MINUTES
OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph, Sal Carerra; Budget Dept.: Kate Carrano, Arthur Vietro; Law Dept.; Jim Robertson, Stacey Dolgin-Kmetz, Lori Alesio Jeff Goldman; WCC: Rich DelGuidice; DES: Commissioner Kelly; BOL: Sally Schecter, Robert Boland, Christopher Chang, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Wishnie called the Budget Committee meeting to order at 10:13 a.m.
MINUTES:
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve the Minutes of May 7, 2001 was carried by a vote of 8-0.
DISCUSSION:
A7. Property Acquisition: Proposed legislation relating to the acquisition by the County of property located at 375 Executive Boulevard in Elmsford. (4/23/01)
· The building is 79,500 square feet located on 3.65 acres in Elmsford.
· The purchase of the property will provide for the consolidation of services as well as rental cost savings.
· The building will house a warehouse facility and administrative offices for the Bureau of Purchase and Supply, a Department of Information Technology Warehouse and Tech Center, a Records Center for storage of District Attorney and County Clerk records, the Department of Emergency Services, including space for the Office of Emergency Management, and the Joint News Centers.
· Purchase price is $5.2 million. Appraised value is %5.4 million. Committee requested a full copy of the appraisal.
· Purchasing the property will save over $1 million per year in rental payments.
· Total taxes on the site are approximately $111,000. After four to five years it will come off the tax rolls, depending on when an application is submitted. There was a discussion on the loss of revenue for the local municipalities once the building is off the tax rolls.
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· Mr. Carerra stated that the communities will benefit in other ways with us brining more people into the area. Committee would like to know how many people work at this site now as opposed to how many will be working there if the County purchases the property.
· Emergency Services: looking to have a dedicated emergency operations center and have administrative offices adjacent. The Joint News Center is now at the airport, would like to have it near operations center.
· Additional income will be coming in at a market rate – Joint News Center will be charged rent. They are currently charged rent at the airport but it goes to the airport.
· Access to the building will be 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All types of security will be taken.
· It would cost $300 per foot to build a building – if you own the land. Buying this building would cost $70 per square foot.
· Mr. Carerra stated that the building is relatively clean for its vintage.
· Committee asked if there are plans for the spaces that will be vacated if we purchase this site. The space at the Airport where the Joint News Center is located would have to be used for an airport related use. The sub-basement (where Emergency Services is currently located) would be used as a back-up facility. Committee members questioned why we would want to vacate the space at the Airport. There was concern as to what will go in there as well as the perception to the public of vacating the space for another use.
· There was a discussion with regard to the NYS (Armory) building that the County leases. Mr. Carerra stated that the lease is up in 2012 and the County has no interest in purchasing that building.
· Mr. Carerra stated that he has 120 days to close the deal (August 31st)
· A site visit is being arranged for the Committee.
The Committee did not take action on this item at this time.
A13. Outside Counsel Payment: Proposed Act amending Act 113-2000 to increase the total not-to-exceed payment authorization for Gross & Gross, LLP, the law firm designated to represent Robert Reno, an employee of the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation in the lawsuit of Olney Reynolds v. County of Westchester and Robert Reno. (4/23/01)
· The case has been successfully concluded as the case has been dismissed against Mr. Reno.
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· The legal services associated with Mr. Reno’s representation exceeded the original authorization of $30,000 by $6,890.50.
· The County is still a defendant in the federal case. The law firm of Mark Oxman is representing the County.
· Funds will come from the 6N fund.
On motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0.
A15. Lawsuit Settlement: Proposed Act authorizing the County to settle the action entitled County of Westchester v. Michael Rooney. (5/7/01)
· This action involves a Westchester County Correction Officer named Michael Rooney who suffered an injury to his right knee at work. On or about June 24, 1997, he claimed that while lifting weights at Gold’s Gym he sustained an injury to his lower back and right knee and began collecting correction compensation benefits as a direct result of this claim.
· The County disputed Mr. Rooney’s claim that his injury was work related.
· A hearing was held and the hearing officer issued her finds that Rooney did not have a work related injury or illness.
· Mr. Rooney received $28,435.14 in correction compensation benefits, including the payment of salary or wages.
· After several other court actions extensive negotiations were entered into and Mr. Rooney agreed to pay the County the total sum of $9,000.00
· The Committee questioned why the County is settling for $9,000. The County Attorney’s Office recommended the Committee go into Executive Session to discuss details of the settlement.
· On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the Committee went into Executive Session at 11:37 a.m. by a vote of 8-0.
· On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion to go out of Executive Session at 11:45 a.m. was carried by a vote of 8-0.
On motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0.
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A16. Collection Services: Proposed Act authorizing the County to employ the firm of Windham Professionals, Inc. to provide collection services to the County and to authorize Windham to subcontract with David Gold, Esq. and Peter B. Ackerman, Esq. to serve in an “of counsel” capacity to the County Attorney in connection with the recovery of delinquent federal student loans at Westchester Community College. (5/7/01)
· WCC has used outside law firms specializing in collection services since 1991.
· The use of outside collection services is compelled by federal regulations incident to the Perkins (NDSL) Loan Program. The federal regulation s mandate that the college use 2 separate collection firms to satisfy the due diligence requirements for defaulted Perkins loans.
· Act 73-2000, adopted by the Board on April 10, 2000 authorized the County to employ the law firm of Hayt, Hayt and Landau to provide legal collection services to the College in an “of counsel” capacity to the county Attorney. At that time the college was unable in procuring a second collection firm as required by federal regulations. In October, 2000 a second RFP was issued and Windham was the only firm to respond to this RFP. Windham possess the necessary experience and skill to provide competent collection services to the County.
· Currently there is a total of $400,000-$500,000 in outstanding loans.
On motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0.
A1: Certiorari Refunds: Forwarding a package of court-ordered certiorari refunds. (5/7/01)
On motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to Receive and File this item was carried by a vote of 8-0.
A&C:
Committee reviewed the Board of 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 11:50 a.m.