MINUTES
CA MEMBERS: Carsky, Latimer, Bronz, Oros
OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph; Budget Dept.: Kate Carrano, Arthur Vietro, Diane Nolan; DSS: Kevin Mahon, Dennis Packard, John Page, Nancy Travers, Jesse Johnson, Olivia Rhodes; Planning: Fran McLaughlin, Suzanne Nolan; DOT: Larry Salley; Airport: Joel Russell; Dept. of Correction: Tony Czarnecki, Sgt. Donald Smith; Scarsdale Town & Village Civic Club: Richard P. Streicher; Washington Housing Alliance, Mamaroneck: Ellen Levy; Summit-Larchmont/Mamaroneck: Mary P. McDonald; BOL: Sally Schecter, Robert Boland, Christopher Chang, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Wishnie called the Budget Committee meeting to order at 10:10 a.m.
Chair Carsky called the Community Affairs Committee meeting to order at 10:10 a.m.
DISCUSSION:
DSS UPDATE:
· Maintenance of Effort (MOE): as long as caseload goes down and stays down, MOE becomes a non-issue. 5 year time limits starts whenever state accepts TANF block grant. The number of families affected is approximately 1,000. Currently, 400 are employed but don’t earn enough to get off assistance. Some percentage of those 400 will meet the 20% exemption. Families that don’t meet the 20% go to safety net. All of the benefits are restricted except for a small allowance. Only impact is that they will go to restricted rent.
· MOE Penalty: is $3 million of which $1 million has been paid to the County and $2 million is owed to the County.
· Caseload went up in January (155 cases) but went back down (140) in February.
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· Training Programs: Approximately 18% come back to welfare; 24% nationally.
· Business community has been very receptive probably due to a shortage of employees.
· In many cases grandparents are taking care of young children. How does this work in the context of the 5 year limit? When grandparents have the children but don’t have a case, they are referred to as “Child only” and child only cases are exempt from the 5 year limit.
· There was a discussion as to vocational training and language training for employees. The Commissioner stated that this had been addressed but there was not a big response from employees.
· Housing: housing stock in Westchester has not grown in years.
· Need to ask the federal government to increase the number of Section 8 vouchers
ADJOURNMENT-COMMUNITY AFFAIRS:
There being no further items for discussion on motion of Legislator Oros, seconded by Legislator Bronz, the Community Affairs meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m.
MINUTES:
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve the Minutes of March 12, 2001 was carried by a vote of -0.
C) BOND ACTS: (NOTE: All Proposed Bond Acts have been reviewed by subcommittees)
14. BPS06: Proposed Bond Act authorizing $250,000 in Serial Bonds for Public Safety Headquarters Infrastructure. (2/26/01)
· Required to finance improvements to the public safety headquarters infrastructure located in Hawthorne, including the heating component of the HVAC system.
· Being done in phases.
· Covering over pumps: separate program-design is finished work should begin shortly.
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On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0 with Legislator Abinanti out for the vote.
12. TO19A: Proposed Bond Act authorizing $225,000 in Serial Bonds for Bus Mini-Terminals. (2/26/01)
· Required to finance the rehabilitation and construction and/or enhancement of the Bronx Street terminal located at the White Plains TransCenter in White Plains.
· Project will include the preservation and restoration of the exterior facilities at the Bronx Street bus terminal, including the rehabilitation of canopies.
· The proposed legislation includes a $25,000 cash component from current funds, for a project total of $250,000.
· Committee questioned why this is being charged to a capital project instead of non-recurring. The Budget Director stated that the work is too extensive and time frame would go far over a year to be non-recurring.
· Committee inquired as to what it would cost to just tear it down.
· Committee had questions as to the specific work being done.
· Committee did not act on this item at this time.
13. TO023: Proposed Bond Act authorizing $540,000 in Serial Bonds for Modernize Maintenance Facilities. (2/26/01)
· Required to finance the continued upkeep, modernization and regulatory compliance of the Bee Line Systems Central Maintenance Facility located at 475 Saw Mill River Road in Yonkers.
· Projects will include the replacement of the boiler, emergency generator and improvement of the electrical system in the bus maintenance area and design of the roof replacement.
· The estimated total is ,$670,000 to be financed with $2,130,000 in non-County funds expected to be received from the NYS DOT and the Federal Transit agency and $540,000 in bonds.
On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0 with Legislator Abinanti out for the vote.
34. A056A: Proposed Bond Act authorizing $450,000 in Serial Bonds for Heavy Equipment Acquisition Department of Transportation/Airport. (2/26/01)
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· Required to finance the acquisition of both new and replacement heavy equipment for Airport operations.
· The project will include acquiring the following three pieces of equipment: new vacuum tractor ($150,000); replacement aircraft tug ($100,000) and a replacement aircraft deicer ($200,000).
