MINUTES
OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph; Budget Dept.: Kate Carrano, Arthur Vietro; CBAC/LWVW: Barbara Strauss, Fran McEachron; Planning Dept.: Jerry Mulligan, Gina D’Agrosa, Fran McLaughlin; Law Dept. :Charlene Indelicato; Public Safety: Commissioner D’Aliso; STVCC: Richard Streicher; BOL: Sally Schecter, Barbara Dodds, Legislator Ryan; Robert Boland, Christopher Chang, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Wishnie called the Budget Committee meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.
Chairman Ryan reconvened the Public Safety Committee meeting at 10:05 a.m.
BUDGET COMMITTEE MINUTES:
On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve the Minutes of April 2, 2001 was carried by a vote of 5-0.
DISCUSSION:
BUDGET TRANSFERS/AMENDMENTS:
A8. 2000 Operating Budget Amendment: Proposed Act amending the 2000
County Operating Budget. (3/26/01)
· This transfer is for the Public Safety Department for $518,271 for overtime expenses.
· Savings in the Miscellaneous Budget – Certiorari of $518,271 are recommended to finance this transfer.
· There was a discussion as to the overtime costs for security coverage for former President Clinton. Commissioner D’Aliso explained that former President Clinton has secret service coverage for life and while the County Police still provide some coverage it is less now than when he was President. This coverage is mandatory. The County and the municipality have agreed on a cost splitting plan for police services for the former President. The County’s reimbursement will be approximately $118,656 and will come in as a revenue to the 2001 budget.
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· The Commissioner explained that most of the coverage includes bomb sweeps. He further explained that any security coverage for the former President does not take away from safety measures for Westchester residents.
· There was a discussion with regard to the increasing number of threats in schools. It was asked if the County Police are taking a pro-active role rather than always a reactionary role. Commissioner D’Aliso explained that they are working on programs that will involve training and awareness for school personnel. Some municipalities are already in the process of this training. He further explained that his department is prepared to go into any situation.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 5-0.
A2. Budget Transfer Resolution: Proposed Resolution transferring funds within various County Departments. (3/26/01)
· This is a resolution transferring funds within various County departments in the amount of $1,732,064. They are fully funded by savings within the 2000 Operating Budget.
· Included in these transfers is an increase in the amount of $55,256 to increase the appropriation in the Tourism account. The Room Occupancy Tax receipts in 2000 were $4,861,877. After reimbursement to itself for administration and collection costs, the County gets 15% of the tax receipts for the purposes of tourism in the County. The $55,256 is derived as follows: $130,000 as administrative reimbursements; which is deducted from the $4,861,877 for net collections of $4,731,877. 15%, or $709,781 is the calculated “Set-aside” for tourism activities. The adopted appropriation for Tourism in the Miscellaneous Budget was $654,525; therefore an additional $55,256 should be reflected in the County’s contribution to Tourism activities.
· He savings in Contractual Services in the Department of Correction is related to good news at the jail. There has been a decline in the jail population, from 1400 to 1264, which reflects a lower cost per meal.
· Penitentiary-Services by DPW: Labor and maintenance costs were not incurred because of the wings of the Pen that were closed down.
· County Clerk OT reflects the end of the ’99 backlog.
· Labs & Research ($13,110) reflects the close-out of an old grant that was in deficit.
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· Playland: There was a discussion with regard to their proportionate share of retirement costs. Committee requested the % of people who retired. Committee questioned the hourly costs. It was stated that it had to do with last year’s weather conditions and keeping the park fully staffed. Committee requested a further explanation of this at a future meeting, with representatives of Playland.
· There was an increase in the Independent Audit costs due to services that went above and beyond the scope of the contract. This was due to the County’s computer system being down because of the software upgrade which took longer than anticipated.
On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 5-0.
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion to Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the Public Safety meeting was adjourned at 10:39 a.m.
BUDGET TRANSFER RESOLUTION: A Proposed Resolution transferring funds within the Westchester County Miscellaneous Budget. (4/16/01)
· This is a transfer in the amount of $950,000 for the Indigent Defendants Account (2090). Mrs. Carrano explained that this transfer has been recommended by the County’s auditors and will be funded by savings within the 2000 Miscellaneous Certiorari Operating Budget.
· There is a lag in payment for these cases because they are not paid until the completion of the case.
· It was asked how much was budget for ’99. Mrs. Carrano explained that they have been budgeting between $4.2 and $4.5 million. There was a major problem with judges signing cases out. The back-log has now been cleaned out in one fell swoop.
· Looks like we will have expended $4.7 million today for ’99.
· Reserves are left on the books for 3 years.
