OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph; Budget Department: Kate Carrano, Diane Nolan; Planning Dept.: Fran McLaughlin; CBAC: George Hosey; DSS: Commissioner Mahon, Nancy Travers, John Page, Denis Packard, Olivia Rhodes; PRC: Joe Stout; Labor Relations: Mike Wittenberg; Law Dept.: Alan Scheinkman; Westchester Women’s Agenda & No. Westchester Shelter: Carlla Horton; Westchester Women’s Agenda & West.-Putnam Legal Services: Barbara Finkelstein; BOL: Legislator Ryan, Barbara Dodds, Robert Boland, Chris Chang, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Wishnie called the Budget Committee meeting to order at 10:15 a.m.
DISCUSSION:
A7. DA Investigators PBA Contract: Proposed Act approving certain
financial terms and conditions of employment requiring legislative approval by law in a Collective Bargaining Agreement for those employees of Westchester County represented by the District Attorney’s Investigators PBA of Westchester County, Inc. for the two-year period commencing January 1, 1999 and ending December 31, 2000. (10/2/00)
· Mr. Wittenberg explained that there are 34 criminal investigators in the DA’s Office.
· Since the early 1980’s the investigators contract has been consistent with PBA contract.
· Had some pension issues that now seem to be resolved.
· 2 year contract effective January 1, 1999
· 4% increase each year
· Line of Duty Life Insurance: Mr. Wittenberg explained that if a police officer does not qualify for the federal government death benefit (now $100,000) we will now pay the estate. Only qualifies for single people with no dependents.
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· This goes back to time of Gary Stymilowski’s death. The federal benefit was $50,000 but because he was single he did not qualify. The County paid the $50,000 to his family.
· Committee requested a copy of the previous contract
· Cost analysis of contract, in writing, was provided (On file)
On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0 with Legislators LaMotte, Carsky and Noto signing “Without Prejudice”.
A8. Twenty-Year Retirement Plan-Criminal Investigators of Westchester
County: Proposed Local Law in relation to the adoption of a Twenty Year Retirement Plan for Criminal Investigators in the employ of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. (10/2/00)
· Approximately 15 year ago the County and the DA Investigators negotiated a clause in their Collective Bargaining Agreement obligating the County to opt into a Twenty Year Retirement Plan for the criminal investigators, should this plan become available by the NYS Retirement System. The 1993/1994 contract had this same provision.
· In 1996 the state legislature adopted and the governor signed a bill that would allow investigators to opt into the retirement bill but they would have to opt into Tier 4. The county never opted into this legislation.
· The County Attorney advised that it is appropriate and obligatory for the County to opt into the State Retirement Law and provide this benefit to certain Criminal Investigators. There is no time limit for opting into the legislation.
· This benefit is available to those Criminal Investigators who join the DA’s office subsequent to the effective date of this legislation.
· In addition, it is available to those Criminal Investigators who elect to participate in this Plan within one year of becoming employed as a Criminal Investigator in the office of the Westchester County District Attorney.
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· Pursuant to the Retirement Law employees with 20 years of creditable service, without regard to age, and who are directly engaged in criminal law enforcement activities and who are employed as criminal investigators in the DA’s office for the county of Westchester re eligible for this benefit if they are Tier IV employees. An employee who is not a Tier IV employee may elect to opt into Tier IV in order to take advantage of the Retirement Law.
· The County Attorney stated that there will be a minimal cost associated with this benefit.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to go into Executive Session at 10:35 a.m. to discuss the possible liability of adopting this legislation now was carried by a vote of 8-0.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to go out of Executive Session at 10:41 a.m. was carried by a vote of 8-0.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion to approve this legislation was carried by a vote of 8-0 with Legislators LaMotte, Noto, Carsky, and Swanson signing “Without Prejudice”.
C7. RMAC1: Proposed Bond Act Amendment authorizing the issuance of $2,260,000 in bonds – Macy Park and Woodlands Lake. (8/1/00)
· Request for bonding legislation for $2,260,000 required to finance the implementation of the Macy Park and Woodlands Lake South County Family Recreation Development plan. The development plan calls for an all-around recreation center, focusing on the South County Trailway. It involves the conversion of the former “Cantina” restaurant at the woodlands Lake portion of V.E. Macy Park into an all-around recreation center.
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· The bonding legislation is needed to finance the repair and rehabilitation of the main building; resurfacing of the entrance road, main parking lot and walkways; conversion of the existing parking lot into a meadow; development of a picnic patio on the western shore of the Woodlands Lake; restoration (dredging) of a portion of Woodlands Lake; rehabilitation of the existing bridge over Woodlands Lake; improvements to the fields at the eastern side of the NYS Thruway, drainage improvements and associated site work.
· This proposed bonding legislation amends Bond Act 111-1999, which authorized the issuance of bonds in the amount of $100,000 for the design of this project. The scope of the project has changed accounting for the increase in cost.
· Another bond from 1998 for $150,000 for other design work (to dredge a portion of the lake) making the total cost of the project $2,410,000.
· Committee requested the Administration amend the Committee Report and/or County Executive’s transmittal letter to reflect the correct numbers and back-up data supporting those numbers.
Committee did not take action on this item at this time.
DSS Operations Update:
· Case Management Project started in Peekskill and is now in operation in various areas.
· Case Management was designed to deal with the family as a whole. The high end was 100, the low is 40 county-wide. Westchester County is at about 70 cases.
· Welfare to Work- monthly reports are sent to the Administration. Committee requested that Mr. Randolph forward them on to the Committee.
· Family Assistance & Safety net numbers have dropped.
· Current focus is on employment
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· Mrs. LaMotte stressed her concern that the lack of transportation in some areas is hindering employment for some people. Vans have been allocated but not one to northeastern Westchester. Commissioner Mahon stated that they had a major community meeting to identify transportation needs. To help design a transportation plan for $1 million grant that was secured. Trying to initiate some of the needed programs.
· Mr. Noto stressed his concern that there is no social worker at the penitentiary. Commissioner Mahon stated that he is working with Commissioners Pozzi and Friedman on a transition program. They are investigating funding sources. The majority of individuals are single and not eligible for state funding. They have finally received an allocation of $165,000 now. There is a parenting program but no social worker to help families. They will continue to work on a transition program.
· Mrs. Stewart-Cousins asked about the drug program (Yonkers General Hospital). She stressed her concern that she has heard that there is a gap between benefits kicking in. Commissioner Mahon stated that DSS customers don’t always report where they are going and what they are doing. They are moving forward on a computer prison list match (matching people and benefits/services).
· Mr. Packard stated that they have completed a program whereby correction officers are trained to assist inmates in completing applications to determine eligibility . Need a welfare management system.
· Child Welfare: DSS called Child Welfare League of America (based out of Washington, D.C.) in for a year long study. They are producing quarterly reports with recommendations.
· Pathways: have 27 individuals housed. Goal was 60.
ADJOURN:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the meeting was adjourned at 12:00 p.m.