MINUTES
OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph, Marc Fenichel (Intern); Budget Dept.: Kate Carrano, Arthur Vietro; CBAC/LWV: Barbara Strauss; Planning: William Brady; Journal News: Keith Eddings; DPW: Anthony Landi; BOL: Barbara Dodds, Sally Schecter, Robert Boland, Christopher Chang, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Wishnie called the Budget Committee meeting to order at 10:17 a.m.
MINUTES:
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve this Minutes of June 18, 2001 was carried by a vote of
A15. Affordable Senior Housing: Proposed legislation authorizing the County to purchase and subsequently convey approximately 3.78 acres of real property located at 19 Narragansett Avenue in the Village of Ossining for the purpose of providing affordable senior housing. (6/4/01) (Also referred to Housing)
· Commissioner Salley and Mr. Brady addressed several concerns, which were brought up at the Housing Committee meeting regarding this matter, as follows:
Ø Public Purpose exception: An updated Committee Report which makes reference to the County Attorney’s opinion that this legislation “falls within the ‘public purpose’ exception of Section 209.101, subdivision 8 (b) of the Laws of Westchester County as enacted pursuant to Local Law Intro. No. 20-2001. Therefore, it would be unnecessary for the Board to comply with the provisions of that legislation in order to adopt this Act.
Ø Senior and Disabled Populations: According to Mr. Jack Ritchie, Vice President of Housing and Development for Bethel Homes, the proposed units will be marketed to senior citizens only, including seniors with limited disabilities. Facilities, programs and services will be tailored to seniors in need of an assistive living facility environment, with most of the units to be occupied by those 75 years or older.
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Ø Re-entry and Re-vesting Clause: The County Attorney’s office has sought further clarification from the County’s Bond Counsel on the issue of future use of this building in the event of a “reverter”. Bond Counsel has advised that “Since the bond act authorizes the acquisition of the land and building for affordable housing, in the event of a reverter I still think the BOL could change the nature of the project as long as long as it remains affordable housing. Given the specificity of the bond act, it might be appropriate to amend the project description under those circumstances, however such amendment would be permissible even if the bonds had been issued, since the project would continue to be for the same “object or purpose” under the Local Finance Law”. Concern re: assistive living taking priorities of affordable housing. Need to balance need.
· There was a discussion with regard to recourse if they cannot make it. It would come back to the county – we can operate as any other type of affordable housing. Zoned for assistive living. These are one-bedroom units with kitchens. There will be a main dining room as well.
· There was concern expressed with regard to the disabled population -“Disabled on the Move” representatives were in to the Housing Committee last week to discuss same.
· Committee requested clarification in the committee report with regard to the exemption clause. Amendment to be made by Law Department.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the motion to approve this legislation, as amended, was carried by a vote of 8-0 with Legislator LaMotte, Carsky, Young, Swanson and Noto signing “Without Prejudice”.
Lake Street: reviewed amendments that were requested at last week’s meeting. Right of First Refusal does not apply in this case because it is a county purpose. Additional amendments were made to Section 3 of the Act.
BOND ACTS:
C12. SM010: Proposed Bond Act authorizing the issuance of $350,000 in bonds – Mamaroneck WWTP Automation. (5/21/01)
· Required to finance the continued acquisition and installation of equipment that permits the remote operation of certain functions at the Mamaroneck Waste Water Treatment Plant from a separate location, as well as the automation of certain plant functions.
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· The second phase of the planned automation incorporates the recommendations of the Black & Veatch study to improve conditions at the County’s wastewater treatment plants.
· The Board previously authorized the county to issue bonds for this project in the amount of $500,000 pursuant to Bond Act 46-1998. The instant funding request would therefore increase the authorization for this project.
· This would provide for supervisory control – extra level of monitoring
· Doesn’t have all previous bonding info in Committee Report.
· Committee did not act on this item at this time.
C13. SPK01: Proposed Bond Act authorizing the issuance of $1,250,000 in bonds – Peekskill WWTP Performance Maintenance. (5/21/01)
· Required to finance the continuation of the replacement of equipment or system enhancements at the Peekskill Wastewater Treatment Plant, which have reached the end of their useful life, and the related design, engineering and construction design of same.
· The Board previously authorized the county to issue bonds for this project in the amount of $150,000 pursuant to Bond Act 153-1998, as well as a cash component in the amount of $100,000. The instant funding request would therefore increase the authorization for this project.
· Would be a separate project for equipment if the plant had to be expanded
On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0.
C14. SY004: Proposed Bond Act authorizing the issuance of $4,000,000 in bonds – Yonkers Joint WWTP Gravibelt Filter. (5/21/01)
· Required to finance the acquisition and installation of a Gravibelt filter for the Yonkers Joint Wastewater Treatment Plant.
· The gravibelt filter, which will enhance the facility’s thickening capacity, will be built over two of the existing dissolved air floatation thickener units.
On motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0.
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C15. SY011: Proposed Bond Act authorizing the issuance of $4,875,000 in bonds – Yonkers Joint WWTP Fire Suppression, Alarm and Security Systems. (5/21/01)
· Required to finance the installation of a fire alarm, a fire suppression system, and a security system at the Yonkers Joint Wastewater Treatment Plant.
· The project was included in the recommendations of the Black & Veatch study to improve conditions at the County’s wastewater treatment plants.
· Committee requested a breakout of total.
· There was a discrepancy in the amount of the bond act vs. the 19-20.
· Committee did not act on this item at this time.
C16. SY012: Proposed Bond Act authorizing the issuance of $7,800,000 in bonds – Yonkers Joint WWTP Sludge Collection and Processing Equipment. (5/21/01)
· Required to finance the replacement or upgrade of equipment associated with sludge collection and processing at the Yonkers Joint Wastewater Treatment Plant.
· The project includes:
Ø Replacement of shafts, sprockets, wall bearings and rails within four primary and nine secondary tanks
Ø The replacement and/or upgrade of electrical equipment and the installation of sludge processing equipment, such as centrifuge and pumps
Ø The upgrade of electrical equipment and the installation of voltage sag correctors.
· There was a discussion with regard to the status of the closing of the doors.
· Commissioner Landi stated that they have also installed another system (sort of an air freshener) to mitigate odors.
· Due to in correct language in the bond act, the Committee did not act on this item at this time.
C17. SY075: Proposed Bond Act authorizing the issuance of $800,000 in bonds – Pump Station Rehab-Saw Mill Sanitary Sewer District. (5/21/01)
· Required to finance the rehabilitation of the Briarcliff Pump Station which is located in the Saw Mill Sanitary Sewer System, and which is tributary to the Yonkers Joint Wastewater Treatment Plant.
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· Committee did not act on this item at this time.
C18. RD009: Proposed Bond Act authorizing the issuance of $850,000 in bonds – Haulage Vehicles Phase III. (5/21/01)
· Required to finance the purchase and replacements of hauling vehicles.
· Committee did not act on this item at this time.
A&C CALENDAR:
The A&C Calendar was distributed.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Noto, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m.