OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph, Symra Brandon; Budget Department: Kate Carrano, Dianne Vanadia, Arthur Vietro; CBAC/Planning Board: George Hosey; CBAC/LWV: Barbara Strauss; PRC: Joe Stout, Paul Reitano, Joe Montalto; DPW: Anthony Landi, Ralph Butler; Board of elections: Reginald LaFayette, Carolee Sunderland; Planning: Fran McLaughlin; Law: Alan Scheinkman; BOL: Legislator Ryan, Legislator Bronz, Barbara Dodds, Sally Schecter, Robert Boland, Chris Chang, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Wishnie called the Budget Committee meeting to order at 10:15 a.m.
DISCUSSION:
MINUTES: On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve the Minutes of October 23, 2000 was carried by a vote of 7-0.
AGENDA ITEMS:
A3: Mount Vernon Property Purchase: Legislation authorizing the County
to purchase and subsequently convey approximately 5,250 of real property, containing a vacant apartment building of approximately 13,000 square feet with vacant retail space on the first floor, located at 125 South Fourth Avenue in Mt. 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-Referred by Housing Committee)
· This project was previously discussed in both the Budget and Housing Committees and signed out by the Housing Committee.
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· This project is being undertaken in accordance with the County’s New Homes Land Acquisition Fund. The purchase of this property is consistent with Act 64-1992 amending the 1992 Capital Budget to establish a New Homes Land Acquisition Fund of $10,000,000. No funds have been borrowed against this appropriation.
· There is currently separate legislation before the Board seeking authorization for transfer of funds from BPL09 New Homes Construction to BPL10 New Homes Land Acquisition. There are sufficient funds for this project in BPL10 New Homes Land Acquisition so that this project does not depend upon approval of the legislation seeking authority to transfer the funds between New Homes construction and New Homes Land Acquisition.
· The acquisition funds will help bring down the total project development cost to a level allowing these units to be rented to lower income families.
· The rehabilitation and occupancy of this building by 9 families will help revitalize an area of Mt. Vernon recognized by the City of Mt. Vernon and the County of Westchester as in need of particularly special attention and assistance.
· It is proposed that the County purchase and subsequently convey the building to Westhab, Inc. 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 rehab 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 New Homes Land Acquisition Fund.
· The Westchester County Planning Board adopted a resolution on June 6, 2000 recommending the purchase of the property.
On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0 with Legislator Carsky signing “Without Prejudice”.
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D3: E-911: An Act to authorize the expenditure of $2,600,000 in enhanced
911 (“E-911”) surcharge funds for the operation of the E-911 system in Westchester County. (10/16/00)
· The County Attorney explained that after previous discussions, it was determined that the schedule should reflect only year 2000 revenues and expenses and the schedule, committee report and act have been revised accordingly.
· The County cannot raise the surcharge, it must be done by the State Legislature.
· Surcharge funds are collected by the local telephone company which submits the funds to the County’s finance commissioner on a monthly basis.
· The E-911 surcharge funds held by the County must be expended only for telecommunication equipment, operation and maintenance costs and telephone service costs “necessary to establish and provide an E-911 system” and only upon the authorization of the Board of Legislators.
· Committee requested a listing of the locations of the call boxes [On file].
· Mr. Scheinkman provided a breakdown (on file) of the general category of expenses (5125) labeled “PSAP/Municipal Reimbursement” for which a total of $330,000 is proposed to be spent.
· Mr. Scheinkman confirmed that Dr. Jacknis, CIO, will direct the Department of Information Technology to allocate these funds amongst the municipalities in accordance with recommendations to be made from the Police Chief’s Association, as has been the practice in the past.
· Although funding for the MDT’s (mobile display terminals) will not be available until the adoption of the 2001 budget, Mr. Scheinkman assured the Committee that it is the objective of the Administration is to make sure that the funding for the MDT’s is disbursed to the municipal police agencies as expeditiously as possible.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0.
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B24: COUNTY ATTORNEY: Designation of Outside Counsel: Proposed Act
authorizing the designation of outside counsel to represent Robert Del Bene in the matter of Johan Anthony Bartolini v. Joseph Stancari, et al. (10/16/00)
· The plaintiff, John Bartolini, is a former Correction Officer with the Westchester County Department of Correction. He alleges that his employment as a Correction Officer was terminated illegally and that defendants Joseph Stancari, Luke Smith, Jane Black, Anthony Giambruno, the County of Westchester, the Westchester County Correction Officers Benevolent Association, Inc., Robert DelBene, Thomas O’Neill, Goodstein and West, Attorneys at Law, Robert D. Goodstein, and Eileen West, violated his rights to due process, free speech, and equal protection under the law. Plaintiff alleges that the defendants conspired to harass him and deprive him of his Constitutional rights to free speech and due process of law because he was a union activist and he made critical statements regarding health, safety and security conditions at the County Jail and he exposed an inmate’s attempt to bribe a Westchester County Correction Officer.
· Robert DelBene is employed as a Westchester County Correction Officer and is sued in the Bartolini matter in his capacity as an individual, a Correction Officer, and in his capacity as Vice-President of the Westchester County Correction Officers Benevolent Association. The County agreed to provide him with defense and indemnification in the Bartolini matter and assigned Epstein Becker and Green to represent his interests along with the interests of the County and other County defendants.
