PRESENT: PSCJ MEMBERS: Ryan, Carsky, Kaplowitz, Swanson. PW MEMBERS: Pinto, Abinanti, Carsky, Maisano, and Ryan. STAFF: Bass, Schecter, and Vita.

ALSO PRESENT: Legislator Clinton Young, District 13; Robert Boland, Budget Analyst-BOL; John Hsu, Deputy Commissioner-DPW; Sal Carrara, Director of Real Estate Management-DPW; Robert Abbamont, Public Works Liaison; William Randolph, Assistant to the County Executive.

With a quorum present for the Committee on Public Safety, Mr. Ryan called the meeting to order at 4:45 p.m. Mr. Pinto followed opening the meeting of the Committee on Public Works.

Mr. Pinto explained a petition was forwarded to the Board and referred to the two committees by employees of the Department of Social Services, located in the newly owned county office building at 100 East First Street in Mount Vernon, formerly known as the Con Edison Building. A major concern raised by employees would be to designate certain elevators for "Employees Only". Mr. Pinto asked Messrs. Hsu and Carrara to address the issue.

Mr. Hsu briefly explained that Westchester County owns the building and approximately $2 million dollars of capital projects will be spent for extra renovations.

Mr. Carrara said the request from the occupants of the building required only one elevator out of four to be designated for employees via use of a card system. Other elevators companies assessed the situation noting it would not be feasible and the issuance of 200-300 cards would prove impossible to guarantee security. There would be no guarantee if an individual client from Yonkers General Hospital, Probation, or Mental Health, accompanied by a County employee with a pass card, would use a specific elevator.

*For additional information, a tape is on file.

Within the next few years, DPW will try to move Yonkers Rehab Center to the sixth floor and Mental Health and Probation may be moved to the fifth floor or the basement and clients would have a separate entrance. The Social Services Department is occupying a majority of the building and the Department of Transportation may not relocate until the year 2001.

Mr. Carrara said the Mount Vernon Police Department was asked to make additional safety patrols in the parking lot and the building. There was concern after Risk Management implemented a presentation on safety should any problems occur.

According to Mr. Hsu, another safeguard measure currently being considered would be to install surveillance cameras in each elevator with a monitored screens manned by County Police in the lobby security area. A camera would circumvent any type of problem encountered in an elevator. Another way to address the problem and avoid confrontations with clients would be moving the population of clients to certain areas or use separate entrances.

When Mrs. Carsky asked about the vacant 112 East Post Road building, Mr. Carrara said the space will be filled by those employees remaining in 85 Court Street and 150 Grand Street.

Mr. Pinto asked if the County would consider another surveillance camera on the Main Floor as well as in the lobby entrances and as well as a police officer tour the building at different times during the day. Mr. Hsu said he will discuss the possibility with the Public Safety Department.

While reviewing the petition, Mr. Ryan pointed out a sentence that read: "this measure arises out of the need for employee safety after learning of statistics".

He asked if any incidents were reported in the building. Mr. Hsu said the statement may have stemmed from the recommendations made by the Risk Management Office to the Department of Public Safety during a training session.

Another way to alleviate employee concern, Mr. Maisano suggested that signs are posted near the elevators or flyers sent to alert employees.

Listening to the reasons stated today, Mr. Ryan notes that it would be impossible to create a separate elevator dedicated solely to employees and there are other alternatives to be explored to insure the safety of the employees occupying the building. He asked all committee members if they had other recommendations they would like to discuss and if they were satisfied with the proposal with respect to the installation of a security camera system and monitors in the building. All were agreeable.

Mr. Pinto will keep this item open on the Public Works agenda and requested a progress report next month. He also suggested that management and the employees know the Board met on this issue and discussed their concerns.

On the motion of Legislator Maisano, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the item will be received and filed by the Public Safety Committee and also requested an updated report of the progress with building renovations and safety measures. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried 4-0.

Mrs. Carsky asked to meet jointly with the Committees on Public Works and Public Safety for County preparedness (PSCJ-Item C) for potential disaster or terrorism. Mr. Pinto said the Office of Disaster and Emergency Services would have the information Mrs. Carsky requested.

Mr. Pinto suggested that Legislators contact Liam Murphy in the Office of Emergency and Disaster, to discuss this issue. Mr. Pinto has also looked into the possibility of a representative from the Board of Legislators be included in meetings of this nature. He spoke to Legislator Mosiello about this matter when the issue was originally raised regarding the County’s preparedness.

Mr. Ryan said he has not received an official response to the Public Safety’s request to discuss the security of this building and other county office buildings and facilities with the Administration. Originally, it was the intention of the Public Safety Committee to have the Administration organize a suitable presentation. Mr. Ryan will send a follow up letter to the Administration.

Mr. Ryan asked about the status of the installation of the new security doors on the eighth floor. Mr. Hsu said the format will be similar to the County Attorney’s offices. The Board’s project is currently in beginning stages, but because of the State of the County message on April 15^th, the contractor will start construction the following week.

On the motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the Public Safety Committee adjourned at 5:30 p.m. by a vote of 4-0.

Mr. Pinto said the removal of properties in the Ossining Sewer District is pending additional information and will be reported by Mr. Wishnie when the necessary documents are compiled.

The Department of Public Works gave Mr. Pinto an update on the status of several contracts that have begun construction: Central Park Avenue Project, Lincoln Avenue Bridge in Pelham and Mount Vernon, and the Harney Road Bridge began preparation Monday, April 5^th. Sub-contractors are working on the Woodlands Viaduct, construction is on time and running smoothly.

At the last committee meeting, Mrs. Carsky asked to see the designs for the Woodlands Viaduct project and inquired about the retaining wall. Mr. Abbamont will have those designs at the next Public Works meeting.

Mr. Ryan needed clarification about county roadways that run through the cities and responsibility for maintenance.

Mr. Hsu explained that under State Highway law, the County is responsible for the face of the curb to the face of the opposite curb assuming there is a curb. In rural areas, the County is responsible from the edge of the pavement to the edge of pavement; in Towns, from the right of the way to the right of way. Under the City of White Plains Local Law VII, interprets responsibility from sidewalk to sidewalk to the adjoining property and only apply when the County is not involved. Mr. Hsu said this has been a long-standing dispute between the City and the County.

Mr. Pinto mentioned that he will be exploring the idea of entering into and IMA with the City of Mount Vernon regarding parking facilities for County employees. Mr. Carrara said the Mayor is very agreeable and is satisfied with the County’s occupation of the old Con Ed building.

Both Chairmen thanked Messrs. Hsu and Carrara for a very informative meeting and asked they be kept updated on the progress of the County Office Building at 100 East First Street.

On the motion of Legislator Maisano, seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.