COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION
MINUTES
MARCH 17, 2003
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Budget & Appropriations: Wishnie, Kaplowitz, LaMotte, Oros, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson,
Environment & Health: Kaplowitz, LaMotte, Pinto, Rogowsky, Ryan, Swanson,
Public Safety: Ryan, Kaplowitz, Mosiello, Swanson, Wishnie,
Public Works: Pinto, Ryan, Wishnie, Rogowsky, Oros
OTHERS PRESENT: CE’s office: B. Randolph, A. Newman, I. Riley, Dr. N. Jacknis; WCDOT: L. Salley; Airport: J. Russell; DoIT: R. Elliott, K. Foster, J. Elliott (911); DES: P. Kelly; DoC: R. Pozzi; DPW: R. Butler; Planning: F. McLoughlin; Budget: L. Bennett, A. Vietro; CBAC/LWVW: Barbara Strauss, F. MacEachron; TJA: K. Eddings; BOL Staff: C. Chang, B. Boland, S. Schechter, R. Indelicato, R. Vega, P. Neglia, S. Vanderberg, S. Kirkpatrick, A. Giordano
With quorums present, the Committees on Budget, Public Safety and Public Works were called to order at 9:21 a.m.
On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the minutes for March 3, 2003 and March 10, 2003 were approved 4-0.
Recommitted to committee by Majority Leader Young, Bond Act C127 authorizes the issuance of $750,000 for infrastructure improvements at the County Correctional Facility. Bond Act C128 authorizes the issuance of $210,000 for the County Jail Armory and C129, the issuance of $660,000 for the Pen Laundry Project.
In light of the careful consideration previously shown these Bond Acts by the concerned Committees, and the Majority Leader’s satisfaction that action is taken, with Mr. Wishnie proposed a motion to re-approve all 3 items.
Mr. Butler said due to water absorbed through the mortar, it is now necessary to waterproof the 13-year-old jail, a preventive step in avoiding greater costs down the line. Products with longer useful lives pose other complications; in some cases they are aesthetically inappropriate.
The committee respectfully requested that the expense vs. aesthetic conflict be well thought-out and all available technologies be seriously considered going forward.
Legislator Kaplowitz suggested an amendment to the language of the committee report, calling for DPW to review future design plans with the Board in a timely fashion.
Motions were entertained for Items C127 (as amended), C128 and C129.
For Budget: On the motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion was carried 6-0, with Legislator LaMotte voting without prejudice.
For Public Safety: on the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the motion was carried 5-0, with Legislator Swanson voting without prejudice.
For Public Works: On the motion of Legislator Rogowsky, seconded by Legislator Wishnie the motion was carried 4-0, with Legislators Swanson and Oros voting without prejudice.
This item, authorizing the expenditure of $2,700,000 from the E-911 Budget, was met with concern from local police agencies when first visited. Dr. Jacknis (IT) said an additional review of last years receipts revealed the potential revenue amounts had been underestimated. The County would therefore be able to fulfill the request of local police agencies, of a $100,000 increase in their portion to allow for the purchase of laptops.
The amount originally projected for 2002 was $2.6 million, the actual amount received was 2.8 million. This version reflects both the increase in revenue and amount earmarked for the police agencies.
Dr. Jacknis said he was confident the County was ready to go forward with the GIS program from a staffing perspective, funding for the program was included in this proposal.
Legislator Swanson was pleased this issue was revisited, and that the community component had been increased.
Commissioner Kelly expressed concern that in the event the Fire/EMS communities want a similar opportunity and/or this funding stream becomes diminished, this program could be greatly affected.
For Budget: On the motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion was carried 6-0.
For Public Safety: On the motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the motion was carried 5-0.
With no further business to discuss, on the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the Committee on Public Safety was adjourned at 10:07 a.m.
For Budget: On the motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Oros the motion was carried 6-0.
For Public Works: On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Rogowsky the motion was carried 4-0.
Item A25- Modifying the Peekskill Sanitary Sewer District by adding 4 parcels of property, previously removed, from the Town of Cortlandt.
For Budget: On the motion of Legislator Oros, seconded by Legislator Swanson the motion was carried 6-0.
For Public Works: On the motion of Legislator Oros, seconded by Legislator Rogowsky the motion was carried 4-0.
With a quorum present, the Committee on Environment & Health was called to order at 10:10 a.m.
Items A1 & A32
Mr. Salley said this Act would amend the Capital Budget with a $724,000 reimbursement to the Airport Special Revenue Fund it also lists various projects, which will be affected by this change. These projects, originally financed through the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program, will now be financed through the Patented Facilities Charges Program. This change will absolve the County of its share contribution from the Airport Special Revenue Fund. An excess amount of about $224,000 will be returned to the Airport Special Revenue Fund’s operating budget.
For Budget: On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte the motion was carried 6-0.
For Environment & Health: On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Rogowsky the motion was carried 6-0.
Public Works: On the motion of Legislator Ryan, seconded by Legislator Pinto the motion was carried 4-0.
Mr. Rogowsky requested a fund balance of the Airport Special Revenue Fund reflecting the addition of this $724,000.
With no further business to discuss, this joint meeting of the Committees on Budget, Environment & Health and Budget was adjourned at 10:28 a.m.