The meeting was called to order at 4:12 P.M.

Co-Chair Stewart-Cousins motioned to approve the minutes of October 22, 1996, and was seconded by Jay Bilotta. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0.

Co-Chair Delfino apologized for the delay in meeting again, the budget held them up for a while and trying to get everyone’s schedules to coincide was a task in itself. They will try not to let so much time pass between meetings again. He went on to ask everyone to review the mission statement in front of them.

Co-Chair Stewart Cousins motioned to accept the mission statement and was seconded by Harold Vogt.

Co-Chair Delfino referred to the minutes of October 22, 1996, the second paragraph from the bottom of the first page; Mr. Dwyer suggested developing a questionnaire, which Co-Chair Delfino suggested could also be used to get banks input on how government can spur economic growth. Mr. Dwyer suggested sitting down with presidents from area banks to discuss ideas. He stated that he hoped to have a questionnaire completed in two weeks, which we would then mail to the members of the committee that are not in this office. He asked that they please call with their input.

Harold Vogt suggested that it would be beneficial to have a follow up meeting with the banker association. He also stated he could fax over some questions to put on the questionnaire, for example, how much is the bank involved in small businesses.

Co-Chair Stewart Cousins mentioned that the committee should tap 3 sources, bring in someone from one large , one medium, and one small bank to be sure that they develop an appropriate questionnaire.

Bruce Lord wanted to clarify for himself that the purpose is to develop a questionnaire to evaluate banks to find out what kind of loans they are giving to the community.

Co-Chair Delfino explained that many banks are doing lots for the community that we are not aware of. We should be praising these banks.

Co-Chair Stewart Cousins stated that the bankers should be brought in collectively. The Board has banks that it does business with but the criteria is not clear as to why they would be on the top ten list. We need to find out what these banks are doing and how well they are doing it.

Harold Vogt explained that it is hard to evaluate banks because they are all different sizes. We should try to rank them as acceptable and unacceptable.

Co-Chair Delfino then went on to item number one on the agenda, A proposed act repealing Act 156-1993 which establishes an investment policy for the County of Westchester and which establishes a new investment policy for the County of Westchester pursuant to New York State general municipal law section 39, which he will have the administration come down and explain to this Task Force after the members have had more time to review it.

Co-Chair Stewart-Cousins explained how the procedure here works, to the other members. Items come down from the administration on our agenda, they come to our Task Force we discuss the item, then we will refer them to a specific committee.

Co-Chair Delfino stated that we would get each member of this Task Force a copy of the Act with the changes highlighted so that it is clear what the changes are. He then asked Tina Moro (Task Force secretary) to draft a note to Eric Langeloh, Commissioner of Finance asking for such a copy of the Act.

Co-Chair Delfino remarked that we will address agenda item number two in the next meeting. A copy of a letter for the Executive Director of the Council for the Arts urging consideration of the proposal for an arts/cultural economic development initiative.

Harold Vogt was concerned about a duplication of efforts. There are a lot of funds going to the Partnership of Economic Development.

Co-Chair Delfino asked Tina Moro to get a copy of the study discussed on page two of agenda item number two. He suggested calling Judy Matson in the County Executives office to get it, and if she is unable to help, contact Janet Langsam, Executive Director for the Arts Council.

Co-Chair Delfino stated that we will marry item number two and item number three, a correspondence from Historic Hudson Valley, in the next meeting.

Co-Chair Delfino went on to discuss agenda item number four. The County Executives Executive Order with respect to Project Labor Agreements. Which Chairman Oros asked this Task Force to study and make any suitable recommendations for legislative action. Co-Chair Delfino believes that legal work needs to be done on this. He also stated that Jay Bilotta may want to look very closely at this because it refers to the labor industry, which is where he has his expertise.

Co-Chair Stewart Cousins interjected that people from the Labor Industry Council and individuals involved in the Project Management Agreement would want to come in and discuss this. She continued that at first it looks good, but she has concerns. She would like to see more apprenticeships in the unions. There is not enough access to those kinds of jobs.

Jay Bilotta commented that it is difficult to find knowledgeable, qualified people for apprentice jobs.

Co-Chair Stewart-Cousins stated that we should create the knowledge. We have so many people that could exist but don’t have access. Maybe we can do more to create the people. Take them off the street corners.

Co-Chair Delfino asked Jay Bilotta if they have apprentice programs in unions.

Jay Bilotta responded that it is rare.

Bruce Lord feels there should be some kind of inclusion regarding the price war and bidding war.

Jay Bilotta remarked that prices have come down, yet the goals, the quality of work and specifications for specific jobs sometimes warrant higher pricing.

Co-Chair Delfino commented that it is hard to believe that the Executive Order would not have gone through our legal department because of all the legality of it. It must have been drafted by the Law Department.

Bruce Lord feels the Executive Order is a hot issue, he doesn’t want the Task Force to put it too far on the back burner.

Harold Vogt commented about minorities in unions, that they don’t have the bonding capability.

Bruce Lord stated that there might be a way because in construction a job gets a certain amount of money to start then gets more money in stages. There are ways to work around the process.

Co-Chair Delfino mentioned that the day before in Minority Affairs, there was a contract issue, doing research work to help county determine where they are in including minorities in government. The County Executive asked that the committee come and make a presentation, which is a big step.

Bruce Lord stated that bonding was a major issue.

Co-Chair Delfino remarked that it is often a judgment call. It isn’t always the lowest bidder, it is who is most qualified.

Bruce Lord asked what criteria there is, what is the determining factor, it should not be just an arbitrary decision.

Co-Chair Stewart Cousins mentioned that Acquisition and Contract reform is on the Board of Legislators agenda.

Co-Chair Delfino instructed Tina Moro to mail a copy of the minutes and agenda to the outside members of this Task Force.

The members then all agreed to meet again in two weeks, on Thursday March 20th at 3:00 P.M., but that the regular meeting time will be on Wednesdays at 4:30 P.M.

Co-Chair Andrea Stewart-Cousins motioned to adjourn, and was seconded by Jay Bilotta. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0.