COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES: MAY 2, 2005

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

IN ATTENDANCE: CE’s office: B. Randolph, K. Ryan, M. Long; Budget: K. Carrano, A. Vietro; PW: R. Butler; DoT: L. Salley; Labs & Research: M. Hyland, L. Fasnacht; Law: L. Alesio; IT: N. Jacknis, K. Foster, A. Elliot; Planning: F. McLaughlin; CBAC: B. Strauss; H. Corbin; BOL: B. Boland, S. Bass, R. Indelicato, S. Vanderberg

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

MINUTES

On the motion of Legislator Wishnie seconded by Legislator Myers, the minutes for April 25, 2005 were carried 8-0.

RECEIVE & FILE

B2: Memo re: Property Tax exemption for Firefighters.

B4: Correspondence re: Fiscal Impact Statements.

B14/97: Correspondence re: Medicaid reform.

B21,67,69: Requests for funding-2005 Budget Year.

B29: Resolution, sewer district modification-555 parcel removal in New Castle.

B70: Memo re: supporting Playland Boathouse rehab.

B71: Letter re: 2-1-1 service.

B74: Memo re: Itemizing County Tax Bill.

B84,92: Correspondence re: Ichabod’s Landing & Barnhart Park.

B85: Correspondence re: supporting Eagle River property purchase.

B108: Joe Rosenblum of CBAC resignation letter.

On the motion of Legislator Wishnie seconded by Legislator Rogowsky, all items to be received & filed were carried, with the exception of Item B2, which will be held until it can be revisited by the committee, 8-0. It was suggested a letter of gratitude from the Committee to Mr. Rosenblum for all his efforts be drafted. Committee members were encouraged to submit referrals for CBAC membership as there are presently 2 vacancies.

ITEMS A1 & A3

Two packages of court ordered refunds to be paid by the Commissioner of Finance, package A1 in the amount of $339,493.40 and package A3 in the amount of $270,785.18.

On the motion of Legislator Wishnie seconded by Legislator Rogowsky both items carried 8-0.

ITEM A6

An Act authorizing the settlement and compromise of a debt owed to the County by A.P.O.W. Towing, LLC under County Contract No. 00-247 for towing services pursuant to a bid offered by the Department of Public Works. Towing services were to be rendered in the designated Zone S from November 1, 2000 to October 31, 2003. An annual fee of $69,777.00 was to be paid to the County in 4 equal installments of $17,444.25 each. APOW paid approximately $133,331.00 during the course of the agreement; the remaining balance due the County is $76,000.00 plus late fees. APOW suffered a reduction in calls as a result of the attacks on September 11, 2001 and both parties have agreed to compromise the County’s full claim and accept a payment of $50,000.00 to be paid in monthly installments.

On the motion of Legislator Wishnie seconded by Legislator Rogowsky the item carried 10-0.

ITEM A10

An Act authorizing the County to enter into an agreement with Westchester Health Care Corp whereby WCHCC will provide colorectal cancer screening services for County residents from April 1, 2005 through March 31, 2006. Payment will be made by the county in an amount not to exceed $25,000 to be paid at rates published by the New York State Dept. of Health. The agreement contains a clause stipulating the monies paid by the County be used for but not limited to staff salaries and that a semi-annual accounting by WCHCC be given to the Commissioner of Health verifying this.

On the motion of Legislator Wishnie seconded by Legislator Alvarado the item carried 10-0.

ITEM A12

An agreement between the County (Department of Labs and Research) and WCHCC whereby the County will provide WCHCC with microbiological services for inmates of the County Correctional Facility from January 1, 2005 until December 31, 2005 for an amount not to exceed $30,000 payable on a fee for service basis at rates set by the Department for its services.

On the motion of Legislator Wishnie seconded by Legislator Spreckman the item carried 10-0.

ITEM A15

An agreement between the County (Department of Labs and Research) and WCHCC whereby the County will provide WCHCC with environmental, microbiological, toxicological and forensic science services, along with the services of the Medical Examiner’s Office from January 1, 2005 until December 31, 2005. WCHCC shall pay the County a minimum amount of $375,000 with a not to exceed amount of $410,000 payable at rates set by the Department for its services.

On the motion of Legislator Wishnie seconded by Legislator Alvarado the item carried 10-0.

ITEM C145(BIT12)

An Act issuing $550,000 in bonds to fund the Data Center Fire Suppression System Upgrade project. Bonds will fund the purchase of equipment and services required to upgrade the fire suppression system in the County’s Data Center’s located in the Michaelian Office Building. The upgrade will include the replacement of Halon gas with an environmentally friendly substitute, as well as the replacement/repositioning of piping and nozzles. Since the installation of the system Halon gas has been banned.

Commissioner Butler will ask Risk Management if/how the new system will affect the County’s insurance policy.

On the motion of Legislator Wishnie seconded by Legislator Alvarado, the item carried 10-0.

ITEM C126(RB076)

An Act issuing $125,000 in bonds to fund the Palmer Avenue Road rehabilitation project. The bonding amount will fund the design in connection with the resurfacing of 0.64 miles of roadway from South Devon Rd. to Richbell Rd. in the Town of Mamaroneck.

On the motion of Legislator Myers seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the item carried 10-0.

ITEM B60

A letter from Supervisor Feiner suggesting the Department of Transportation conduct an audit/management review. Commissioner Salley said the Department has been conducting such audits for 20 years, the Department has notified Supervisor Feiner of this fact.

A copy of the most recent audit was requested.

ITEM B73

A letter from Village of Mamaroneck Manager requesting an application to lease a used County Shuttle bus with a handicap lift for $1 a year. Commissioner Salley said the Village’s application has been received and it is on the list to receive a bus. It was suggested ways of possibility of lower insurance rates making this program accessible to more Committee based organizations be explored.

ITEM B91

A letter from a constituent stating specifications for Para Transit Services restrict competitive bidding. Commissioner Salley said bid requirements are sound putting an emphasis on experience, requiring 3 years of contractor experience and the submission of audited statements.

On the motion of Legislator Myers seconded by Legislator Bronz items B60, B73 & B91 were received and filed 10-0.

ITEM C150(T0006)

An Act issuing $2,2472,000 in bonds for the Transit Communications and Vehicle Locator system project. The bonds will finance the purchase of radio electronics and data systems for the transit communications system and improvements of transmitter sites.

A breakdown of all the related components of this project was requested.

It was decided the item would be held until the Subcommittee on Capital Projects has additional time to review it.

Information requested by the Committee at the 4/25/05 meeting regarding the $2 million dollar Kronos system to be installed at the Medical Center and a breakdown of the $7.3 million WCHCC identified as savings was circulated for review. The $7.3 million represents an annual savings.

With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 11:39 am.