STAFF: ETTERE, SCHECTER

GUESTS: ALAN SCHEINKMAN (CTY. ATTY); LARRY SCHWARTZ, BILL RANDOLPH (CTY. EXEC.’S OFFICE)

There is a tape on file for more detailed information.

The meeting was called to order at 3:07 pm.

MINUTES:

Legislator Spreckman made a motion to approve the minutes of July 26, 1999 and was seconded by Legislator Young. The motion was carried by a vote of 3-0. (Legislators Pinto, Latimer & Stewart-Cousins were out for the vote.)

ITEM # D15

Chair Swanson presented Item D15 for discussion. Item D15 is an Act reappointing three (3) voting directors to the Westchester County Health Care Corporation (WCHCC). The names are Jo Brill, Gene Capello and Jon Halpern.

Legislator Young said that because the Hospital and the Board of Legislators have a unique relationship that the three individuals should come in before this Committee. He believes that the voting patterns of the Hospital Board need to be discussed with them on an individual basis. Legislator Young stated for the record that he is not directing comments toward these particular members but to the Westchester County Health Care Corporation Board of Directors as a whole.

Chair Swanson stated that the Committee will not act on Item D15 at this time and that the individuals will be called to appear before this Committee in September.

COMMITTEE ON COUNTY OFFICERS & DEPARTMENTS

MINUTES – AUGUST 16, 1999

PAGE 2

ALAN SCHEINKMAN

The County Attorney was invited to attend today’s Committee meeting to discuss staggered terms of County Boards and Commissions. Chair Swanson asked Mr. Scheinkman to elaborate on his departments’ response to the Committee’s inquiry. There was a lengthy discussion.

HIGHLIGHTS:

· Presently – If an individual is replacing themselves or another member they are appointed to a full term.

· When the new Administration took office they found many positions on various Boards & Commissions to be vacant for an extended period of time. This added to the problem of setting staggered terms.

· Presently - If a member’s current term expires and a successor is not appointed immediately the present member’s term is held over as stated in the general provisions of law in the County Charter. The next term then starts at time of reappointment not when the holdover began.

· The purpose of staggered terms is to have terms expire at different times.

· If holdovers are eliminated, Boards & Commissions may be left without a full board for months (which will highly effect Boards with community representatives).

· If an individual is appointed to a three (3) year term and resigns after 1 ½ years, the successor then fills out the un-expired term. Shouldn’t the same logic be applied to holdovers?

OPTIONS:

· Should the Board of Legislators eliminate the County Executive’s authority to hold over terms?

· Will there then be problems with appointed members because some will have longer terms than others will?

· Limit the time a holdover can be in effect.

COMMITTEE ON COUNTY OFFICERS & DEPARTMENTS

MINUTES – AUGUST 16, 1999

PAGE 3

Chair Swanson asked that the Administration adhere to the classifications of each Board & Commission and that they impose staggered terms. The Committee and the Administration agreed.

ITEM # D1

It was requested that someone from the Administration come before this Committee to outline the County’s policies regarding employees working at campaign events during work hours. Larry Schwartz, Chief Advisor to the County Executive, came before the Committee.

Chair Swanson stated that she had reviewed the time sheet records of Terence Kelly, Victoria Hochman and Karen Pasquale. All three individuals had requested Personal Leave during the same time they were seen working on Hillary Clinton’s Senate Campaign at the Westchester Community College.

Mr. Schwartz explained that County policy requires all employees to request time off to conduct non-County business, such as campaigns, during the course of normal business hours. He also stated activities outside of normal work hours would have to adhere to all Laws of Westchester County. Employees are responsible to avoid participating in actions on personal time that would be in violation with any of the County’s Ethics Laws. Mr. Schwartz found there to be no violation in this matter. The named individuals took personal time to work on Ms. Clinton’s campaign and that is permissible. He noted that the current Administration is adhering to the same policies followed by former County Executive O’Rourke.

Legislator Oros suggested that a letter be sent out every summer making new employees aware and to remind former employees of the County’s policies on this issue.

COMMITTEE ON COUNTY OFFICERS & DEPARTMENTS

MINUTES – AUGUST 16, 1999

PAGE 4

Legislator Young made a motion to receive & file Item # D1 (Memo to Leg. Swanson from Leg. Noto requesting inquiry into the policies on the use of County employees for Campaign Events) and was seconded by Legislator Pinto. The motion was carried by a vote of 7-0.

RECEIVE & FILE:

Legislator Young made a motion to receive & file Item # D5 (Forwarding a copy of a ltr. to the Chrmn. of the RGB from Arthur Kamel) and was seconded by Legislator Spreckman. The motion was carried by a vote of 7-0.

Legislator Stewart-Cousins made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 3:45 pm and was seconded by Legislator Young. The motion was carried by a vote of 7-0.