COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS JOINT with HEALTH AND TRANSPORTATION

MINUTES: SEPTEMBER 19, 2005

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

PARKS MEMBERS: Chair: Alvarado; Legislators: Myers, Pinto, Ryan, Spreckman

LABOR MEMBERS: Chair: Alvarado; Legislators: Ryan

IN ATTENDANCE: CE’s office: A. Neuman, B. Randolph; Budget: K. Carrano, L. Bennett, A. Vietro; DEF: C. Conti, J. Morris; Planning: F. McLaughlin, R. Lopane, J. Mulligan; Finance: P. Pucillo; K. Magee, D. MacRae-West/Putnam Central Labor Body; LWV: B. Strauss; H. Corbin; BOL: B. Boland, R. Indelicato, S. Vanderberg, L. Gantress

With quorums present, the Committees on Budget and Appropriations, Parks and Labor were called to order at 10:17 a.m.

ADDED STARTER
Karen McGee and Duncan MacRae of the Westchester-Putnam Central Labor Body explained the plan to erect a Worker’s Memorial at Kensico Dam to honor both union and non-union that died on the job or as a result of their work. The Labor Body has sufficient funds and therefore proposes to pay all costs associated with the monuments erection.

All Committees agreed to support the project and to request the County’s Law Department draft a formal Resolution for all Committees to consider and approve at a joint meeting on 9/26/05.

The Labor Body will provide a detailed description project i.e., monument size and plaque language.

For Budget: On the motion of Legislator Abinanti seconded by Legislator Myers the item carried

For Labor: On the motion of Legislator Pinto seconded by Legislator Spreckman the item carried

For Parks & Recreation: On the motion of Legislator Ryan seconded by Legislator Alvarado the item carried

ITEM A1
The August package of court ordered refunds totaling $801,557.40 to be paid by the Commissioner of Finance.

On the motion of Legislator Abinanti seconded by Legislator Bronz, the item carried 9-0.

ITEM A14
A copy of the Westchester County Water District No. 1 Report dated June 15, 2005, submitted by the Department of Environmental Facilities which contains information concerning 2 projects to be instituted within the water district. WD177, a Security Project and WD102, a Comprehensive Study.

It was decided this item would be held until a later date.

ITEM A16

A resolution transferring funds within various County departments in the amount of $602,200, the transfers are fully funded by savings in the 2005 Operating budget within each operating department. All of these transfers were noted in the Budget Department’s 2nd quarter forecast.

Entire PINS cost to Budget for ‘04 & ’05 was requested

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

ITEM A17

An Act amending the 2005 Operating Budget to honor a series of requests from various departments for amendments within the 2005 Budget that require transfers across departments and are funded from savings.

It was noted for the record that it was highly possible the Safety Net program was over-budgeted for.

A breakdown of both TANF and Safety Net programs were requested.

On the motion of Legislator Bronz seconded by Legislator Myers, the item carried 8-0. Legislators Abinanti, LaMotte and Stewart-Cousins voted without prejudice.

ITEM A23

A Local Law amending Section 473.211 of the Laws of Westchester to provide qualifying veterans with the greatest real property tax exemption authorized by Section 458-a of the Real Property tax Law.

Clarification as to the effect on the average eligible veteran and the eligibility of widows was requested.
On the motion of Legislator Spreckman seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the item carried 8-0.

ITEM A27

IMA amended to reflect access to all county residents, easement trail way will be open to all county residents adjacent to metro north & half moon bay property. County relieved of all responsibility to swell

New language Reference that roads will be open

ITEM C168(SNR75)

A $2,750,000 Bond Act to finance the of the New Rochelle Pump Station Rehabilitation Project, specifically the rehab of the 2 Glen Island pumping stations and the Flint Avenue pump station. All 3 pump station are located in the New Rochelle Sanitary Sewer District.

It was decided the item would be held until further discussion could be had.

ITEM C170(SPK74)
A $1,320,000 Bond Act to finance the Mill Street Pump Station Rehabilitation Project in the Peekskill Sanitary Sewer District including the design, construction management and administrative costs for the project.

It was decided the item held until the Legislator who represents the district in which the Pump Station is located can be briefed in detail on the project.

ITEM C175(SY037)
A 44,000,000 Bond Act to finance the Cellular Bulkhead rehabilitation project at the Yonkers Joint treatment Plant. The project will include the rehabilitation of both the cellular and steel bulkheads. The project is necessary to insure the structural integrity of that the bulkheads are maintained.

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

ITEM C178(SPS07)
A $500,000 Bond Act to finance the Structural Evaluation of the Alexander Street Pump Station Project, including the evaluation of the effluent works and the tower.

On the motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins seconded by Legislator Alvarado, the item carried 8-0.

Next week’s meeting the Committee will convene from 9-9:45am, recess and reconvene at 11am until 12 pm.

With no further business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 12:32 pm.