COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION

MINUTES

FEBRUARY 24, 2003

MEMBERS PRESENT:                 Wishnie, Alvarado, Abinanti,

                                                          Bronz, Kaplowitz, Oros, Stewart-

                                                          Cousins, LaMotte

OTHER LEGISLATORS:              Rogowsky, Ryan, Pinto

OTHERS PRESENT:                     Con Ed:  Ned Corini, B.B.

                                                          Heimburg, Victor Mullin, James P.

                                                          O’Toole; TRC Env. Corp.:  Bob

                                                          Golden; Youth Bureau:  Mary Kate

                                                          Doherty: Budget:  Arthur Vietro,    

         Kate Carrano; Planning:  Fran

McLaughlin, Nancy Hadley, Nancy

MacMillan, Dana Sanchez, Patrick Natarelli, William Brady, Norma Drummond; Housing Action Council:  Rose Noonan; CEO:

Andrew Neuman, Bill Randolph, Sal Carrera; White Plains:  George Gretsas, Kenneth Kraus, Paul Hood, John Bouty, Rich, Ammirato, Mayor Joe Delfino,

Susan Habel; CBAC:  Fran MacEachron; CBAC/LWVW:  Barbara Strauss; BOL:  Bob Boland, Ray Indelicato, Rafael Vega, Peter Neglia, Jennie Perez, Sally Schecter, Chris Chang

Chairman Wishnie called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m.

On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the minutes were approved by a vote of 6-0.  Legislators Abinanti and Stewart-Cousins were out for the vote.

On the motion of Chair Bronz, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to receive and file the following items was carried by a vote of 7-0 with Legislators Abinanti and Stewart-Cousins out for the vote.

A7 – Acceptance of Gift from Generoso Foundation

                   A12 – Acceptance of Gift from Sandra Neblett

                   A14 – Acceptance of Gift from Ann Lovergoine

                   A15 – Acceptance of Gift from Jill Rose

                   A16 – Acceptance of Gift from Melissa Strac

                   A18 – Acceptance of Gift from Renee Purse

                   A19 – Acceptance of Gift from Mr. & Mrs. William Gonda

                   A20 – Acceptance of Gift from Carol Zalenski

                   A21 – Acceptance of Gift from Lois Kroll

          B10 – 2003 Contingency Budget – Greenburgh Branch of

                   the DA’s office

          B11 – County Sales Tax

          B21 – 2003 Budget              

                   A24 – IMAs- Organic Yard Waste Transfer Program

                   A17 – Spot Tonnage Fees for Solid Waste

C107 – Reconstruction of the Main/Mamaroneck Plaza:  A presentation was made by the City of White Plains.  The present plaza was developed in the late 1970’s prior to the completion of the Galleria.   The total investment in White Plains will be $1.3 billion which will include housing, retail and entertainment.  The City is calling these projects “reinventing the downtown.”  The residential developments are the City Center, Bank Street, the Jeffeson and Clayton Park.  The retail development is the City Center scheduled to open in October 2003 and Fortunoff also scheduled for October 2003.  The Galleria has been acquired by Mills Corp. who will be renovating the mall and the Westchester Pavillion has been purchased by Urstadt Biddle.  The City has spent approximately $4 million in sidewalks, trees, drop off areas.  For this project $1.9 million will be contributed by the City’s Urban Renewal, the developer will contribute $1.1 million and the County will spend $500,000 for a total of $3.5 million. 

On the motion of Chair Bronz, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the motion was passed by a vote of 8-0 with Legislators Kaplowitz, LaMotte, Stewart-Cousins, Oros and Abinanti signing “without prejudice.”

A22- a joint meeting with Public Works and Energy to discuss the sale of land to Con Ed and granting of easements:  Legislator Pinto called the Committee on Public Works to order and Legislator Rogowsky called the Committee on Energy to order.  Chairman Wishnie read a letter from Legislator Swanson endorsing this project.  The County would like to sell approximately 2.7 acres of land on the Grasslands Reservation to Consolidated Edison for the purpose of constructing a new electrical substation to meet anticipated increased electrical demand in the County.   In addition the County would grant various permanent easements for ingress, egress, utilities and maintenance required for the operation of the substation.   The property has been appraised at $950,000.  Con Ed has agreed to barter which will amount to $2,094,000.  The barter work will include a new fence with cameras, a new gas line, a bike path, a program to read difficult electrical meters and a 4^th feeder.  Con Ed has indicated if this site is not approved they will look elsewhere.

