MINUTES
PW MEMBERS: Maisano, Carsky, Pinto, Wishnie
PARKS MEMBERS: Pinto
OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph; Law Dept.: Charlene Indelicato, Stacey Dolgin Kmetz, Jim Robertson; Budget Dept.: Kate Carrano, Fran Piskorowski; PRC: Joe Stout, Paul Reitano, Joe Montalto; DPW/DEF: Anthony Landi; DPW: Ralph Butler; Planning: Jerry Mulligan; BOL: Sally Schecter, Barbara Dodds, Robert Boland, Christopher Chang, Tina Seckerson
BUDGET COMMITTEE:
Chairman Wishnie called the Budget Committee meeting to order at 10:12 a.m.
MINUTES:
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve the Minutes of February 14, 2001 was carried by a vote of 4-0 with Legislator Young out for the vote.
DISCUSSION:
7. Outside Counsel: Forwarding an act authorizing the County of Westchester to retain, at County expense, the firm of Epstein, Becker & Green, P.C. to provide legal representation to the County in 2001 with respect to ongoing energy issues. (2/7/01)
· The County Attorney explained the need for outside council on this matter as energy issues are increasing. Her office will also have billable hours on this. Outside council will give expertise in this area. It would be impossible for her to get up to speed on these issues. Need back-up of larger law firm in litigation area. Don’t have that kind of manpower.
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· Legislator Carsky expressed her concern with regard to the procedure by which the Board of Legislators grants waivers. Mr. Scheinkman (former County Attorney) will be representing his firm (Epstein, Becker) on behalf of the county in these lawsuits. There was a discussion with regard to procedure for granting waivers within Ethics code. Due to her concern with regard to this procedure Legislator Carsky stated that she will be voting in the negative on this matter.
· The Budget Director informed the Committee that the monies will be billed to the County Attorney’s office and then charged out Public Utility Service Agency.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 3-1 with Legislator Carsky being recorded in the negative and Legislator Young out for the vote.
Committee requested a breakdown of outside counsel charges associated with the 6N fund.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE:
Chairman Maisano called the Public Works Committee meeting to order at 10:25 a.m.
4. SNR85: An act authorizing the issuance of an additional $23,300,000 in
bonds to pay part of the cost of engineering services for and construction of Sanitary Sewer Overflow Treatment facilities for overflow occurring at outfalls in the New Rochelle Sanitary Sewer District. (2/7/01) (Also referred to PW)
· The County actively worked with the municipal officials and the residents of the Village of Larchmont and the City of New Rochelle for the better part of a year in an attempt to identify alternative sitings options for the two SSO facilities.
· Those many months of discussions with the Village and the City resulted in the identification of two final alternative sites: the parking lot adjacent to the Fort Slocum Road in the City of New Rochelle and the northeast corner of Flint Park in the Village of Larchmont. Public forums were held and resolutions were issued by those municipalities
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· Committee members expressed concern with regard to Flint Park and whether or not it is dedicated parkland. An opinion will be sought from the County Attorney on this matter.
· The Committee were informed that this issue was raised with the Village of Larchmont and the City of New Rochelle and their attorney has concluded that there is no problem with this site.
· Currently the project is under design. This work is being undertaken pursuant to the Order on Consent. Plans have to be submitted by October.
· Public Works Chairman Maisano explained that it took a lot of work to get to this point and that this is the site that everyone can agree on. Both he and George Latimer, (who represent these districts) support this project.
· There was a discussion of the debt service, which is currently $3.2 million in the New Rochelle Sewer District. There was a discussion with regard to the dollar impact on taxpayers. (schedule on file) There will be an increase in the years 2001, 2002 and 2003. The bulk of the borrowing will be in 2002. After that there will be a decrease.
FOR THE BUDGET COMMITTEE:
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 4-0 with Legislator Young out for the vote.
FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE:
On motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Maisano, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 4-0.
ADJOURNMENT – PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the Public Works Committee meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m.
