COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES
AUGUST 19, 2002
ATTENDANCE:
B&A MEMBERS: Wishnie, Kaplowitz, Alvarado, Bronz,
Oros
OTHERS: Parks: David Delucia; Counsel to
Leonard Spano: John M. Flannery;
Law: Lori Alesio; IT: Bob Falco,
Allen Elliott; Planning: Fran McLaughlin, Joyce Lannert, William Brady, Lawrence Salley; CE’s Office: Ian Riley-Clendenen, Andrew Neuman; Finance: Peter Pucillo; Bennett Kielson: Les Storch, Susan Friend; Budget: Katie Carrano, Arthur Vietro, Leslie Bennett; LWVW/CBAC: Barbara Strauss; CBAC: Arthur Stampleman; County Clerk’s Office: Gene Rodgers; Gannett: Keith Eddings, BOL: Chris Chang, David Simpson, Sally Schecter
The meeting was called to order at 9:20 a.m.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
By motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Alvarado, the motion was carried 4-0 for the Committee to go into executive session to review the settlement of the lawsuit between Mr. Martinelli and County Clerk Spano by a vote of 4-0. Legislator Oros was out for the vote. By motion of Legislator Kaplowitz and seconded by Chair Bronz, the motion to end the executive session was voted on by a vote of 4-0. Legislator Oros was out for the vote. Several committee members wanted to be reassured that this would not happen again and the law department said it would not
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happen again. On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Chair Bronz, the motion was carried by a vote of 5-0.
Les Storch of Bennett Kielson reviewed the County’s Annual Financial Report. June sales tax revenue went down. Mr. Storch was asked if his other clients are in the same boat as we are. He replied that Rockland will be short but that Putnam, Dutchess and Orange Counties are okay. Right now, we are right on budget. Bennett Kielson saw the trend but no one would accept it. Interest is down, hotel tax is down and auto use tax is down. It is not comparable to previous years. The County needs to be cautious as to how they operate in 2003, 2004 and 2005. The Committee asked about refinancing our debt but there is not a lot of debt to refinance. We are in good shape until the end of the year but if we use 100% of our fund balance, then we are in bad shape.
C89 Electronic Exchange of Legal Data - $400,000, BCC01: This project would finance the completion of design and implementation of a new system to allow the purchase and assignment of index numbers via the internet, the electronic filing of certain legal documents through a Web interface, integration of the Legal Division activities into the County Clerk’s Office workflow and acquisition of the necessary hardware and software to support these activities. A revised Committee Report has been submitted showing that $75,000 was appropriated in cash. They hope to be on line within the next 12 months. On the motion of Legislator Oros, seconded by Legislator Alvarado, the motion was carried by a vote of 5-0.
C57 V.E. Macy Park, Design for new ball fields and lighting $80,000 RMAC2: a representative of the County Parks Department has met with a representative of the Ardsley Recreation Board and Ardsley has no problems with this legislation. On the motion of Legislator Alvarado, seconded by Legislator Bronz, this motion was carried by a vote of 5-0 with Legislator Oros signing “without prejudice” until Legislator Abinanti returns.
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C83B, Design and construction related to rehabilitation of Department of Human Resources, $500,000 – B0021: The renovations will include the rehabilitation of offices to provide space for training and testing. The result of this renovation will be a reduction in costs by eliminating the need to rent outside space. The Committee had several questions. What are we now
paying for rental space and how long will it be before we break even? Can this space be used for other purposes? Will we still need to rent space? Can we use the IT testing space? The fire-training center was suggested as a possibility but it was pointed out that the area is too small and they do not have computers. The B&A Committee will wait for the requested information.
The Special Committee on Housing was called to order by Chair Bronz.
C92, New Homes Land Acquisition located on Lake Street, White Plains $1,062,000, BPL 10: This project is called the Pettinicchi property and consists of 10.06 acres. The County would have to grant a conservation easement on a portion of the property – 8.4 acres – to a not-for-profit conservation organization. The County is discussing this with the Westchester Land Trust. The Committee report has several changes that were requested by the Legislators. Legislator Ryan has requested that as many affordability units as possible be made available to residents of White Plains and employees of the city and its school district. The most that can be offered is 40% of the total. The City is not contributing anything to this project even though their employees and residents will have first preference.
There was concern that someone could sell their apartment after 5 years and receive a windfall. When the project is completed and the apartment is rented, the deed will indicate that the owner is restricted on resale. After 40 years, an individual can then sell at the market price and then it is possible they will receive a windfall.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Alvarado for the Budget & Appropriation Committee, the motion was carried by a vote of 4-1. Legislator Oros was opposed. On the motion of Chair Bronz, the motion
referred to the Special Committee on Housing.
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On the motion of Chair Bronz, seconded by Legislator Oros, the Special Committee on Housing was adjourned.
Legislator Kaplowitz called the Environment/Health Committee to order.
A6 Proposed Capital Budget Amendments and Bond Acts for the Saw Mill River Ecosystem Restoration BPL19, $961,000: This is necessary to fund a feasibility study with the US Army Corp of Engineers. The design will be split 50/50 between the Corps and the County and future implementation will be apportioned 35% to the County and 65% to the Corps. This would include a comprehensive watershed management plan as well as restoration of certain wetlands. This would include the Elmsford area where flooding occurs quite frequently.
On the motion of Legislator Alvarado, seconded by Chair Bronz for the Budget and Appropriation Committee, the motion was carried by a vote of 5-0. On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Chair Bronz for the Environment/Health Committee, the motion was carried by a vote of 3-0.
A6 Authorizing the County to issue bonds for Main Street, Town of Eastchester and Village of Tuckahoe, $1,200,000 – RBO79: This is for the reconstruction of approximately 1 mile of Main Street (including 0.2 miles located in the Village of Tuckahoe). The work includes repair and/or replacement of pavement, curbs, drainage structures, the addition of pedestrian ramps where required and the installation of pavement markings and striping. This has not been addressed since 1936. On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz for the Committee on Environment/Health, the motion was carried by a vote of 3-0. On the motion of Legislator Alvarado, seconded by Chair Bronz for the Committee on Budget and Appropriation, the motion was carried by a vote of 5-0.
A1- WCHCC Agreement: The County would provide a shuttle bus service running between various WCHCC facilities for a one-year term for a not to
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exceed amount of $280,366. The County breaks even. The people using the
shuttle pay the regular bus fare of $1.40. This is an extension of a regular bus route. On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Chair Bronz for the Environment/Health Committee, the motion was carried by a vote of 3-0. On the motion of Legislator Alvarado, seconded by Legislator Oros for the Budget & Appropriation Committee, the vote was carried by a vote of 5-0.
On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Chair Bronz, the Committee on Environment /Health was adjourned by a vote of 3-0.
The A&C Calendar was distributed and questions were referred to Mr. Boland.
On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Alvarado, the meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m.