COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES: JUNE 20, 2005
BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS MEMBERS: Chair: Kaplowitz; Legislators: Abinanti, Alvarado, Bronz, LaMotte, Myers, Oros, Rogowsky, Ryan, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins
HEALTH MEMBERS: Chair: Stewart-Cousins; Legislators: Abinanti, Alvarado, Myers, Oros, Ryan
PUBLIC SAFETY MEMBERS: Acting Chair: Rogowsky; Legislators: Kaplowitz, Spreckman, Ryan
IN ATTENDANCE: CE’s office: A. Neuman, B. Randolph, K. Pasquale; Budget: K. Carrano, A. Vietro; PW: R. Butler; DOC: R. Pozzi, D. Smith; Law: L. Alesio, C. Acuri; DSS: C. Henry, D. Wiede; Parks: D. Mcbride, D. DeLucia, P. Neglia; DPW: R. Butler; DoH: T. Petro; Planning: R. Lopane; P. Wren, GPS Region Manager; LWV: B. Strauss; H. Corbin; BOL: B. Boland, R. Indelicato, S. Vanderberg
With quorums present, the Committees on Budget and Appropriations and Public Safety were called to order at 10:13 a.m.
MINUTES
On the motion of Legislator Bronz seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the minutes for June 13, 2005 were approved 7-0.
ITEM A23
Previously discussed at the May 23rd meeting, this is an act authorizing the County to enter into IMAs with local municipalities, courts and police departments for the collection of cash bail through the use of credit cards in connection with remands to the County Jail. The County entered a 5-year agreement with Government Payment Services, Inc who will process the credit transactions at no cost to the County; the card holder is responsible for all fees concerning the transactions.
Concerns previously raised by members were satisfactorily addressed offline and a schedule of the related fees was circulated and is on file for review upon request.
For Budget: On the motion of Legislator Spreckman seconded by Legislator Rogowsky, the item carried 9-0.
For Public Safety: On the motion of Legislator Spreckman seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the item carried 3-0.
The Committee on Public Safety adjourned and the Committee on Health convened at 10:26 am.
A17
An act authorizing the County, through its Department Health, to enter into an agreement with WCHCC for primary and oral health care services individuals residing in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam who have HIV/AIDS for the budget period from March 1, 2005 through February 28, 2006.
Payment will be made by the County in the not to exceed amount of $265,961 pursuant to an approved budget. These funds represent federal grant money distributed through the Ryan White Care Act Title I funding. The monies will be used to pay WCHCC’s costs for providing these services.
For Budget: On the motion of Legislator LaMotte seconded by Legislator Bronz, the item carried 7-0.
For Health: On the motion of Legislator Alvarado seconded by Legislator Myers, the item carried 4-0.
A16
An Agreement authorizing the County through DSS with WCHCC for the provision of in-patient medical services for residents of Woodfield Cottage, the County’s secure detention facility. The County will pay to WCHCC an amount not to exceed $50,000 per year payable pursuant to the then current Medicaid rates. The prior agreement expired on December 31, 2004.
For Budget: On the motion of Legislator Myers seconded by Legislator Oros, the item carried 9-0.
For Health: On the motion of Legislator Oros seconded by Legislator Myers, the item carried 4-0.
The Committee on Health adjourned at 10:41 am.
A9
An act authorizing the County Attorney to compromise a claim of Westchester County reimbursement of health care expenditures from insureds’ recovery as a result of legal action or settlement. When an individual insured by the County under POMCO is injured as the result of an omission of a third party the County pays for the immediate health care subject to the right to be reimbursed if the insured recovers a settlement from the third party. The amount to be reimbursed in this case is $7,881.49.
On the motion of Legislator LaMotte seconded by Legislator Bronz, the item carried 8-0.
ADDED STARTERS
A Home Rule Request supporting Senate Bill # 5670 and Assembly Bill # 8845 amending the public authorities law, in relation to authorizing the County to issue bonds fro certain capital projects of the Westchester to issue bonds for certain capital projects of the WCHCC and permit the County to undertake to perform such capital project being financed and the companion BOL Resolution resolving the same.
Board Chairman Ryan explained these 2 items allows the Board to monitor what monies are allowed for capital projects at the Medical Center and ensures the funds are used for what they were intended and the companion Resolution creates a monetary limit. He added the majority of new capital projects will be critical medical equipment needed to care for patients.
Legislator Stewart-Cousins suggested a customized fact sheet be formulated to specifically tract the future Medical Center projects.
County Budget Director, Mrs. Carrano explained the capital projects to be funded will be repayable by the residual Tobacco funds.
A copy of the Assembly Bill was requested.
On the motion of Legislator Ryan seconded by Legislator Bronz, the Home Rule Request and the companion BOL Resolution carried 8-0. Legislator LaMotte voted without prejudice for both.
By unanimous consent, the meeting was recessed at 11:20 am and reconvened at 1:36 pm.
A&C ITEMS
#4: A Resolution awarding to the lowest bidder the $491,355.90 contract to mill and resurface the former Air National Guard Vehicle Parking Area at the County Airport. There was some skepticism as to the necessity, timeliness and cost of the project. Commissioner Butler, DPW said the BOL approved the bonding for this project in 2004, adding for the record he was unaware of any proposal to change the use of the site from that of a parking lot.
#20: Amending the April 21, 2005 Resolution to correct the fee payable to Levitan & Associates, Inc due to an increase in the scope of the work in connection with energy consultant services provided by them for the County and COWPUSA.
It was decided the item would be held until addition discussions on the particulars of the contract could be held with Legislator Rogowsky, Chair Committee on Energy.
A breakdown of the projects scope was requested.
With no additional business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 1:57 pm.
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