COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES: APRIL 24, 2006
BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS MEMBERS: Chair: Kaplowitz; Legislators: Abinanti, Burton, LaMotte, Oros, Rogowsky, Ryan
HOUSING, PLANNING & GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
MEMBERS: Chair: Bronz; Legislators: Burton, Ryan,
IN ATTENDANCE: CE’s office: A. Neuman, B. Randolph; Budget: K. Carrano, L. Bennett; CA’s Office: D. Vutera, R. Cashman; PW: R. Butler; Planning: J. Mulligan, N. Drummond, D. DeLong, P. Natarelli, F. McLaughlin; Finance: P. Pucillo, T. Hartford; HANAC, Inc.: J. Kaiteris, R. Comerford; Office of Tourism: M. Jones; The Bluestone Organization: E. Bluestone; LWV: B. Strauss; H. Corbin; R. Pelligrino; BOL: B. Boland, R. Indelicato, S. Vanderberg, B. Dodds, L. Gantress
With a quorum present, the Budget and Appropriations Committee was called to order at 10:10 a.m.
ITEM A14
An Act authorizing the conveyance of Count-owned property located at Court and Quarropas in White Plains to HANAC, Inc. and The Bluestone Organization for the purpose of constructing affordable senior rental housing. Currently the Board of Elections, DSS’s One Stop Employment Center and a County employee parking lot exist on the property. In light of the fact 15% of White Plains residents being seniors, many of whom fall into the low income bracket, this project is considered timely and necessary.
The plan to allow employees displaced by the project to use the County Center parking lot and provide them with bus passes was questioned and a more definitive plan was requested. The City of White Plains is willing to meet to discuss the project which ultimately depends on their approval. The County Attorney will be consulted as to the County obligations if the City of White Plains rejects the project. Through this project, the department is trying to meet the anticipated needs of the City of White Plains.
With a quorum present the Committee on Housing was called to order at 10:25 am.
The following requests for information were made:
- Copy of power point presentation.
- A Schedule reflecting the breakdown of the $54 million construction cost.
- A copy of both Hudson’s and HANAC’s final proposals.
- An Act reflecting all particulars of the project.
- How many spaces used at County Center lot.
It was decided the item would be held until the requested info and additional discussions could be had, the concerns raised by the Committee were addressed and the anticipated market study has been completed and reviewed.
The Committee on Housing, Planning & Government Operations adjourned at 11:30 am.
ITEM A40
An assigning an easement agreement for ingress and egress over property near the intersection of Route 100 and Route 35 in Town of Somers, from Redux Realty LLC to PSI Investments LLC.
o Disclosure of the principles of PSI, LLC and their intention for property was requested.
o A letter of approval from the Town’s position was requested.
The item will be held until the next meeting.
ITEM A35
A Resolution naming the Westchester County Office of Tourism as the County’s official Tourist Promotion Agency for the fiscal year 2006-2007. The designation will allow the Office to receive matching funds grant from NYS of approximately $75,000 which will be used to market Westchester as a tourist destination.
On the motion of Legislator LaMotte seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the item carried 7-0.
ITEM A42
An Act amending the 2005 Operating Budget by $12,050,520, these funds are required to fund an increase to the appropriation in the Miscellaneous Budget, Contributions 6-N Fund. The increase will be funded by an appropriation to the 2005 operating budget fund balance account from the funds designated for Pre-War 1998 Claims set aside for this purpose. These funds were designated within the overall fund balance as of December 31, 2004 to provide future funding to the Insurance Reserve Fund (6N).
On the motion of Legislator Burton seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the item carried 7-0.
ITEM A37
An Act authorizing the County through DPW, to enter into an agreement with WCHCC whereby the County will monitor the daily operations of various contracts that WCHCC has with outside vendors for the following service areas 1) removal of snow and ice control; 2) roads and maintenance; 3) solid waste removal; and 4) cardboard recycling and will reimburse WCHCC’s actual costs for services in the approximate amount of $1.2 million.
In addition DPW will provide certain services to WCHCC that are not covered by outside vendors, in the approximate amount of $500,000. The total not-to-exceed amount of $1.7 million was previously approved and can be found in the Department’s 2006 Operating Budget. The proposed agreement term commences January 1, 2006 and terminates December 31, 2006.
On the motion of Legislator Abinanti seconded by Legislator Rogowsky, the item carried 7-0.
ITEM A13
An Act authorizing the County to grant an easement over 600 square feet of the Putnam Right-of-Way property in Yonkers to the Yonkers Gateway Motel, LLC. The easement agreement will be for ingress and egress to the Motel’s property located on the other side of the PROW.
In return, the Motel will convey an easement over 4,000 square feet of the Motel’s property located adjacent to the PROW for the construction, maintenance and use of a trailway which will be part of the South County Trailway.
On the motion of Legislator Burton seconded by Legislator Oros, the item carried 7-0.
B28
A Resolution supporting the transference of 25 to 30 acres of water front property at the Montrose VA Hospital site to New York State to be used as a public beach.
On the motion of Legislator Oros seconded by Legislator Burton, the item carried 7-0.
In the interest of time, it was decided the remaining items on the agenda would be held until a later date.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 12:22 pm.
Text: 
Print:
