COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

FEBRUARY 25, 2002

 

 

ATTENDANCE:

 

B & A MEMBERS:                   Wishnie, Alvarado, Bronz, Kaplowitz, LaMotte,

Oros, Stewart-Cousins

 

 

OTHERS:                                 Budget Dept.: Kate Carrano, Arthur Vietro;  CBAC:  Barbara Strauss;   C.E.’s Office:  Bill Randolph, David Meyers;  Public Safety:  Captain McGlynn, Donna Ritucci;  DPW:  Ralph Butler;  DES WC:  Chris Kozlow;  Planning: Fran McLaughlin, Sabrina Charney;  Health:  Alyse Portera, Joe Marcogliese;  BOL:  Barbara Dodds, Chris Chang, Sally Schecter, Robert J. Boland, Tina Seckerson

 

Chairman Wishnie called the meeting to order at 9:17 a.m.

 

DISCUSSION:

 

Minutes:  On motion of Legislator seconded by Legislator the motion to approve the Minutes of February 4, 2002 and February 11, 2002 was carried by a vote of 4-0 with Legislators Bronz and Latimer out for the vote.

 

A5.    Grant Acceptance:  Proposed Act authorizing the County to accept grant funding from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.  (1/22/02)

 

·       Committee discussed this item in detail at a previous meeting and referred it to the Committee on the Environment & Health, which committee reviewed it and signed it out.

·       The Budget Committee had no further questions on this matter.

 

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

 


COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES – FEBRUARY 25, 2002

PAGE 2

 

 

A6.    Violent Crimes Task Force:  Proposed legislation authorizing the County to enter into an MOU with the FBI, the New York State Division of Parole, the City of Mount Vernon Department of Public Safety and the City of Yonkers Police Department to participate in the Westchester County Violent Crimes Task Force.  (2/4/02(Also referred to PSCJ)

 

·       This item was discussed in detail and signed out by the Public Safety Committee.

·       This is only a name change.  It was previously known as the Westchester County Fugitive Task Force.

·       The focus of the task force will be on violent street gangs.

 

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

 

A3.    RICI System:  Proposed Act authorizing the County to enter into IMA’s with municipalities located in the County whereby the County will provide the municipalities with access to a system called the CountyRepository for Integrated Criminalistic Information to allow for the electronic transmission and storage of criminal record and police blotter information.  (2/4/02(Also referred to PSCJ)

 

·       This item was discussed in detail and signed out by the Public Safety Committee.

·       The type of information to be stored includes, but is not limited to, information related to a subject’s arrest, booking, detention or incarceration including name, address, social security number, physical description, telephone number, fingerprints, palm-prints, photographs and related data.

·       The information is stored chronologically on a central computer maintained by the County and will be shared by law enforcement agencies having access to the system.

·       The RICI system will allow for the transmission of data between the municipalities, the County, the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services and other law enforcement agencies.

·       Pursuant to the IMA, each party will be responsible for maintaining its own computer hardware, software, and data communications links.


COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES – FEBRUARY 25, 2002

PAGE 3

 

 

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

 

C)      BOND ACTS:

 

1.              BPF07:  Proposed Bond Act authorizing the issuance of $1,100,000 – MOB parking garage security.  (1/7/02)

 

·       The goal is to secure low rise and parking structure.  The security measures proposed to be installed include the construction of barriers and other systems which will allow for controlled vehicular and pedestrian access to the parking garage structure.  These security measures are necessary to reconfigure the garage structure, in order to better control access to several different government buildings.  Access into each driveway into MOBI will be controlled.  Card key access only, barrier will not go down without it.  These measures will also aid in the prevention of vandalism.

·       They are also looking at utilizing cameras, fences and planters.

·       Fencing is being considered for the B2 & B3 levels, under MLK Blvd -courthouse.  There will also be a guiderail section to help stop vehicles and the fencing will stop pedestrians.

·       Security room being put on first floor of building

·       Loading Dock Area:  Building addition at existing dock to screen deliveries and accommodate staff.  Certain equipment will be housed there. 

·       Will be an education process for employees on the new security system, how barriers will work, etc.

·       Card access will be a county wide system.  Zones will be created on the cards.  Cards are expensive, will have to be controlled. 

·       Public will still be able to park under the library

·       Mr. Wishnie requested that the Public Safety Committee be briefed on this issue at their meeting this afternoon.

 

On motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Alvarado, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0 with Legislator Stewart-Cousins signing “Without Prejudice”.


COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES – FEBRUARY 25, 2002

PAGE 4

 

 

A&C CALENDAR:

 

Committee reviewed the A&C calendar for February 28, 2002.

All Questions and requests for back-up material referred to Bob Boland.

 

COMMITTEE BLUEPRINT:

 

Mr. Wishnie reported that the Committee Blueprint was being drafted and will be reviewed by the Committee.

 

SALES TAX

 

Mrs. Carrano reported that the actual sales tax numbers have come in $4.2 million short . 

 

STATE BUDGET:

 

Mr. Wishnie asked that the Budget Director give the Committee a briefing on the State Budget at the next meeting (Wednesday, March 6th)

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Alvarado, seconded by Legislator Bronz, the meeting was adjourned at 9:50 a.m.