The Assembly Finance Committee on June 5 heard extensive discussion about a proposed ordinance to appropriate $10,680 from the general fund balance to temporarily fund operations at Joy Community Center through December while the administration develops a longer-term plan.

Assembly Member Guttenberg, presenting the item in the absence of a sponsor, said he had visited the center and found "a vibrant community center being used" and urged the committee to consider keeping the facility open for community programming. Staff members in the staff box described program demand, partnerships and recent revenue and attendance changes: Parks and Recreation reported FY24 revenue of about $5,000 and FY25 revenue to date above $17,000 (fiscal year to date), and staff said attendance for March–April 2025 rose to roughly 1,800 users from just under 200 in March–April 2024 after increased programming.

Staff also provided capital and operating context. A staff member summarized a public works assessment that estimated control-system repairs to the HVAC at about $3,000,000 and roof repairs around $2,000,000; the staff member said the roof repair had been recommended for 2025. On utility costs, administration reported total utilities for the building were roughly $145,000 in 2023 and about $149,000 in 2024; staff said those totals exclude snow removal. The ordinance would appropriate $3,500 to Parks and Recreation and $7,180 to Public Works for temporary operations and related costs (total $10,680).

Committee members pressed staff on program displacement and alternatives. Parks and Recreation staff said some programs—adaptive gym like wheelchair basketball, table tennis, and community open gyms—cannot be readily relocated because alternate gym space is limited: the school district reduced available gyms from 23 to 17, and district staff and user groups told borough staff the remaining gyms are at capacity and often not available during the daytime when many programs operate. Staff also noted that some user groups store equipment on-site (for example, wheelchairs or table tennis tables) and that moving those programs is difficult.

Several members asked about bonds and long-term plans. Administration noted the building is part of bond series that include multiple facilities and that staff estimated, as a rough figure during meeting remarks, about $16 million remaining across series that include Joy; administration signaled it would provide precise bond balances and any restrictions before the next meeting. Committee members also asked about potential future uses, including partial use by a charter school, and administration said HVAC upgrades would likely be necessary before leasing classroom space to a school. Members and staff agreed more data on attendance, utility costs, capital timelines and bond restrictions would be provided before the committee votes; the chair said the committee would not vote on the ordinance that night and that a vote is scheduled for a future meeting.

The ordinance (2025-205-21A) as presented would also amend the FY26 budget by appropriating the temporary funds, add Joy Community Center fees to the user fee schedule, and direct the administration to propose a plan for the use of borough parks and recreation facilities. Sponsors listed in the packet were Assembly Members Kelly and Guttenberg. Staff emphasized the community partnerships and program demand at Joy and described the request as a cost-effective, interim investment while longer-term capital and program decisions are developed.