COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
B&A MEMBERS PRESENT: Wishnie, Abinanti, Bronz, LaMotte, Latimer, Kaplowitz, Oros, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson
E&H MEMBERS PRESENT: Kaplowitz, Bronz, LaMotte, Pinto, Rogowsky, Ryan, Swanson
Public Safety Members Present: Ryan, Bronz, Kaplowitz, Swanson, Wishnie
OTHERS: Budget: K. Carrano, A. Vietro, L. Bennett; Planning: F. McLaughlin, G. D’Agrove, R. Doscher, S. Lopane; County Executive’s Office: A. Newman, B. Randolph, N. Jacknis, Law: S. Gerry; Emergency Services: A.Sutton, W. Nardozzi, W. Gasparre; Parks: J. Stout, D. DeLucia; County Police: B. rehm; IT: K. Foster;Tax Commission: D. Jackson; Senior Services: M. Carpenter, L. Bolotsky; BOL: B. Boland, S. Vanderberg
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 Mrs. Swanson the minutes for September 18 and 23, 2002 were approved 6-0.
ITEM A3
Ms. Carpenter stressed the importance of this local law, which provides real property tax exemptions for seniors Proposed Local Law providing real property tax exemptions for seniors. Through this law the State will raise the maximum annual income allowed to $21,500 dollars or by $1,000 dollars for a 50% tax break. Annual incomes of $29,000 dollars will only qualify for a 5% tax break. Mr. Jackson, (Tax Commission) said to his knowledge a similar law has yet to be implemented for veterans or volunteer firefighters. Adding despite showing interest via its State Legislative Packet, Westchester was not one of the several Counties granted this local option.
On the motion of Mr. Latimer, seconded by Mr. Kaplowitz, the item was carried, 5-0. Legislators Bronz, Abinanti, Stewart-Cousins and Oros were out for the vote.
Mr. Wishnie said this was an identical law for disabled persons, and the numbers are exactly the same.
On the motion of Mr. Latimer, seconded by Mr. Kaplowitz, the item was carried, 5-0. Legislators Bronz, Abinanti, Stewart-Cousins and Oros were out for the vote.
A2: a $25,000 gift from PepsiCo and A11: a certiorari refund list.
On the motion of Mr. Kaplowitz, seconded by Mr. Latimer the item was carried, 5-0. Legislators Bronz, Abinanti, Stewart-Cousins and Oros were out for the vote.
With quorum present, the Committee on Environment & Health was called to order at 9:24 a.m.
Ms. D’Agrove said this IMA, (similar to one which expired in April 2002), would provide authorization to enter into agreements with any of the 19 Long Island Sound watershed communities that participate in the watershed planning process. It will also aid in the implementation of projects such as wetland restoration, stream stabilization, and storm water basin retrofitting. It will also prevent the need to come before the Board at the start of each individual project. The IMA’s give the municipalities the responsibility of long-term maintenance for the projects. Mr Rogowsky suggested an update of some kind be provided to each Legislator when an IMA is executed with one of their municipalities.
For Budget-On the motion of Mr. Latimer, seconded by Mrs. LaMotte the item was carried, 5-0. Legislators Bronz, Abinanti, Stewart-Cousins and Oros were out for the vote.
For Environment- On the motion of Mrs. LaMotte, seconded by Mr. Rogowsky the item was carried 6-0. Legislator Bronz was out for the vote.
On the motion of Mr. Pinto, seconded by Mrs. LaMotte, the Committee on environment was adjourned at 9:32 a.m.
With a quorum present, the committee on Public Safety & Criminal Justice was called to order at 9:32 a.m.
ITEM C102
Deputy Commissioner Sutton said the oil pits have been problematic and in dire need of replacement for quite some time. This $2,000,000 dollar Capital Project is in addition to the $300,000 already approved for design and engineering in 1999. The planned props would include a railroad car simulator, a Christmas tree, a barbeque pit and a tanker truck simulator. All props will be environmentally safe, only burn clean propane fuel and be entirely controlled by the instructor. These will be the only props of their kind in the County.
For Budget- On the motion of Mrs. LaMotte, seconded by Mr. Latimer the item was carried 8-0.
For Public Safety -On the motion of Mrs. Swanson, seconded by Mr. Wishnie, the item was carried 5-0.
Due to the overwhelming requests for class offerings at the Fire Training Center, this IMA would provide much needed classroom space as well as make it more convenient for volunteer fire fighters up County to take advantage of the courses offered. Hands-on-training will still be held at the training center.
For Budget- On the motion of Mrs. LaMotte, seconded by Mr. Latimer the item was carried 8-0.
For Public Safety -On the motion of Mrs. Swanson, seconded by Mr. Wishnie, the item was carried 5-0.
On the motion of Mr. Kaplowitz, seconded by Mr. Wishnie, the Committee on Public Safety was adjourned at 9:54 a.m.
ITEM C99
This bond Act would authorize $1 million in bonds in addition to the $200,000 design bond previously approved. Mr. Stout said the Dunwoodie course is the last to be rehabbed under this project.
On the motion of Mrs. Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Mrs. Bronz, the item was carried 6-0. Legislators Latimer, Abinanti and Oros were out for the vote. Legislators Swanson and Oros signed “without prejudice”.
ITEM C101
This Bond Act will authorize $900,000 dollars to design, audit and study various County ball fields through the Legacy Program. The rehabilitation of the Saxon Woods soccer field and Tibbett’s Brook park southern ball fields; the installation of 3 new ball fields at the northern end of Tibbett’s Brook Park and the exploration of 2 little league fields along the Bronx River Parkway. The Westchester Legacy Program was announced by the County Executive at last year’s State of the County Address, with a budget of $10 million dollars tom be spent over 5-years for open space and active recreation.
Mr. Oros requested the language “including but not limited to” be removed from the legislation.
On the motion of Mrs. Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Mrs. Bronz the item was carried as amended, 7-0. Legislators Latimer and Abinanti were out for the vote.
ITEM A21
This item will authorize the County to place a 30-cent surcharge on wireless cell phones. Ms Gerry said the existing 911 surcharge of 70-cents per month on landline phones could only be used for 911 services, whereas the allowable expenditures for this wireless surcharge includes public safety communication networks, Improvements to which are planned. In the event the money is not used to this end, it will be used for some other Public Safety issue.
Mr. Oros noted attempting to collect this surcharge could result in huge legal fees for the County by those who may refusal to pay. Several members were skeptical at the need to impose yet another tax on the citizens of Westchester without a clear cut plans for how the money will be spent. Ms. Bennett said the proposed system, which would bring all Emergency Service Departments together, will run about 4 million dollars. It is hoped this revenue stream will offset this cost.
Mr. Wishnie suggested the Committee on Public Safety receive a briefing on the progress made on the Fire & EMS communication system.
On the motion of Mr. Kaplowitz, seconded by Mrs. Stewart-Cousins, the item was carried 6-1. Legislators Oros and LaMotte signed “without prejudice”.
A&C
Mr. Kaplowitz requested additional information for items #4 & 6.
Mr. Abinanti asked for an update on an item he held over from a previous week. The item, a request from the District Attorney’s office requesting additional funds for a program, (which teaches families how to deal with alcohol and drug abuse) the County already supports with matched Federal funds. Mr. Boland said the request was made of 3 school districts, which funded the program in the past but had not this year.
Due to ongoing problems, Mrs. Bronz said a briefing on the County Courthouse project for the Committee of the Whole is being arranged.
On the motion of Mr. Abinanti, seconded by Mrs. Swanson, the meeting was adjourned at 10:32a.m.