COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION
MINUTES
MARCH 3, 2003
MEMBERS PRESENT: Wishnie, Alvarado, Bronz, Oros,
Stewart-Cousins
OTHER LEGISLATORS: Ryan, Pinto, Rogowsky
OTHERS PRESENT: Chief Ardsley Police: Emil
Califano; Chief Greenburgh
Police: John Kapica; Chief
North Castle Police: Robert D’Angelo; Chief Yorktown Police:
Robert Arruda; IT: John Elliott, Kay Foster, Allen Elliott, Norm Jacknis; DES: Tony Sutton, Pat Kelly, CSEA: Jack McPhillips;
Corrections: Rocco Pozzi, Tony
Czarnecki; DPW: Ralph Butler; Public Safety: Donna Rittuci; CE: Ian Riley, Bill Randolph, Andrew Neuman; Budget: Katie Carrano, Arthur Vietro; Planning: Fran McLaughlin; CBAC: Fran Mac Eachron; BOL: Ray Indelicato, Bob Boland, Rafael Vega, Barbara Dodds, Sally Schecter
At 9:15 a.m. Bob D’Angelo, Chief of North Castle Police was introduced along with the other police chiefs present to discuss the E911 budget. Chief D’Angelo introduced Chief Kapica to explain the background. The police departments are the backbone of 911. They receive the calls. The budget has provided them with money to purchase equipment and the system has worked well. Approximately 5 – 6 years ago the police chiefs wanted to expand the ability of 911 and they came before the Board of Legislators and requested a Mobile Data Communication system. This further improved the ability to respond to emergency calls. The County has reimbursed the police departments 65% of their expenditures for mobile data workstations. Last year $190,000 was budgeted for this item but this year $74,500 is budgeted and the police departments feel they cannot do much with this. It was suggested that the Board of Legislators approve the E911 budget at the March 3 meeting and after a meeting of the police chief’s, they will advise Mr. Ryan how much money they will require for the 2003 year and the Legislators will consider amending the budget.
At 9:30 a.m., the Public Safety Committee was convened. A resolution on pyrotechnic displays indoors was introduced and on the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Chair Bronz, the motion was approved by a vote of 3-0.
On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Bronz, the Public Safety Committee was adjourned at 9:46 a.m.
On the motion of Legislator Ryan for the Public Safety Committee and Legislator Wishnie for the Budget and Appropriation Committee the meeting was called to order at 9:46 a.m.
On the motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Chair Bronz, the minutes were approved by a vote of 5-0.
On the motion of Legislator Pinto, the Public Works committee was called to order.
C113 - $300,000 in bonds for heavy equipment, BPS11: This item is for a helicopter engine. After 1200 hours, the engine needs to be rebuilt or replaced. Because of the age of the helicopter, parts can’t be found. It is used between 25 and 35 hours a month.
On the motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Chair Bronz for Budget & Appropriation, the motion was carried by a vote of 6-0 with Legislator Oros signing “without prejudice.” On the motion of Legislator Rogowsky, seconded by Legislator Ryan for the Public Works Committee, the motion was carried by a vote of 6-0 with Legislator Oros signing “without prejudice.”
C112 - $400 in bonds for Parking Structure, BPS13: With the Taxi & Limo Department now located at the Public Safety Headquarters in Hawthorne, parking is at a premium. Valuable time is lost driving around looking for a parking space. Legislator Stewart-Cousins again voiced her concern about prioritizing bond acts and she was assured that this had been done and the bond acts that are before B & A are all priorities.
On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Chair Bronz for Budget & Appropriation, the motion was carried by a vote of 6-0 with Legislators LaMotte and Stewart-Cousins voting “without prejudice.” On the motion of Legislator Ryan, seconded by Legislator Rogowsky for the Public Works committee, the motion was carried by a vote of 5-0 with Legislator Rogowsky out for the vote and Legislator Oros voting “without prejudice.” On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Chair Bronz for Public Safety, the motion was carried by a vote of 3-0.
C127 - $750,000 for Correction infrastructure improvements, BCR 5A: This project is to waterproof the jail. Water is seeping in through the joints. This needs to be done this year as the paint is also peeling. As of now there is no structural damage. On the motion of Legislator Alvarado, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins for Budget & Appropriation, the motion was carried by a vote of 6-0. On the motion of Chair Bronz, seconded by Legislator Wishnie for the Public Safety Committee, the motion was carried by a vote of 3-0. On the motion of Legislator Oros, seconded by Legislator Ryan for Public Works, the motion was carried by a vote of 6-0.
C128 - $210,000 for the County Jail Armory, BCR29: The State Commission on Corrections has requested that the Armory be changed so that it is in the back. At its present location, the room is not bullet proof and it is near the visiting area. The Corrections Department has been cited twice by the State. On the motion of Legislator Bronz, seconded by Legislator Oros for Budget & Appropriation, the motion was carried by a vote of 6-0. On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Chair Bronz for Public Safety, the motion was carried by a vote of 3-0. On the motion of Legislator Ryan, seconded by Legislator Oros for Public Works, the motion was carried by a vote of 6-0.
C129 - $660,000 for Penn Laundry Project, BCR45: Presently this is farmed out to the Medical Center. When the project is completed, it will pay for itself in 3-4 years. Inmates will be utilized and not only will the County save money, but this will also be a training program for the prisoners.
On the motion of Chair Bronz, seconded by Legislator Alvarado for Budget & Appropriation, the motion was carried by a vote of 6-0. On the motion of Chair Bronz, seconded by Legislator Wishnie for Public Safety, the motion was carried by a vote of 3-0. On the motion of Legislator Rogowsky, seconded by Legislator Oros for the Public Works Committee, the motion was carried by a vote of 6-0.
Commissioner Pozzi mentioned that construction is on schedule for the new pen. The roof has been poured for the second level and there is a power point presentation that can be presented if the legislators are interested.
On the motion of Legislator Rogowsky, seconded by Legislator Ryan, the Public Works Committee was adjourned.
C133 - $180,000 for Emergency Services – Fire Training Site Improvements, BES06: This is the first phase of a multi-phase project. The project will include repair of the existing vehicle burn area, construction of a water drafting pit to replace the existing pit inside the apparatus room, renovation of the outside retention basin and fire pump, repairs to the drill tower, smoke house, observation tower and residential burn house and construction of an ADA ramp and additional parking. In 1999, 4000 people were trained at the facility and in 2002, 22,000 were trasined. There is no charge to use the fire training site. The fire department using the site is liable for any injuries.
On the motion of Chair Bronz, seconded by Legislator Wishnie for the Public Safety Committee, the motion was carried by a vote of 3-0. On the motion of Legislator Alvarado, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins for Budget & Appropriations, the motion was carried by a vote of 6-0.
On the motion of Chair Bronz, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the Public Safety Committee was adjourned.
The Budget Director painted a grim picture for the balance of this year – the County will have to pay an additional $10.6 million to the pension fund. The cumulative impact of the Governor’s Budget Proposal will be a hit of approximately $16 million. The State Legislature has two priorities – education and hospitals.
On the motion of Legislator Alvarado, seconded by Legislator Stewart Cousins, the Budget & Appropriation Committee was adjourned at 10:57 a.m.