COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

AUGUST 5, 2002

ATTENDANCE:  

B&A MEMBERS:                     Wishnie, Alvarado, Abinanti, Bronz,

Kaplowitz, LaMotte, Oros, Stewart-

Cousins, Swanson

OTHERS:                                 WC Office of Tourism:  Margo Jones;

                                                  Health: Alyse Portera, Renee

O’Rourke;; Budget: Arthur Vietro, Katie

Carrano, Leslie Bennett; Planning:

Norma Drummond, Jerry Mulligan,

Joyce Lannert, Anthony Zaino, William

Brady; Counsel for Leonard Spano:

John M. Flannery; Finance:  Peter

Pucillo; DOT: Lawrence Salley;

Journal News:  Allison Bent, Keith

Eddings; Law:  Lori Alesio; CEO:  Bill

Randolph, Arthur Neuman, Ian Riley-

Clendenen; CBAC: Fran MacEachron;

WCC: Ann Kaufman, Lois Cowan, Jack

Studler, David Bernstein, Timothy

Carey, Shirley Contino-Phillips, Josseu           Hammond, James Cobb, President

Hankin, Betsy Stern, Fred Boyar, Nina

Jones Fink; BOL:  Tara Bernard, Sally

Schecter

The meeting was called to order at 9:15 a.m.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:

On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to Receive & File the following items was carried by a vote of 9-0.  A-1 a gift acceptance from Education and Learning Coalition for Jandon Scholars; A-4 a gift acceptance from Valic to be used for the New York Philharmonic Concert; A-5, a gift acceptance from Cappelli Enterprises to sponsor the New York Philharmonic; A-6, a gift acceptance from Fuji Photo to support various County activities and programs; and A-17 a gift acceptance from Bradhurst Site Construction to be used at the County’s golf courses.

Legislator Kaplowitz called the Environment/Health Committee to order having a quorum present – Legislators Rogowsky, LaMotte, Pinto and Chair Bronz.

A9 is an Act that authorizes Westchester county to enter into an IMA with the city of New York to enable Westchester County to receive Year Eleven (Fiscal Year 2002) grant monies under the U.S. Government’s Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and an Act authorizing intermunicipal agreements with the cities of Mt. Vernon, New Rochelle and Yonkers to provide funding and administer Year Eleven (Fiscal Year 2002) grant monies.  This is a pass through from the Federal Government with the County disbursing a portion to the municipalities and the balance ($1,028,500.) is disbursed by the County to assist 90 families with AIDS.  Mr. Boland requested a breakdown of this money.

On the motion of Legislator LaMotte and seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz for the Environment/Health Committee the motion was passed by a vote of 5-0.  On the motion of Chair Bronz, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz for the Budget and Appropriation Committee, the motion was carried by a vote of 8-0.

A7 is an act that authorizes the County’s Health Department to enter into an agreement with the Westchester County Health Care Corp. to provide primary and dental care services for Westchester, Rockland and Putnam County individuals with HIV/AIDS.  This money is a pass through from the Federal Government and there is no expense to the County.  This is audited by an outside firm and the Federal Government accepts our audit.  We also receive an audited report that is certified from the Medical Center.

On the motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins and seconded by Legislator Swanson for the Budget & Appropriation committee, the motion was carried by a vote of 8-0.  On the motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Rogowsky for the Environment/Health Committee, the motion was carried by a vote of 5-0.

A11 East of Hudson Water Quality Investment Fund – authorization is requested to spend up to $509,522 to implement a newly created Westchester County Septic Licensing & Database Management Program.  The County acts as a custodian for these funds.  The money has been invested in Bonds - $40 million in treasury notes and $10 million in a money market.  Certain procedures must be followed in order for the County to pay out the money.  This benefits New York City and because it is New York cities money, they have to sign off on the program.  Mr. Boland has request a budget for the trust account.

On the motion of Legislator Pinto and seconded by Legislator Rogowsky for the Environment/Health Committee, the motion was carried by a vote of 5-0.  On a motion by Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte for the Budget & Appropriation Committee, the motion was carried by a vote of 8-0 with Legislators Stewart-Cousins, Oros and Swanson signing “without prejudice.”

On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Rogowsky, the Environment/Health Committee was adjourned.

A16 is a lawsuit settlement in the case of Martinelli v. Spano.  This was a Federal Civil Rights Suit against Leonard Spano and the County.  Mr. Martinelli said his free speech was violated because his newspapers were removed from the list of approved papers that carry notices.  He felt this was retaliation against articles that appeared in his papers.  He claimed $200,000 in lost revenue a year.  It was necessary to go into executive session but time did not permit so it was adjourned until August 12^th.

The Special Committee on Housing was called to order by Chair Bronz.

A8 is the White Plains Property Purchase on Lake Street.  The White Plains Common Council has passed the Right of First Refusal.  There is a conservation easement.  Seventeen units will be built on the site.  There w ill be no obligation to the City of White Plains.  The County will be paying the seller’s taxes.  This has never been done before but it was a condition that the property owners insisted on.  It was requested that a portion of the units be available for municipal employees.  The B&A Committee would like the sentence added that preference be given to residents, municipal employees and school district employees.

On the motion of Chair Bronz, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, as amended, for the Housing Committee, the motion was carried by a vote of 2-0.  On the motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator LaMotte for the Budget & Appropriation Committee, the motion was carried by a vote of 7-1.  Legislator Swanson signed “without prejudice”, Legislator Oros voted no and Legislator Abinanti was out for the vote.

On the Motion of Legislator Stewart Cousins, seconded by Chair Bronz, the Special Committee on Housing was adjourned.

A18 is a lease agreement with the City of White Plains authorizing the City to operate and maintain the premises known as the Dellwood Property as an ”open area.”  This property would allow County residents additional access to Silver Lake Park.  A question was raised if the land is used as parkland, doesn’t it become parkland. 

On the motion of Legislator Alvarado, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion was carried by a vote of 8-0.  Legislator Abinanti was out for the vote.

A19 is a request that the County Office of Tourism be designated as the ”tourist promotion agency” for the County so it may promote tourism and apply for matching funds.

On the motion of Legislator Alvarado, seconded by Legislator Oros, the motion was carried by a vote of 8-0 with Legislator Abinanti out for the vote.

Legislator Wishnie announced that an agreement had been reached with the County Executive and the Community College and a copy of the adds is on file.  There will be a public hearing on the College Budget at 7:30 tonight.

A14 is a Capital Budget amendment in the amount of $150,000 amending the 2002 Capital Budget for feasibility studies on the Legacy Program.  If this is moved out of Committee, Items C67, BLA01, Westchester Legacy Program for $250,000; C68 BLA02 Land Bank/General Purpose for $400,000; C69 BPL01 Housing Implementation Fund $200,000; and C70 BPL10 New Homes Land Acquisition $300,000 can be received and filed.

On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Alvarado, the motion was carried by a vote of 6-2 with Legislator Stewart-Cousins out for the vote and Legislators Oros and Swanson voting no and Legislators LaMotte and Abinanti voting “without prejudice.”

Budget Director gave her 2^nd quarter projections.  She had just received the July sales tax information and it is down.  She does not believe that the sales tax will grow until the end of the year.  The sales tax in municipalities outside of the cities is okay.  She read the high lights from her report.  As of today, 250 employees have filed for early retirement.  Because time was short, she was asked to come back next week should the legislators have any questions.

The Budget & Appropriation Committee recessed at 11:45 a.m..

After the Westchester Community Budget was passed, on the motion of Legislator Alvarado, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the Budget & Appropriation Committee was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.