MINUTES
OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph, David Burton; Budget Dept.: Kate Carrano, Arthur Vietro, Vernon Huff; DPW: Anthony Landi, Ralph Butler; CBAC/:LWVW: Barbara Strauss; Planning: Larry Salley; DOT/Airport: Donna Proft; Law Dept.: Tami Altschiller; DPW: Anthony Landi, Ralph Butler; PRC: Stan Motley, Joe Stout, W. Chip Mathews, Paul Reitano; Planning: Fran Mc Laughlin; BOL: Christopher Chang, Sally Schecter; Robert Boland, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Wishnie called the Budget Committee meeting to order at 10:10 a.m.
MINUTES:
On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve the Minutes of October 22, 2001 was carried by a vote of 8-0.
RECEIVE & FILE:
A1: Gift Acceptance: Acceptance of a gift from the Hudson Valley Bank to be
used by the Westchester County Office of Tourism. (10/15/01)
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to Receive and File this item was carried by a vote of 8-0.
A3: Gift Acceptance: Acceptance of a gift from Liberty Lines to be used by the
Westchester County Office of Tourism. (10/15/01)
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to Receive and File this item was carried by a vote of 8-0.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – OCTOBER 22, 2001
PAGE 2
A7: Rehabilitation of Taxiways: Proposed Act amending Act 140-2001 in
connection with the Westchester County Airport Project entitled A0054-Rehabilitation of Various Taxiways. (10/15/01)
· Act 140-2001 authorized the acceptance of grant funds from the United States of America, acting by and through the Federal Aviation Administration for Phase I of the Reconstruction of Taxiway “A” from 2001 Entitlement Funds and design of the next phase of the Taxiway Rehabilitation Program at Westchester County Airport.
· The FAA recently notified the County that the grant funds were being increased.
· The proposed legislation seeks to amend the previously adopted Act in order to increase the grant amount offered by the FAA from $1,410,414 to up to approximately $1,958, 372and also to increase the County share of the project from $156,712 to approximately $217,597.
· The total estimated cost of the project, as amended, will be approximately $2,175,969.
· The scope of project has not changed
· Committee amended the act to read “No change in the estimated total project cost is anticipated”.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve this item, as amended, was carried by a vote of 8-0.
CAPITAL BUDGET:
DPW: (C53):
· P0004: Bronx River Parkway Repaving Program: Increase is due to cost escalation. Phases IV & V have been combined.
· RB091: North Avenue, New Rochelle: new project. Added to the Budget by the County Executive. The project will include widening the avenue, reconstructing sidewalks, new lighting and plantings.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – OCTOBER 29, 2001
PAGE 3
PRC: (C66):
· RMB01: Blue Mountain Sportsman Center Rehabilitation: There was a discussion with regard to the increase. : Commissioner Motley explained that the original figure was given to them by the state with regard to looking into remediation of lead under a Consent Order. The study and design is being done by Vargas & Associates. Legislator Carsky stated that she would like to see the name of previous consultant who gave estimate. The Commissioner explained that there currently are no standards, the EPA keeps changing what they want. Committee requested an updated 19-20. There was a discussion to using alternatives to lead based bullets. It was explained that it is more expensive to use steel based bullets. Deputy Commissioner Stout stated that lead is not an environmental hazard unless you close the place and it becomes a toxic waste site or you dump it somewhere else. Studies show that birds and fish are not eating the lead and it is not in the water stream. They have a few sportsman using facility, but it is basically being used by security forces (Police, FBI, Secret Service, etc) There was a discussion as to charging for sportsman use.
· RBR01: Bronx River Reservation, Pathways: This is new project, used to be in pathways and trails. Segregated out for Bronx River. $50,000 for design for this project. $1.3 million for tennis courts.
· RCC04: County Center Interior Rehabilitation: To replace approximately 13,500 square feet of wood floor in the main auditorium, 2,800 square feet of wood floor in the Little Theater, 15,000 square feet of carpeting in the hallways, atriums and conference rooms of the first and second floors, a computerized scoreboard and message center, and all markings for basketball and volleyball. The appropriation in 2001 funded the design of the flooring replacement with construction divided between two years.
· RCC07: County Center Exterior Rehabilitation: To rehabilitate the County Center stucco facades. DPW finalized an investigation and study that has identified sources of water infiltration and causes of cracking. This project will address casual factors as well as the repair of deteriorated building finishes.
· RCG01: Croton Gorge Bridge Rehabilitation: For repairs at the vehicular bridge at Croton Gorge Park.
· RCP7B: Croton Point Day Uses & Picnic Areas: Committee requested numbers on usage of parks. There was a discussion with regard to the deteriorated conditions of the restrooms.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – OCTOBER 29, 2001
PAGE 4
· RCP7E: Croton Point Ball fields II: Scope of work includes: installation of a comfort station in the vicinity of existing and proposed ball fields, creation of two new ball fields, sport lighting for existing and new fields, study to determine the feasibility of a new third ball field. The 2002 appropriations funds increased costs associated with the ball fields.
· RCP09: Croton Point Seawalls Stabilization: Same as 2001
· RCP10: Croton Point Park Maintenance Facility: New Project. This is for study and design. This project will relocate the maintenance function to a new building and restoration of the original buildings into an interpretive center. The new facility will consist of a series of workshop and storage buildings set up at a location adjacent to the existing facility.