· October 3, 2000 Robert DelBene instituted an action in the US District Court against Lori Alesio, individually, Rocco Pozzi, individually, Matthew T. Miklave (a partner at Epstein, Becker & Green), individually and the County of Westchester. He alleges that the defendants violated his first Amendment Rights and retaliated against him in the form of malicious civil prosecution.
· Since Mr. DelBene has sued both the county and outside counsel assigned to represent his interests in the Bartolini matter, he can longer be represented by the County Attorney or the firm of Epstein, Becker and Green in connection with the Bartolini matter. Consequently he is entitled to representation by private counsel at the county’s expense.
· Mr. Scheinkman recommended that Michael E. Pressman, Esq. be retained in this matter for an amount not to exceed $15,000. The hourly rate ranges from $150 per hour for partners, to $125 per hour for associates and $90 per hour for paralegals.
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On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0.
BUDGET TRANSFER: An act amending the 2000 County Budget for Printing and Office Supplies in the Board of Elections for $300,000.
· This increase is necessary to allow the Board of elections to process the ballots for the November 7th General election.
· During Fiscal Year 2000, the Board of elections conducted local elections in Peekskill and Pelham; County-wide primaries in March and September, and will hold the General Election in November.
· Greater quantities of election materials were required both because of the number of elections and because f heightened public interest in voting in highly publicized Presidential and U.S. Senate races.
· In some cases, lawsuits or other changes have resulted in a need to reprint election materials, also resulting in higher than budgeted costs.
· Despite a 25% increase in this account for the 2000 budget, there is an immediate need for this transfer for the General election. The Committee requested an analysis of this account, reflecting what was spent during the year.
On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0 with Legislator Swanson signing, “Without Prejudice”.
2001 Capital Projects Budget:
Ø Recreation Facilities:
· RBR01: Bronx River Reservation, Pathways: $1,000,000: Legislator Carsky noted that she was glad to see the Bronx River Reservation officially acknowledged as parkland.
· RCC04: $200,000: County Center Floor Replacement: floors were not part of original plan. Current floors are 70 years old.
· RCC07: $160,000: County Center Exterior Rehab
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· RCP7B: Croton Point Day Uses and Picnic Areas: $420,000
· RCP7D: Croton Point Site Improvements: $200,000
· RGIP2: Park Wide Comfort Station Rehabilitation: $500,000:
· RGIP4: Master Plan: $100,000: Archeological and historical studies
· RGIP7: General Infrastructure Active Recreation Areas: $720,000: replaces playgrounds that no longer meet consumer product safety guidelines
· RGIP9: for Sprain Ridge Pool
· Golf courses: RGC05: Mohansic $200,000; RGC10: Golf Course Tee & Green Rehabilitation: $200,000; RGC16: Maple Moor Golf Course Irrigation: $400,000.
· RKD01: Kensico Dam Plaza Infrastructure: $600,000
· RMAC2: V.E. Macy Park Ballfield Improvements: $200,000
· Muscoot Park: RMUS3: Muscoot Farm Phase III: $500,000 & RMUS5: Muscoot Farm Roofs: $265,000: restoration of some buildings that haven’t been done yet and upgrade of electrical system
· RSP02: Sprain Ridge Pool Modernization: $680,000: will not require closing of swimming pool
· RWW02: Willson’s Woods Pool Modernization: $100,000: design
· Playland:
Ø RP022: Ride Acquisition: $300,000: Kiddyland rides
Ø RP23A: Various Rides and Components: $480,000: Old Mill work
Ø RP23C: Bathhouse Restoration & Administration Relocation: $500,000
Ø RP039: Playland Roof Replacement Project: $570,000
Ø RP032: Boat Launch Ramp: $100,000 under review. There was some discussion of this project and Legislator Ryan stated that he would like to see this acted upon soon.
Ø Parkways:
· P0004: Bronx River Parkway Repaving Program (DPW): $1,750,000:
· P0006: Bronx River Reservation Pond Rehabilitation & Bank Stabilization (PRC): $350,000:
· P0010: Bronx River Parkway Signage (DPW): $500,000: replacement of existing traffic signs (i.e. speed limit signs, exit signs)
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Ø Roads and Bridges:
· RB2CC: Mamaroneck Avenue Bridge over Sheldrake River, Village of Mamaroneck: $1,600,000
· RB2EE: Sherwood Avenue & Oak Street over BRP, Yonkers/Mt. Vernon: $600,000
· RB2FF: Orchard St. over Central Westchester Parkway, White Plains: $600,000
· RB2II: Mahopac Avenue over Muscoot River, Somers: $475,000
· RB030: Legion Drive, Mt. Pleasant: $950,000 in 2002. Legislator Swanson stated that the Mt. Pleasant Town Board is discussing taking over this road with an IMA after the project is complete. Therefore, she would like to see this project moved into 2001.
Miscellaneous Budget: Legislator Carsky requested a breakout of benefits by department.
A&C CALENDAR:
The Committee reviewed the November 2, 2000 A&C Calendar.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.