Most business at the Agenda Session was routine in that
Resolutions were accepted for inclusion on next Monday’s agenda when they will be
voted upon.
The temp. June 2013 budget merited one question why the Division
for ‘Economic Development’s (Jacques Howard, Director) line was 170% over the
estimated expense based on 2012 budget or actual figures. The explanation was
that the overrun to date was for salaries that would be covered by Grants! No
mention made if the Grants had be approved or were only anticipated.
Since Grant money can’t be counted upon until the “grant” is
an actuality the fact remains that this division is spending more than
available funds according to 2012 actual income. If this sounds confusing it is
and only Administration and our learned Council can understand.
Another most interesting exchange occurred during the Public
Comments at the conclusion of the meeting. Jeffery Dunn director of “Incubator”
who noted that among his buildings tenants which included the Chamber of
Commerce and the Union County SBA office; was Kean University who ran a Small Business
Center part time consultation service and occasional programs. (The acoustics
were not the best and it was confusing)
Dunn was requesting that the city consider a $30,000.00
funding for the SBA program since Kean “had not paid its rent for the last
quarter of 2012 and the first quarter of 2013 “. The impression being that they
were delinquent.
He noted that the rent had been $1500 a month but he was
willing to reduce it to $1000, and later said $750.00.
Administration was questioned about the City’s relationship
with Kean in this matter. Berry stated that he was unaware of any contract with
Kean but would research it. At this
point Jacques Howard was in support of Dunn.
Dunn then turned to Howard who said the City “has had a relationship
with Kean since 2003--for counseling and conducting workshops”.
When pushed he said “If we had a contract we would owe, but
we don’t have a contract we don’t owe.””
At this point Council expressed the need to have more
information; end of discussion.
ReplyDeleteYes, Doc,
It was extremely confusing. If Kean owes him money, he should invoice Kean. That is how it is done--he should certainly be aware of that, as a businessman. Dunn had no standing in the matter, anyway--by what legal authority does he advocate for Kean? Does Kean even know that he came before us? I was thoroughly confused and, frankly, uncomfortable with the idea of anyone other than the alleged vendor (Kean) requesting the city council to pay bills we have not received. My suggestion is to have Kean work with the Plainfield Library's new Job Assistance Computer Center and other resources that the library has. The library offers quite a lot, and SCORE has done work there as well--I have been to 2 SCORE workshops at the library in the past. Also, the idea that the 4-block difference from 320 Park Avenue to 800 Park Avenue would impede would-be entrepreneurs from gaining resources is odd. The library has many online resources available (including Career Transitions). I made this suggestion at the meeting and the city administrator said he would contact the library about what they could support, etc.
Rebecca
I'm in agreement with Councilwoman Williams about using library resources. I'm not in favor of using resources to support endless schemes for private enrichment, as has been the case for many years. There really isn't anything confusing about it. It's a blatant effort to profiteer and get a piece of the action.
ReplyDeleteHow long has this been going on? Where is the contract from Kean, and where is this money located in the city budget?
ReplyDelete2:21PM (1) Ask Alan. (2) There ain't. (3)There isn't .
ReplyDelete