HEALTH MEMBERS: Abinanti, Carsky, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson
OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph, Bob Funicello; Budget Department: Kate Carrano; PRC: David DeLucia, John Condon; Dept. of Correction: Robert Davis; DPW: Anthony Landi, Larry Fasnacht; CBAC: George Hosey, Barbara Strauss; County Clerk’s Office: Leonard Spano, Eugene Rogers; Law Dept.: Alan Scheinkman; BOL: Tara Bernard, Robert Boland, Sally Schecter, Chris Chang, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Wishnie called the Budget Committee meeting to order at 10:15 a.m.
DISCUSSION:
Public Hearing Resolutions (3) for 2001 Budget:
· Item A: Designating Newspapers
· Item B: Suspending Rules 9 & 11
· Item C: Adopting Rules of Conduct
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve items A, B, & C was carried by a vote of 9-0.
1. Municipal Non-Toxic Pest Management Project: Proposed legislation
regarding the Municipal Non-Toxic Pest Management Project. (8/1/00)
· This legislation would authorize the county to apply to the New York State Department of environmental Conservation for State funding to provide a Municipal Non-Toxic Pest Management Project whereby County employees and interested employees of local municipalities will be trained in non-toxic pest management methods on or before March 31, 2001 after which time the state funding for the program will terminate.
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The County is not required to provide local matching funds for the project pursuant to this State assistant program.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.
4. Scarsdale IMA: Proposed Act authorizing the County to enter into an IMA with the Village of Scarsdale to utilize approximately 3.7 acres of the Bronx River Reservation. (8/1/00)
· For the past fifteen years the Village has used the property solely for municipal recreation purposes and has kept the property open to all County residents.
· The Village has proposed a five year lease agreement in order to continue its use of this portion of the Bronx River Reservation commencing May 1, 2000.
· The license agreement, with an annual fee of $200.00 will require the Village to be solely responsible for the maintenance and supervision of the property.
On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.
3. Mount Pleasant IMA: Proposed Act authorizing the County to enter into an IMA with the Town of Mount Pleasant to utilize approximately 1.16 acres of parkland on the Bronx River Reservation known as Patrick Henry Field. (8/1/00)
Since 1959 the Town has used the property solely for municipal recreation purposes and has kept the property open to all County residents.
The Town has proposed a new 5 year lease agreement in order to continue its use of Patrick Henry Field commencing May 1, 2000.
The license agreement, with an annual fee of $200.00 will require the Town to be solely responsible for the maintenance and supervision of the property.
On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by legislator Young, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.
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5. Prisoner Transport IMA: Proposed Act authorizing the County to enter into an IMA with the City of Peekskill in order to provide reimbursement for prisoner transportation to the Westchester County Jail. (8/1/00)
· Term of the IMA: Not to exceed amount of $185,976.00 to Peekskill for the term commencing January 1, 2000 and terminating December 31, 2001.
· This IMA will allow the County to reimburse Peekskill for the costs it incurs in transporting prisoners who have been arraigned from Peekskill to the Westchester County Jail.
· Reimbursement to Peekskill will be for round trip transportation and will be based on the per hour labor costs of police officers and the mileage to and from the Westchester county Jail multiplied by a fixed fee per mile.
· The County will also reimburse Peekskill for the actual and reasonable cost of meals provided to post-arraignment prisoners.
On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.
8. Snow and Ice Control on County Roads: Proposed Act authorizing the County to enter into IMA’s with local municipalities for snow and ice control on County roads located within those municipalities. (6/19/00) (Also referred to PW)
· This legislation was already signed out by the PW Committee.
· Term would be winter of 2000/2001 and all subsequent seasons through 2004/2005.
· Authority is also requested to continue the Salt shed Incentive Program.
On motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.
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HEALTH COMMITTEE:
Chairman Abinanti called the Health Committee meeting to order at 10:35 a.m.
