2017 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