resolution missing from package.
· This item was originally referred to the Committee on Housing, signed out by that Committee and referred to B&A due to the fact that it contains a bond act.
· Mr. Young requested this item be held until he has an opportunity to discuss it with representatives of Westhab.
· Committee did not act on this matter at this time.
A13: National Council on Aging Grants: Proposed legislation authorizing the
County to enter into five grant agreements to provide needed funding which will be used to provide valuable services to the elderly in Westchester County. (9/18/000
· Reference 1: Grant agreements with the State of New York pursuant to the Older Americans Act.
· Reference 2: Grant agreements with the State of New York for the provision of the NYS Community Services for the Elderly Program.
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· Reference 3: Grant Agreements with the State of New York for the provision of the Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program.
· Reference 4: Grant agreements with the State of New York for the provision of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
· Reference 5: Grant agreements with the State of New York and the National Council on the Aging, Inc. for the provision of the Senior Community Service Employment Program.
On motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Young, thew motion to approve the five grant agreements was carried by a vote of 7-0 with Legislators Abinanti and Swanson out for the vote.
RECEIVE AND FILE:
On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to Receive and File items A2, A6, A7, A12, A16, A17, A19, A20 and A21 was carried by a vote of 7-0 with Legislators Abinanti and Swanson out for the vote.
Item A14 was held until after tonight’s Board meeting.
A&C CALENDAR:
The Committee reviewed the October 5, 2000 A&C Calendar. Several requests for back-up information were made.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Noto, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the meeting was adjourned at 12:35 p.m.