COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION
MINUTES
JANUARY 27, 2003
MEMBERS PRESENT: Wishnie, Bronz, Kaplowitz, Oros,
Stewart-Cousins, Swanson
LEGISLATORS: Ryan, Pinto, Rogowsky
OTHERS PRESENT: IT: Kay Foster, Allen Elliott, John
Elliott, Norm Jacknis; Seniors:
Mae Carpenter; Labs &
Research: M. Hyland, Larry
Fasnacht; DEF: James Hogan;
Law: Rick Cashman; DSS:
Nancy Travers, Joel Levy; Town of
Greenburgh: Paul Bergans; Paul
Feiner; Budget: James Arnett,
Arthur Vietro, Leslie Bennett; C.E.:
Bill Randolph, Andrew Neuman;
CBAC/LWVW: Barbara Strauss;
BOL: Bob Boland, Barbara
Dodds, Tara Bernard, Steve Bass,
Susan Kirkpatrick, Rafael Vega,
Sunday Vanderberg
Chairman Wishnie called the meeting to order at 9:20 a.m.
On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Chair Bronz, the minutes were approved.
On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the Court Ordered Certioraris was received a filed.
On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, the Committee on Environment and Health was called to order.
A1 – Organic Yard Waste Program: The County would like to enter into an IMA with various municipal corporations for the purpose of recycling leaves, brush and grass for a period of April 1, 2003 through March 31, 2008. Currently 13 municipalities are involved in the program which provides an area where yard waste from that community as well as others is collected. The County then provides transportation to a composting facility. By not burning this waste, Charles Point Resource Recovery Facility is freed up and the County can sell this space. The various municipalities are saving money. One of the legislators asked about leaving grass clippings on the lawn. Some municipalities are encouraging the practice because if a bag splits open, the grass has an odor. On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Chair Bronz for the Budget & Appropriation Committee, the motion was carried by a vote of 4-0 with Legislator Swanson voting “without prejudice” and Legislators Oros and Stewart-Cousins out for the vote.
A11 – Greenburgh Homeless Housing Facility (WESTHELP): There was a discussion about the 149 residents vs. 159 residents in paragraph c (i) and (ii). A monthly report is issued by the Department of DSS and it lists the daily occupancy of homeless at the facility. A letter has been received from Terry Williams, a fire commissioner, stating that the Fairview Fire District will not be receiving any of the funds that the Town of Greenburg receives. Supervisor Feiner said the fire district will share in some of the money. Mr. Williams also states that Greenburgh is in violation of the Statutes of the State of New York by transferring money to the Mayfair-Knollwood and Knollwood Manor Civic Assoc. Supervisor Feiner stated that he has been in touch with the State comptroller’s office and is abiding with the law. Chairman Wishnie requested that Assistant County Attorney, Rick Cashman, read Mr. Williams letter to be sure that the Board is not breaking any laws by agreeing to this Legislation. Mr. Cashman assured Legislator Wishnie that there would not be any laws broken. On the motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Chair Bronz, the motion was carried by a vote of 5-0 with Legislator Oros out for the vote.
On the motion of Legislator Ryan, the Public Safety & Criminal Justice committee was called to order.
A7 – Agreement with WCHCC for Environmental Microbiological, Toxicological and Forensic Science Services: WCHCC will pay the county $450,000 per year increasing in 2003 and 2004 by the percent increase in the Consumer Price Index. The cost of each test varies, from $2 up to $50. It was suggested again that we publicize the services that are available at Labs & Research. On the motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, for Budget & Appropriation, the motion was passed by a vote of 6-0. On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Chair Bronz for Environment & Health, the motion was passed by a vote of 5-0. On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Chair Bronz for Public Safety and Criminal Justice, the motion was passed by a vote of 4-0.
On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Ryan, the Committee on Environment and Health was adjourned.
A10 - Enhanced 911 surcharge funds: $2,600,000 is requested for telecommunications equipment, operation and maintenance costs and telephone service costs. One of the items in this expenditure is for Community Services in the amount of $135,700. The Police Chief Association is happy with the percentage of the fund that they receive. It was suggested that the Association call Legislator Ryan to discuss this at a Public Safety meeting. The $ .30 increase that was recently authorized by the Board of Legislators is a separate item with a separate budget.
On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz for Public Safety, this was signed out for “all purposes” by a vote of 5-0 with legislator Swanson signing “without prejudice.” On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins for Budget & appropriation, this motion was carried by a vote of 6-0 with Legislator Swanson signing “without prejudice.”
On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the Committee on Public Safety & Criminal Justice was adjourned.
A6 – IMAs with various municipalities for the provision of elderly nutrition programs: Through a lawsuit against six major vitamin manufacturers, marketers and distributors for violation of antitrust laws, the State of New York received $225.25. The Department of Senior Programs submitted an application and was awarded $199,997 to provide nutrition programs for the elderly. This act is to authorize the County to enter into an IMA with 10 municipalities. On the motion of Chair Bronz, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion was passed by a vote of 6-0.
Chairman Wishnie would like to form a sub-committee to review the spending programs of I.T. Legislator Swanson volunteered and Chair Wishnie will also ask Legislator LaMotte.
On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by legislator Stewart-Cousins, the meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m.