JULY11_2005

COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES: JULY 11, 2005

BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS MEMBERS: Chair: Kaplowitz; Legislators: Alvarado, Bronz, LaMotte, Myers, Oros, Rogowsky, Ryan, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins, Wishnie

HEALTH MEMBERS: Chair: Stewart-Cousins; Legislators: Alvarado, Myers,

TRANSPORTATION MEMBERS: Chair: Rogowsky; Legislators: Ryan, Spreckman

IN ATTENDANCE: CE’s office: B. Randolph; Budget: K. Carrano, A. Vietro, F. Piskorowski; P&R: D. McBride; DOC: R. Pozzi; DoT: H. Stanton; LWV: B. Strauss; K. Eddings, Journal News; BOL Interns: H. Corbin, J. Ng, M. Nardi; BOL: B. Boland, R. Indelicato, S. Vanderberg, A. Modugno

With a quorum present, the Budget & Appropriations Committee was called to order at 10:14 a.m.

MINUTES

On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Alvarado, the minutes for June 27, 2005 were approved unanimously.

PUBLIC HEARING RESOLUTIONS

Three Resolutions setting the date and rules of conduct for the Public Hearing regarding the 2005/2006 Proposed WCC General and Operating Budgets. The Public Hearing will be held at the August 8, 2005 BOL meeting.

On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Alvarado all three Resolutions carried unanimously.

ITEM A1
Authorization to accept a $1,048.91 gift to support the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.

On the motion of Legislator Alvarado, seconded by Legislator Myers, the item carried unanimously.

A15

Previously approved by the Committee on Parks, this Act authorizes the County to enter into an IMA with the Town of Mt. Pleasant to license a 5-year term beginning May 1, 2005 approximately 1.16 acres of parkland on the Bronx River Reservation known as Patrick Henry Field. The Town will continue to license the field for use as a municipal recreation facility for the benefit of all County residents and will continue to provide for its maintenance and supervision at its sole cost and expense. The annual License fee for the field will remain $200.00 per year.

On the motion of Legislator Bronz, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the item carried 9-0.

C124(T0023)

Previously approved by the Committee on Public Works, this $192,000 Bond Act will fund the work necessary for the replacement of the generator at the Central Maintenance Facility, at 275 Saw Mill River Rd in Yonkers. The project is part of the continued modernization and regulatory compliance with Federal, State and Local safety, structural and security requirements.

Mr. Boland noted there were inconsistencies in the Committee report which required correction. A revised Committee report will be provided for signing.

On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Myers, the item carried as revised, 9-0.

With a quorum present, the Committee on Transportation convened at 10:33 am.

A151(T0019)

A $200,000 Bond Act to finance improvements at the White Plains Bus Terminal including but not limited to the purchase and installation of radiant heating elements for passenger waiting area, passenger enclosures and a new office façade at the White Plains Transcenter.

A list of all work to be done was requested.

For Budget: On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Myers, the item carried 11-0.

For Transportation: On the motion of Legislator Spreckman, seconded by Legislator Ryan, the item carried 3-0.

With a quorum present, the Committee on Health convened at 10:43 am.

A16

An Act authorizing the Count to amend an agreement with the WCHCC whereby the WCHCC provides comprehensive health care services to the inmates at theDepartment of Correction for the calendar 2005. Although authorization is being requested for a new not exceed amount of $11,500 retroactive to January 1, 2005, the Department anticipates that the ultimate cost reflected in this amendment will be $11,250. However, factors outside the County’s control, such as an increase in inmate population or prescription drug prices could cause costs to be higher. Therefore the Department will closely monitor expenses receiving monthly expense reports from WCHCC.

The Department is happy with the services rendered by Medical Center. Currently there are 1501 inmates at the facility, 1460 are “in-house” and 900 are pre-trial. According to State Law, inmates do not qualify for Medicaid but the Department pays the Medical Center at the Medicaid rate, the Count is also responsible for State inmates housed at the facility.

For Budget: On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Bronz, the item carried 11-0.

For Health: On the motion of Legislator Alvarado, seconded by Legislator Myers, the item carried 5-0.

C163(T0030)

A $400,000 Bond Act to finance the cost of improvements at bus stops along major transit corridors and central business districts in the County, on county owned roads. Each stop will be assessed for improvements including but not limited to; street pads, lighted and safe pedestrian accessibility and curb cuts. In addition, amenities such as bus passenger shelters, seating and telephones will be located as appropriate.

A list of all bid offers was requested.

For Budget: On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the item carried 11-0.

For Transportation: On the motion of Legislator Ryan, seconded by Legislator Spreckman, the item carried 3-0.

WCC Budget
Committee Chair Kaplowitz explained if there was a discord regarding the 2005/2006 proposed budget at the 8/8/05 BOL meeting, a subsequent BOL meeting may need to be held. Most members present said they would be available for the 8/8/05 B&A Committee meeting at which time the proposed budget will be signed out of committee.

On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Myers for Budget and Legislator Ryan, seconded by Legislator Spreckman for Transportation, the meeting went into executive session at 11:11 am. and exited executive session at 11:25 am.

With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 11:25 am.