N.Y. Transportation Law § 416: Central staff operation

* § 416. Central staff operation. 1. The department shall provide for

the financial operations of the central staff and ensure that the

central staff activities are in compliance with applicable laws and

regulations. The relative responsibilities of the council and the

department for the central staff are detailed below. In all cases the

responsibilities of the council for the central staff shall be carried

out on a day-to-day basis by the program, finance and administration

committee.

2. The council shall be responsible for:

(a) program results:

(i) Assuring that the desired results or benefits of the central

staff's work are being achieved, including that the unified planning

work program activities are on schedule, of proper quality, and are

documented and reported on in an appropriate manner.

(ii) Assuring that the urban transportation planning objectives

established by the federal regulations and the council itself are being

met, including that the unified planning work program elements are

responsive to federal planning requirements and area transportation

issues and problems.

(b) Economy and efficiency of central staff operation:

(i) Assuring that desired results are achieved at lowest cost,

including that central staff size, salary levels and other costs are

appropriate and planning methods well chosen.

(ii) Assuring that the central staff is managing or utilizing its

resources (personnel, property, space, etc.) in an economical and

efficient manner, including that management information systems,

administrative procedures, organizational structures and other

management tools are adequate.

(c) Selecting consultants to perform activities in the central staff

work program as provided for in the approved unified planning work

program and negotiating professional services agreements, except that

the department shall be entitled to have a representative in all

consultant selection decisions and fee negotiations that affect

contracts held by the department on behalf of the council;

(d) Approving all required task work programs (task amplifications)

and preparing those required for central staff activities;

(e) Providing funds for a central staff director and directing him/her

to:

(i) Manage central staff planning activity to ensure continued

compliance with federal and state regulations;

(ii) Prepare and maintain work budgets for all central staff planning

activities and cash flow budgets for central staff operations;

(iii) Assist the department in establishing acceptable ledgers and

accounting procedures to maintain complete and accurate records

pertaining to revenues, expenses, work performed, and cash on hand;

(iv) Assist the department in preparing appropriate documentation of

payrolls, time records, grant charges, invoices, vouchers, purchases,

and other expenses in accordance with state and federal requirements;

(v) Assist the department with the establishment and maintenance of

central staff-related accounting records and bookkeeping procedures;

3. The department shall be responsible for:

(a) Prefinancing the central staff operation for the council prior to

reimbursement;

(b) Employing central staff and paying central staff salaries and

fringe benefits;

(c) Paying central staff operating expenses and program costs in

accordance with the approved unified planning work program;

(d) Controlling central staff revenues, expenditures, assets, and

liabilities to the extent necessary to meet the department's obligations

with respect to the state funds involved;

(e) Purchasing, receiving, accounts payable, payroll and billings;

(f) Assuring that the central staff operation is in full compliance

with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations,

including that all central staff activities are eligible for

reimbursement and that all matching requirements are met.

4. New York state shall provide the non-federal share of central staff

financing as detailed in the unified planning work programs.

* NB Expired June 30, 1983