COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES: MAY 1, 2006
BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS MEMBERS: Chair: Kaplowitz; Legislators: Abinanti, Burton, LaMotte, Pinto, Rogowsky, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins
PUBLIC SAFET & SECURITY
MEMBERS: Chair: Burton; Legislators: Burrows, Kaplowitz, Pinto, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins
HOUSING, PLANNING & GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
MEMBERS: Chair: Bronz; Legislators: Burton, Pinto, Spreckman, Stewart-Cousins
IN ATTENDANCE: CE’s office: A. Neuman, B. Randolph, S. Carrera, K. Ryan; Budget: K. Carrano, L. Bennett, I. Vosilov;
PW: R. Butler; DOT: L. Salley; Finance: P. Pucillo, S. Broege; DPS:T. Sutton; Planning: N. Drummond, D. DeLong; CBAC: F. MacEachron; LWV: B. Strauss; H. Corbin; R. Pelligrino; BOL: B. Boland, R. Indelicato, S. Vanderberg, M. Montalto, B. Dodds, L. Gantress
With a quorum present, the Budget and Appropriations Committee was called to order at 10:07 a.m.
ITEM A40
An Act authorizing the County to consent to the assignment of an easement agreement for ingress and egress over property situated near the intersection of Route 100 and Route 35 in the Town of Somers from Redux Realty LLC to PSI Investments LLC.
The Town of Somers has no opposition to the easement agreement. This easement provides access to the building.
On the motion of Legislator LaMotte seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the item carried 6-0.
ADDED STARTER
A memo advising of the $8 million March and April Tobacco drawdown proceeds payments to the Medical Center. It was noted the Medical Center may still require financial assistance after this agreement expires on June 15, 2006.
On the motion of Legislator Pinto seconded by Legislator Spreckman the item was received & filed 6-0.
ITEM A1
An information package for the April 2006 certiorari refunds to be paid by the Commissioner of Finance totaling $385,481.85.
On the motion of Legislator Pinto seconded by Legislator Spreckman, the item
was received & filed 6-0.
ITEM A2
Correspondence requesting the acceptance of a gift of a John Deere tractor to be donated to the Muscoot Farm.
On the motion of Legislator LaMotte seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the item was received & filed 6-0.
ITEM A22
A Resolution transferring funds within various County Departments in the amount of $3,659,949.00. These transfers are required to complete the 2005 fiscal year on a sound financial basis, and are fully funded by savings within the 2005 Operating Budget.
Only Committee approval is required for these transfers.
On the motion of Legislator Pinto seconded by Legislator Spreckman, the item carried 6-0.
ITEM A24
A Resolution transferring funds within the budgets for the various Sewer and Water Districts in the total amount of $85,811. These transfers are in conformance with the year-end certification of accounts by the County auditors and are necessary to complete the 2005 fiscal year on a sound financial basis.
Only Committee approval is required for these transfers.
On the motion of Legislator Pinto seconded by Legislator Spreckman, the item carried 6-0.
ITEM A25
An Act amending the 2005 Operating Budget by authorizing the transfer of funds. The appropriation transfers between various departments total $6,747,800; the largest of these transfers, $4,852,000 is required in the health Insurance account. These transfers are funded from savings within the 2005 County Operating Budget and are necessary to complete the 2005 fiscal year for the County on a sound financial basis.
The final Medicaid and Benefits amounts for 2005 were requested.
On the motion of Legislator Pinto seconded by Legislator Spreckman, the item carried 6-0.
With a quorum present, Public Safety & Security convened at 10:58 am.
ITEM A36/C39(BES06)
An Act amending the 2006 Capital Budget by increasing the appropriation for Capital Project BES06 by $425,000 as well as a related Bond Act. The increase is necessary due to unforeseen and significant construction cost escalations for work at the Richard A. Flynn, Sr. Training Center located at the Grasslands Reservation in Valhalla over the last 1-2 years during the design and contract process.
Correspondence addressing questions asked when the item was previously discussed was reviewed.
For Budget: On the motion of Legislator LaMotte seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the item carried 8-0.
For Public Safety & Security: On the motion of Legislator Pinto seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the item carried 6-0.
The Committee on and Public Safety & Security adjourned at 11:28 am.
ITEM C42(RB01N)
A $250, 000 Bond Act to fund the design, construction and construction management of the rehab of Westerleigh Road Bridge over Blind Brook in Harrison. Approximately 240 vehicles per day use the bridge each day.
On the motion of Legislator Rogowsky seconded by Legislator Burton, the item carried 8-0.
ITEM A11
An Act authorizing the County to retain at County expense, the firm of Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell LLP for the provision of outside counsel services in connection with various legal issues relating to the Westchester County Airport. For services rendered, Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell, LLC will be paid an amount not-to-exceed $50,000 at the blended rate of $350.00 per hour for all lawyers.
The proposed retainer agreement was revised to reflect a 1 year term of agreement as requested by the Committee at a previous meeting.
With a quorum present the Committee on Housing convened at 11:32am.
A&C AGENDA ITEM #13
Due to concerns raised by Board Members, the Resolution amending a prior resolution for an agreement between the County and the Pines at Narragansett Housing Development Company, Inc. to provide funds for operating reserves and rehabilitation of a 50 unit building in Ossining. The amendment will reduce the not-to-exceed amount from $750,000 to $300,000; change the expiration date and the scope of the project.
After much discussion, it was suggested the Housing Committee take a more in-depth look at development projects specifically geared for the Social Security population.
A copy of the marketing study was requested.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 11:54 am.
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