PRESENT: Co-Chair: Swanson, Wishnie. Members: Carsky, Latimer, Darcy. Emilia Vita, Secretary.

ALSO PRESENT: Commissioner Anthony Landi-DPW; Deputy Commissioner Ralph Butler-DPW.

The meeting was called to order at 2 p.m. The minutes of July 1st are pending Mr. Latimer’s amendments. The minutes of July 15th were approved and moved on the motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by Legislator Swanson [4-0].

Commissioner Landi gave an overview of the history of the County’s Sewer Division dating back to 1935, that was comprised of all the old treatment plants and pump stations, such as Blind Brook and the Yonkers Treatment Plant and all the work was done in-house. It was dissolved in the late 40’s and all the work went back into the Department of Works. During the forties and the fifties, the work that came out of the sewer division was the upgrading of the Blind Brook plant, and Mamaroneck; the New Rochelle plant came on line and primary lines were starting to be put down in Yonkers and it was all under the Department of Public Works.

Public Law 92-500, passed in the late sixties, known as the Clean Water Act, gave a tremendous amount of grant money to all the municipalities to enhance their sewer systems. In 1970-72, the Department of Environmental Facilities was developed under County Executive Michaelian and Deputy Commissioner Borghard and all the sewer divisions from DPW went with DEF, as a separate unit with district funds. With about $260 million in grant funds they updated all the sewer districts to form current systems.

The Solid Water Division, another part of Public Works, there was a movement to bring all district operations into one department and give DPW all the construction and engineering. This was a Charter Change that put all district operations into DEF and all construction into DPW, including engineering and design, which still remains today. DPW does about $80 million yearly in construction activities.

Commissioner Landi indicates DPW does very well for other departments compared to outside activities even though the department does not have all the expertise of some outside agencies. The County is so diverse with the various types of buildings and projects, DPW is capable of doing smaller jobs. He feels very comfortable with the arrangements that both department have, as he sat on both sides, and feels its the right thing to do in each department.

Mr. Butler agreed with the Commissioner noting that both departments are the best to have all the designs and construction. DPW has keep the same level of staff with all the paperwork from contract selections, etc., it a cost savings method.

He also mentioned that he has the flexibility to fluctuate staff especially when DPW can do a consultants’ job, their own staff is utilized to back-fill, which also proves to be cost effective.

Mr. Wishnie asked about the problem at the Brockway Transfer Station, when DEF assigned bodies to oversee a construction project, he feels this is duplication in services. Mr. Butler explained DPW creates a construction team that oversees an interest in a specific area of expertise and ensures their interests are met, if a problems comes up, DPW is notified. He feel there is no duplication of services by the user department or by DPW.

Regarding the status of Brockway, the Commissioner met with the contractor today and looked over the "as-built" which the department now has and will be reviewed, some larger, such as the vegetation can be held off.

Mrs. Carsky asked about "as-built" drawings and are they compatible with the geographic information systems, in order to be filed. Mr. Butler said the old drawings are still on mylar drawings and later can be digitized by the department. The newer contracts are compatible and being filed on computer base.

The members had a brief discussion of the daily operations process for all projects. Mr. Butler said some jobs do not required a daily oversee, but once weekly or every other week, there is someone there. If problems occur, a Senior (J.G.XIII) or Associate (J.G. XIV) will report back to DPW and make notes.

Mrs. Carsky was concerned with the degree of commitment and experience with some of the contractors. Commissioner Landi this is done with the pre-qualification and selection process, whether they are dedicated to a job or there are personality conflicts, the County has the right to remove them from the job and ensure that job is successfully completed.

Mr. Wishnie asked if they would object if the Board assigned an "Inspector General", who has the authority to oversee the records of a job or audit a job, would it be helpful. The members feel there is a enormous problem with contract compliance in the County and, as public officials, it’s their responsibility to know what’s going on.

The Commissioner said the department’s books are always open and there are checks and balances and would have to look into the various facets of the implementation of such a position. Would the person have a construction or financial background, he would have to review the aspects.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:05 p.m. on the motion o Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Darcy.