Council approves adding shelter and grants items to Dec. 15 agenda; debate over using general fund dollars
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Summary
Council suspended rules to add shelter contract amendments (changing funding source noted in agenda materials) and a grants management software contract that saves about $48,000 in implementation costs. Debate centered on the use of general‑fund dollars for inclement weather shelter contracts; motions passed with opposition.
Council considered items to add to the Dec. 15 agenda and voted to suspend rules to add several contract items.
On shelter contracts, staff said the changes are limited to the funding source reflected in agenda materials: instead of the previously listed "1590" line, the contracts now reference the general fund as the source; dollar amounts themselves were not changed in the materials. Councilmember Bingel opposed moving funds into the general fund to cover the contracts, saying in a time of budget strain the city should not use flexible general fund dollars for these shelter services. Supporters noted that the $1590 line had previously been expended and that the contracts must be honored to provide inclement weather services.
Council also heard from Jason Nikonisky about a five‑year grants management software procurement that would waive implementation costs if the contract were awarded this year, yielding an estimated $48,000 savings on implementation. Staff said the waiver was contingent on awarding and signing the contract before month‑end.
Motions to suspend rules and add the shelter funding changes, grants‑software contract (OPR2025‑0862) and airport legal consultation for PFAS (OPR2025‑0589) to the Dec. 15 agenda were moved, seconded and approved. The shelter‑funding action passed with opposition noted (vote reported as five ayes, two noes).