Based on a request for information filed by the Hudson Reporter about possible unspent money for senior programs being returned to the state, Freeholder Chairman Bill O’Dea has asked for an internal audit to see how much money the county has been forced to return.
Records show that since 2005, the county failed to use $480,000 in funds that should have been used to support programs for senior citizens, with the bulk of these returns from unspent funds in 2008. Some of this had to be returned to the state.
In some cases, O’Dea said the funds were unexpended, while in other cases, the state said the areas the money was spent on did not qualify for the funding, and the county had to reimburse the state.
“This is money that should be used for senior citizens and the disabled.” – Bill O’Dea
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The county had to reimburse $254,835 to the state in 2008 for money issued through the Personal Assistance Services Program, which is used to provide seniors and others with services related to mental illness, was required at $254,835 from 2008.
For several years, the state allowed the county to keep the unexpended funds rather than receiving additional grants the following year.
In 2007, PASP’s $101,000 of unspent grant money was carried over to 2008.
In 2009, the state disallowed the county’s funding of the Bayonne Visiting Nurse Service, requiring a refund to the state of $35,221.
“I want to look to see if there are any other areas in which we have unspent money,” O’Dea said. “We have at least 30 days to come up with a corrective action plan.”
He said one problem is that the county does not have an internal auditor to look over departments for these problems.
O’Dea suggested that the freeholders should consider bringing on board an auditor to help with the action plan.
“This is money that should be used for senior citizens and the disabled,” he said, directing Ben Lopez – the director of Human Services – to do an internal review.
Freeholders extend grant deadlines for open space
With collections down for the county’s Open Space Trust Fund, freeholders are more closely looking at projects that have been funded in the past, but have yet to be completed.
The fund, which was created in 2004, has a three-year time limit to complete that aspect of the project the county has funded.
The problem is that more than $11 million has been allocated to projects, which have not been finished over the last three years. The board has voted to give a year extension to the projects, but the freeholder board is concerned about the unexpended money.
Freeholder Bill O’Dea said the county needs to review projects better before awarding money to them in order to make certain that they are ready to actually start the work they detailed in their applications.
Last June, the county contacted the towns, asking for a status on the project.
Each project was reviewed by the Open Space Trust Fund Advisory Board. In some cases, the money was shifted to other open space projects in town – in order to allow the money to be used for what are called “shovel ready” projects.
Hoboken hopes to redirect some county grants to Southwest Park
Freeholder Anthony Romano said that Hoboken is requesting that the $3 million grant for the purchase of the Cognis Site for contamination remediation be re-dedicated towards the Southwest Park acquisition.
A $100,000 for the development of Hoboken Cove Boat House, which is to be part of the Hoboken Cove Park, has been extended for a year to complete the project, as will the $100,000 grant for the repair of the collapsed area at Castle Point Park. Hoboken also received an extension on the $300,000 grant for the first phase for construction on a multi-purpose field as part of the 1600 Park Avenue Park Development.
Grant deadline extended for Loew’s Theater and Apple Tree in Jersey City
Other projects extended for another year include $535,841 in unexpended funds for the restoration of the Loew’s Theater in Jersey City for sprinklers, emergency lighting, stage rigging, ventaltion, and other safety upgrades. Loew’s has also not expended $100,000 for the restoration of the main entrance doors.
Also in Jersey City is $600,000 unexpended for the second phase of interior restoration of the Apple Tree House, which is said to be 90 percent complete. The freeholders also gave a one-year extension for Phase III for the exterior restoration of Apple Tree House, the contract of which is expected to be awarded in the fall.
Some North Hudson projects are close to being completed
The town of Secaucus received an additional year on the $3.1 million grant for the purchase of waterfront sites at Oak Lane and Farm Road, but is expected to close on them by the fall.
Weehawken has received extensions for two projects for its Weehawken Water Tower and Park project, and asked that the $122,054 grant be used for new bathrooms, entrance doors, and other renovations. Another grant for the waterfront pavilion for $349,519 has been more problematic since the site has some chromium contamination and the township is still negotiating for its cleanup.
Guttenberg expected to go out to bid for its waterfront park project in the fall. It has received $300,000 from the county.
Union City has two still uncompleted projects that have received open space funding – $12,000 for its Washington Park soccer field; and $325,000 for the 38th Street Music Park, which is about one-quarter complete.
MOTBY sale shifts fishing pier
Bayonne hopes to move a proposed fishing pier planned originally for the former Military Ocean Terminal (MOTBY) to an area near the foot of the Bayonne Golf Club walkway near South Cove Mall. The project has received $325,000 from the trust fund.
The original site was part of a land sale to the Port Authority last year, and it will be used for a container port operation.
In another long delayed project for which Bayonne has received $400,000, the city hopes to settle a lawsuit with neighboring property owners in order to begin construction of a community park and soccer fields on MOTBY.
County projects are also on the list
Two projects being done by the county are also being given a year’s extension. The county has received $500,000 for the Brennan Court House, originally for lighting restoration. The county seeks to use some of the money to restore the front steps and plaza area. The county has also received $25,000 for its program to help municipalities for the planting of shade trees.
Freeholder Jose Munoz inquired whether smaller projects around the county could be totally funded by the trust fund.
Laurie Cotter, deputy county administrator, said this is rare. Projects are graded by the committee, and are rated higher if municipalities or not-for-profits are willing to put up a portion of the cost.
While O’Dea agreed to support the extensions, he said the advisory council needs to begin awarding funds to projects that are already set to begin, saying that too much money is being held up in projects that are still far away from starting.