* § 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