MINUTES
JUNE 3, 2002
B&A MEMBERS: Wishnie, Abinanti, Alvarado, Bronz, Kaplowitz, LaMotte, Oros, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson
OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph, Richard Ian Riley-Clendenen (Intern); CBAC/LWVW: Barbara Strauss; Budget: Kate Carrano, Leslie Bennett, Arthur Vietro; Journal News: Keith Eddings; Planning: Fran McLaughlin, Andrew Kirkpatrick; Parks: Joe Stout, David DeLucia; Probation: James Birrittella; Labs & Research: Tom McGimpsey; DSS: Stephen Riordan; DPW: Ralph Butler; Visitor: Amanda MacArthur; County Clerk’s Office: Eugene Rogers; BOL: Sally Schecter, Robert Boland, Chris Chang, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Wishnie called the Budget Committee meeting to order at 9:20 a.m.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
MINUTES:
On the motion of Legislator, seconded by Legislator, the motion to approve the Minutes of May 20, 2002 was carried by a vote of 4-0 with Legislators Abinanti, Alvarado, Oros, Swanson, and Stewart-Cousins out for the vote.
BOND ACTS:
C43. BLR2A: Labs and Research Equipment Acquisition (2001-2005) - $500,000 (3/11/02)
· Required to finance replacement and acquisition of equipment to support the Dept. of Labs & Research’s programs.
· Discussion with regard of the life of the systems.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – JUNE 3, 2002
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On motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Bronz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0 with Legislator Abinanti out for the vote.
C52. RLAS1: Lasdon Park Arboretum Infrastructure - $100,000 (3/11/02)
(RECOMMITTED ON 5/20/02 – Also referred to Parks)
· To finance design and construction management for the replacement of the overhead electrical service along the main road to an underground conduit at Lasdon Park.
· Work includes the design of a new transformer, secondary electrical service to the main house and upgrades to the primary electrical service in the main house.
· Board previously authorized the County to issue bonds for this project in the amount of $620,000 pursuant to Bond Act 44-1997, which funded the design and construction for certain infrastructure and support facility work at Lasdon, including a parking area and adjoining roadway and landscaping, and roadway improvements, as well as the replacement of utility poles and overhead power lines to underground utilities.
· PRC has advised that because of cost overruns in other areas the design of the replacement of utility poles and overhead power lines to underground utilities was minimally addressed, therefore additional bonding is required.
· Current electrical system is at it’s max, can’t add another thing to the park without blowing fuses.
· Committee stressed that the BOL should be made aware when there are cost overruns as soon as possible.
· Committee requested a breakdown of numbers for total project, from beginning to end. Breakdown of how much is for electrical upgrade and how much is underground.
· Committee did not take action on this item at this time.
CIGARETTE TAX:
· A resolution seeking authority to impose a tax on cigarettes in Westchester.
· Should cover all tobacco – not just cigarettes
· Committee did not take action on this item at this time.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – JUNE 3, 2002
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911 SURCHARGE:
· A resolution seeking authority to impose an E911 surcharge on wireless service in Westchester.
· Committee expressed concern as to particulars, i.e.: how money is to be collected; who would be collection agency; how would the money be divided, who is the money going to.
· Concern was expressed by Committee members that both of the resolutions are too vague.
· Possibly amend the resolution stating where the revenue would go as well as stating a “not-to-exceed” amount.
· Committee did not act on this item at this time.
WCHCC AGREEMENTS:
A1. Proposed legislation authorizing the County to enter into an agreement with the Westchester County Health Care Corporation wherein WCHCC will provide psychological examinations on an as needed basis for probation officer trainees to aid the Department of Probation in assessing the psychological fitness of a trainee to carry a firearm. (4/22/02) (Also referred to Env. & Health)
· The County will pay a fee not to exceed $20,000 per annum, for a total amount not to exceed $60,000 for the 3 year term of the agreement, at the then current rates, subject to future appropriation.
· Agreement will commence on January 1, 2002 and expire on December 31, 2004.
