Chair Swanson called the meeting to order at 4:08 p.m.

Ms. Redd-Zeman gave a detailed explanation of her background and experience. Chair Swanson asked Ms. Redd-Zeman how the Personnel Department was running and how she would improve it. Ms. Redd-Zeman responded that she had done a comprehensive overview and she believes the office is comprised of good, hardworking, professional individuals. She is looking towards automating the office. She wants to have the job postings on the internet and have the applications done on line as well. Chair Swanson asked how Ms. Redd-Zeman finds the Civil Service laws. Ms. Redd-Zeman felt that there are a lot of things that discourage good employees from doing good work. However it is helpful for employees who deserve to have security. She has her problems with it but she works within it. Legislator Oros stated that he felt there should be mentor system, or employee training, some way to keep good people employed with the County. Ms. Redd-Zeman agreed. She believes we need to stimulate thinking. She wants to have an employee incentive program. The employee who derives the best idea of how to save the County money, for example, for that quarter,

will get recognition. She also wants to have a supervisor training program.

Dr. Adel gave a synopsis of his background and experience. He also gave a detailed explanation of what the Health Department is responsible for. Some of the programs are, immunization action programs, patient care clinical services, the division of disease care, they provide home care, poison and prevention programs, pediatric care and more. They provide services seven days a week, around the clock. They have a hazmat team for hazardous material spills. They check air and water quality, and provide food service establishment investigations. They have services for children with disabilities, and develop and distribute educational material to the public. Chairman Latimer inquired as to how the Health Department would come into play if a hazardous spill was reported on a highway. Dr. Adel stated that they would be notified by the police or firefighters to come and make an assessment. They are there instantly. They have done a very respectable job in response. Dr. Adel went on to say that currently the State has responsibility for petroleum storage, but they are working towards having that responsibility. Legislator Pinto asked if there is a certain policy for hazardous waste storage, to which Dr. Adel responded that there are standards that forbid storage of certain materials at certain locations. Violators receive a fine. Legislator Stewart-Cousins asked if, with the outbreak of rubella effecting so many Latinos, the Health Department was equipped to get into those communities most effected. Dr. Adel responded that they have their Spanish speaking employees go through out the neighborhoods, they have formed a Spanish speaking coalition to outreach to the Spanish community. The problem is that they are afraid and very distrusting of government agencies. However, the Health Department is making a heroic effort.

Mr. Schwartz stated that he is the Chief Advisor to the County Executive. He is temporarily wearing two hats, by becoming the Acting Administrator of General Services. The County Executive’s goal is to eliminate that office, with the consent of the Board of Legislators. Mr. Schwartz is working on putting together a plan where

they can consolidate many of the functions that are taking place and move them into other areas. They are putting together a draft to get the Board’s thoughts and opinions before they put together a formal proposal. He met with the majority of the staff in General Service to let them know what the County Executive’s goal was and to let them know that the plan does not include lay offs. Mr. Schwartz has asked Mr. Phelan to be a deputy director of General Services to handle the day to day operations of the department. Something that Mr. Schwartz wants to do is reduce the County Fleet. He wants to determine who has the cars, and what they are being used for. He wants to make sure that the people who really need cars have safe ones to drive. He wants to get rid of the old cars that require regular maintenance. Chair Swanson asked what Mr. Schwartz for an estimated time frame for the consolidation. Mr. Schwartz responded 90 days, 120 max. Legislator Carsky asked Mr. Schwartz where Mr. Jacknis, the Chief Information Officer, will be located. The response was that he is located on the 9th floor, he is an integral part of all the operations that go on in County Government.

Chair Swanson stated they would begin with his position in corrections. Mr. Pozzi stated that the main directive from the County Executive was to look at the overtime issue. Last year the final figure was about 9.8 million dollars in overtime expended. Some of it is legitimate. The real issue is dealing with 207c sick / injury. They need to renegotiate the contract. Everything has been given away. They need to get some control back. They need to look at over time and post cuts. The County Executive has put together a task force to look at the overtime. Chair Swanson asked Mr. Pozzi to give them some insight into probation. Mr. Pozzi stated that they see more convicted felons on a daily basis than any other criminal justice agency. They provide all the support to the courts, any reports they need. They do supervision of anybody who is convicted and placed on probation, they do all pre-sentence investigations, for family court they do all the intake, the domestic violence petitions, the adoptions, the custody investigations. He went on to say that they have become

a national model in a lot of areas. He believes they have a great department and they make the ideas become realities.

Legislator Young motioned to receive and file the designation of deputies for the County Clerk and the Departments of Corrections, Social Services, Finance, Parks, Recreation and Conservation, Public Works, Health and Budget, General Services, and for the District Attorney. It was seconded by Legislator Oros. The motion was carried by a vote of 6-0.

Legislator Oros motioned to approve the minutes of February 9, 1998 and was seconded by Legislator Young. The motion was carried by a vote of 6-0.

Chair Swanson distributed a memo from Legislator Oros, Chair of the Committee on Community Affairs, suggesting that the Committee on County Officers & Departments investigate the pilferage and theft of County goods at the Yonkers & Mamaroneck Sewage Treatment Plants. Chair Swanson stated that we will set up a meeting on this issue.

Chair Swanson also distributed a copy of the response she received from the County Attorney to her inquiry as to the status of a Westchester County Official’s position, who serves as a member of the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency (WCIDA),

upon expiration of her term of office. The response was that her position on the WCIDA is terminated upon expiration of her term in office.

Legislator Young motioned to approve the resolution confirming the appointment of Paula Redd-Zeman as Personnel Officer and was seconded by Legislator Pinto. The motion was carried by a vote of 6-0.

Legislator Young motioned to approve the resolution confirming the appointment of Dr. Harold Adel as Acting Commissioner of Health and was seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins. The motion was carried by a vote of 6-0.

Legislator Pinto motioned to approve the resolution confirming the appointment of Larry Schwartz as Acting Administrator of General Services and was seconded by Chairman Latimer. The motion was carried by a vote of 6-0.

Legislator Pinto motioned to approve the resolution confirming the appointment of Rocco Pozzi as Acting Corrections Commissioner and was seconded by Chairman Latimer. The motion was carried by a vote 6-0.

Legislator Young motioned to approve the resolution confirming the appointment of Rocco Pozzi as Probation Commissioner and was seconded by Legislator Pinto. The motion was carried by a vote of 6-0.

Legislator Young motioned to approve the resolution confirming the appointment of Joyce Lannert as Commissioner of Planning and was seconded by Legislator Pinto. The motion was carried by a vote of 6-0.

There being no further business, on motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Oros the meeting was adjourned at 5:20 p.m. The motion was carried by a vote of 6-0.