COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 18, 2002
B&A MEMBERS PRESENT: Wishnie, Bronz, LaMotte, Kaplowitz, Swanson
ENVIRONMENT MEMBERS
PRESENT: Kaplowitz, Bronz, LaMotte, Pinto, Rogowsky, Ryan, Swanson
PUBLIC WORKS MEMBERS
PRESENT: Pinto, Bronz, Rogowsky, Ryan, Wishnie,
OTHERS: Parks: J. Stout, D. DeLuca; Public Works: R. Butler; Budget: A. Vietro, L. Bennett; Senior Programs: M. Carpenter; CBAC: B. Strauss; Transportation: L. Salley; Planning: J. Lannert; County Executive’s Office: A. Newman, B. Randolph; BOL: B. Boland, S. Vanderberg
NOTE: This was a joint meeting with the Committees on Environment & Health and Public Works.
With a quorum present the Committee on Budget & Appropriations was called to order at 9:18 a.m.
On the motion of Mr. Kaplowitz, seconded by Mrs. LaMotte, the minutes of September 9, 2002 were approved 5-0.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
Agenda Items:
On the motion of Mrs. Swanson, seconded by Mrs. LaMotte, agenda items: A1, A3, A10, A12-17, A20, A21 and C84 were received and filed, 4-0. Mrs. Bronz was out for the vote.
With a quorum present, the Committee on Environment & Health was called to order at 9:20 a.m.
Item A2:
United Skyport Corporation, a tenant at the Westchester County Airport would like to undertake a 3.1 million dollar capital improvement program upon the expiration of their current lease, (May 31, 2003) and are requesting an adjustment in their lease schedule. The planned improvements will benefit both the structure and tenant amenities. An abatement of $306,000 would be granted for improvements made in the County’s interest to protect the structure of the building. The improvements will not expand the existing building; increase the number of tie downs or the number of flights to/from the airport.
Mrs. LaMotte suggested those seeking future contracts with the County be encouraged to explore alternative energy options which could provide additional savings during renovations and meet NYSERDA grant requirements. Mr. Rogowsky hoped the proposed new lease did not contain any components, which could have a negative affect on future decisions concerning de-icing.
Due to what members considered the confusing nature of the agreement, it was decided the item would be held over until a breakdown of the planned improvements, and a copy of the existing and new leases could be provided for Committee review.
ITEM A22:
Amending a lease agreement with International Paper Company, originally Champion International, allowing them to sublet a portion of Hangar F to the Fayair, Inc. This 5-year agreement will be extended to 10 years. Commissioner Salley said the agreement stipulates the aircraft to be housed at the Hangar will be within full compliance with the law.
For Budget-on the motion of Legislator Bronz, seconded by Legislator Wishnie the item was carried, 5-0.
For Environment –on the motion of Legislator Ryan, seconded by Legislator Pinto, the item was carried, 6-0.
ITEM A23:
Commissioner Lannert explained this agreement would authorize the transfer of $75,000 of East of the Hudson Water Quality Investment funds, which would facilitate the completion of Wastewater studies and begin the implementation of a multi-phased Northern County water quality improvement project to the benefit of Peach Lake and the Croton Watershed. Additional monies will be sought to offset the cost. All agreed this undertaking was greatly needed and timely.
For Budget-on the motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the item was moved, 4-0. Legislator Swanson was out for the vote.
For Environment- on the motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Pinto, the item was moved, 6-0.
On the motion of Legislator Ryan, seconded by Legislator Pinto the Committee on Environment & Health was adjourned, 10:07 a.m.
ITEM A4:
Commissioner Butler explained this amendment to the Laws of Westchester would allow the Departments of Public Works and Transportation to formalize the oversight responsibility already exercised by the DOT and would in no way have a budgetary impact. Commissioner Salley said the agreement would allow the DOT to extend their responsibilities already implemented at the Airport to the central maintenance and garage transit facilities.
On the motion of Legislator Bronz, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the item was moved, 4-0. Legislator LaMotte voted without prejudice, Legislator Swanson was out for the vote.
ITEM A18:
Mr. Wishnie said this IMA with the Town of Yorktown to lease 720 feet in their community center. The proposed IMA will extend the existing lease, from September 2002 to August 2007. The space is used as the satellite office for the Department of Senior Programs and Services, and will allow the Department to continue to service the vast number of seniors in the Northern part of the County. Commissioner Carpenter said.
On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte the item was moved, 4-0. Legislator Swanson was out for the vote.
With a quorum present, the Committee on Public Works was called to order at 10:16 a.m.
ITEM C98:
Legislator Wishnie noted this $850,000 Bond Act for the construction of a clubhouse at the Hudson Hills Golf course, had been amended from the original $1,000,000 at the request of the Committee. Commissioner Butler said reducing the square footage finishing cost from $200 to $165 for the main floor and $35 for the basement resulted in the lower figure. He added great lengths were taken to ensure the costs were in keeping with the current market.
The removal of the caretaker’s apartment, site work/deck reduction, and adjustments in materials for the kitchen and bathrooms were modifications, which helped lower construction costs. Commissioner Butler felt additional reductions would be counter productive and cause a redesign cost. The clubhouse, which is significantly smaller than most, will have a pro-shop, male/female toilet facility with 2 showers in each and a small restaurant on the main floor, and house about 60 electric carts in the basement. The footprint for the building will be roughly 3300 square feet.
Legislator Pinto noted the caretaker’s apartment would need to be removed from the new committee report.
Commissioner Butler said the construction cost of $700,000; contingency cost of $60,000 and construction administration costs of $90,000 dollars total the $850,000. Mr. Wishinie noted the committee report stated Bond Act RGC07 included $400,000 for design and construction management and asked BOL Budget Analyst Mr. Boland to insure this Bond Act does not contain any duplications of services. Legislator Ryan cautioned, as the club house is an intricate part of the overall perception of a course, the revenue stream not be negatively impacted by a structure which is unable to adequately support the facility.
The Committee on Budget decided to hold over the item pending the review of additional information.
Satisfied with the Public Works aspect of the Bond Act, Legislator Pinto put the item up for vote.
For Public Works-on the motion of Legislator Ryan, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the item was carried as amended, 4-1, with Legislator
Rogowsky in opposition.
On the motion of Legislator Ryan, seconded by Legislator Pinto, the Committee on Public works was adjourned at 11:05 a.m.
ITEM C97:
Commissioner Stout said this Bond Act would allow for the rehabilitation of 2 ball fields at Croton Point Park. One is an all weather soccer field the other is a grass baseball field equip with an irrigation system and lights. The fields are considered a regional asset. All environmental and archeological impact studies have been completed.
On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the item was moved 5-0, Legislators LaMotte and Swanson signed “without prejudice”.
Members reviewed the September 19, 2002 A&C calendar.
On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m.