19. COUNTY ATTORNEY: WCHCC Guarantee Agreement: proposed Act which would authorize the execution of a Guarantee Agreement between the County and the Westchester County Health Care Corporation. (9/18/00) (Also referred to Health)
· For the year 2000, WCHCC originally planned to sell its bonds in two phases. The first phase was to sell bonds in the Spring of 2000 to finance various projects, including modernization related to the children’s Hospital and the restructuring of the Westchester Institute of Human Development’s mortgage and refinancing past County issued bonds. The second phase was to consist of a Fall sale which would include certain modernization projects, new construction (the Children’s Hospital), realignment projects and for routine capital projects for 2000.
· WCHCC has decided, due to a variety of technical and marketing issues, to integrate the entire issue onto one sale, to take place in October of this year.
· By combining the two issues, a savings of close to $100,000 on legal and accounting fees will be realized.
· The Board has previously authorized all necessary actions of the County in relation to this sale, except for the year 2000 routine capital.
· During this summer, WCHCC has formally requested that the County guarantee the payment of WCHCC bonds in an amount not to exceed $15,500,000 million for their routine capital projects for 2000. This not to exceed amount consists of $11,375,000 in medical center projects and $1,450,000 in Taylor Care Center projects for a total of $12,825,000 in estimated project costs. The remaining $2,675,000 will provide for contingencies, costs of issuance and estimated capital interest.
· There was discussion as to seeing a Capital Plan for WCHCC.
· Legislator LaMotte suggested B&A meet with finance Committee of the Board of WCHCC.
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FOR THE HEALTH COMMITTEE:
On motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 4-0.
FOR THE BUDGET COMMITTEE:
On motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0. (Legislator Noto out for vote)
20.* County Attorney: WCHCC Agreements: Forwarding proposed legislation authorizing the county, acting by and through the Department of Laboratories and Research, to enter into various agreements with the Westchester County Health Care Corporation. (9/18/00) (Also referred to Health)
· Reference 1: Labs & Research will provide Medical Examiner’s services, as well as environmental, microbiological, toxicological and forensic services to WCHCC with revenue to the County in the amount of $409,600 in the first year, increasing by the percent increase in the Consumer Price Index in the second year.
· Reference 2: WCHCC shall provide mail, pharmacy and laundry services to the Department of Labs & Research at an annual cost to the County of $12,500 for a total cost of $25,000 for the 2 year term of the agreement.
· Reference 3: WCHCC shall provide employee health services, including Hepatitis B vaccinations, other examinations, tests and screenings as required by the Department of Labs & Research at an annual cost to the County of $7,500 for a total cost of $15,000 for the 2 year term of the agreement.
FOR THE HEALTH COMMITTEE:
On motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 4-0.
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FOR THE BUDGET COMMITTEE:
On motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0. (Legislator Noto out for vote)
ADJOURNMENT FOR HEALTH COMMITTEE:
There being no further items for discussion by the Health Committee, on motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the Health Committee adjourned at 11:20 a.m.
COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE UPDATE:
· Messrs. Spano and Rogers were in to brief the Committee on various matters in the County Clerk’s Office.
· They reminded the Committee that new equipment was put in during the time of the highest volume. They are continuing to work with IT to work the bugs out of the new system.
· In March of 2000 they were 5 to 6 months behind but caught up by the end of May/beginning of June. They are currently 7-8 days behind.
· Although there has been a slow down in the refinancing of mortgages, people are continuing to purchase homes, bringing 300-330 papers per day. They are putting in approximately 400 per day.
· Gun Registration: Mr. Spano reported that they are moving right along in this area.
· The state is sending them lists of people who have died.
· The County Police department is sending out a notice to all people who didn’t respond to the County Clerk’s letter with regard to registration of guns.
· They will have a true, accurate list of permit holders (which they anticipate to be approximately 16,000-17,000) on the computer.
· Mr. Mosiello stated that he has received complaints from people that when renewing gun permits the questioning from some of the Judge’s assistants has been unreasonable. Mr. Spano stated that is due in part to the problem of determining changes in circumstances (i.e. retired persons who previously held full carry permits for business purposes). He asked that Mr. Mosiello speak to him or Mr. Rogers about these complaints after the meeting.
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A&C CALENDAR:
The Committee reviewed the September 28, 2000 A&C Calendar. Several requests were made for back-up information.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.