COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

JANUARY 30, 2002

 

 

ATTENDANCE:

 

B & A MEMBERS:         Wishnie, Kaplowitz, LaMotte, Oros,

Stewart-Cousins, Swanson

 

OTHERS:                       Budget Dept.: Kate Carrano, Leslie Bennett;  LWVW:  Barbara Strauss:  Joe Rosenblum; C.E.’s Office:  Bill Randolph, Sal Carrera;  County Clerk’s Office:  Eugene Rogers;  DPW:  Ralph Butler;  Labs & Research:  Tom McGimpsey; DSS:  Nancy Travers, Bonni Rucker;  Planning:  Ed Hoffmeister;  NY Medical College:  Stephen Piccolo, Waldeman Comas;  BOL:  Chris Chang, Sally Schecter, Robert J. Boland, Tina Seckerson

 

Chairman Wishnie called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m.

 

DISCUSSION:

 

RECEIVE & FILE:

 

A14.*Certiorari Refunds:  Forwarding a package of Court-ordered certiorari refunds.  (1/22/02)

 

On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to Receive and File this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.

 

AGENDA ITEMS:

 

A7.    Acceptance of Credit Cards for payments to  County Clerk and Commissioner of Finance:  Proposed Act authorizing the County to enter into agreements with one or more financing agencies or card issuers to provide for the acceptance by the County Clerk and Commissioner of Finance, or their designees, of credit cards as a means of payment for various fees, fines and penalties.  (1/7/02)

 

·       This matter was discussed in detail at last week’s meeting.  The information requested at that meeting was received by the Committee.


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On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.

 

 

A8.    Refuse Disposal District IMA’s:  Proposed Act authorizing the County to enter into IMA’s on behalf of Refuse Disposal District No. 1, with local municipalities within the County to conduct a composting equipment circulation program.  (1/7/02)

 

·       This matter was discussed in detail at last week’s meeting.  The information requested at that meeting was received by the Committee.

 

On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.

 

A11.  WCHCC Agreement:  Proposed Act authorizing the County to enter into an agreement with the Westchester County Health Care Corporation whereby the WCHCC shall provide employee health services as required by the Department of Laboratories and Research.  (1/7/02(Also referred to Health)

 

·       This act would authorize the County to enter into a new agreement with WCHCC for the provision of employee health services, including Hepatitis B Vaccinations, other examinations, tests, vaccinations and screenings as required by the Department of Laboratories and Research.  This would apply to employees at risk in the workplace.

·       Term of the agreement is January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2003 in the annual not to exceed amount of $7,500.00 subject to appropriations.

·       It was the advice of the CountyAttorney that the term be limited to two years.

 

On motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.  This item still needs approval of the Health Committee.

 

 

12.*   WCHCC Agreements:  Proposed Act authorizing the County to enter into four agreements with the Westchester County Health Care Corporation.  (1/22/02(Also referred to Env & Health)


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Reference1:

·       Term of agreement is January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2004.  The prior agreement expired on December 31, 2001.

·       WCHCC will provide to the County comprehensive family assessments of families who have been identified by DSS as being at risk of having one or more children removed from their care.

·       The County will pay WCHCC $117,989.00 for the first year and in subsequent years an amount not to exceed a 4% increase over the previous year’s budget, subject to future appropriation.

Reference2:

·       Term of the agreement is January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2004.  The prior agreement expired on December 31, 2001.

·       WCHCC will provide to the County psycho-social assessments of children placed in foster care.

·       In addition, WCHCC will provide foster parent training and respite/recreational services to identified foster children.

·       The County will pay WCHCC $448,459.00 for 2002 and in subsequent years an amount not to exceed a 4% increase over the previous year’s budget, subject to future appropriation.

Reference 3:

·       Term of the agreement is January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2004.  The prior agreement expired on December 31, 2001.

·       WCHCC will provide in-patient medical services for residents of Woodfield Cottage.

