SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON PARKS & RECREATION
Joint with the Committee on Legislation
MINUTES
MAY 19, 2003
MEMBERS: MOSIELLO, ALVARADO, PINTO, SPRECKMAN & BRONZ
LEGISLATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS: STEWART-COUSINS, RYAN, OROS, MAISANO, ABINANTI & BRONZ
STAFF: ETTERE, NEGLIA & BASS
OTHERS: BILL RANDOLPH (CE OFFICE); STEVE MCCABE, LARRY SCHOPFER, DON MARRA (VILLAGE OF IRVINGTON); CHIP MATHEWS; COMMISSIONER RALPH BUTLER (DPW); RICK CASHMAN (LAW)
OTHERS (JOINT): DAN MCBRIDE (PRC); BRENDAN MCGRATH (LAW)
The meeting was called to order at 11:39 a.m.
MINUTES
Legislator Pinto made a motion to approve the minutes of April 28, 2003 and it was seconded by Legislator Spreckman. The vote was 3-0. (Legislator Alvarado out for vote.)
RECEIVE & FILE
Legislator Pinto made a motion to receive and file Item # 30 (Safety Standards) and it was seconded by Legislator Spreckman. The vote was 3-0. (Legislator Alvarado out for vote.)
Item # 54 - Property Acquisition-Village of Irvington
Planning Commissioner Jerry Mulligan made the presentation.
This act is requesting authority for the acquisition by the County of Westchester of about 13 acres in the Village of Irvington from Westwood Development Associates, Inc in the amount of $3 million and an additional amount not to exceed $50K for closing costs (funding through bonds). This is an essential element of a plan that the County and Village have developed to preserve approximately 40 acres in the Village as open space and protect the environment for future generations. This acreage will be connected to V.E. Macy Park and will contain a building that will be operated as a nature center. As part of the Option Agreement made with
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON PARKS & RECREATION
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MINUTES – MAY 19, 2003
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the seller, the Village will purchase the remaining property for $3.85 million but must exercise its option by May 31, 2003.
The act would also authorize the County to enter into an IMA (30 year term) with the Village requiring them to operate, maintain and repair the parcel. In addition, the Village will take over operations, repair and maintenance (including all liability & security) of approximately 84 acres of County-owned V.E. Macy Park located on the west side of the Saw Mill River Parkway. The Village will be responsible for making the necessary subdivision of the 13 acres so that it may become a legal parcel and provide the County with access to Mountain Road through a permanent easement.
A lengthy discussion followed.
Legislator Pinto made a motion to approve Item #54 and its accompanying Bond Act BLA01 ($3,050,000) and it was seconded by Legislator Spreckman. The vote was 4-0 with Legislators Mosiello and Spreckman signing “without prejudice.”
Item # 53 - IMA-Town of North Salem
PRC Deputy Commissioner Chip Matthews provides the Committee with a summary of this IMA.
The act would authorize the County to enter into an IMA with the Town of North Salem whereby the Town will renovate and upgrade (such as electrical, painting & carpentry) the existing facilities of the Camp Hemlock area of Mountain Lakes Park to comply with Town building codes. In exchange the County will grant the Town permission to utilize the site for summer recreational purposes which will be open to all County residents. The Town will also be responsible pool supervision and upgrades; all road & turf maintenance of the exit road and electric service, water supply and sewage service as well.
A brief discussion followed.
Legislator LaMotte encouraged the Committee to move this item stating that it was a “win-win” situation.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON PARKS & RECREATION
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Legislator Pinto made a motion to approve Item #53 and it was seconded by Legislator Spreckman. The vote was 4-0.
Item # 51 - IMA with the Town of New Castle
Public Works Commissioner Ralph Butler presented this next item.
This act would authorize the County to enter into an IMA (5 year term) with the Town of New Castle. The County will grant a permanent easement to the town across the Hudson Hills property so that the Town can construct and maintain a water storage tower which will supply the golf course’s domestic and irrigation needs. This is an agreement the County consented to honor when the County negotiated the purchase of the Hudson Hills property from IBM. The Town will install the water line through the northern end of the property and will construct the water storage tower adjacent to the parking lot (map on file).
Legislator Pinto made a motion to approve Item #51 and it was seconded by Legislator Alvarado. The vote was 4-0.
The meeting was recessed at 12:34 p.m.
The Parks Committee joined the Legislation Committee and both reconvened at 12:50 p.m.
Items 55 a-c - Long-term Leases with Parkland Facilities (Parkland
Alienation)
Legislator Stewart-Cousins stated that this discussion is a continuation of discussions held while the Committee on Legislation was preparing the 2003 State Legislation Package.
Item # 55 is a proposed Resolution asking the NYS Legislature to prepare and introduce the necessary legislation to enable Westchester County to enter into long-term leases with the following parkland facilities: Woodland Lake Building/Restaurant (V.E. Macy Park), North Ridge Equestrian Center and Twin Lakes Farm Equestrian Center (both located within Twin Lakes Park) and the former Men’s/Women’s Bathhouse facilities (Playland). These facilities are in need of major capital improvements. Unfortunately, the County is only allowed to enter into a 5 year lease with a 5 year option.
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The agreement requires the lessee (private enterprises) to perform minor capital improvements but they are generally unwilling to undertake major capital improvements, which are desperately needed, unless a long-term lease is granted. One of the major factors is that these private enterprises are unable to secure the necessary financing to pay for the cost of such major improvements with out a long-term lease. State legislative approval is required to authorize the County to enter into lease agreements in excess of five years.
The BOL will be asking for permission (Items # 55a, 55b, and 55c – Home Rule Requests) to enter into a 30 year lease for Playland facility and a one-time 20 year lease on the other three facilities.
A brief discussion was held.
For the Parks Committee: Legislator Pinto made a motion to approve the resolution and it was seconded by Legislator Spreckman. The vote was 5-0.
For the Legislation Committee: Legislator Bronz made a motion to approve the resolution and it was seconded by Legislator Abinanti. The vote was vote 6-0.
Both Committees adjourned at 1:09 p.m.