On the motion of Chair Bronz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion was carried by a vote of 8-0 for the Budget & Appropriation Committee.  Legislators Abinanti and Kaplowitz voted “without prejudice.”   On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Rogowsky, the motion was carried by a vote of 6-0 for the Public Works Committee.  On the motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Pinto, the motion was carried by a vote of 6-0 for the Special Committee on Energy with Legislator Kaplowitz voting “without prejudice.”

On the motion of Legislator Oros, seconded by Legislator Ryan, the Committee on Public Works was adjourned.  On the motion of Legislator Ryan, seconded by Legislator Pinto, the committee on Energy was adjourned.

On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, the Committee on Environment and Health was called to order.

C135 Cost sharing agreement for the Bronx River Ecosystem:  There has been ongoing discussion with the Army Corps of Engineers and NY City DEP.   The Committee report list the NY City agency as the DEC.  Legislator Kaplowitz pointed out that it is DEP.   The remaining portion of the County’s share of the feasibility study is $515,000 which is part of Capital Project POOO6.  Several of the legislators wanted to know why the State DEC is not participating in this restoration.  They have said no.  David DeLucia was asked to again ask the state about participating and if not, why not.  There were questions about what has been appropriated in the past for this project.  Legislator Stewart-Cousins feels that projects need to be prioritized.  Legislator Kaplowitz feels that the entire project needs to be looked.  Legislator Pinto mentioned that Crestwood Lake in Tuckahoe and Bronxville Lake need to be dredged. 

Because there was so many unanswered questions, Chair Wishnie suggested that Legislator Kaplowitz meet with representatives of the Parks Department and then this will be brought up again in the Budget Committee.

On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Rogowsky, the Committee on Environment/Health was adjourned.

Chair Bronz called the special Committee on Housing to order and Legislator Alvarado called the Committee on Community Affairs to order.

A9 – Resource Allocation Plan:  This qualifies the County to receive from the state $2,417,504 through the Office of Children and Family Services for the period January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003 for certain youth services programs and related administrative activities.  On the motion of Legislator Alvarado, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion was carried by a vote of 8-0 with Legislators Kaplowitz and Abinanti voting “without prejudice.”

A1- Continuation of benefits for certain County employees:  This is a continuation of an act passed in 2001 to pay employees called to active duty the difference between their County salary and the military salary.  Legislator Stewart-Cousins has received a call from a constituent that we are playing less then other Counties.

On the motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion was carried by a vote of 8-0

A5- Urban County Application:  This authorizes the filing of the application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for approximately $8,890,000 - $7,000,000 is for CDBG funds, $232,000 is for Emergency Shelters and $1,600,000 is for  the Home Investment Partnership.  The money is divided among 40 municipalities, not including New Rochelle, Yonkers, White Plains and Mt. Vernon.  They receive their own money.  The Town of Mt. Pleasant does not belong to the consortium

On the motion of Legislator Oros, seconded by Chair Bronz for Budget & Appropriation, the motion was carried by a vote of 8-0.  On the motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Chair Bronz for Community Affairs, the motion was carried by a vote of 4-0.  On the motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Oros for the Committee on Housing, the motion was carried by a vote of 3-0

A23 – Amendment to Act 219-2000:  The County entered into an IMA with the City of Yonkers and Hoover Road, LLC for an affordable housing development.  Because of delays, Hoover Road, LLC has been removed and a new developer has been chosen – Hoover Road Associates, LLC whose members include Trinity Associates, Gotham North Consulting and EDC Concrete and Rebar, Inc.  Also the proposed income mix has changed.  One of the affordable two-family homes and one of the rental apartments will now be made available to families with incomes at or below 100% whereas previously it was at or below 90% of the county’s median income.  The Legislators questioned the 30 year affordable period and asked if it could be changed to 40 years.

On the motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Oros for the Committee on Community Affairs, the motion was carried by a vote of 4-0.  On the motion of Legislator Oros, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins for the committee on Housing, the motion was carried by a vote of 3-0.  On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Alvarado for Budget & Appropriation, the motion was carried by a vote of 7-0 with Legislator Abinanti out for the vote and Legislator LaMotte voting “without prejudice.”

On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Oros, the meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m.