COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES: MAY 17, 2004

BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS MEMBERS: Chair: Kaplowitz; Members: Bronz, Mosiello, Oros, Rogowsky, Ryan, Stewart-Cousins

GUESTS: County Clerk’s office: L. Spano, Steve Levy, D. Sullivan; IT: P. Dohrenwend; DOT: R. Bracchitta; DEF: R. Matarazzo; PRC: J. Stout, DPW: R. Butler; NRWRC: C. DePasquale; Health: F. Guido

With a quorum present, the meeting was called to order at 10:15 am.

Legislator Kaplowitz briefed members on the Nassau County Medicaid Summit held on the 5/14/04 he attended. Stating Nassau & Suffolk Counties face the same dilemma as Westchester in regards to Medicaid. They are also investigating available options to stop the drain on county budgets.

A3
A Resolution transferring funds the within the 2004 Office of the County Clerk Budget in the amount of $7,560 for the purpose of funding the purchase of an automobile. The additional appropriation will be added to the Replacement Equipment account. The Department’s intent is to purchase cars instead of leasing going forward.

On the motion of Legislator Mosiello, seconded by Legislator Oros, the item carried 6-0. Legislator Ryan out for vote.

C36 (BCC02)
$2,075,000 in Bonds to finance the Document Preservation Scanning Project for the Office of the County Clerk. The amount requested will fund the implementation of scanning, indexing and data entry to enable the preservation of land records, licenses and legal documents as well as the purchase of high-speed scanners and servers, storage units and an archive writer to convert images to microfilm.

The Department believes this project will eliminate the need to physically store future documents as well as preserve those historical real property records stretching back to the 1600’s.

On the motion of Legislator Mosiello, seconded by Legislator Oros, the item carried for all purposes, 6-0. Legislator Ryan out for vote.

CBAC Appointment
Mr. L. Williams Kay III was unanimously appointed to the Citizens Budget Advisory Committee. Referred by Legislator Ryan, his complete resume is on file for review.

C38 (RCP7e)
$200,000 in bonds to fund the cost of construction of a comfort station (toilet building) adjacent to the ballfield at Croton Point Park, this project will include the infrastructure, landscaping and associated site work. This project is part of the overall renovation of the ball field; all work is should be completed by the summer of 2005.

On the motion of Legislator Oros, seconded by Legislator Rogowsky, the item carried 6-0. Legislators Mosiello/Oros without prejudice, Legislator Ryan out for vote.

C39 (RGIP8)
$100,000 in bonds to fund the cost for the preparation of the Dam Safety Plan for the Twin Lakes Dam at Twin Lakes Park. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an inspection report requiring the County to prepare a dam safety plan facility. In the event this dam fails, which carries the waters of the Hutchinson River, downstream properties including the Hutchinson River Parkway would be at risk.

The plan will identify such risks and develop strategies for protecting against them, protecting the County from liability. The plan will also analyze integrity of the dam and make recommendations for improvements, maintenance and a cost estimate for repair work.

On the motion of Legislator Rogowsky, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the item carried 6-0. Legislator Ryan out for vote.

C40 (RKD01)
$540,000 in bonds to fund the cost of construction of waterproofing and repairs to the cascade fountains and the reflecting pool at the Kensico Dam Plaza, including landscaping and associated site work. The work is necessary to protect the existing infrastructure and prevent the stagnation of water, a potential breeding ground for mosquitoes.

It was explained this park was one of the most visited in the County’s Park system and has required very little in regards to capital money expended overall.

On the motion of Legislator Ryan, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the item carried 5-0, Oros without prejudice; Mosiello/Rogowsky out for vote.

A16/C52
An IMA with the City of New Rochelle (“the City”) in connection with the Housing Implementation Fund (“HIF”) Project –West End 2000 Phase I as well as authorization for $3,150,000 in bonds (not to exceed) to provide funds for infrastructure improvements in conjunction with the development of an affordable housing project (“the Development”) and a proposed amendment to the 2004 County Capital Budget in order to add $2,340,000 to the appropriation for Project BPL01-Housing Implementation Fund.

The Infrastructure items will include the termination/relocation of existing storm and drainage, road/curb widening and improvements, parking, lighting, grading and engineering costs for a total of $3,000,000, and $150,000 for all County soft costs associated with this request.

The County previously purchased and conveyed this property and entered into an agreement containing certain Development and affordability provisions.

It was suggested Sal Carrera (CE’s office) be invited in to discuss the appraisal and purchasing process.

On the motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Bronz, the item carried for all purposes 5-1; Legislator Mosiello voted in the negative, Legislator Ryan out for vote.

C29 (B0064)
$100,000 in bonds to fund the design for the rehabilitation of the Brockway Place garage located in the White Plains; including the design of the building management, mechanical and electrical systems, plumbing, fire alarms, lighting, walls, doors, windows, hardware, painting and related items.

The facility services approximately 3,500 vehicles annually. The 27,500 sq. foot building was built in the 1930’s and its heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems have all reached the end of their useful lives.

A breakdown of work done on all District Attorney and WCHCC vehicles was requested.

On the motion of Legislator Oros, seconded by Legislator Ryan, the item carried 6-0. Legislators Rogowsky/Mosiello out for vote.

A9/C57 (BPL21)
Legislation authorizing the County to accept a matching grant in the sum of $1,031,500 from the NYS Department of State and enter into IMA’s with New Rochelle and Mamaroneck in order to undertake various projects designed to improve the water quality and fish/wildlife habitats of the Sheldrake River. And a related Act authorizing the issuance of $600,000 in bonds to help finance the aforementioned water quality projects.

Under this grant award the County will conduct 6 non-point source/aquatic habitat restoration projects along the Sheldrake River corridor within the municipalities. The projects will include dredging, installation of native vegetation along the river’s edge, a bio-filter and 2 underground sediment traps and related work. An essential part of the overall project will include education and monitoring.

A9/C57: On the motion of Legislator Oros, seconded by Legislator Bronz, both items carried 5-0. Legislator Mosiello, Rogowsky out for vote.

C48
$3,900,000 in bonds to fund the cost of the rehabilitation of the Yonkers Waste Water Treatment Plant Primary System.

After some discussion, it was decided the item would be held until 5/24/04 at which time more detailed presentation would be made, specifically documentation that the affected neighborhoods are aware of and approve the proposed project.

The meeting was recessed at 11:45 am; remaining items will be considered when the Committee reconvenes.