· RGIP1: General Infrastructure ADA: reallocation of funds: for ongoing work at Sprain Lake Clubhouse.
· RGIP2: Park Wide Comfort Station Rehabilitation: This project proposes the phased rehabilitation of 39 of the existing toilet buildings in the park system, which is over 30 years old.
· RGIP7: General Infrastructure – Active Recreation Area: (playgrounds): This project is designed to provide a funding source for capital improvements to playgrounds. The 2002 appropriation is for the design of all the remaining components of the project with construction for all these components in 2003. There was a discussion with regard to changing the title “active recreation areas” to “playgrounds” to more accurately reflect the description.
· RGC05: Mohansic Golf Course Rehabilitation: County has decided not to proceed with a new course at this location and the project scope has been revised to accomplish a rehabilitation of the existing course and facilities. The rehabilitation work will be divided into three main areas: site work, irrigation work, and building renovation.
· RGC10: Golf Course Tee & Green Rehabilitation: This project provides for the rehabilitation of existing tees and greens on four of the five golf courses: Maple Moor, Sprain Lake, Saxon Woods, and Dunwoodie. Mohansic golf course tees and greens are planned to be done under project RGC05.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – OCTOBER 29, 2001
PAGE 5
· RGC12: Dunwoodie Golf Course Parking and Clubhouse Improvements: This project has been modified to in clued the design and construction of a new cart storage building. The new structure will be used to house and maintain approximately 70 golf carts adjacent to the Clubhouse and the 10th tee at the course. It will serve as a secure storage area for the carts with a section outside to supply a water source, and adequate drainage to wash down the carts. A 500 gallon fuel tank and fuel dispenser pump will also be installed on the site.
· RLAS1: Lasdon Infrastructures: The project focuses primarily on infrastructure and support facility work at Lasdon in order to meet the needs of the general public park users. Project scope includes the construction of an 80 car parking lot, a new roadway to the parking lot, Route 35 entrance roadway improvements, adaption of a pool house into a visitors center, repair of the main house and pump house roof, and replacement of the existing overhead electrical service to underground conduit along the entrance road including a new transformer, secondary electric to the main house, and electrical upgrade to the main house. The 2002 request will fund the design of the replacement of the existing overhead electrical service to underground conduit along the entrance road including a new transformer, secondary electric to the main house and electrical upgrade to the main house.
· RMF01: Memorial Field Renovation: taking $7,300,000 out of 2002 and moving to 2003. Hope to work together with Mt. Vernon to get long term solution in place. Moving construction costs out. This is helping to reduce the capital budget by $16 million
· RMS01: Merestead Site Improvements: A trust fund has been established that will pay for the debt incurred for repairs. The 2002 appropriation funds the study of cultural and historical issues and design of renovation. The project involves the planning, study, design and construction needed to convert the 130 acre, National register listed, Merestead site and its structures from a private residence into a public park.
· RML01: Mountain Lakes Park Infrastructure: Project involves a study and implementation of a new potable water system for all the buildings and a low-resistance grounding system to protect the buildings from lightning. The study is being funded through BPL02 Feasibility Studies. The 2003 request will fund the design and construction management for a new system for potable water at the camp.
· RMUS3: Muscoot Farm Phase III: Infrastructure improvements. The 2002 appropriation will fund the design of the restoration to buildings.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – OCTOBER 29, 2001
PAGE 6
· RTB04: Tibbetts Brook Park Site Work: The 2002 request will fund a portion of the restoration of the gazebo, drainage improvements, and additional pathway resurfacing. The balance of which will be completed with the 2003 appropriation.
· RYON1: Yonkers Waterfront Plan: The City of Yonkers has indicated that it will complete the waterfront project on its own, the appropriation associated with the Habirshaw property was reappropriated to a new capital project (RYON3). An appropriation of $1.875 million was left in the existing appropriation and $7.125 million was placed in 2003 in case of future need.
· RYON3: Habirshaw Property Improvement: The County park will consist of a portion of the County-owned former Naval Militia site, as well as the entire Habirshaw Club property, acquired by the County in 1999. The park is subject to a Scenic Hudson development agreement that the County entered into in return for acquisition funding assistance requiring that the County make park improvements within a specified period. The City of Yonkers has leased the existing Habirshaw building and is funding its interior renovation so that it may serve as the new home of the Beczak Environmental Center, currently located in the Naval Militia Building.
· RP13A: Maintenance Facility, Carpenter Shop and Garage – Playland: For design of new garage and storage building at the base of the Dragon Coaster.
· RP022: Ride Acquisition – Playland: Project is part of a multi-year revenue enhancement plan to replace concessionaire-owned and leased rides in Kiddyland and the larger amusement area of the park. The 2002 appropriation will fund acquisition of rides to improve performance at the park.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES-OCTOBER 29, 2001
PAGE 7
· RP23A: Various Rides and Components – Playland: This project is a multi-year effort to address the repair and restoration of Playland’s historic rides and structures. The 2002 appropriation will find the restoration of the Dragon Coaster tunnel, installation of protective doors on the Derby Racer, and systemic and cosmetic upgrading of the Carousel and the historic rides in Kiddyland.
· RP035: Playland Master Plan: Committee would like to know what will this master plan address that hasn’t been addressed by Volmar & Associates?
A&C CALENDAR:
A&C Calendar was distributed and reviewed.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the meeting was adjourned at 12:11 p.m.