OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph, Larry Schwartz, Eric Langeloh; Budget Department: Kate Carrano, Dianne Vanadia; Planning Dept.: Fran McLaughlin; Real Estate: Sal Carrera; WCC: Marge Glusker; Dormitory Authority: Jim Gray, Frank Vinci; URS Corporation: Dominick Fickeria; CBAC/Planning Board: George Hosey; CBAC/LWV: Barbara Strauss; BOL: Barbara Dodds, Tara Bernard, Robert Boland, Sally Schecter, Chris Chang, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Wishnie called the Budget Committee meeting to order at 10:10 a.m.
DISCUSSION:
MINUTES:
Amendments to minutes:
Page 2: Add word possible to sentence with regard to proposed fees.
Page 3: Add total proposed cost of $7.75 million
Page 4: Add sentence with regard to the fact that the Committee was unsure as to whether the current proposed project was the same project as the one the 1996 Yonkers City Council Resolution supported for the Hoover Road Proposed Affordable Housing Project.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve the Minutes of October 2, 2000, as amended, was carried by a vote of 7-0.
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C10: WCC71: Proposed Bond Act Amendment authorizing the issuance of
$550,000 in bonds – WCC Satellite Space Improvements. (8/1/00)
· This project will provide the necessary start up equipment for the new space in Ossining. (List of equipment on file)
· The site will be leased with a term of 10 years and will provide health care education and training with a focus on biotechnology.
· Ms. Glusker explained that they are working with the Bio Tech Assn to acquire donations of equipment
· There was a discussion with regard to the lack of transportation from Mt Kisco to this new site. Ms. Glusker stated that the county just gave the college 2 buses and they were working on transportation routes.
On motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0.
A18: 145 Huguenot Street Lease: Proposed legislation authorizing the
County to enter into a second lease amendment, amending the ten year lease agreement with Rotterdam Ventures, Inc. at 145 Huguenot Street in New Rochelle. (9/18/00)
· The building is used for the Department of Health.
· Under the terms of the current lease the Landlord is obligated to provide the County with 272 parking spaces. 55 of these spaces are on-site at the building and the remaining 217 were originally located, prior to its demolition, in the City Mall Parking Garage.
· In October 1999, following the demolition of the City Mall Parking Garage and the construction of the new garage the City of New Rochelle increased the fee for parking from $10 per month to $60 per month.
· After negotiations, effective January 1, 2000, the Landlord has agreed to accept $30 per month for 217 off-site parking permits. The Landlord would then after absorb any further increases in parking permit costs in the new garage. Also, the Landlord has agreed to provide an additional 22 parking permits in the new garage without additional cost to the County.
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On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Noto, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0 with Legislators LaMotte, Carsky, Young, and Stewart-Cousins signing “Without Prejudice”.
A10: Davis Island IMA: Proposed Act authorizing the County to enter into an
IMA with the City of New Rochelle to jointly issue a Request for Proposals and retain a firm to perform a feasibility analysis in relation to the use of Davids Island. (7/10/00) (Also Referred to ENV)
· To fund a feasibility study on Davids Island
· This matter was discussed in great detail in the Environment Committee resulting in some changes in the language, which Environment Chairman Kaplowitz explained to the Budget Committee.
· The County and the City of New Rochelle will hire a consultant to help determine the most appropriate future use of Davids Island and the associated costs involved.
On motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0.
A15. County Intelligence Center: Proposed legislation authorizing the County
to enter into an IMA with the City of Mount Vernon in order to reimburse an amount not to exceed $30,000 to Mount Vernon for a term commencing January 1, 2000 and terminating December 31, 2000, in order for a Mount Vernon Police Officer to be assigned to the Westchester County Intelligence Center.
· This matter was discussed and signed out in Public Safety Committee.
· The County received a grant from the executive Office of the President – Office of National Drug Control Policy in the amount of $269,429 which partially funds positions in the District Attorney’s Office and the Department of Public Safety, that staff the Westchester County Intelligence Center.
· The Center provides local police departments access to state and federal data bases in order to enhance the County’s ability to investigate violent drug gangs.
