Most times, the city must decide on how to distribute scarce money among crucial programs. Now that the city has nearly $9 million in federal money that can be doled out immediately, the council can’t make up its mind on where it will go.
Last week, debate, rancor and accusations were followed by no decision at all. When it became clear that the council would vote on a measure to take away $875,000 for the refurbishing and construction of three city charter schools, the administration withdrew its recommendations for funding.
The Community Development Block Grant is federal money from the department of Housing and Urban Development provided to cities around the country. The projects, according to HUD, must (1) benefit low- and moderate-income persons; (2) prevent or eliminate slums or blight; or (3) meet other urgent community development needs. Charter schools are a flashpoint in this scenario, as many in city government do not believe they should be the recipients of these funds.
But the mayor’s office has been vehement in defending its position.
Said Tom Gallagher, Mayor Bret Schundler’s chief of staff: “Using $800,000 to construct schools for 1,500 children is a worthwhile investment.”
The schools that stood to benefit included Learning Community Charter School – $425,000; Liberty Community Charter School – $200,000; and Whitney M. Young Charter School – $250,000. But council members like L. Harvey Smith and Robert Cavanaugh questioned how the money would benefit community needs.
The schools would be places where community groups could meet, responded Housing and Economic Development director Annmarie Uebbing.
“People say they can’t rent community functions at Golden Door,” said Journal Square councilman Arnold Bettinger.
This comment rankled Heights Councilman Bill Gaughan, who proceeded to rattle off a list of groups who use the school, including a neighborhood association, a dance theater, and a recreational basketball league.
“People are being rejected,” he said, “because there’s too much going on already.”
Other items of interest in the package included $100,000 toward a potential animal shelter on Route 440 (though no money was provided to the current shelter), $25,000 for the Jersey City Museum, and $500,000 for the acquisition of land in Liberty Harbor North, a redevelopment area where a developer is seeking to construct a massive commercial and residential complex.
Business Administrator Laurie Cotter said she withdrew resolution when she saw that the council would approve the measure without funding for the charter schools at Wednesday’s meeting.
Cotter said the administration has a number of options.
“We may try and work with the council to get a consensus,” she said, “on what everyone can live with. We don’t want to jeopardize the entire federal funds budget. It’s still early.”
But Council President Tom DeGise, who favored the charter school funding, had a different view. “I’m not optimistic about getting anybody to change their minds,” he said.