COMMITTEE ON PARKS & RECREATION Joint with BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES: JULY 12, 2004
PARKS PRESENT: Acting Chair: Pinto; Legislators: Alvarado, Spreckman, Ryan; BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS PRESENT: Acting Chair: Wishnie; Legislators: Abinanti, Bronz, Mosiello, Rogowsky, Ryan, Stewart-Cousins; GUESTS: CE’s office: B. Randolph, A. Neuman, S. Carrera; Budget: K. Carrano, A. Vietro; PW: R. Butler; Planning: L. Kelly, N. MacMillan, F. McLaughlin, P. Natarelli, E. Hoffmeister; DOT: L. Salley, R. Bracchitta; Parks: J. Condon, D. McBride, N. Squallante, D. DeLucia; LWV: B. Strauss; K. Eddings, Journal News; Jacobs Hill Sr. Housing Project: W. Balter, P. Grealy, D. Post; BOL: B. Boland, R. Indelicato, S. Vanderberg, S. Bass, B. Dodds, D. Simpson
With a quorums present, the Committees on Budget and Parks were called to order at 10:09 a.m.
Glen Island Casino lease extension
Note: The Committee on Budget reported out this item at their 6/1/04 meeting. Questions asked by the Parks Committee regarding this item were satisfied.
On the motion of Legislator Alvarado, seconded by Legislator Spreckman, the item was approved 4-0.
ITEM A2
A Resolution on behalf of the Commissioner of Parks Recreation & Conservation, transferring funds within the 2004 Department in the total amount of $176,000. Only Committee approval is required for this Resolution.
For Budget: On the motion of Legislator Ryan, seconded by Legislator Bronz the item carried 7-0.
For Parks: On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Alvarado the item carried 4-0.
ITEM A21
An Act authorizing the County to acquire an undivided one-third interest in an easement from the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity for alternate access to the 182 acre Taxter Ridge parcel located in the Town of Greenburgh. The easement (200 ft. long & 20 ft wide) will provide alternate access from Sheldon Ave to Taxter Ridge.
Although there will be no payment for the easement, the agreement will require the County, State & Town to indemnify and hold harmless the Unification Church from all claims and expenses arising from use of the easement, other than their own negligence. Greenburgh has agreed to take on all responsibility of entire project.
For Budget: On the motion of Legislator Bronz, seconded by Legislator Rogowsky the item carried 7-0.
For Parks: On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Alvarado the item carried 4-0.
RP23A PLAYLAND DRAGON COASTER BOND ACT
At the suggestion of Mr. Ryan, the Committee on Parks passed a motion to consider Committee agenda item RP23A. Legislators Mosiello and Spreckman object to the item being taken up in the absence of Legislator Astorino, as it was not on the set agenda for consideration. During the discussion on the item, Parks Commissioner Joseph Stout informs the committees that the county is running up against a deadline for the Dragon Coaster work to begin in order for it to be completed prior to the opening of the following season and urges prompt action. On the motion of Legislator Alvarado, seconded by Legislator Pinto, the item was brought up for consideration by the Parks Committee by a 3-0 vote, with Legislator Spreckman abstaining. On the motion of legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Alvarado, the item was approved by a 3-0 vote, with Legislator Spreckman again abstaining.
ITEM A25/C71(BLA01)
Legislation authorizing the County to enter into a lease agreement with the New York State though its DOT, whereby the County will lease property adjacent to Tibbetts Brook Park in the Yonkers in order to construct all-purpose athletic fields for the use of all County residents. Attached is a $7.3 million Bond Act to finance the construction costs associated with the project.
The appropriation for this project is contained in the County’s 2004 Capital Budget as Project BLA01, Parkland Acquisition/ Westchester Legacy Program.
Considerable discussion ensued. Legislators Stewart-Cousins and Spreckman expressed a desire to see a written agreement from the City of Yonkers identifying their intentions regarding the project.
Legislator Abinanti requested a breakdown of the Legacy Program budget.
It was decided the item would be held until additional discussion could be had.
On the motion of Legislator Alvarado and without objection, the committee adjourned at 11:29 am.
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