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C1. RCP7E: Proposed Bond Act Amendment authorizing the issuance of
$100,000 in bonds – Croton Point Ball Fields II. (2/7/01) (Also referred to Parks)
PARKS COMMITTEE:
Parks Committee Chairman Pinto stated that since there was no quorum for the Parks Committee, he was calling a special meeting of the Parks Committee to consider this item on Friday, February 23, 2001 at 11:00 a.m. at Mamaroneck Town Hall.
· This is for design of a new ball field and rehabilitation of existing fields. This includes installing lighting to make the ball fields accommodating for nighttime use.
· Construction schedule: end of this year beginning of next year.
· This is a regional project that will benefit many.
· Capital budget was amended to put design money into 2001
FOR THE BUDGET COMMITTEE:
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 4-0 with Legislator Young out for the vote.
C2. RP022: Proposed Bond Act Amendment authorizing the issuance of
$300,000 in bonds – Ride Acquisition – Playland. (2/7/01)
· This is required to finance the cost of the acquisition of new rides at Playland, including a mini-scrambler and spring ride in Kiddyland and a small family coaster in the family park.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 4-0 with Legislator Young out for the vote.
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3. RPC23A: Proposed Bond Act Amendment authorizing the issuance of
$480,000 in bonds – various rides and components – Playland. (2/7/01)
· Required to finance the cost of the continuation of rehabilitative work on the Old Mill. It includes work on the replacement of scenes and sound system as well as the purchase of new coats.
· Previous bonding legislation in the amount of $1.1 million was passed under Act 130-2000 for rehabilitative work at the Old Mill. Additional bonding legislation for $480,000 is necessary to finance the cost of continuation of rehabilitative work.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 5-0.
A3. Reverter Interest in Real Property: Forwarding a Negative Declaration and Proposed Act authorizing the County of Westchester to release its reverter interest in real property over which the State of New York convey an easement to the Coles for secondary access to their home. (2/7/01)
· The Coles home is located at 1619 Purchase Street in the Town of Harrison.
· This property has a driveway for automobile access from Purchase Street, but will not accommodate trucks and other large service vehicles.
· The Coles had an easement fronting on Purchase Street to allow such vehicles access to the rear of the premises. Several improvements were made by the Coles in reliance on this easement, including the construction of a specially designed garage and a connection to a gravel driveway extending over the easement for use by service vehicles. However, the State of New York condemned the easement in 1999 in order to construct improvements to the nearby Hutchinson River Parkway.
· With the State’s condemnation of the former easement, the Coles lost access to the rear of their property for all large vehicles which formerly serviced their home.
· Reconfiguration of the front driveway is not practical because of its narrowness, and would destroy the aesthetics of a landmark architectural structure.
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· The Coles filed a claim against the State for condemnation of their easement and are seeking a replacement easement to the rear of their property connecting to Meadow Lane. After extensive negotiations, the State is willing to convey such an easement, but it would include a portion of property that the County conveyed to the State in 1965 for the purpose of constructing the Hutch.
· The State is prohibited from reselling the property without the County’s consent.
· Any property acquired from the County for parkways reverts back to the County when no longer necessary and utilized for parkway operations. Therefore, the County has been asked to release its reverter interest in the affected property via quitclaim deed.
· The deed will include a restriction that the property only be used for right-of-way/access purposes and not for the construction of any other improvement thereon. It will also provide for reversion of title to the State and reinstatement of the County reverter interest if the Coles or a successor in title violate that restriction.
· There was concern expressed by Committee members as to what would happen if the County needed full use of that land in the future for parkway purposes. Mr. Mulligan explained that this shouldn’t impair any County purpose as the condemnation process could be used if necessary.
· It was asked what the County is getting in return for this .(will check with Law Department) Mr. Mulligan stated that the County is just facilitating a state action.
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 5-0.
A&C CALENDAR:
The A&C Calendar was distributed.
CASH FLOW:
The Committee will meet next Monday at 10:00 a.m. to discuss Cash Flow for 2000 and projected for 2001.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m.