PRESENT: Chair: Pinto. Members: Carsky, Maisano, Ryan, and Wishnie. Staff: Schecter, Vita.

ALSO PRESENT: Anthony Landi, Commissioner of Public Works & Environmental Facilities; Dolph Rotfeld, Rotfeld Engineers, Inc.; League of Women Voters: Paula DeCaro, Roberta Wernick, Heather Baker-Sullivan, Jo Brill.

Mr. Pinto called the meeting to order at 4:40 p.m.

He noted that the members were in receipt of the Eagan and Rotfeld Reports relating to sewer consolidation. Commissioner Landi and Mr. Rotfeld will have the opportunity to comment on each.

The minutes of January 26^th, a joint meeting with the Committees on the Environment and Health, were approved on the motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Wishnie. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried 5-0.

The minutes of February 2^nd, were approved as amended on the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Carsky. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Pinto gave a brief summary of sewer district consolidation, noting there were 13 sewer districts in the County of Westchester. There were previous proposals to prove consolidation will bring equity among the sewer districts and homeowners. With the two reports in hand, it will take time to decipher and ascertain what direction this Committee will take.

Mr. Pinto would like the Committee to meet their goals in the same fashion as they did working on the Inflow and Infiltration project. He reported that all parties involved in the "I and I" have signed on as of January 26, 1999.

*For additional information, a tape is on file.

Mr. Pinto would like to establish a sub-committee on the consolidation of sewer districts. He asked Commissioner Landi and Mr. Rotfeld to give an overview of their reports and what action this Committee can follow in order to meet the blueprint goals and make a recommendation to the full Board by the end of 1999.

Mr. Landi said the County first contemplated the idea of sewer consolidation in 1986, whereas several reports have been developed and discussed over the years, the latest dated February, 1998. From an operational standpoint, Mr. Landi said the department does not foresee any problem regarding the operation of the 13 districts nor much change. However, there are different aspects as how to finance the project and handle the capital expenditures. Mr. Landi yielded to Mr. Rotfeld for further explanation.

Mr. Rotfeld explained that the work that was done in 1993 and 1994 was a "phase-in" period based on a 20-year tax increase by 5% per year. Some districts went up, while others went down due to the variation of different bond rates. There are some communities that have three different sewer districts. One of the main aspects of the project is to equalize the cost to the taxpayer and Mr. Rotfeld believes that was revealed in the Bennett Kielson report that also investigates the possibility of establishing a County Sewer Authority.

According to Mr. Rotfeld, there was another study done in 1996 for the Administration by the Departments of Finance, Law and Environmental Facilities, to develop an analysis of a different way of financing other than the method by Bennett Kielson. The Eagan report was done to assist the three county departments and Rotfeld Engineering was hired to assist them on engineering evaluation. Mr. Rotfeld believes the report from the Law Department is still under review.

The basic recommendation, said Mr. Rotfeld, is buying all the bonds and refinancing the bonds with new bond rates or recommendation of establishing a Sewer Authority. If the County decides to encompass all the district into one, Mr. Rotfeld would definitely recommend a Sewer Authority.

Mr. Rotfeld mentioned several options if the County establishes a Sewer Authority:

1. The Sewer Authority would take over the responsibilities of the Environmental Facilities Department;
2. Increase the Sewer Authority ability to take over all County sewers and have an agreement with the local communities to operate and maintain the system within their political boundaries and have the Sewer Authority handle all capital construction;
3. Expand the Sewer Authority to take over sewer, water, and solid waste management. This was not fully explored on the reports.

Mr. Rotfeld said the latter is in the final process for review (2-3 months) and asked the Committee to review this option before taking action.

Mr. Wishnie asked the Administration to expedite the conclusions of the work that has been done to date and add the last factors mentioned by Mr. Rotfeld relating to a Sewer Authority. He feels this is a long-term problem and there is not enough information to form a substantial recommendation and would like to have a thorough report to review.

Mr. Pinto agreed with Mr. Wishnie, noting the Committee would like to pursue this issue with a presentable proposal to the Administration. He would like to see this subject matter be brought up at the Municipal Officials Association meetings as well as public community meetings and ask for their input.

Mr. Maisano said the Committee needs guidance and professionalism to move toward possible consolidation issues. What bothers Mr. Maisano the most is being asked to vote on a law without the proper review and knowledge of how much work was put into the process. He would like this Committee take an active role in all stages of development and review with enough time to make the proper decision and not go through a rushed process when it comes time to vote. He also added that he would like more interactions with the County Attorney and Commissioners while they are drafting the legislation in order to get input also.

As was done with the Infiltration and Inflow plans, Mr. Pinto will send a memo to the County Executive asking for his assistance in this matter.

Mr. Rotfeld said these were important matters to consider, especially when it comes time to vote. There will be certain municipalities who will be paying more than others and background is needed to address the community.

Mr. Wishnie stated that a Sewer Authority would bond the project and that over a period of time the districts would pay off a portion of their capital with everyone paying the same rate in 20 years.

Ms. Baker-Sullivan asked if the materials will be based on property assessment or user based fees. Mr. Rotfeld said there can be different formulas to work it out – such as bonding the existing debt or have a user fee for points on the property. It was discussed that user fees would be difficult to establish and predict accurate rates for each year.

With no further discussion, Mr. Pinto thanked Messrs. Landi and Rotfeld for their information and input.

Mr. Pinto briefly reviewed the Committee Blueprint and suggested committee members set target dates to meet in various communities. Mr. Maisano would like to start in New Rochelle and will come up with a date by the next meeting.

With no other business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. on the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Carsky.