·       The County will pay WCHCC an amount not to exceed $50,000.00 per year payable pursuant to the then current Medicaid rates.  In subsequent years, the County will pay an amount not to exceed a 4% increase over the previous year’s budget pursuant to the then current Medicaid rates, subject to future appropriation.

·       Committee requested the actual cost of the contract for years 1999, 2000 and 2001.

Reference 4:

·       Term of the agreement is January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2004.  The prior agreement expired on December 31, 2001.

·       WCHCC will provide therapeutic and counseling services for children in foster care.

·       In addition, WCHCC will provide parenting training to the foster child’s birth parents or guardians.


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·       For 2002 the County will pay WCHCC an amount not to exceed $968,000.00 per year payable pursuant to the then current Medicaid rates.  In subsequent years, the County will pay an amount not to exceed a 4% increase over the previous year’s budget pursuant to the then current Medicaid rates, subject to future appropriation.

·       Committee requested a budget for the $968,000.00 as well as the actual cost of the contract for years 1999, 2000 and 2001.  Ms. Travers stated that since this was almost all Medicaid money she wasn’t sure what financial information is available but would provide as much as possible.

 

On motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion to approve References 1 through 4 was carried by a vote of 6-0.

 

 

13.*   Tax Warrants:  Proposed Acts fixing the tax distribution spreadsheets and determining the amounts of County taxes to be levied against the various towns and cities together with County warrants for the collection of such taxes.  (1/22/02)

 

·       Mr. Oros stated that he only supported the Peekskill Sewer District and since he voted against the budget would ask to be recorded in the negative on this vote.

 

On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 4-0 with Legislator Oros and Swanson being recorded in the negative and Legislator LaMotte signing “Without Prejudice”.

 

 

A1.*   NYMC Easement:  Proposed legislation granting a perpetual easement to New York Medical College to use part of the County’s property at the Grassland’s Reservation for the purpose of building an access road to connect two parking lots.  (1/22/02)

 

·       The only way to get to the new site would be to grant the perpetual easement as this property is between the tow parking lots.

·       One parking lot is located at the northwest corner of he NYMC’s BasicSciencesBuilding and the other parking lot is located at the southwest corner of the same building.


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·       The BasicSciencesBuilding is currently undergoing major renovations.  With the new attached MedicalEducationCenter these buildings will be NYMC’s primary education and research buildings.

·       It is anticipated that completion of this project and over the course of the next few years, approximately 70 new positions will be created at NYMC.

·       The new parking lots will provide an additional 70 parking spaces to accommodate these new positions.

·       In addition, as a result of the construction of the MedicalEducationCenter, NYMC will have approximately 15 less parking spaces.  The new parking lot will help to alleviate the parking issues.

·       NYMC will pay the County $500.00 for the granting of this easement.

·       NYMC will be responsible for the construction of the road and any improvements made thereto.

·       The design of the road, including storm water management will be in accordance with County standards and reviewed and approved by DPW.

·       NYMC will be responsible for maintenance of the road.

·       The County will not incur any costs in connection with the grant of the easement.

·       Should the need arise, the County will have access to and be able to use the access road.

·       In addition, NYMC will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the County, its officers, elected officials and employees for any claims brought against the County, its officers, elected officials or employees that are in any way related to the easement.

·       The Agreement will provide that the said easement agreement will exist for so long as the buildings are used by NYMC for educational purposes.  Should these buildings no longer be used as such, the easement will automatically terminate.

 

On motion of Legislator Oros, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.


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A&C Calendar

 

·       Committee reviewed and had questions with regard to several items on the January 31, 2002 A&C calendar.

·       There was a lengthy discussion with regard to funding put into the Budget by the Legislature for the Health Care Centers.  Ms. Carrano stated that the Administration was not releasing all of the money at once and would do so gradually.  The Committee stressed the importance of the funding for these centers as well as the timeliness of releasing those funds.  The Committee also stressed the importance of following the intent of the Legislature.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Oros, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the meeting was adjourned at 10:25 a.m.