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· The present legislation would utilize the grant monies and authorize the County to enter into an IMA with Mount Vernon to add a Mount Vernon Police Officer to the Westchester County Intelligence Center’s Investigative staff.
On motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0.
Courthouse Update:
· Messrs. Vinci and Gray started by explaining the background of the project.
· Funds: $140 million
· Three Phases: I Exterior; II Annex; III Interior
· Bidding Results: Phase I: $1 million under bid; completion January 2001. Phases II & III: $24 million overbid; redesign required.
· The reasons the Dormitory Authority gave for the overbid are: extremely competitive market conditions, size & complexity of the project, clarity of the construction documents, cost escalation and program growth.
· According to the Dormitory Authority they employed a cost estimator as well as a construction company as a cost estimator and both said the job was biddable.
· Redesign goals: have to identify $24 million in savings; maintain program quality and maintainability and avoid another urban renewal review.
· Redesign Results: bid new annex separate from the tower; four prime contracts versus ten and design changes.
· Approved Value Engineering Changes: estimated value: $11.6 million
Ø Curtain wall vs. Conoid
Ø Simplify window details
Ø Simplify structural design
Ø Reuse selected electrical panels
Ø Convert courtroom to jury lounge
Ø Employ more standard brick sizes
Ø Simplify site plan, planters, lighting, etc.
Ø Reduce scope of interior bridge
Ø Revise electric fixtures
Ø Revise work on floors 3 through 8
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· Quality/Maintainability changes retained by County:
Ø Carpet instead of terrazzo, 1st floor
Ø Keep existing boiler plant, recondition boilers
Ø Install new boilers/chillers for annex only
Ø Reduce scope of interior wood paneling
Ø Eliminate brick wall treatment
Ø Delete new escalators
Ø Eliminate back-up chiller and boiler
· Committee discussed some of the proposed changes and wanted assurances that the changes would not affect the quality of the work or the structure.
· Mr. Noto stressed his concern with converting a court room to a jury room stating that the courtroom is and will be needed in the future. DASNY reps stated that space is a critical problem and the jury lounge is mandated a s part of the plan.
· Schedule: Phase II: advertised 8/21/00; bid opening 10/17/00, start date November 2000, end date May 2003. Phase III: Bid fall of 2002, start May of 2003 and end May of 2005.
· Construction Budget: Original estimates for Phases II & III: $87.2 million. Revised: $95.6 million
· Cost Overruns DASNY stated that the client options are to reduce the program and/or increase the finding. They stated that similar projects in the New York Metropolitan area are running into similar cost overruns of 20-25%.
· There was a discussion as to the outreach to women and minority owned businesses. Mr. Fickeria stated that his firm has developed an outreach program with DASNY and in fact his company will be hiring a minority engineering student to work on this project.
· There was a discussion as to the liability of the bondholders for the cost overruns.
· Committee will get future update reports.
B20: COUNTY ATTORNEY: Lawsuit Settlement: Proposed Act authorizing
the County Attorney to settle the lawsuit of Orlando Clavell v. County of Westchester, Liberty Lines Transit, Inc., Gertrude Bass. (10/2/00)
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· Total amount: $330,000.00 to Orlando Clavell which would be comprised of $227,636.76 contribution by the county and $102,363.24 from Genesis Insurance Company which provides excess insurance liability for the county’s buses operated by Liberty Lines.
· This is an action brought by Mr. Clavell for monetary damages for personal injuries allegedly sustained when a county owned bus operated by Liberty Lines Transit collided with the vehicle operated by him, causing permanent injury to his right leg. At the time of the occurrence Mr. Clavell was employed as a police officer by the City of New York serving as an undercover officer in the organized crime unit.
· Pursuant to an agreement between the County and Liberty Lines, Liberty Lines operates the buses for the County. Under this agreement, the County is required to indemnify Liberty Lines for all damages, claims, costs and judgments for negligence arising directly out of bus operating services provided by Liberty Lines.
· The County Attorney discussed the details of the lawsuit with the Committee and recommended the settlement.
On motion of Legislator Noto, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0.
A&C CALENDAR:
The Committee reviewed the A&C Calendar for October 12th and made several requests for back-up information.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the meeting was adjourned at 12:05 p.m.