· Will continue to have to apply deicer even when infra-red buildings are completed (probably in 2006).
· Upgrade was recommended by the County’s consultant. Equipment gets a lot of use and although it is heavy equipment probably doesn’t last 10 years.
· Substituted vacuum tractor for snow plow. The vacuum tractor sucks up deicer fluid residual from ramp. Consultant suggested vacuum tractor. Originally the tractor mower was to be replaced, instead it will be held onto for 2 more years until being replaced in 2003.
· Committee requested an amended 19-20 & SEQR reflecting the vacuum tractor acquisition.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0 with Legislator Abinanti out for the vote.
15. BSS08: Proposed Bond Act authorizing $1,100,000 in Serial Bonds for Peekskill District Office Renovations - Department of Social Services. (2/26/01)
· Bids will go out as soon as this legislation is approved.
On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0 with Legislator Swanson signing, “Without Prejudice”.
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16. B0007: Proposed Bond Act authorizing $900,000 in Serial Bonds for Roads & Grounds Improvements, Valhalla. (2/26/01)
· Required to finance the construction of improvements to Woods Road at the Valhalla Campus at Grasslands.
· The project will include the reconstruction of approximately 1.1 miles of road and includes drainage improvements and resurfacing.
On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0 with Legislator Swanson signing, “Without Prejudice”.
17. B0010: Proposed Bond Act authorizing $950,000 in Serial Bonds for Paving Program, Valhalla Campus. (2/26/01)
· Required to finance the construction of Sunshine Cottage, Dana and Hammond House Roads on the Valhalla Campus at Grasslands.
· The project will include rehabilitation of the asphalt pavement sections, correcting drainage issues and providing for traffic flow improvements.
On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.
18. B0021: Proposed Bond Act authorizing $1,800,000 in Serial Bonds for MOB Modernization. (2/26/01)
· Required to finance the construction of the access security system for the entire Michaelian Office Building and the 8th floor Board Chambers, MOBI in White Plains.
· This is an on-going project. As of September, 2000, $11.6 million has been appropriated $5.4 million has been spent.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0 with Legislators Swanson, LaMotte, Abinanti, and Carsky signing, “Without Prejudice”.
19. B035A: Proposed Bond Act authorizing $360,000 in Serial Bonds for Heavy Equipment. (2/26/01)
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· Required to finance the acquisition of heavy equipment for PRC, including a refuse compactor truck for Playland and a garbage truck and dump truck for general maintenance, costing approximately: $110,000; $130,000 and $120,000 respectively.
· PRC will come in at a later date to discuss this matter. Committee did not act on this item at this time.
20. B0038: Proposed Bond Act authorizing $200,000 in Serial Bonds for A/C Equipment Replacement & Chloroflouro Carbons/DPW Locations. (2/26/01)
· Required to finance the design of air conditioning equipment to replace equipment containing chloroflouro carbons at the County jail and penitentiary in Valhalla, pursuant to the Clean Air Act of 1990.
· Chiller plant in basement of new jail. This is to modify the last piece of equipment in the jail.
On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.
21. BPF21: Proposed Bond Act authorizing $100,000 in Serial Bonds for Infrastructure Repairs Parking Structure/White Plains. (2/26/01)
· Required to finance the design of Phase I of the infrastructure rehabilitation of the County parking structure located in the White Plains complex.
· Parking lots have a 15 year life cycle. It is time to revisit this one.
On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.
46. BCR27: Proposed Bond Act authorizing $500,000 in Serial Bonds for Surveillance Equipment & Security System. (2/26/01)
· Required to finance the installation, replacement and/or upgrade of closed circuit television cameras in the County jail and penitentiary at Valhalla, including the Women’s Unit, as well as the replacement of the mandated telephone security system in all facilities.
· The project will include upgrading correctional security and improvement of the visibility of inmate/visitor movement.
· Telephone security system dates back to ’91 and is in need of replacement.
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On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0 with Legislator Abinanti out for the vote.
BUDGET AMENDMENT:
A3: Budget Amendment: Proposed Act amending the 2001 Operating Budget –
transferring $10,000 from the Office for Women – the Miscellaneous Budget –
Crime Victims Assistance Account. (2/26/01)
· These funds were added to the 2001 Budget by the Board of Legislators to provide assistance to the SANE Program/Women’s Resources.
· It is being requested that the full appropriation be transferred from the Office for Women to the Crime Victims Assistance account in order to appropriately contract for services.
On motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0 with Legislator Abinanti out for the vote.
MINUTES:
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve the Minutes of March 12, 2001 was carried by a vote of 8-0 with Legislator Abinanti out for the vote.
A&C CALENDAR:
Committee reviewed A&C Calendar
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.