COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION
MINUTES
APRIL 14, 2003
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Budget & Appropriations: Wishnie, Alvarado, Kaplowitz, LaMotte, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson, Bronz
Public Works: Pinto, Wishnie, Rogowsky, Oros, Bronz
OTHERS PRESENT: CE’s office: B. Randolph, A. Neuman, S. Carrera; DPW: R. Butler; DEF: T. Landi, A. Zabinski; Planning: F. McLoughlin; Budget: L. Bennett, A. Vietro; Law: L. Alesio; Health: J. Lipsman, A. Portera; CBAC/LWV: B. Strauss; BOL Staff: B. Boland, S. Schechter, R. Indelicato, S. Vanderberg, C. Chang
With a quorum present, the Committee on Budget and Appropriations was called to order at 9:25 a.m.
Minutes
On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Swanson, the minutes for April 9, 2003 were approved as amended 4-0. Legislators Bronz, Alvarado, Oros and Stewart-Cousins were out for the vote.
Receive & File
On the motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Swanson, Item B26- Correspondence from the Association of Police Chiefs in support of E911 Funding was received & filed, 4-0. Legislators Bronz, Alvarado, Oros, Stewart-Cousins were out for the vote.
ITEM C115
$450,000 Bond Act to replace 3 pieces of heavy equipment. Mr. Butler said 1 piece, a 23 year-old dump truck in DPW, has surpassed its useful life and is no longer efficient in the maintenance of the Bronx River Parkway it’s primary function. The Parks Department needs to replace a 13 year-old garbage truck with serious problems and a 1985 car that spent 40% of last year in the garage.
A breakdown of all county owned vehicles of this nature would be provided.
For Budget: On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte the item was carried 6-0.
For Public Works: On the motion of Legislator Rogowsky, seconded by Legislator Wishnie the item was carried 4-0.
Legislators Oros and Alvarado were out for the vote.
ITEM C119
$100,000 Bond Act to repair the 60+ year-old utility tunnels at the Valhalla Campus. The tunnels provide steam and hot water to the Medical Center and Correction Complexes. The rate of deterioration due water seepage and the steam have made this first major repair to the tunnels necessary. The tunnels, which run under major roadways, suffered a collapsed section last year. The work will include rebar replacement and concrete repair.
Mr. Carrera (CE’s Office) said this project was part of the County’s new asset management program and an effort to be more proactive.
Legislator Swanson was skeptical of the cost and scope of the project due to what she perceived the presence of asbestos in the tunnels. Mr. Butler (DPW) said the committee would be updated on all findings after the design phase had been completed.
For Budget: On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Swanson the item was carried 6-0.
For Public Works: On the motion of Legislator Rogowsky, seconded by Legislator Wishnie the item was carried 4-0.
Legislators Oros and Alvarado were out for the vote.
ITEM C123
$500,000 Bond Act for the relocation of Health Department offices to 134 Court Street and the replacement of office equipment to outfit various clinics. A list of equipment to be replaced was provided for member review; Dr. Lipsman (Health) said the existing equipment ranging from 15-20 years old.
A breakdown of the total cost, including equipment will be provided for member review.
For Budget: On the motion of Legislator Bronz, seconded by Legislator Alvarado the item was carried 7-0.
For Public Works: On the motion of Legislator Rogowsky, seconded by Legislator Wishnie the item was carried 4-0.
Legislator Oros was out for the vote.
ITEM A5
Requesting authorization to settle the lawsuit of Gladys Bailon v. the County of Westchester. Ms. Alesio said while stopped at an intersection, Ms. Bailon was rear ended by a DPW employee. She sustained injuries requiring her to be immobilized for 6 ½ weeks, undergo two surgeries and extensive physical therapy-to date, she has also suffered loss of wages. Ms. Bailon said she was wearing her seatbelt, and witnesses do not credit the DPW employee’s version of the accident.
Ms. Alesio said jury awards for this type of case could range from $175,000 to $500,000. The County Attorney is looking to settle for the case for $175,000. A breakdown of the complainant’s medical expenses would be submitted for member review.
On the motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Alvarado the item was carried 7-0, with Legislator Oros out for the vote.
ITEM C142
$850,000 dollar Bond Act to replace haulage vehicles for Refuse Disposal District #1(DEF), this is part of existing replacement
program.
A list of the actual equipment would be provided for member review.
For Budget: On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the item was carried 8-0.
For Public Works: On the motion of Legislator Rogowsky, seconded by Legislator Oros, the item was carried 5-0.
ITEM C149
$145,000 dollar Bond Act (DEF), Pump Station Monitoring and Alarms in the Ossining Sewer District. The amount will cover the design, construction management and construction costs of this capital project. The project will permit the pump stations to relay alarms of malfunctions and all related information to the North Yonkers Pump Station, which is manned 24-hours a day.
Allowing staff to make appropriate adjustments from the North Yonkers Pump Station will reduce expenses related to dispatching personnel and information gathered will help personnel understand and correct problems quickly and efficiently.
For Budget: On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Swanson the item was carried 7-1. With Legislators Stewart-Cousins, Swanson and Oros voting without prejudice and
For Public Works: On the motion of Legislator Rogowsky, seconded by Legislator Wishine the item was carried 3-0. Legislator Oros voted without prejudice.
ITEM C150
$590,000 dollar Bond Act (DEF) for Pump Station rehab in the Ossining Sewer District. The project will fund the design and construction management related to the rehabilitation of the equipment and structure of the Kemey’s Cove Pump Station.
This project was originally part of Capital Project SW075 until it was closed and all components were moved to the appropriate districts.
Typically, consultants are only retained on larger DEF projects at which time funds for both design and construction are requested. RFP’s for each phase are done simultaneously. In order award the contractor, 100% of the funding must be secured. Upon completion of the design phase, each department must return to the Board for construction funding. The total amount appropriated is not expended without Board approval.
For Budget: On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by
Legislator Kaplowitz, the item was carried 7-0.
For Public Works: On the motion of Legislator Rogowsky, seconded by Legislator Oros the item was carried 4-0.
On the motion of Legislator Rogowsky, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the Committee on Public Works was adjourned at 10:15 am.
CAPITAL PROJECTS FACT SHEET
Mr. Newman said in an effort to streamline the Bonding process, this document has been created to supplement the 1920 document, which reflects the initial request for a project. Where, the 1920 document remains static, this proposed document will serve as a living document.
The new document will contain a project description, the impacted districts, project motivation, total appropriations, it’s current status and a signature from each relevant department.
The goal of the new sheet is to create a better capital projects description; avoid scope creeps, job changes and additional costs. This new sheet will not abolish the need for the1920 breakdown, which will still be used to reflect initial fund requests.
The new document will reflect the appropriation history for each project as many years as the project exists as well as the entire project history. It will be submitted at time of bond requests with the most updated information available. The document will be part of the package submitted for Legislative review in future.
Mr. Boland requested the document also reflect all appropriations paid to date.
With no further business to discuss, on the motion of Legislator Kaplowtiz, seconded by Legislator Oros the Committee on Budget & Appropriations was adjourned at 10:33 am.