PRESENT: Chair: Pinto. Members: Abinanti, Carsky, Latimer, Maisano, Noto, Ryan, Wishnie. Staff: Robert Abbamont, Public Works Department; Bill Randolph, Assistant to the County Executive; Emilia Vita, Secretary to the Committee.

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Anthony Landi, Commissioner-DPW; Eric Langeloh, Commissioner-Transportation; Joel Russell, Westchester County Airport; Neil Renzi, Airport Project Maintenance Engineer; Margin Church, Deputy Commissioner-Transportation.

Mr. Pinto called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the minutes of April 14, joint with the Budget Committee was approved. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried 8-0.

With recent comments and concerns raised relating to the temporary closing of the Westchester County Airport, Chairman Latimer asked that the Committee get an update from the Departments of Transportation and Public Works.

Commissioner Landi explained that the main runways, 16-34 and 11-29 have not been repaired within the past 20 years and are in desperate need of rehabilitation. The Department of Transportation has been successful in securing federal funding to rehabilitate runway 16-34. According to the FCC, parts of the requirements for rehabilitation of the runway are a combination of certain criteria that have been taken into consideration. Several options have been reviewed: daytime hours vs. 24 hours continuous, week ends and night work. In order to minimize the down time, the departments have determined a combination of the options opposing complete shutdown.

Commissioner Landi indicated the schedule of shut down times during construction on the maps. The map basically indicates the areas of complete shut down areas from May 7 through June 14th and mainly from midnight to 6 a.m.

*For more details, a tape is on file.

Commissioner Landi reported that Yonkers Contractors was awarded the bid for construction, who suggested that the County build a temporary asphalt batch plant on the Airport site for the purpose of minimizing the night truck traffic in the neighborhood and the need to have the asphalt on site.

Commission Langeloh reported the notification process to the members. Approximately eight months ago, working together with Commissioner Landi and Mr. Russell from the Airport, they notified the corporate based commercial airlines that used Westchester County. The Commissioners advised the airlines of the closing schedule, the appropriate plans and how they were going to operate the Airport while under construction.

Public notice was addressed and the residents of the area have been notified. As the time draws nearer, additional announcements will be disseminated. When asked if participants of the Buick Classic have been notified, Commissioner Langeloh said a fact sheet has been sent to patron, guests and corporate sponsors. Airlines have made their changes for that period and helicopter services will be made available from Teterboro or Laguardia Airports.

The Commissioner noted that notification process mandated by the FAA and has been responsible for sponsoring funding for public notice.

Mr. Wishnie asked the cost of revenues with less planes coming in and out. Commissioner Langeloh said the County will lose approximately $200,000 between capital and operating services. The airport tenants will still continue to pay rent and the concessions will lose a small amount. Legislator Wishnie requested in writing, what the impact will be in terms of lost revenue.

All members were in agreement that the work has to be done, and is being accomplished with minimum inconvenience to all concerned.

Mr. Pinto asked the two Commissioners if there is anything the Board can do to assist with any additional notification or planning. He commended the two departments for a job well done. Commissioner Langeloh said if there were any constituent concerns or complaints, they should be directed to call the Department of Transportation or the Department of Pubic Works.

Mrs. Carsky asked when the airlines were officially notified. Mr. Russell said they were notified in March of 1997 and the County finalized the plans in July of 1997.

With anticipated changes, some airlines waited for last minute changes, but to date, all information is currently updated in their computers.

Mr. Ryan asked about the operation of the temporary asphalt plant. Commissioner Landi explained the original plan had to truck the asphalt from a plant, over a certain runway and not be brought on to local streets, which would have made at least 100 trips in and out at the site. The Yonkers Contractors, who is one of the largest in the County, proposed to reduce the night trucking by erecting a batch plant on site. The Commissioner reviewed the merits of the proposal and had it approved.

The plant is very portable, which has everything available, including the silo, conveyor belts and storage bins, all built piece by piece. According to the contractor, a plant can cost approximately two to three million dollars and will re-locate this plant as soon as the job is finished in Mount Vernon. The contractor said he could produce at least 13,000 tons of asphalt, on site thereby abating concerns of trucking through neighborhoods.

The contractor had to apply to the Westchester County Health Department for 14 air permits and received clearance from the DEF, the County’s Transportation and Public Works Departments.

Mr. Renzi, Project Engineer at the airport, said he anticipated with proper staffing and a tight schedule, the project to be completed smoothly.

Mr. Pinto thanked the two Commissioners for their information and asked to keep the Committee updated on the status of the construction.

ITEM 2: (SI-1A1-4/6/98) Proposed Legislation authorizing six new projects in RDD #1. The resolution was passed to call for a public hearing on May 4th at 7:30 p.m. The Committee must sign out the remaining legislation to approve expenditure funds. On the motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Maisano, the Resolution and Act was moved for all purposes. All in favor none opposed; motion carried 8-0.

ITEM 3: (1I-23/98) Correspondence from Legislator Carsky regarding tree cutting on the Bronx River Parkway. On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the item is received and filed. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried 8-0.

ITEM 4: Legislator Ryan’ s request for improvements along Central Westchester Parkway. Chair Pinto is pending a response from the City of White Plains, and then, will write to the New York State Thruway Authority for input.

ITEM 5: Legislator Ryan’s request for Legislative action to facilitate improvements to Route 22 and Reservoir Road. Mr. Ryan said in light of the recent letter from Assistant County Attorney Leah Bahl, explaining the process to de-dedicate the land, an Assembly bill has been identified for dedication. According to a conversation with Counsel Perry Ochacher, there is a Senate companion bills and will be passed I this session. The item remains on the agenda pending passage of bill the State Legislature.

Mr. Pinto announced during last night’s Board meeting, new and revised legislation was referred to the Committees on Public Works and Budget relating to revisions to the original legislation for the IMA for the Croton Pedestrian Bridge. The new legislation differs from the original because it has been agreed that the Towns shall be required to keep the pedestrian bridge and its walkway approaches safe by the removal of snow, ice litter grass and debris. In addition, the County Planning department has included the environmental review

Mr. Pinto updated the committee on a meeting regarding the bridge maintenance and construction at Battery Place in Cortlandt. He recommended the bridge be taken down and that the railroad provide an on-grade crossing to serve the 12 homes in the area or build an access from the VA Hospital.

Mr. Pinto also added that an update of Deans Bridge in Somers is pending discussion until a new supervisor is assigned to the town.

There will be no meeting held the week of April 27, but a community meeting will be held in Mamaroneck on Tuesday, May 5th at 7:30 p.m., in Mamaroneck Village Hall.

The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m. on the motion of Legislator Maisano, seconded by Legislator Wishnie.