COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION

MINUTES

MARCH 10, 2003

MEMBERS PRESENT:       Wishnie, Alvarado, LaMotte, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson

OTHERS PRESENT: CE’s office: B. Randolph, A. Neuman, I. Riley, Dr. N. Jacknis; WCDOT: L. Salley, R. Bracchitta; PRC: J. Stout, D. DeLucia, D. McBride, R. Vrana; OFD: S. Brandon, C. Andritsopoulos; Law: L. Alesio; DPW: R. Butler; Planning: F. McLoughlin; IT: R.A. Elliott, K. Foster; Budget: K. Carrano, A. Vietro; CBAC/LWVW: Barbara Strauss, TJA: K. Eddings, BOL Staff: B. Boland, S. Schechter, R. Indelicato, S. Vanderberg   

With a quorum present, the meeting was called at 9:22 a.m.

Receive & File

On the motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, item A28- court ordered refunds, was received and filed, 4-0.

ITEM A10

Requesting authorization to commence legal proceedings against YourGrocer.com facilitating their eviction from 375 Executive Boulevard, Elmsford.  Ms. Alesio (Law) said it is believed the company vacated the premises on or about January 1, 2002, and has since turned into another company.  Yourgrocer.com has not only failed to pay rent pursuant to the terms of the lease, but has failed to respond to numerous notices/invoices concerning the matter.  The amount of rent past due through February 2003 totals $222,958.38 which; she anticipates will grow during the course of the proceedings.

On the motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the item was carried, 4-0.  Legislator Alvarado was out for the vote.

ITEM A8

This item, allowing the acceptance of grants from the New York State DOT for five different capital projects at the County Airport, thereby reducing the County’s contribution to the Airport Special Revenue Funds; will also authorize amendments to the County 2003 Capital Budget reflecting these reductions.

Project A0084: Accepting $10,000 dollars in grants reducing the

      County’s contribution from $70,000 to $60,000.

Project A056A: Accepting $15,000 dollars in grants reducing the

                                    County’s contribution from $455,000 to $440,000.

Project A0089: Accepting $10,000 dollars in grants reducing the

                                    County’s contribution from $20,000 to $10,000.

Project A006A: Accepting $15,000 dollars in grants reducing the

                                    County’s contribution from $355,000 to $340,000.

Project A0050: Accepting $250,000 dollars in grants reducing the

                                   County’s contribution from $582,000 to $332,000.

On the motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the item was carried, 4-0, with Legislator Alvarado out for the vote.

BOND ACTS

C108- Authorizing the approval of $2,200,000 for roof replacement at Playland, Commissioner Stout (Parks), said the bulk of this project is actually structural repairs.   This structure, like many at the Park is rotting and leaning as no improvements/repairs have been made since it was originally built in the 1920’s. 

In an effort to avoid the possibility of the bond amount increasing after having been signed out of committee, Legislator Wishnie suggested the Department complete the design and investigation phase, prior to Committee approval.

At the suggestion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the Committee decided to reconsider the item after the Committee on Parks takes action.

C109- Commissioner Stout said the $250,000 for the Redevelopment of Croton Point Park would not usurp or replace improvement plans at any other County ball fields. 

Due to concerns raised by the Committee, it was decided Commissioners Carrano and Stout would update the necessary numbers and consult with Mr. Boland after which time the Committee would reconsider the item.

C110- Commissioner Stout said the $200,000 requested is for the rehabilitation of Tibbett’s Pool and Bathhouse.  The specific improvements will include structural repairs to the retaining walls on the east side of the Pool, the filter room, the Bathhouse building as well as floor slabs.

Legislator Alvarado expressed the necessity of the project as the facility is very heavily used. 

On the motion of Legislator Alvarado, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins the item was carried 5-0.

C125- Dr. Jacknis (IT) explained with the $270,000 requested would enable the County to acquire and install the software necessary for its ongoing “smart card” program.  In addition to storing data about the cardholder, including an electronic signature and thumb print, the card will the ability to store information such as the cardholder’s emergency response qualifications and/or security clearance status.  He believes the card could increase the speed of responses and productivity of County staff, by reducing the amount of time spent on data entry.

Dr. Jacknis said $20,000 of the $270,000 would be used to acquire E-Commerce software enabling the County to increase tickets sales for various County facilities through online access.

On the motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins the item was carried 5-0, Legislator Swanson signed “without prejudice.”

C126- Dr. Jacknis said $740,000 requested for POWER Tools, would enable the County to acquire and install reusable computer software and consultant services to implement workflow reengineering, document, knowledge and facilities management; increasing staff efficiency.  This program will be implemented in conjunction with the Department of Public Works.  

At the suggestion of Legislator Wishnie, it was decided this item would be held until an in depth review by the subcommittee to Budget & Appropriations was possible.

C130-Commissioner Salley said the County would be exercising its option to purchase 15-16 of the allowed 36 new Para transit vehicles (and parts).  The County’s share is $449,000 of the $2,246,000 dollar total; the FDA and DOT are responsible for the remaining 1.8 million.  Each van costs about $65,000 dollars and have a 7-person capacity.  The purchase of these vans will allow the County to replace 25% of its 60-vehicle fleet each year, respecting the 5-year useful life guidelines.  Commissioner Salley anticipates purchasing the remaining vehicles in the option in the future. 

On the motion of Legislator Alvarado, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins the item was carried 5-0.  With Legislators Swanson and LaMotte signing “without prejudice.”

On the motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Alvarado the meeting was adjourned at 10:38.