MINUTES
OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph, Marc Fenichel, Budget Dept.: Kate Carrano; CBAC/LWVW: Barbara Strauss; DOT: Larry Salley; County Police: Louis Liberatore, Donna Ritucci; DPW: Ralph Butler; Correction Dept.: Rocco Pozzi, Bridget Gladwin, Tony Czarnecki; PRC: Stan Motley, Paul Reitano, Lorraine Velez, Peter Tartaglia, Joe Montalto; Planning: Fran McLaughlin; County Resident: George Hosey; Journal News: Keith Eddings; BOL: David Simpson, Barbara Dodds, Sally Schecter, Robert Boland, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Wishnie called the Budget Committee meeting to order at 10:15 a.m.
MINUTES:
On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve the Minutes of July 23, 2001 was carried by a vote of 6-0.
C) BOND ACTS: (Note: Bond Acts have been reviewed by B&A sub-committee)
3. RGIP7: Proposed Bond Act authorizing the issuance of $150,000 in bonds – General Infrastructure – Active Recreation Area. (5/7/01)
· To finance the cost of design of improvements to the playgrounds at the active recreation areas at Sprain Ridge, Kingsland Point, George’s Island, Croton Gorge and Blue Mountain Parks.
· The areas will include picnic grounds with play equipment, picnic tables, grills, trash receptacles, benches and playing fields.
· The work will include the installation of play equipment with safety surface, and the replacement or installation of wood edges, benches, and asphalt walks.
· Also to be financed is associated landscaping which will include grading and drainage, tree and shrub planting, and the establishment of lawn areas.
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· There was a question with regard to improvements to be made at Mountain Lakes. The Commissioner stated that it was going to be addressed in next phase.
· Committee agreed to amend this legislation to include Mountain Lakes.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion to approve this item, as amended, was carried by a vote of 6-0.
4. Proposed Bond Act amending Act 67-1999 to provide for a change in the scope of work. (6/25/01) (Also referred to PW)
· This Act will amend Bond Act 67-1999, approved by the Board in 1999, for the Yonkers Joint Treatment Plant Project SY008 to provide for a change in the scope of work.
· The original scope authorized the installation of an additional boiler and the construction of a building extension to house the boiler.
· It has been recommended by DEF that the existing boilers be replaced with two boilers of a larger size.
· This change would eliminate the need for a third boiler and building addition.
· Bond Act 167-1999 was authorized for $500,000 and the remaining cost of the project was to be through a cash appropriation of $250,000.
On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.
5. Capital Budget Amendment: Proposed legislation amending the 2001 Capital Budget and a related Bond Act regarding the Saulsbury Special Purpose Bomb Equipment Truck. (6/25/01) (Also referred to PSCJ)
· Together with the related bond act for $350,000, the purpose of this Capital Budget Amendment is to fund the purchase of the Saulsbury Special Purpose Bomb Truck, which is a custom built,/engineered bomb equipment truck that will be designated to transport Bomb Squad personnel, two explosive detection canines and all of the unit’s rendered-safe equipment, including weapons of mass destruction first responder equipment, bomb protective gear and HAZMAT suits.
· Vehicle currently being used is 9 years old. Equipment is stored at Headquarters and have to use 2-3 vehicles just for the equipment. This would enable the Bomb Squad personnel to respond adequately, suit up, transport equipment properly, and allow them to respond in a timely fashion.
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· They have checked into other funding sources and found that there is no money on the federal level for this.
· There is a garage expansion project that has been in the works and one of the bays will accommodate this truck.
On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Noto, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.
10. RB019: Proposed Bond Act to amend Bond Act 68-2001 to reduce the amount of the bond act by $480,000, making the correct amount $1,400,000. (5/21/01)
· Bond Act 68-2001 was approved by the Board authorizing funding for project RB019 in the amount of $1,880,000 to finance the construction of the east shoulder of Central Westchester Parkway in the City of White Plains and the Town of North Castle.
· This bond act amendment is a reduction of the amount of bonding legislation authorization by $480,000. Bonding authorization should be $1,400,000. This legislation would correct the bonding authorization error.
· This is a phased project which has been designed.
· Project cost is still $2 million.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.
11. BCR36: Proposed Bond Act revoking Bond Act 186-1998 which authorized bonding legislation in the amount of $600,000 to finance replacement of the roof systems at Cellblocks A, B, C, and D and at the Penitentiary. (5/21/01)
· In 1998, Act 186-1998 authorized bonding legislation for the Department of Correction’s Capital Project BCR36, authorizing bonding for the replacement of the Pen’s roof in the amount of $600,000. The passing of the referendum for the replacement of the Pen in November of 2000 made the bonding authorization unnecessary.
· There is now a new project called “Pen replacement”. They will probably close out BCR36 with capital projects budget.
On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.
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18. RD009: Proposed Bond Act authorizing the issuance of $850,000 in bonds – Haulage Vehicles Phase III. (5/21/01)
· Due to age and condition there are 10 trailers and 5 tractors that need to be replaced.
· Committee asked if there is communication between departments with regard to the maintenance and condition of equipment. It was stated that there is. All departments are responsible for managing their own inventory and have to prove the need for replacement.
