COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION

MINUTES: -January 30, 2002

 

 

MEMBERS:          Stewart-Cousins, Chair, Bronz, Oros and Abinanti and Maisano

 

BOL:                     Bass, Giordano, David Simpson

 

GUESTS:             Liz Salvi (Law), Bill Randolph (CEO), Larry Salley (DOT), Jo Brill, Keith Eddings (The Journal News)

 

Chairwoman, Andrea Stewart-Cousins called the meeting to order at  11:16 am.

 

The Legislation meeting opened with a discussion on the State Legislative Package.  Karen Pasquale talked about the Administration’s draft of the package, describing some initiatives and proposals. 

 

Karen introduced Mr. Lawrence Salley, Commissioner of Transportation, who spoke about the item calling for the modification of the WestchesterCounty transit bus procurement requirements.  Mr. Salley informed us that the Department of Transportation would like to change from bids to competition and negotiation.  The goal is to be on equal footing with other transportation companies in other counties.

 

Mr. Salley further informed us that we now have a sealed low bid process.  The current environment locks us into the lowest response, thus limiting us to bus companies who respond to our bids, making us the only county which operates with a closed bid process.

 

There was much discussion on items in the Draft Legislative Package.  A copy of the package is on file. 

 

It was asked if we could get an estimate as to what the State Budget will cost us.  NYSAC staff is working on a complete budget analysis and Karen will follow up on the impact.  It was asked if we could have a chart to indicate where the money is being utilized.

COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION

MINUTES – January 30, 2002

Page 2

 

 

Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins suggested we prioritize the items that the Board needs to focus on and that this should be a co-equal branch of government effort and represented that way when the package is presented in Albany. 

 

Questions arose on the following:

 

Cynthia’s Law was discussed and there were questions as to whether it was determined to be manslaughter.  It was suggested that someone from the DA’s office come in to discuss this.  

 

A tax exemption for WorldTradeCenter victims

 

Funding for TAP

 

Chairwoman Andrea Stewart-Cousins asked that our staff do research on the above and report at the next Legislation Meeting.  

 

It was agreed that members go to their respective caucuses to review priorities for the Legislative Package, bringing their results to our next meeting.

 

Maisano made a motion to adjourn and Bronz seconded the motion.  Meeting on Legislation was adjourned at 12:33 pm.