COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION
MINUTES
MAY 5, 2003
MEMBERS PRESENT
Budget & Appropriations: Wishnie, Alvarado, Bronz, Kaplowitz, LaMotte, Oros
Public Works: Pinto, Oros, Bronz , Ryan, Rogowsky Wishnie
Environment & Health: Kaplowitz, Bronz, Lamotte, Pinto, Ryan, Rogowsky
Housing: Bronz, Oros
OTHERS PRESENT: CE’s office: B. Randolph, A. Neuman; Budget: K. Carrano, A. Vietro; DoIT: N. Jacknis, A. Elliott, B. Barton, K. Foster; DSS: K. Mahon; Finance: P. Pucillo; Planning: N. Hadley, F. McLoughlin, N. MacMillan; Labs & Research: L. Fasnacht, M. Hyland; Human Resources: P. Zeman: TJN: K. Eddings; LWV: B. Strauss; M. Chivulli; BOL: B. Boland, S. Schecter, R. Indelicato, C. Chang, S. Vanderberg
On the motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz the following agenda items were received & filed 5-0:
A1-Package of court ordered refunds to be paid by Commissioner of Finance
A17- Package of court ordered refunds to be paid by Commissioner of Finance
A12-Acceptance of gifts from Fuji Photo Film USA
A14-Acceptance of gift from T&T Janitorial Services for Business Youth Job Fair
A15-Acceptance of a gift from Fortunoff for Business Youth Partnership Job Fair
A16-Acceptance of a gift from System Management Arts for Business Youth Job Fair
B12, B16, B30-Correspondence regarding funding for Peach Lake feasibility study
On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded Legislator Bronz the item was carried 5-0, with Legislator Oros voting without prejudice. Legislator Alvarado was out for the vote.
With a quorum present the committee on Environment & Health convened at 9:23 am.
A Bond Act authorizing $100,000 for the closure of the Ward Pound Ridge Landfill, a site that had been used as a refuse disposal area. The amount will fund the design and construction supervision costs, pursuant to a Voluntary Cleanup Agreement between the County acting through its Department of Parks and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
This Bond will fund the cost of design and construction supervision, funds for construction management will not be expended unless the BOL approves funding for project construction.
For Budget: on the motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz the item was carried 5-0, Legislator Alvarado was out for the vote.
For Environment: On the motion of Legislator Rogowsky, seconded by Legislator Pinto the item was carried 5-0.
On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator LaMotte the Environment & Health adjourned at 9:37am.
With a quorum present the Committee on Public Works was convened at 9:37 am.
A Bond Act authorizing $200,000 for Phase 1 of the Forcemain Replacement Study. The study will determine the condition and proper course for rehab or replacement of approximately 5 forcemains in and for the Blindbrook, Bronx Valley and Peekskill Sanitary Sewer Districts.
Mr. Zabinsky said the Department wants to be proactive in the maintenance and upkeep of these pipes. The pipes are subject to wear and tear and accordingly over time require repair/replacement to ensure their continued functioning.
For Budget: On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Alvarado the item was carried 6-0.
For Public Works: On the motion of Legislator Oros, seconded by Legislator Rogowsky the item was carried 6-0.
On the motion of Legislator Ryan, seconded by Legislator Bronz the Public Works adjourned at 9:42 am.
Legislation amending the County Pay Plan, by reallocating and creating several titles pursuant to organizational studies conducted by Human Resources in conjunction with departmental requests. Ms. Zeman said this action would compensate incumbent employees who take on additional responsibilities, resulting in a $44,000 dollar increase for affected departments.
In response to Legislator Oros’ concern, Ms. Zeman explained the incumbents in the affected positions are already at the 5th step for their job groups and will only go up one additional step.
The legislation was amended to delete the job titled “Chief of Public Health, Laboratories” as listed on page 3 under Job Group XVII, as suggested by Legislator Kaplowitz.
On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Alvarado the item was carried 6-0, with Legislators LaMotte and Oros voting without prejudice.
With a quorum present, the Special Committee on Housing convened at 9:52 am.
