COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES
ATTENDANCE:
B & A MEMBERS: Wishnie, Kaplowitz, Swanson, Carsky,
LaMotte, Young, Andrea Stewart-Cousins,
Abinanti
OTHER
LEGISLATORS: Louis Moseillo, Lois Bronz, George Latimer,
Bernice Spreckman
OTHERS: Budget Dept.: Kate Carrano, Arthur Vietro; Law: Charlene Indelicato, Stacy Dolgen-Kmetz, Lori Alesio, Rick Cashman; C.E’s Office: Bill Randolph, David Myers, Larry Schwartz, Sal Carrera; Corrections: Pasquale Miscioscia; Parks: Commissioner Stanley Motley; Planning: Gerry Mulligan, Paul Gisondo; DPW: Anthony Landi, Ralph Butler; BOL: Chris Chang, Robert Boland, Sally Schecter, David Simpson, Barbara Dodds, Tara Bernard; Others: Barbara Strauss, Fran MacEachron
Chairman Wishnie called the meeting to order at
DISCUSSION: (There is a tape on file for more information)
MINUTES:
On motion of
Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the minutes of
AGENDA ITEMS:
WCC Budget Adds: This item was not discussed.
C2:
· Chairman Wishnie noted that the $100,000 was being added due to increased cost.
· Deputy Commissioner Mulligan and Paul Gisondo came before the Board to discuss the missing links section of the North County Trailway. The County does not own the North County Trailway. It is owned by the State while the County Department of Parks maintains and operates it as a lease. Mr. Mulligan stated that although they are being conservative in their request of $100,000 the project should only cost the County $80,000 extra. The County has to provide 20% of the cost. The State is now coming back to the County for construction inspection share and increased preliminary design and right of way costs which adds up to $80,000.
· Legislator Carsky asked where the twenty two miles were located. Mr. Gisondo responded by saying the North County Trail is from East View all the way up to Putnam County and the South County Trailway is from East View to Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx.
· Legislator Carsky then inquired about the status of the South County Trailway. Mr. Gisondo noted that six miles of the Trailway has been built from Elmsford to Northern Yonkers at Barney Street, and then we have another section that is almost two miles from East view down to Elmsford. That two mile section has already been design and just waiting to go out to bid.
On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion was approved by a 7-0 vote.
· Mrs. Carrano and Commissioner Motley came before the Committee to discuss this item.
· Mrs. Carrano stated that this proposed amendment would be taking a one shot windfall and putting it towards a one shot upgrade of the equipment. Commissioner Motley stated that about half of the equipment would be replacement and the other half would be new equipment.
· Mr. Boland wanted to know whether they underestimated their funding for 2000. Mrs. Carrano responded by saying that what we are doing in this proposal is not any different than what the Committee authorized Parks to do with the golfing equipment last year. She continued to say that in past years the Parks Department has suffered greatly because of the lack of increases in the department’s equipment account lines.
· Legislator Carsky asked about the maintenance of the Bronx River Reservation. Mr. Motley stated that most of the southern portion of the County is maintained by the general maintenance crew.
· Legislator LaMotte asked why we could not enter into an IMA with the municipalities instead of buying capital equipment, which is going to deteriorate. Mrs. Carrano expressed concern that the County could be held liable if there was an accident.
· Legislator Swanson stated that, she has had more complaints about the Parks Department in Croton Point and Potanico recently than she has had in her tenure as a legislator; the bathrooms are very dirty.
· Commissioner Motley stated that there is no excuse, but that the fact that the snow didn’t melt until April had a lot to do with why the Parks could not be brought on line on time.
· Mr. Boland suggested that they wait and put this request for fund in the next budget. Mrs. Carrano responded by saying that if we wait to include it in the next budget we won’t be ready for the winter.
On motion by Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion was approved by a vote of 7-0.
A16: Retention of Outside Counsel: Proposed Act designating an attorney to be retained to represent Michael Downey, an employee of the Westchester County Department of Correction, in the lawsuit of Diamaris Gonzalez v. Westchester County, et al. (5/21/01)
· County Attorney Charlene Indelicato and Lori Alesio came before the Committee to discuss the matter. They gave a brief synapses of the case.
· The Committee decide that the not to exceed dollar amount will be set at $20,000 and that the Firm of Gross and Gross be selected to handle the case.
· Legislator Kaplowitz inquired whether the County should authorize the retention of outside counsel when we could possibly handle it in house at least initially and then have Mr. Downey incur the expenses associated with his defense for the issues involving him allegedly acting outside the scope of his duties.
· Ms. Alesio stated that the alleged behavior outside of the officers duties were not proven as of yet and it is has been the policy of the County to give their employees the benefit of the doubt.
On motion by Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion was approved by a vote of 7-0.
A17: County Attorney-Lawsuit Settlement (Pucci): Authorizing the County Attorney to settle the lawsuit of Christopher A. Pucci v. County of Westchester, Liberty lines Transit, Inc. Anthony Crisci and Michael Velenza. (5/21/01)
· Mr. Boland noted that material in this item was substituted with an amended version.
· Lori Alesio and Stacey Dolgen-Kmetz came before the Committee to discuss the item. Ms. Alesio gave a brief synapses of the case.
· On motion by Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion was approved by a vote of 7-0.
A29: County Attorney-Lawsuit Settlement (Yuelys): Proposed Act authorizing the County to settle the lawsuit of Pauline Yuelys, et al. V. Liberty Lines Transit, et al. (6/25/01)
· Mr. Boland noted that material in this item was substituted with an amended version.
· County Attorney Charlene Indelicato and Lorie Alesio came before the Committee to discuss the matter. Ms. Alesio gave a brief synapses of the case.
· Legislator Kaplowitz asked if this settlement precluded the County against any additional claims.
· Ms. Alesio stated that there would be no additional claims against the County.
On motion by Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion was approved by a vote of 7-0.
· Mr. Schwartz came before the Committee to discuss this item. Mr. Schwartz noted that there is a time sensitivity issue surrounding this item.
· Legislator Abinanti stated that these were roads that the Town can handle and was agreement with this measure.
· Legislator Swanson expressed concern over the separation of the Acts. Legislator Swanson maintained that all items of similar nature should be treated the same way.
· The County Attorney opined on the matter.
On motion by Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion was approved by a vote of 6-1 (Road).
On motion by Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion was approved by a vote of 6-1 (Transfer).
A23: Austin Avenue Rental and PILOT Agreement: Proposed legislation regarding Austin Avenue Rental and PILOT Agreement. (5/21/01)
· Legislator Carsky brought the item to the attention of the Committee under the Category of Unfinished Business.
· Legislator Carsky alerted the Committee of the time sensitivity issues surrounding the item.
· Legislator Abinanti gave a historical account of the project.
· Legislators Carsky, Spreckman and Mosiello expressed great interest in resolving the matter.
· Legislator Stewart-Cousins suggested that the Board pass a resolution indicating the Board’s good faith. Mr. Abinanti noted that the Committee didn’t have anything before them to approve or sign out of Committee.
· Chairman Wishnie asked the Chairman of the Board if the Committee developed a resolution would he put it on the Board’s Agenda. Legislator Latimer stated that he would if that was the wish of the Committee.
A&C:
· A&C calendar was distributed
· Chairman Wishnie stated that A&C agenda and if any of the Legislators had any question to ask Mr. Boland.
ADJOURNMENT:
On the motion of Legislator Abinanti and seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz the Committee adjourned at 12:00 P.M.