On motion of Legislator Oros, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0 with Legislator Abinanti out for the vote.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – JUNE 3, 2002
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A2. Proposed legislation authorizing the County to enter into an agreement with the Westchester County Health Care Corporation whereby the County, through its Department of Social Services, shall assign for employment on the premises of WCHCC one Supervising Eligibility Examiner, five Eligibility Examiner II's and one Senior Information Systems Clerk or equally qualified persons whose sole duty shall be to accept and process applications for Medicaid for persons seeking medical assistance from WCHCC or the Taylor Care Center. (4/22/02) (Also referred to Env. & Health)
· Term commences on January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2004
· The County receives partial reimbursement of the cost of these employees from the federal and state governments.
· As consideration for the assignment by the County of the employees to the premises of WCHCC, WCHCC shall pay to the County monthly a sum equal to the unreimbursed salary and fringe benefit costs of the employees.
· Committee requested a schedule of salaries for various employees as well as a listing of the numbers and salaries of employees for the previous contract.
On motion of Legislator Alvarado, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0 with Legislator Abinanti out for the vote.
OPERATING BUDGET AMENDMENTS:
A9.* 2001 E911 Operating Budget Amendment: Forwarding a proposed Act amending the E911 Operating Budget. (5/20/02)
· This transfer is funded from excess revenue received in 2001 and prior years from the $.35 surcharge on phone lines.
· The additional expense in 2001 is a result of the county’s ability to recover debt service costs for the E911 system incurred prior to 2002. Reimbursing ourselves for expenses related to the CAD system.
· The County Attorney has advised the Commissioner of Finance that the NYS Comptroller’s Office issued an opinion in 1995 that such charges are allowable.
· Mr. Boland stated that he had conversations with representatives of BKS and they said this was okay as long as you have something in writing from the County Attorney. Ms. Carrano stated that BKS approved this year-end transfer based on the County Attorney’s updated opinion and the Controller’s report.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – JUNE 3, 2002
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On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Bronz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0 with Legislator Swanson signing “Without Prejudice” and Legislator Abinanti out for the vote.
A11.* 2002 County Clerk Operating Budget Amendment: Proposed Act amending the 2002 County Clerk Operating Budget. (5/20/02)
· To transfer funds from the 2002 Miscellaneous Legal Aid Society of Westchester account to the County Clerk in the amount of $150,000.
· Legal Aid agreed to take 5% less, which freed up $300,000.
· This transfer has been requested by the County Clerk in the Technical Services Account.
· The County Clerk continues to receive a high volume of Land Record documents, approximately 750 per day, a number in excess of the 500 per day they were receiving last winter.
· The County Clerk has proposed hiring additional hourly staff through a contract temporary help agency and it is for this reason the transfer is requested.
· The increase in workflow has also resulted in an increase in revenue.
· Through April, 2002 Land Records collections are $1,926,000 as compared to $1,175,000 for the comparable period in 2001.
· Mr. Rogers reported that year to date the County Clerk’s Office has received 77,800 documents, 15,000 in the month of May alone.
· Mr. Rogers further reported that they have altered their procedures in that they are having more experienced people examine papers and having temps do data entry.
On motion of Legislator Oros, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0 and Legislator Abinanti out for the vote.
A12. Budget Transfer Resolution: Forwarding a proposed Budget Committee Transfer Resolution. (5/20/02)
· Transferring funds within the 2002 Operating Budget Miscellaneous Budget from Legal Aid Society of Westchester account to the Cash to Capital account in the amount of $150,000.
· The cash-to-capital account supports the cash-financing plan of the Capital Budget program.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – JUNE 3, 2002
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· The 2002 Capital Budget project – “Capital Projects – Feasibility Studies (BPL2A)” project will be amended. This projects provides for the initial studies, environmental assessments, evaluations, and reviews for long range planning and capital needs assessment. As there have not been any bonding authorizations approved nor any available cash in the project, additional studies, assessments and evaluations cannot proceed.
On motion of Legislator Oros, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0 and Legislator Abinanti out for the vote.
A&C CALENDAR:
All questions and requests for information were referred to Mr. Boland.
COURTHOUSE:
Committee would like to set up a meeting re: status of courthouse, including cost, dates, etc.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Alvarado, the meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m.