An Act which would authorize the County to purchase and convey approximately 19,000 square feet of real property, located at 120&129 Lockwood Avenue in New Rochelle for the purpose of developing a 73 unit, multi-family apartment building with 72 affordable housing units. This senior housing project is in accordance with the County’s New Homes Land Acquisition fund.
Also attached is an $893,000 Bond Act to finance this project. The amount bonded for the purchase of the land is not to exceed $827,000; the remaining $65,700 is for the customary closing costs, associated costs of acquisition, soft costs and unforeseen contingencies.
A Right of First Refusal was unanimously approved by the City Council of New Rochelle.
The land to be purchased is comprised of two separate vacant sites. The larger site will be developed, the smaller one will be set-aside in case additional parking is needed. The County will acquire the sites from the two separate entities that own them and sell them to the Rockwell Terrace LLC, to be developed.
The rental structure for all of the 1-bedroom units is as follows:
12 units available at/below 30% of the HUD area median income.
12 units at/below 40% of the median income.
48 units at/below 50% of the median income.
These income requirements will be in effect for a period of 40 years.
A breakdown of the HUD area median income schedule was provided for member review. The current area median income for a family of four is currently $90,100 Dollars.
The project originally proposed 76 units, but due to revisions to the New York State building code, this has been reduced to 73 units. Legislator LaMotte noted this change could result in an increase in building costs.
Ms. McMillan said tax credits for this project were awarded last year. Legislator Kaplowitz said an effort should be made to ensure all projects going forward maximize the federal credit opportunities available, adding the tax credit has in essence cut the project’s cost by 75%.
Legislator Oros said he was unpleased with the lack of clarity as to the process and procedures used in choosing the sites for and the organization of projects of this nature. He was skeptical as to the amount paid for the purchase of the land.
Mr. Kaplowitz suggested a policy be crafted to ensure each project come with a low income tax credit component, which could offset costs to the County (ie. land purchase costs) for such projects. He further suggested projects without such tax credit incentives should be questioned.
Ms. Hadley said to ensure projects are accessible to their targeted population, the need for and amount of subsidy is always assessed prior to project approval. Adding the local community plays an important role in location of such projects. Westchester County has a hard time competing for subsidy on a State level.
Legislator Wishnie suggested a report reflecting the policy, procedures enacted and selection process for the developers of such projects be created for BOL review.
Mr. Boland requested a copy of the land appraisal, as approved by Mr. Carrera (Director, Real Estate).
Ms. Hadley said there is a restriction within the contract and deed that states the project has to maintain its affordability for 40 years. It also covers all financing, transfers and sales for the entire 40 years.
For Budget: On the motion of Legislator Bronz, seconded by Legislator Alvarado the item was carried 6-0, with Legislator Oros voting without prejudice.
For Housing: On the motion of Legislator Bronz, seconded without prejudice by Legislator Oros the item was carried 2-0.
On the motion of Legislator Bronz, seconded by Legislator Oros, Housing was adjourned at 10:20 am.
A Bond Act authorizing $740,000 for POWER Tools. This bond will fund the continued acquisition and installation of reusable computer software and consultant services to implement workflow rengineering, document, knowledge and facilities management.
The funding will complete projects currently underway, providing County employees with productivity enhancing software tools. Providing a cost savings to the County by increasing staff efficiency, managing resources more effectively, reducing reliance on paper documents, as well as the space needed to store them, and making critical information instantly accessible.
Dr. Jacknis (CIO) gave a 20-minute detailed power point presentation of the system, its uses, functions and operation. Noting the County’s unique position as host to the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant, Dr. Jacknis pointed out the systems potential importance to the Department of Emergency Services as well as its capacity to reduce the document backlog in the County Clerk’s office.
In response to Legislator Rogowsky’s concern, Mrs. Carrano said according to the County Clerk’s daily report, they estimate their 2002 backlog at 5 months and are currently maintaining a 19-day processing cycle.
Mr. Wishnie said the system could potentially be used to help the BOL reduce its paper usage.
On the motion of Legislator Alvarado, seconded by Legislator Oros the item was carried 6-0.
On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Alvarado the meeting was adjourned at 11:22 am.