Committee moves $60,000 senior-center funding request to next meeting for more detail

The committee considered an authorization to release $60,000 from council contingency to Minaluza Han Senior Center. Director Ainsley said the funds would be available next week if approved and that, as presented to the committee, there was no memorandum of understanding or conditions attached to the funds. "How this is set up is that it would just be a 1 time additional payment to them for $60,000 with no specific, requirements for as to how the funds would be used," Ainsley said.

Council members expressed concern about a lack of documentation and attachments to the agenda packet; Councilwoman Seacrest said she had not received the email with details and asked about long-term sustainability and program specifics. Several council members noted the list of proposed uses (program expansion, board development, technology upgrades, marketing and outreach) appeared in a recent email but was not attached to the agenda, and members asked for more time to vet the request.

A substitute motion by Lehman, seconded by Sechrist, moved the item to the next Legal and Finance meeting for additional information; the substitute passed by voice vote. No appropriation was approved at the Sept. 10 meeting. Committee members requested clearer documentation and, if appropriate, an MOU or conditions describing allowable uses before the council votes on the $60,000 payment.