ATTENDANCE:
B&A MEMBERS: Wishnie, Abinanti, Alvarado, Bronz, Kaplowitz,
LaMotte, Oros, Swanson
OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph, Richard Ian Riley-
Clendenen (Intern), Andrew Neuman; CBAC/LWVW:
Barbara Strauss; DOT: Larry Salley; County Police:
Martin McGlynn; DPW: Ralph Butler; Parks: David DeLucia; Planning: Fran McLaughlin, Gina D’Agrosa, Bill Brady, Suzette Lopane, Anthony Zaino; Public Safety: Donna Ritucci; Budget:
Arthur Vietro, Leslie Bennett; BOL: Mathew
Rosenfeld (intern) Peter Neglia, Jean Cloidt
Chairman Wishnie called the Budget Committee meeting to order at 9:15 a.m.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Bronz, the motion to approve the Minutes of June 24 was carried by a vote of 7-0 with Legislator Abinanti out for the vote.
Legislator Pinto called the Public Works Committee to order
BONDS -JOINT MEETING WITH COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS:
Item C82 Mt. Vernon Office Complex: Bond BGS03: There have been 5 previous bonds on this project. Acting Commissioner Butler pointed out that the building is being renovated a few floors at a time and this item will complete the renovation. When the building was purchased in 1992 or 1993, the County paid $8,000,000 for it. Since then we have spent $7.3 million on the building. Legislator Rogowsky pointed out that when the building was purchased, the Legislators were told that the building was in excellent shape and we would save $100,000 a year. He also wanted to know if we have applied to NYSA and NYSERTA for grants. Mr. Butler said he would check into that. The Committee also wanted to know now that DSS occupies several floors of the building, can we recapture any of the money that has been spent. The Budget Department will check into that. It was suggested that a site visit is in order.
Item C86 County Center Exterior: Bond RCC07: There was clarification as to what was bonded 15 years ago. The Committee was concerned as to the number of years the material would last. They were told it would last approximately 15 years if we maintain the building. Mr. Deluca stressed that this item is of high priority because of the worry that structural damage could occur. There will be an inspector from DPW who will be overseeing this job.
On motion of Legislator Rogowsky, seconded by Legislator Wishnie for Public Works, the motion was carried by a vote of 5-0. On motion of Jose Alvarado, seconded by Chair Bronz, for the Budget and Appropriation Committee, the motion was carried by a vote of 6-2. Legislator Abinanti and Legislator Swanson voted no.
On motion of Legislator Rogowsky, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the Public Works Committee was adjourned.
BONDS:
Item C80 Water Quality Improvement – Bond BPL21: Gina D’Agrosa, the Water Master said we need to be in compliance by March 10, 2003. Legislator LaMotte requested information as to how the area was chosen. The Study will not use all the money that is available and the County will have to decide what to do with the balance of the money. A major policy decision will be what role the County and the various municipalities will play. The Committee was concerned with the wording in the Committee Report. It states that the County “is expected to received….” The Committee feels is should be changed to “will.” The Budget Department will check with Bond Counsel and then make the proper change. Based on this, on motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion was carried by a vote of 8-0.
Item C81 Storm Water Management – Bond BOO40: The deadline is March 10, 2003. The plan will explain how to implement regulations. A consultant will be hired as the time is critical. Public Works and Planning are working on this project which will include public education and outreach. Municipalities that drain into the County system will enter into an IMA with the County. The study is expected to take 6 to 9 months. Legislator Kaplowitz would like a flexible plan. Acting Commissioner Butler said it will be flexible and even though the initial plan will be filed, it will not remain static over the next 5 years. The Committee feels we need to communicate with all 43 municipalities to determine what their thoughts are and to determine what towns are lagging behind.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion was approve by a vote of 8-0
Item C83 Michaelian Office Building Modernization – Bond B0021: This is made up of 3 components – a capital budget amendment in the amount of $565,000 for the 8th floor rotunda and chamber, $500,000 for the design of the Human Resources area and $702,000 for the lobby security area. Three separate motions were needed.
On the motion of Legislator Alvarado, seconded by Chair Bronz, the motion to approve the $565,000 item was carried by a vote of 6-0. Legislators Abinanti and LaMotte did not vote. Legislator Swanson signed the legislation “without prejudice” with the understanding that the HVAC system on the 8th floor will be corrected before the vote on the 22nd. On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Alvarado, the motion to approve the $500,000 item was carried by a vote of 6-0. Legislators Abinanti and LaMotte did not vote. Legislator Swanson signed the legislation “without prejudice.” On the motion of Chair Bronz, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the motion to approve the bond of $1,760,000 was carried by a vote of 6-0. Legislators Abinanti and LaMotte did not vote. Legislator Swanson signed the legislation “without prejudice.”
DARE PROGRAM:
Item A27 –The Buchanan DARE police officer has retired. The Village presently has 6 officers and does not have the finances to train another officer.
On motion of Legislator Oros, seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0.
HOUSING:
Item A8: This was a joint meeting with Housing. Chair Bronz called
the Housing Committee to order. The Committee discussed the number of units that will be built on the site. The Committee report specifies 17 and the Bond act specifies 21. There was much discussion as to what is affordable and the amount of money that the County spends on acquiring land in various areas. There does not seem to be any consistency. It was felt that a Committee of the Whole should be held inviting Planning Department and the Housing Committee to discuss among other things the method the County is using. The committee would also like to see a letter from Mayor Delfino supporting this project and a letter from the neighboring homeowners supporting the conservation easement. They would also like in the RFP that city employees be given a preference for the housing. The Committee would like a definition of what “general municipal purposes” means, and “deed restricted.” And the right of first refusal needs to be included in the Act.
Item A4 – This is a 24-rental unit for seniors, an independent living facility. The property is owned partly by Pleasantville Housing and part by the Village. The Board of Trustees is supportive of this project and have prepared a resolution stating this. The first floor would be a 6000 square feet senior center with parking and the 2nd and 3rd floors would contain 1 and 2 bedroom apartments. The facility would be for the entire Village and the senior center could be used by other municipalities. The rents for a 1 bedroom apartment would be $804 to $840 and for 2 bedroom $920 - $1100. The right of first refusal needs to be included in the legislation.
On motion of Chair Bronz, seconded by Legislator Oros, for the Housing Committee, the motion was carried by a vote of 2-0 with Legislator Oros signing “without prejudice.” On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator LaMotte for the Budget and Appropriation Committee, the motion was carried by a vote of 8-0 with Legislators Abinanti and Oros signing “without prejudice.”
A&C CALENDAR:
ADJOURNMENT:
There will not be a meeting on July 15th.
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Oros, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the meeting was adjourned at 12 noon.