COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES: September 12, 2005

BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS MEMBERS: Chair: Kaplowitz; Legislators: Abinanti, Alvarado, Bronz, LaMotte, Myers, Oros, Rogowsky, Ryan, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins LEGISLATORS: Pinto, Young

IN ATTENDANCE: CE’s office: L. Schwartz, A. Neuman, B. Randolph, S. Carrera; WCHCC: M. Isreal, K. Bennoth, R. Berman; Budget: K. Carano, A. Vietro, L. Bennett; Parks: D. Delucia, P. Neglia, C. Matthews, P. Retaino; Planning: F. McLaughlin; Law: J. Robertson, T. Altschiller; Finance: P. Pucillo, S. Broege; LWV: B. Strauss, F. MacEchren, A. Philippidis, ; M. Klein, Journal News; H. Corbin; BOL: B. Boland, R. Indelicato, S. Vanderberg, B. DeSoye, B. Bochow

With a quorum present, the Budget and Appropriations Committee was called to order at 10:17 a.m.

MINUTES

On the motion of Legislator Myers seconded by Legislator Spreckman, the minutes for August 8, 2005 were approved 6-0.

ITEM A1
A package of court ordered refunds totaling $1,060,046.15 to be paid by the Commissioner of Finance.

On the motion of Legislator LaMotte seconded by Legislator Myers, the item carried 6-0.

A21

An Act authorizing the conveyance of 3 County-owned residual parcels and one parcel never formally designated as a residual parcel to a list of purchasers noted in schedule “A”. Director Carrera noted in addition to normal procedures, the department sent certified return receipt letters to all municipalities and ample time was afforded for response.

Copy of correspondence relating to the Greenburgh parcel was requested

On the motion of Legislator Bronz seconded by Legislator Myers, the item carried 7-0.

A22

An Act authorizing the conveyance of 5 County-owned residual parcels to purchasers listed in Schedule “A”. The parcels were acquired by the County for various projects and parkways and were never utilized. They have been determined surplus and not needed for County purposes.

On the motion of Legislator Myers seconded by Legislator Spreckman, the item carried 8-0.

A23

An Act authorizing the conveyance of certain County-owned surplus parcels to purchasers listed in Schedule ”A”. The properties which make up 14.1 miles of the old Putnam Right-of-Way railroad line from the New York City border in Yonkers to Eastview in Mount Pleasant. The County acquired the property intending it to be used for recreational, utility or other general municipal purposes. They have been determined not needed for County purposes.

Discussion was had as to the extent of County responsibility in ensuring all essential agencies (i.e., town councils) are notified of these opportunities.

On the motion of Legislator Alvarado seconded by Legislator Myers, the item carried 9-0.

C181(RP033)

A $500,000 Bond Act to finance the Fire Suppression System Rehabilitation Project at various locations at Playland; specifically, two restaurants located near the main entrance, main bathrooms adjacent to the Ice Casino and the game room near the Music Tower. The project will include improving and replacing sprinkler systems and related work.

On the motion of Legislator Myers seconded by Legislator Spreckman, the item carried 9-0. Legislator LaMotte voted without prejudice.

C183(RLAS1)

A $590,000 Bond Act to finance the Lasdon Park Infrastructure Project including the construction and replacement of the primary electrical service to the park along with secondary electric distribution. The work will also include a new underground conduit, transformer, electric panels and restorative site work.

After some discussion it was decided this item would be held until a subsequent meeting.

C184(RWPR2)

A $400,000 Bond Act to finance the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Landfill Closure Infrastructure Project. The project will include the covering and closing of the existing landfill area. The County is under a Voluntary Consent Order with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to close the landfill.

On the motion of Legislator LaMotte seconded by Legislator Alvarado, the item carried 10-0. Legislator Abinanti voted without prejudice.

C185(RCP10)
A $300,000 Bond Act to finance the final design of a new maintenance facility at Croton Point Park, including building, garage, outdoor storage, utilities and related site work. This amount includes $150,000 of previously authorized County bonds.

Chair Kaplowitz suggested the Department speak to the Legislator Wishnie, who represents the district where park is located.

It was also decided the item would be held until further discussion can be had specifically regarding the total project cost.

The meeting was joined by Mr. Michael Isreal, Senior Healthcare Administrator and Strategic Advisor of the Medical Center and Deputy County Executive Schwartz. Resumes for both Mr. Isreal and Mr. Gary Brudnicki, Interim President & CEO were circulated and on file for review upon request.

A18
A Local Law authorizing the County to amend the 12/30/98 Restated and Amended Lease Agreement with WCHCC in order to delete Article XXXVII as it pertains to the Medical Center rights to certain identified “Additional Parcels”. WCHCC, by Resolution adopted at the July 6, 2005 meeting of its Board of Directors, has indicated that it will forego its option rights to the Additional Parcels as stated in the December 30, 1998 Restated and Amended Lease Agreement pursuant to Article XXXVII and further agreed to delete Article XXXVII entirely, provided the County give WCHCC assurances that the Additional Parcels will only be used for purposes compatible with the best interests of the Westchester Medical Center.

In regards to potential “veto” language concerns raised by members included in the legislation the Hospital Board fears the possibility of being “land-locked”, the campus is small and potential pressure on the BOL to use campus land for other uses, buildings, etc.

It was decided the item would be held until concerns raised on both sides could be further considered and resolved.

A25/A26

Two Acts authorizing the County to amend the 2005 Operating budget for the purpose of establishing expenditure and revenue appropriations in the amount of $57,00,000 and to enter into an agreement with WCHCC to give the $57,000,000 to them under certain conditions. This appropriation will enable the County to apply the revenue received by the County as a result of the refinancing of the outstanding bonds issued by the Tobacco Securitization Corp. towards a County gift to the WCHCC.

Pursuant to concerns raised by members, it was decided use of the word “gift” would be reconsidered. Deputy County Executive Schwartz said reducing amount to be appropriated may exacerbate an already dire situation. BOL Chairman Ryan said new figures are beginning to show a positive turn around at the Medical Center. He felt it absolutely essential to the success of the turn-around plan, recently enacted, that the Medical Center has funds available to work with if needed. Members questioned the possibility of allocating funds at arbitrary intervals as opposed to the lump sum proposed in this legislation. Mr. Berman felt a month-to-month arrangement would send a bad signal at large, and soften Medical Center’s leverage in regard to future negotiations with the state. It was suggested a subsequent meeting be scheduled to with Mr. Isreal for an update on the Medical Center in the near future.

It was decided the language of the Act and agreement be amended allowing, for informational purposes, notification to the Chair of the Board of Legislators and the Chair of the Budget & Appropriations Committee prior to dispersals of amounts exceeding the $7.5 million monthly amount agreed to.

On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the item carried as amended 10-0.

On the motion of Legislator Alvarado seconded by Legislator the meeting was recessed at 1:25 pm.

The Committee reconvened at 6:44 pm.

ADDED STARTER

In recognition of the overwhelming devastation of Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent hardship that has befallen the citizens of the City of New Orleans, the Committee passed two Resolutions and an Amendment to the 2005 Operating Budget appropriating $1 million dollars to establish the Westchester County Katrina Relief Fund.

On the motion of Legislator Oros, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins the Act carried 12-0.

On the motion of Legislator Wishnie seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins the First Resolution was carried 12-0.

On the motion of Legislator Abinanti seconded by Legislator Bronz the second Resolution passed 12-0.

With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 7:12 pm. On the motion of Legislator seconded by Legislator, the item carried 12-0.