PRESENT: Chair: Ryan. Members: Carsky, Kaplowitz, Mosiello, and Swanson. Staff: Hoch, and Vita.

ALSO PRESENT: Bob Broderick; Bill Randolph.

Mr. Ryan called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m.

Relative to the proposed $500,000 bond act for improvements at the County Correctional Facility, Mr. Ryan asked the members to plan on touring the penitentiary and new jail on Monday, November 9^th, at 8:00 a.m.

Mr. Ryan said would ask Mr. Wishnie if the starting time for the Budget Committee on that date could be moved to 10:30 a.m. to accommodate those PSCJ members who also serve on B&A. All Board members will be invited to join the Public Safety Committee at the jail for the tour.

On Monday, October 26^th, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioner D’Aliso will attend the Committee meeting to discuss the Federal Terrorism Grant Funding to Westchester County. Representatives from the District Attorney’s office will be asked to join in the discussion.

Mr. Ryan asked Mr. Mosiello for an update on Item B: Ban of Toy Guns. Mr. Mosiello said he would like the Board to consider legislation prohibiting the sale of toy guns that look real. New York City has a law that bans the manufacturer and the sale of toy guns. He has requested the NYC law and he will provide the members with copies.

Mr. Ryan reported the County Executive’s "60 Control Task Force" held its first meeting on October 8^th with Mr. Ryan and co-chair Deputy County Executive Jay Hashmall presiding.

The Task Force has been expanded to include 6 additional members representing the Association of Fire Districts of Westchester County, Westchester County Association of Chiefs, the Sound Shore Chiefs Association, Mount Pleasant Association of Fire Chiefs, Westchester County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, and Northern Westchester Group of Chiefs. These additions help to balance the task force and ensure representation for the major organizations involved in fire and emergency service.

The task force discussed the process for the review, identified the subjects – communications and CAD, structure and staffing, fire training center, mutual aid, and EMS dispatch – to be handled by sub-committees of the task force. Members selected the sub-committees they would be interested in serving on.

Mr. Ryan said the 19 member task force seems to be a capable group and they should develop a set of sound recommendations to improve "60 Control." Mrs. Swanson, also a task force member, agreed that the meeting went well.

Mr. Ryan mentioned that his proposal for County funding of a program using Polaroid cameras, outfitted for use by police, emergency room personnel and domestic violence advocates, to take "instant evidence" photographs of the victims of domestic violence, apparently is of interest to the Administration’s Domestic Violence Council. Mr. Ryan would like to have Administration support for this item in the 1999 budget.

Mr. Ryan asked the members to give thought to how the County might provide or help the localities provide incentives for attracting and retaining volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel. One example is the real property tax exemption. Others include insurance and retirement benefits and affordable housing. Due to the importance of having a sufficient number of volunteers available to respond to emergencies, Mr. Ryan wants the Committee to look at this with an aim at developing a list of suggestions.

Mr. Kaplowitz mentioned some concern with a tax brake incentive. An increased amount of exempt property means a reduction in the amount of taxable property and a shift in burden. He mentioned that the Yorktown Volunteer Ambulance Corps has reviewed property tax exemption legislation in Rockland and Putnam Counties. Mr. Kaplowitz will obtain additional information for the members,

Mr. Ryan would like the County Attorney’s comments with regard to County incentives.

Mrs. Carsky suggested the Westchester Municipal Officials Association get involved because a real property tax exemption granted to volunteers would impact the revenue stream of the locality.

With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.