On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.
19. BCR27: Proposed Bond Act authorizing the issuance of $500,000 in bonds – Surveillance Equipment and Security System. (5/21/01)
· To finance the upgrade of correctional security and the visibility of inmate/visitor movement which will be accomplished by the installation, replacement and/or upgrade of closed circuit television cameras and alarm systems in the Jail. This is the last piece of this project.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.
23. BCR5A: Proposed Bond Act authorizing the issuance of $830,000 in bonds – Partial reconstruction of the County Correctional Complex Headquarters Building. (5/21/01)
· Work includes roof replacement.
On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.
MOUNT VERNON PROPERTY PURCHASE:
A21: Proposed legislation authorizing the County to purchase and convey
approximately 10,500 square feet of real property in the City of Mount Vernon for the purpose of providing affordable housing. (6/25/01) (Also referred to Housing)
· This legislation has been signed out by the Housing Committee.
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· The property is presently owned by Mountco Construction and Development Corporation who will sell the property to the County.
· The Bond amount consists of an amount not to exceed of $115,000 for the purchase price and an amount not to exceed of $43,000 for the usual and customary closing costs, associated costs of acquisition, associated soft costs, and unforeseen contingencies, which may include, without limitation, title insurance, environmental audits, appraisals, property surveys, taxes, associated adjustments and legal fees.
· The County will purchase and subsequently convey the property to Sandford Terrace, L.L.C. for $1.00. Sandford Terrace will construct a 7-story apartment building containing approximately 55 units of affordable independent living rental apartments for seniors.
· In addition to the $158,000 in County New Homes Land Acquisition funds for this project, Sandford Terrace has secured additional funding for the project from other sources in the approximate amount of $8,024,171.
· By the County funding the acquisition of the real property, it will bring down the total development costs for the project to a level allowing these units to be rented to lower income seniors.
· This is the first time the County is dealing with this company but they have done other projects in Mount Vernon and White Plains.
· There was a discussion as to whether the housing would be open to all County residents. There may be a suggested preference list, but everyone will be able to apply.
· 10% of the units will be handicap accessible.
On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to amend the Committee Report to read “independent” rather than “assistive” was carried by a vote of 6-0.
On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item, as amended, was carried by a vote of 6-0 with Legislator Carsky signing “Without Prejudice”.
21. T002B: Proposed Bond Act authorizing the issuance of $200,000 in bonds – Maintenance Facilities Needs Assessment. (5/21/01)
· To finance a study of the bus maintenance and storage facility requirements of the Bee-Line System for the next 30 years in order to evaluate and address the adequacy of the facilities to support the on-going development of the County’s transit system.
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· There was a discussion as to the specs for the project, which will be developed as a joint effort between DPW and DOT.
· Committee will hold this item for further discussion.
20. RB028: Proposed Bond Act authorizing the issuance of $360,000 in bonds – Fort Hill Road Catskill Aqueduct/Gail Road. (5/21/01)
· To repair areas of deteriorated pavement, to treat pavement joints, and to resurface approximately .27 miles of Fort Hill Road from the Catskill Aqueduct to Gail Road in the City of Yonkers.
· There was concern expressed with regard to drainage issues. Mr. Butler stated that DPW is not aware of any drainage issues where the repaving is to be done.
· Committee asked that they check on the drainage matter and supply maps.
On motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.
22. BPL21: Proposed Bond Act authorizing the issuance of $110,000 in bonds – Water Quality Improvements – Long Island Sound Watershed. (5/21/01) (Also referred to Env.)
· This project consists of two components:
Ø Habitat restoration at the Edith G. Read Nature Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in the City of Rye.
Ø Water quality and habitat improvement at Nature Study Woods in New Rochelle.
· Total cost of the project is $220,000 of which 50% will be funded by the County and the other 50% will be funded by the State of New York under the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act.
· Environmental issues will be discussed at the August 7th Environment Committee meeting.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.
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WCC BUDGET ADDITIONS:
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion to add the following positions to Annual Regular, at no cost, was carried by a vote of 6-0:
· Assistant Director of Recycling – WCC- Grade 11
· Secretary 1 – Grade 7
BUDGET TRANSFERS:
A12. Proposed Budget Transfer resolution transferring funds within the Department of Correction and the Department of Labs & Research. (6/25/01)
· The transfer in the Department of Correction ($38,500) is required to fund a contract with WCMC to provide psychological screening and medical screening services for new employees.
· The transfer in the Department of Labs & Research ($70,000) is to increase funding to the Contractual Services account for additional lab support to reduce the current work backlog.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Noto, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.
A18. Proposed Resolution transferring funds within the County 2001 Operating Budget. (6/25/01)
· This resolution is to transfer funds within the Miscellaneous Budget from Certiorari Proceedings to the In Rem Proceedings account in the amount of $138,000.
· The transfer is required to fund the repayment of County taxes to the City of Mt. Vernon.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Noto, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.
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CBAC APPOINTMENT:
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion to approve the appointment of Matthew McCrosson as a member of the Citizens Budget Advisory Committee (CBAC) was carried by a vote of 6-0.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the meeting was adjourned at 12:07 p.m.