MINUTES
OTHERS: C.E.’S Office: Bill Randolph, David Burton; Budget: Kate Carrano, Leslie Bennett, Vernon Huff, Daniel Cabrera, Anthony Finateri; PRC: Stan Motley, Joe Stout, Chip Mathews, Rich Belizze, Neil Squillante, Jack Robbins, Joe Montalto, Lorraine Velez; CBAC/LWV: Barbara Strauss; D.A.’s Office: Jeanine Pirro, Pat D’Imperio, Clem Patti, Michael Duffy; African American Chamber of Commerce: Robin Douglas; Planning: Joyce Lannert, Jerry Mulligan, Mark Massari, Fran McLaughlin; BOL: Legislator Bronz, Sally Schecter, Tara Bernard, Chris Chang, Robert Boland, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Wishnie called the meeting to order at 9:16 a.m.
2002 Capital Budget:
District Attorney:
· District Attorney Pirro stated that her office has a 98.4% conviction rate on felonies
· D.A.’s Office started an Intelligence Center whereby they share information with NYC and work with numerous agencies.
· Environmental Crimes: anthrax scares & threats, on call 24, 7. Only 1 investigator available in this area (HazMat). Never anticipated needing more than one with a back-up. Crucial that they get another investigator. Cost: $54,000 plus fringe. Some equipment they would need and training at an additional cost of $10,000.
· Services by Data Processing (5260): discussions with IT for a number of years and they were charging the DA’s office the same as other departments tied into the county network. D.A.’s office only has 6 PCs tied into the county system. Adjustment was made to charge them for what they are using.
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· It was asked if there is any potential revenue or reimbursement for the new investigator being requested. The D.A. stated that they will fight for whatever they can get.
· All of their Grant writing is done internally
· Services by DPW Bldgs & Space (5220): increase due to the county leasing the warehouse in Ardsley to house active records. Ms. Carrano stated that as soon as we get into 375 Executive Boulevard, this number will drop out of the budget because we will be in owned space
· Death Penalty: this is the first year the D.A. will need the money. They will transfer money out of another account.
Planning Department:
· They are committed to protecting the environment
· Position Count: Three new positions: 1 came from Environmental Facilities; 1 from a Trust Account and 1 new positions, they added a planner.
· Housing units lost should be counted as part of the deficit
· Discussion re: CDBG and balancing of the locating of senior and affordable housing throughout the county. It was also suggested that affordable housing be made a part of land deals.
· It was suggested that they track the causes of fire so that we can determine the most common causes of fire and help prevent some of those types of fires.
· It was asked if it is possible for the department to find some other sources of revenue. Commissioner Lannert stated that she will look into it, but the department has lost some revenue due to the fact that they can no longer sell maps.
· There was a discussion with regard to the cost of data processing (5260)
· Revenue received to date is lower that the estimated revenue for the year. Commissioner Lannert stated that they anticipate receiving more revenue by the end of the year.
· There was a question with regard to the services by law line. It was stated that those costs have to be backed out and charged to grants.
PRC:
· Positions: 375 budgeted full time lines
· Committee requested an updated vacancy report.
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· Line 4070-Equipment Service & Rental: Difference due to the Playland Plunge ride which didn’t open, so the money wasn’t spent
· Impact of Weather: The rain wreaked havoc this year. They have broken one million in attendance the last 4 years in a row despite the rain. It is believed that since 9/11 the local parks should benefit because people will remain closer to home.
· Committee requested a breakdown of Travel & Meals account (4110)
· Committee asked the Commissioner what his vision for Playland is. He stated that the park is on the upswing and they should continue doing what they’re doing
· There was a discussion with regard to the ice rink. The Commissioner stated that they need time to shut it down and evaluate what to do with it. It was asked how many people are being displaced by closing the ice rink. Response was, maybe 50-60 groups. How many individuals will have no place to go? Public skating is going down. Committee expressed concern that once the ice rink is closed down they will lose those people for good. There was concern with regard to marketing efforts. It was asked if privatization is a possibility. Committee expressed concern with closing the ice rink before having a plan for it. Committee asked for the amount to add back in to keep the rink open. Committee requested a schedule of savings that will be achieved by closing the ice rink.
· 4380-Contractual services- increase mainly due to mainly Hudson Hills
· African American Heritage Trail: working on design, working on designating 13 or 14 sites as a tour for driving
· Four people on board for southern parks crew.
WCC Lease:
Proposed Local Law authorizing the County to enter into a lease agreement for space located at 175 Gramatan Avenue in Mount Vernon for use by Westchester Community College as part of an effort to provide educational opportunities to residents of the County who are currently unable to attend classes at the Valhalla campus. (11/26/01)
· Numerous other buildings were looked at before deciding on this one.
· Meetings have been held with the Mt. Vernon city government, chamber of commerce, Board of Education, and numerous other groups. They want the roots to be deep in the community. From there they broke into sub-groups
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· It was asked if there is any space at 100 East First Street. The response was that the only empty space in that building is 3,000 square feet on the fifth floor, which is not large enough for this project.
· Real estate taxes are being paid because it is privately owned.
· Committee requested a copy of the current lease being negotiated.
· Committee asked about the bottom line cost of this project. The response was that they can’t get the bottom line cost until all the architectural drawings are bid out.
· Committee asked about the number of students anticipated to attend this site. They hope to have approximately 2,600 students.
· The revenue will be $1.7 million less than the expense because of the front loading of all equipment.
· There is ample parking at the site. Even though they try to put the satellite campuses on public transportation routes they have found that 75-80% of the students drive.
· WCC hopes to be operational at this site in September of 2002.
· Committee has signed this item out for Public Hearing purposes and will review answers to questions and info requested before signing it out for approval by the full Board.
· Committee requested an update on the status of the Mt. Kisco site.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.