Minutes

Committee on Community Affairs

January 27, 1997

Present: Chair Bronz, Legs: Stewart-Cousins,

Spreckman and Latimer

Also Present: Comm. DeSantis, Mr. Young, Mr.

Condon, Ms. Midler, Ms. Curtis,

Ms. Ruddy, Ms Scienze, Mr. Swee

& Mrs. Keating

Items Discussed:

Chair Bronz called the meeting to order at 1:15 P.M. Comm. DeSantis addressed the meeting. For the past several months there have been many meetings on this issue with Ms. DeSalvo regarding breaches in the contract, the Law Department has become involved and also her customer skills.

The Commissioner stated that he is giving Ms. DeSalvo one last chance to sink or swim on her merits.

The Commissioner also stated that he appreciates the concerns of the constituents, but does not concur.

The complaints regarding inferior grain were unfounded. The grain was sent to a lab for testing and met sufficient standards.

At this point the Parks Department asked the Health Department to become involved. The Health Department went in and their violations were responded to appropriately.

Comm. DeSantis stated that Joseph Plummer, who manages Muscoot, went down to the Stable and saw no malnutrition. There have been several site visits without notifying Ms. DeSalvo and things seem to be in order.

Comm. DeSantis stated that some points the constituents brought out had merit. Her customer relations skills are lousy and she was told to stop. Is that grounds? The Commissioner does not think so.

The Parks Department is concerned about the number of tenants leaving the facility - but where the real problem lies in these clashes - no one knows, but Ms. DeSalvo was informed that the County expects and immediate improvement.

There has also been discussions about public access to the trails. Horse trailer parking off-season will be allowed in Saxon Woods Golf Course Parking Lot and also at Saxon Wood Pool Parking Lot. Both access the trails.

Access for public hacking is a valid point, however, the problem was caused by Risk Management who upped the insurance from $1 million to $5 million and the County released her from that part of her contact. The County is working to lower the premium for the new RFP that will be going out. Ms. DeSalvo’s contract is up the end of October.

The Commissioner went on the discuss fees. He stated that no fees were enacted without the Parks Board approval. There are several on record and their approvals are also on record. All rate increases were approved.

Signage of the rates, however, was not adequate and new signage was discussed with Ms. DeSalvo and has been corrected.

Hacking will also be a part of the new Contract. If Ms. DeSalvo shapes up she will not be precluded from bidding on the new RFP.

The present contract is too loosely drafted and the Parks Department is working with the Law Department to tighten up all loose ends.

As far as her selling horses for profit at the stable, that is not in her contract, and to our knowledge, it was 12 or less and was done at the request of the people at the facility. There is an issue if she will be liable for taxes on these sales.

The tenant in the trailer was a Pride-In-Work individual who Social Services gave an okay, but it was not approved by the Parks Department and we gave the Mr. Zahn 30 days to move out and told Ms. DeSalvo to return the money to Social Services, which she did.

There have been at least 14 unscheduled visits in the last 8 weeks and the Parks Department will make sure that she follows her contract to the letter.

Chair Bronz asked how many horses are there and Mr. Condon stated 65.

Chair Bronz asked about vet services and the Comm. stated that there are several options available and the horse owners are allowed to choose.

Chair Bronz asked where Ms. DeSalvo came from and if she had a background in Horse Management, and Mr. Condon stated that she was working at a horse facility in Putnam County.

Chair Bronz asked if there were State standards to follow and the Commissioner stated that some states do have standards that we can implement into the new contract.

Chair Bronz asked about staffing and Mr. Young stated that she has two muckers, plus the Pride-In-Work employees, and Ms. Nigro and others who are seasonal staffing assistants.

The Commissioner stated that we do not take this lightly and there is no question that Ms. DeSalvo needs monitoring, but the Commissioner does not feel at this time that that is sufficient enough to cancel her contract.

Leg. Stewart-Cousins asked if this is a public facility, has it been made clear that the owner is the County of Westchester and not Ms. DeSalvo and the Commissioner said yes. There are signs that say, "Let us know how your feel" with a County Parks number.

Leg. Stewart-Cousins asked when you make these surprise visits, is there a check list that is followed, and the Commissioner said yes and the check list is filed in his office.

Leg. Stewart-Cousins also asked about the sale of horses and the possibility of Ms. DeSalvo being liable for sales tax and the Commissioner stated that is entirely possible.

The Commissioner stated that many items need to be included in the new lease.

Leg. Stewart-Cousins asked about the turnover and does the Parks department know before it happens. The Commissioner stated that we do now, but we haven’t in the past. Leg. Stewart-Cousins stated that maybe this should be mandated in future agreements.

Leg. Spreckman suggested that the Parks Department get an alphabetical list on a regular basis and then you would know what is going on.

Leg. Bronz thanked the Commissioner for coming and told him to keep the Committee apprised of the situation.

Ms. Ruddy read a prepared statement to the Committee and cited several discrepancies from the contract, including the Propane Tank. Ms. Ruddy stated that he contacted the Eastchester Fire Department and has received no response.

Ms. Ruddy went on to cite several other breaches in the contract that are still occurring since the Commissioner spoke to her in October.

Chair Bronz stated that the Committee recognizes the extent of your concern and will share your communications with the other legislators.

Ms. Manning brought up the fact that all her recommendations were from men and all written within a two week period in October.

Leg. Latimer asked for an example and Ms. Midler explained that Mr. Diaz was giving her lessons and made some unfavorable remarks and when she brought it up to Ms. DeSalvo, she said if you don’t like it, don’t take the lessons. Ms. Midler was very concerned for the children who take lessons from Mr. Diaz.

On motion of Leg. Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Chair Bronz, the meeting adjourned at 2:25 p.m..