COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 4, 2002
ATTENDANCE:
B&A MEMBERS: Wishnie, Alvarado, Abinanti, Bronz,
Kaplowitz, LaMotte, Oros, Stewart-Cousins,
Swanson
OTHERS: Parks: Joseph Stout, David DeLucia; DPW:
Ralph Butler; CEO: Andrew Neuman, Bill
Randolph; Human Resources: Ed Brancati;
CBAC: Arthur Stampleman;
CBAC/LWVW: Barbara Strauss;
Washingtonville Housing Alliance: Ellen
Levy; Planning: Patrick Natarelli, Fran
McLaughlin, Anthony Zaino, Ed
Hoffmeister; Bargaining Associates:
Michael Wittenberg; BOL: Barbara Dodds,
Sally Schecter
The meeting was called to order at 9:22 a.m.
On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Chair Bronz, the minutes of minutes of August 12 and 19 we approved by a vote of 4-0. Legislators Oros, Alvarado, Stewart-Cousins and Abinanti were out for the vote.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
By motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to Receive and File the following items was approved by a vote of 5-0. Legislators Oros, Alvarado and Abinanti were out for the vote.
Ladder Truck Purchase: Legislator Swanson forwarded a letter from the Chairman of the Valhalla Board of Fire Commissioners regarding the purchase of the ladder truck by the Fire Training Center.
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Ladder Truck Purchase: Legislator Oros forwarded a copy of a letter to the County Executive from the Secretary of the County Volunteer Fireman’s Association.
White Plains Property Purchase: Legislator Ryan forwarded correspondence related to the White Plains property purchase.
New Penitentiary: Legislator Abinanti forwarded a copy of his letter to the County Executive asking that he delay executing the contracts for the construction of the new penitentiary.
C83B – Design and construction relating to rehabilitation of Dept. of Human Resources, $500,000 – B0021: This project includes wiring, furniture and a teleconference center. The design will be done in house and DPW will oversee the construction. Information had been requested from Human Resources as well as a budget for the $500,000. It was received. The testing center will be used by anyone taking a civil service exam, not just County employees. The test results will be made available in one day, not the usual 6 months that it has taken in the past. It will generate income to the County. On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion was passed by a vote of 7-0. Legislator Abinanti voted no.
C96 – Amending 2002 Capital Budget authorizing bonds for Glen Island Bridge Repair, $2,000,000 – RGI02: A lot of money was expended in the ‘90’s to rebuild this bridge. There were questions as to whether the original consultant was at fault in not advising us of this work. The present repair is due to recent deterioration, not old work. This bridge is 70 years old. Approximately 2000 cars use the bridge each day. A new bridge would cost approximately $30 to $40 million. With this repair, DPW does not expect any minor repairs to the bridge for approximately 30 years and major repairs for 50 years. On the motion of Chair Bronz, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion was carried by a vote of 8-1 with Legislators Swanson, Oros and Abinanti signing “without prejudice” and Legislator LaMotte voting no.
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Authority to amend the agreement with Crickett Staffing for temporary personnel services for the County Clerk’s Office by increasing the amount of $250,000 to a new total of $400,000. This item was held over by Legislator Abinanti from the August 29 A & C agenda. The County Clerk’s office is being overwhelmed by closings. There was a problem with full and part time employees and it was decided to go outside because no benefits had to be paid. One of the Legislators wanted to know of the $14.45 and the $17.57 that the County was paying Crickett, how much did Crickett keep and how much did they pay the staff that they supplied? How many data entry and how many computer operators were being hired? Why was their a problem hiring hourly people? Where is the money coming from? Do we have to add money to the Clerk’s budget or is this anticipated revenue?
Repealing Local Law 24-2001 – A4, authorizing the County to sell to Village of Mamaroneck approximately 2.5 acres for $350,000: Local law 24-2001 authorized the County to sell to the Village a 2.5 acre parcel of property. At the time of the legislation, neither a survey nor a legal description of the property had been prepared. Months later it was discovered that the local law did not include a small portion of the property situated to the northwest of the northern terminus of Ogden Avenue. The title company excepted from the policy this portion because they did not know if this actually belonged to the County. The County through a Quitclaim Deed is conveying any interest they may have to the Village. On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion to sign out this legislation for “all purposes “ was approved by a vote of 9-0 with Legislators LaMotte, Swanson, Oros, and Abinanti signing “without prejudice.”
District Attorney’s Investigators’ PBA Agreement: This contract is for 2 years – 1/1/01 through 12/31/02. The third and last contract was approved by the Board on 9/10/01. These investigators all work for the District Attorney since 1982. They have been paid based on arbitration. There were problems with operational scheduling issues but they now have been resolved. There are 36 individuals. The additional cost for the first year will
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be $108,000 and the second year will be $112,657 based on a 4% increase. After five years they will receive longevity pay. The health insurance was not calculated in because it was not clear who was retiring and the amount would be a guess. The training day would also be a guess. Each employee is required to take 7 additional hours of training. The money is in the budget. On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Alvarado, the motion was carried by a vote of 9-0.
Mr. Boland informed the Board of a situation at 726 Old White Plains Road in Mamaroneck. The developer did not receive the anticipated tax credit. The CDBG money (Home Program) that was promised to them was then put into another project. The Planning Department has said that they will purchase the property and hold it in anticipation of the developer receiving the credits in the spring of 2003. The developer is confident that they will receive the credits on the 2nd round because their application has been enhanced by the grant.
The A & C Agenda was distributed prior to the meeting. Questions were referred to Mr. Boland.
On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Mr. Alvarado, the motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:20 a.m. was 9-0.