MINUTES
PSCJ MEMBERS: Ryan, Mosiello, Oros, Swanson, Wishnie
OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph, Robi Schlaff, Janis Viola; Budget Dept.: Kate Carrano, Leslie Bennett; Planning Dept.: Joyce Lannert, Victor Coriflius, Michael Sarrok; Journal News: Keith Eddings; CBAC/LWVW: Barbara Strauss; Public Safety: Maryellen Martirano; BOL: Rafael Vega, David Simpson, Sally Schecter; Barbara Dodds, Sunday Vanderberg, Chris Chang, Robert Boland, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Wishnie called the Budget Committee meeting to order at 10:10 a.m.
Chairman Ryan called the Public Safety Committee meeting to order at 10:10 a.m.
Child Abuse Investigation Team: Proposed legislation authorizing the County to enter into IMA’s with its municipalities re: the Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT). (Referred to PSCJ on 8/20/01)
On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to refer the above referenced item to the Budget and Appropriations Committee was carried by a vote of 5-0.
· The Committee discussed the CAIT legislation.
· This new unit will investigate cases of child sexual abuse and serious physical abuse in a multi-disciplinary team fashion.
· The CAIT in Westchester has the support of judicial leaders, the D.A. and the advocacy community.
· This legislation would authorize the County to enter into intermunicipal agreements with any of the County’s 43 municipalities to provide the County with the services of one or more professional law enforcement officers to be assigned on a full-time basis to the CAIT.
· It is anticipated that a total of 8 law enforcement officers will be recruited for 2002.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 17, 2001
PAGE 2
· The Administration has been working in conjunction with DSS and the Department of Public Safety on this program which is based on a successful national model.
· So far the County has the commitment from Yonkers, New Rochelle the County and the State police. Yonkers has agreed to provide the services of two full time law enforcement personnel and New Rochelle has agreed to one. Each of them will be assigned to DSS for participation in the CAIT. The County is still in negotiations with other Westchester municipalities. Mt. Vernon is willing to cooperate but they don’t have the personnel right now.
· The creation of the CAIT has the approval from at least 15 police chiefs.
· The team will have county wide jurisdiction
· The term of the IMA’s will be for two years commencing on September 30, 2001 and ending on august 31, 2003 and may be renegotiated within thirty days of the expiration date, subject to all necessary legal approvals.
· The Committee expressed concern with giving blanket approval for IMA’s and would like to review the IMA’s individually to help determine the financial impact.
· The Committee was informed that the money will all be coming from DSS. The Committee inquired as to where in DSS it is coming from and how it will be used.
· There was concern among the Committee that the need for the CAIT meant that there might be weaknesses in CPS and the DA’s office. Committee asked why there are significant weaknesses in these operations now? In some communities there is cooperation or working agreement between CPS and police departments but a lack of coordination whereby the victim is subjected to needless multiple interviews and valuable time is lost. Because of the lack of expertise in police departments, the ability to convict the perpetrator is lost. There was concern that perhaps the County is spending money on services in CPS and the DA’s office that are not effective
· The Committees will hold this item until their concerns are addressed and the IMA’s presented for review.
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE ADJOURNMENT: there being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Mosiello, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the Public Safety Committee meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 17, 2001
PAGE 3
2nd QUARTER PROJECTIONS:
· On target for projected year end savings of 17,907,464
· Assumes the governors budget as submitted in January is approved with no changes.
· Sales tax is back on budget. (Committee requested a breakdown of sales tax)
· Interest Income off by $680,000. Rates continue to fall however higher cash balance is offsetting some of the rate loss
· Savings plans to cover un-funded COLA are on target
· Utilities remain volatile. Current forecast assumes $300,000 shortfall. County will continue it’s practice to switch from gas to oil for heating as long as the savings continues.
· Early Intervention Program appears to be back on budget.
· DSS caseloads continue to decline albeit at a slower level than last year
· MOE (Maintenance of Effort) penalty is now estimated at $6.6 million up from $5.2 million at the end of the 1st quarter.
· Playland revenues continue to be below budget. Shortfall is now estimated at $850,000 due to reduced activity at the Ice Casino and delay in installation of new rides. Good weather for the rest of the summer could reduce this shortfall.
· Retirement forecast assumes a reinstitution of the pension bill at .9% not the 1.5% previously identified by the NYS Retirement System. The net $1.4 million of savings results from the lack of an incentive program. The governor has decided not to submit authorizing legislation for a local option incentive for the current year.
BUDGET TRANSFER & RESOLUTION:
Transfer:
· Westchester County government has been operating around the clock to ensure that residents are safe and to give any assistance we can to NYC in dealing with the national tragedy of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
· Some of the departments involved in this effort are: Emergency Services and 60-Cotrol; Labs & Research, Public Safety and Public Works. Virtually every department in County government is involved in some way.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 17, 2001
PAGE 4
· This transfer is for $1,000,000 to fund the account NYC Disaster Assistance –2001 to be established in the Miscellaneous Budget. All overtime and any other extraordinary expenses incurred by our various county departments providing assistance to NYC and our residents in responding to the tragic events of September 11, 2001will be recorded here.
· The transfer is funded from DSS Indirect Services Relief account.
· There was a discussion with regard to the fact that some county employees are volunteering time, taking county vehicles (trucks) to help.
On motion of Legislator Noto, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.
Resolution:
· A resolution with regard to the terrorist attack.
· Committee amended the resolution, adding as number (4) in the last Resolved clause: “Implore our Westchester residents to stand united against bigotry and discrimination”.
On motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve the Resolution, as amended, was carried by a vote of 9-0.
A17: Agreements with New York State pursuant to the Older Americans Act: Proposed Act repealing Act 191-2000 to authorize the County to enter into agreements with the State of New York pursuant to the Older Americans Act and authorizing IMA’s with local municipalities and agencies. (7/23/01)
· This legislation would repeal Act 191-2000 and reauthorize the County to enter into agreements for services under the OAA, including the new Titles III-D and III-E.
· Federal government recently passed legislation amending the OAA to include new Titles III-D (relating to provision of additional funding for disease prevention and health promotion services) and III-E (relating to the provision of additional funding for family caregiver support).
On motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 17, 2001
PAGE 5
A21: Hilltop Hanover Farm Purchase: Authorizing the County to purchase approximately 180 acres of real property located in the Town of Yorktown for general municipal purposes. (8/20/01)
· Property is presently owned by Giles Brophy and John Sites and is improved with several structures totaling approximately 30,000 square feet including houses, barns and maintenance buildings.
· Bond Act is for authorization of up to $3,100,000 in County bonds to finance the purchase price of $2,800,000 plus usual and customary closing costs which are not expected to exceed $300,000.
· The appropriation for this project is contained in the County’s 2001 Capital Budget as Project BLA02.
· Property is located in the watershed of the Croton Reservoir.
· Acquisition of the property will enable the county to preserve its present agricultural character and to reuse the buildings for the establishment of an environmental Resource Center for the protection of the natural environment through the promotion and practice of best management practices for a sustainable watershed. This would include the use of buildings by environmental groups or agencies through agreements with the county.
· Appraisal came in over $3 million
· The County has an opportunity to recapture some of its investment by the sale of approximately 129 acres of the property to the NYCDEP. NYCDEP has indicated that if it purchases this parcel, it will enter into an agreement whereby the County would manage it as parkland for passive recreational uses.
· Committee expressed concerns re: strains NYC is under; nothing that promises city will be able to do this
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 7-0 with Legislators Carsky and Noto out for the vote.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the meeting was adjourned at 12:00 p.m.