· Committee requested more detail on the $950,000 and will discuss this matter at next week’s meeting.
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A3. 2001 Operating Budget Amendment: Proposed Act amending the 2001 Law Department Operating Budget. (3/26/01)
· This act would transfer funds from the 2001 Miscellaneous Certiorari Proceedings Budget to the Law Department’s Litigation account in the amount of $693,000.
· This transfer is required so that all contracts that the County enters into regarding litigation are charged to this account.
· Included are agreements with 2 law firms as follows: a contract with Epstein, Becker & Green for $150,000 to provide the County with legal representation in connection with energy and utility matters
· The second agreement is with Carter, Ledyard & Millburn for $100,000 in the County’s challenge of the determination of the New Rochelle Planning Board with regard to the development known as the “Riviera Shores LLC”.
· Charges will reside in the Law Department budget and will then be billed out to the using department.
On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator young, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 5-0.
A7. 2001 New Rochelle Sanitary Sewer District Budget Amendment: Proposed Act amending the 2001 New Rochelle Sanitary Sewer District Operating Budget. (3/26/01)
· This transfer is in the amount of $400,000 and is needed as additional engineering services are required for the relocation of two sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) treatment facilities (one in New Rochelle and one in Larchmont)
· The relocations were made at the request of New Rochelle and Larchmont, with the concurrence of the NYS DEC on October 16, 2000.
· Funding from the New Rochelle Sanitary Sewer District Operating Budget is necessary to commence the design of the SSO treatment facilities immediately in order to comply with the time frames established by the Order-on-Consent while bonding authorization for this program is being processed.
· The transfer is funded from the New Rochelle Sanitary Sewer District undesignated Fund Balance account.
· Mrs. Carrano explained that both sides of the budget are being amended, the fund balance revenue as well as the expenditure account.
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· Fund balance in New Rochelle Sewer District account will be around $300,000 after the $400,000 is taken out.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 5-0.
A12. Budget Transfer Resolution: Proposed Resolution transferring funds within the 2001 Operating Budget. (3/26/01)
· This resolution would allow for the transfer of funds within the Miscellaneous Budget from Certiorari Proceedings to the Public Utility Service Agency Account in the amount of $335,000.
· This transfer is required to fully fund an additional contract with an outside special consultant ($75,000) and provide for reimbursement for legal services provided by the Law Department ($260,000) in connection with the activities that are required to be undertaken in regard to ongoing energy issues.
· The original 2001 app0ropriation for this account had been intended to fund only outside consulting and legal services contracts.
· Due to the number of PSC and Federal Energy Regulation Commission administrative hearings that are scheduled in 2001, County legal staff will be attending them at a cost of $260,000.
· The actual litigation in these matters will be handled by Epstein, Becker & Green. (former County Attorney Scheinkman will be working on these matters for Epstein, Becker & Green. He was granted a waiver by the County)
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 5-0 with Legislators Carsky and Young signing “Without Prejudice”.
A13. Budget Transfer Resolution: Proposed Resolution transferring funds within various County Sewer and Water Districts. (3/26/01)
· The amount of these transfers are $71,905. These transfers are fully funded by savings within the 2000 District Budgets.
· Committee would like to discuss Water District #2 in more detail, i.e. # of retirements, # of vacancies. There were questions with regard to the $18,000 in Overtime. Committee felt that this is an inefficiency that doesn’t have to be and they don’t want to encourage this in the future. A future meeting will be set up to discuss Water District #2.
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On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 4-1 with Legislator Kaplowitz being recorded in the negative.
C45: BOND ACT: SW004: Proposed Bond Act authorizing $400,000 in Serial Bonds for sewer District Facility Plans. (2/26/01)
Committee has had previous discussion on this matter.
This is required to finance capacity studies of the Blind Brook, Mamaroneck, Ossining and New Rochelle Waste Water Treatment Plants.
Planning Department Representatives explained that these studies will require a lot of staff time and they may need to hire a consultant.
It was asked if the Peekskill Waste Water Treatment Plant could be added to this study. Mr. Mulligan stated that it may require more money, they are not yet sure how much each study will cost. These are done on a tax parcel based analysis where they separate out open space, commercial space, etc. to anticipate what will happen over a 25 year period on the parcels and capacities of the plants.
Mr. Mulligan explained that they don’t anticipate doing all of these this year. By looking at the tax maps in-house they will determine which will be done first.
Committee decided to move forward on this, adding Peekskill was added to the legislation. A new bond act will be provided to the Committee.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve this tem was carried by a vote of 5-0.
A&C CALENDAR:
Committee reviewed the April 19th A&C Calendar. Several requests for back-up were made.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the meeting was adjourned at 11:37 a.m.