COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS JOINT MEETING WITH PUBLIC SAFETY
MINUTES: March 8, 2004
BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS Members: Chair: Michael Kaplowitz; Legislators: LaMotte, Mosiello, Oros, Rogowsky, Stewart-Cousins, Wishnie
PUBLIC SAFETY Members: Chair: Richard Wishnie; Legislators: Kaplowitz, Mosiello, Rogowsky
IN ATTENDANCE: CBAC/LWVW: Barbara Strauss, INTERN: Hope Corbin, C.E.’S OFFICE: Ian Riley, Andrew Neuman BUDGET: Arthur Vietro, Leslie Bennett, JOURNAL NEWS: Keith Eddings, PLANNING: Norma Drummond, Fran McLaughlin, SOCIAL SERVICES: Jewru Bandeh, Donnavan Beckford, EMERGENCY SERVICES: Anthony Sutton, Nick Gasparre, Michael Volk, Kathy Napolitano, PUBLIC WORKS: Ralph Butler, LAW: Charlene Indelicato, COUNTY ASSOCIATION: Amy Allen, Richard Schaab, RAIL PROJECT: Maureen Morgan; STAFF: Ray Indelicato, Sally Schecter
With a quorum present, the Committee on Budget and Appropriations was called to order at 10:15 a.m.
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Norma Drummond appeared before the Committee to review the Urban County application (HUD). Once every five years we submit a plan to HUD and every year we update our “action plan.” We are receiving $9.1 million. Several years ago we were told that our grant would be cut in half but it did not happen. We recently received $5,000,000 in lead grants. There are approximately 40,000 rental units that were built before 1940 and about 400 units are rehabilitated a year. Each constituent has 5 years to spend CDBG grant money and there were 23 changes from last year. On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Rogowsky the motion was carried by a vote of 6-0 with legislator Mosiello signing “without prejudice” and legislator Oros was out for the vote.
ADDED STARTER
An agreement to retain the law firm of Nixon Peabody, LLP to represent the County should WCHCC go into bankruptcy. A number of firms were interviewed and Nixon had the expertise in bankruptcy and medical and health issues and their prices were the best. A short form contract was issued to Nixon for $20,000 as they investigated some issues that had come up. They will be used sparingly. On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Rogowsky, the motion was carried by a vote of 6-0 with Legislator LaMotte voting without prejudice and Legislator Oros was out for the vote.
A&C ITEMS
Westchester County Association for international relations has been consulting with the County since 1999. The first three years they were receiving $100,000 and last year it was reduced to $76,800. They don’t negotiate deals with foreign countries, they are a facilitator. Amy Allen, the representative from the Association was asked if any jobs were exported that she was aware of. She did not think so. On motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Rogowsky, the motion was carried.
The $89,500 agreement with the County Association is through the employment program at the Department of Social Services. This program works on job placement, job retention and job subsidies. This is 100% federally funded and if they do not spend the money, they will loose the grant. The jobs have been mostly in the health care area. On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion was carried.
An item adding two parcels to the Peekskill Sanitary Sewer District was signed out for a Public Hearing on the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator LaMotte and carried by a vote of 7-0.
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Legislator Wishnie called the Public Safety Committee to order. The two committees then continued their meeting downstairs where Emergency Services had a Con Ed van parked on the street which is similar to the van they wish to purchase. The Legislators toured the van and then toured the present van of emergency services which is approximately 15 years old. It would be used for multi-alarms, weather conditions, i.e. hurricane, etc. The legislators wanted to know what the cost on an annual basis would be, why a three year bond. On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Mosiello for Budget & Appropriations, the motion was carried by a vote of 7-0 and on the Motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Mosiello for Public Safety, the motion was carried by a vote of 4-0.
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Emergency Services presented a power point presentation. Supplies that are temperature sensitive are presently stored outside. This $525,000 is for the design of a new building which would be approximately 9000 square feet. The construction would cost $5,000,000. Storage would be at the bottom of the building and vehicles on the top which would exit on to Walker Road. On the motion of Legislator Wishnie and seconded by Legislator Mosiello for both committees, the discussion centered on the fact that the cost per square feet was a lot. The two legislators then withdrew their motion.
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Originally $180,000 was approved but it was never bonded and now it is being changed to $2,000,000. The building is 25 years old. There re cracks behind the facade, some buckling in the smoke house, pitting of the concrete, the pond is overgrown – they wish to clean it up and use it, pumping water from the pond. There has been no preventive maintenance because in the operating budget there was no non-recurring line. On the motion of Legislator Wishnie for both committees and seconded by Legislator Rogowsky for Budget & Appropriation, the motion was carried by a vote of 7-0 and seconded by Legislator Mosiello for Public Safety, the motion was carried by a vote of 4-0.
On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Mosiello, the Public Safety Committee was adjourned.
On the motion of Legislator Stewart Cousins and seconded by Legislator Wishnie, Budget & Appropriation was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.
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