2023 New York Laws › TRA - Transportation › Article 15* - Transportation Coordinating Committees › 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