COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Joint with PUBLIC SAFETY & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
MINUTES JUNE 1, 2004
BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS MEMBERS: Chair: Kaplowitz; Members: Abinanti, Rogowsky, Ryan, Stewart-Cousins, Wishnie
GUESTS: DPS: D. Ritucci, T. Belfiore, D. Langford; DOC: R. Pozzi, T. Czarnecki; LAW: J. Robertson, L. Alesio; DSS: S. Riordan; PRC: J. Stout, Budget: A. Vietro, L. Bennett; Planning: J. Mulligan, F. McLaughlin; DPW: R. Butler; CE’s office: B. Randolph, A. Neuman, K. Ryan, S; Tapper; K. Eddings, Journal News; BOL Staff: B. Boland, R. Indelicato, S. Vanderberg, S. Bass, C. Chang
With quorums present, the Committees on Budget & Public Safety were called to order at 10:25 am.
C66 (BPS10)
An Act authorizing $400,000 in bonds to fund the cost for the design of a new firing range to train law enforcement/public safety personnel. A new range facility is necessary in order for the Department to fulfill the ever-increasing need for a suitable facility to train new recruits and satisfy NYS mandated re-qualification of law enforcement/public safety personnel.
Officers are currently only being trained for proficiency, it is hoped the new facility will allow for more intensive additional training reducing the number of shootings and the chance of litigation resulting from them. Police related shootings average $2.5 million per incident. The new facility has to meet OSHA standards. Annual operating costs of the facility will average $500,000 to $760,000, this includes the salaries for 2-4 training officers and I maintenance worker.
After some discussion, it was decided this item would be held until additional information could be gathered and conversation had.
With a quorum present, the Committee on Community Affairs was called to order at 10:55 am.
A10
An IMA with Cortlandt whereby the County’s Department of Public Safety will participate in the Town’s D.A.R.E. program for a term commencing March 1, 2004 and terminating on February 28, 2005.
Pursuant to the terms of the IMA, the County will provide the services of a County officer and the Town will pay the County $98.29 for each hour the officer contributes to the program.
For Budget: On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the item carried 5-0. Legislator Abinanti out for vote.
For Community Affairs: On the motion of Legislator Ryan, seconded by Legislator Alvarado, the item carried 2-0.
For Public Safety: On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Rogowsky, the item carried 4-0.
A27/C70 (BPL22)
An act authorizing the County to construct a memorial in remembrance to those residents of Westchester who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks on September 11. 2001 and an Act issuing $150,000 in bonds to finance the construction of the memorial.
After surveying several possible locations, Kensico Dam was chosen as the site for its central location and heavy visitation rate.
For Budget: On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the item carried 5-0. Legislator Ryan out for vote.
For Community Affairs: On the motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Alvarado, the item carried 2-0. Legislator Ryan out for vote.
The Committee on Community Affairs adjourned at 11:20 am.
C58(BCR14)
An Act authorizing the issuance of $480,000 in bonds to finance Ne w/Replacement Locking System at the 1932 Jail and Women’s Unit at the Correctional Complex at the Valhalla Campus. The Act will fund the cost of design for the locking systems.
The current manual locking system, installed from 1968 – 1988 has reached the end of its useful life and is no longer functioning in a reliable manner and its underlying technology has become obsolete making replacement parts increasingly unavailable. Accordingly, it is now necessary to replace the system with a modern electronic release system which will be consistent with the rest of the Correction complex.
An overall layout of the Corrections Complex broken down by each buildings function and cost to run was requested.
After much discussion, Commissioner Pozzi extended an invitation to visit the complex at the Legislatures earliest convenience.
For Budget: On the motion of Legislator Rogowsky, seconded by Legislator Wishnie the item carried 4-1. Legislator Abinanti voted in the negative, Stewart-Cousins-without prejudice, Ryan out for vote.
For Public Safety: On the motion of Legislator Rogowsky, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the item carried 3-0. Ryan out for vote.
C59(BCR5A)
An Act authorizing the issuance of $750,000 in bonds to finance the cost of the continuation of waterproofing of exterior buildings, including the 1932 Jail at the Correctional Complex. Due to age, the building has become porous allowing moisture to be absorbed, destroying the plaster interior walls making this project necessary.
Failure to carry out these improvements could result in continued damage and increase in repair costs. The project is time sensitive due to nature of work to be performed.
For Budget: On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Rogowsky the item carried 4-1. Legislator Abinanti voted in the negative, Stewart-Cousins-without prejudice, Ryan out for vote.
For Public Safety: On the motion of Legislator Rogowsky, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the item carried 3-0. Ryan out for vote.
A12
An Act to enter into IMA’s with various municipalities to reimburse them for monies expended for approved planning, training, exercises and equipment with the goal of enhancing advanced warning information to prevent a terrorist incident, expand local law enforcement information shoring and reduce New York’s vulnerability to terrorism.
Westchester is in receipt of grant funds from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from the State of New York through its Office of Public Security. These funds are provided specifically for the previously mentioned initiatives.
Legislator Abinanti felt the legislation should be amended to allow for semi-annual reports from the Department of Emergency Services to the Board of all monies received and expended (where possible in respect to potential security issues).
The item was held until suggested changes to legislation could be made.
The Committee on Public Safety adjourned at 12:35 pm.
A11
An amended of the County’s lease agreement with Continental Hosts, Ltd dated February 6, 1997 for operation of a first class catering facility at the Glen Island Casino. The proposed lease amendment (effective October 1, 2004) will extend the length of the lease through September 30, 2027. The County will be paid a fixed annual rental payment of $100,000 dollars, with a 5% annual increase thereafter.
Additionally, Continental will pay the County 5% of annual gross receipts exceeding $1,000,000.
A list of proposed improvements to the property was requested.
On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Rogowsky the item carried 5-0.
It was decided the remaining items on the Committee’s agenda would be held for consideration at an upcoming meeting and the Committee on Budget adjourned at 1:08 pm.
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