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Federación Hispana grant stalled amid staff and political disputes; committee asks for written update
Summary
Sarah Perez told the committee the $400,000 ARPA‑related small-business grant allocated to Federación Hispana has not been disbursed despite council approvals; Perez alleged administrative orders blocked payment and named city staff she said intervened. The committee asked Perez for written documentation and tabled the item for further review.
An update from Sarah Perez on a previously approved $400,000 ARPA‑related grant for small-business support produced sharp claims about stalled disbursement and alleged administrative interference during the Dec. 11 Budget & Finance Committee meeting.
Perez said the original plan was for Federación Hispana to help distribute grants to small businesses but that the federation could not front the money under a reimbursement requirement. She said the mayor’s office and some city staff pressured for organizational changes and that, after multiple attempts to resolve administrative issues, staff at the relevant city office told her they had orders not to release the funds. Perez named two city employees (Carlos Matos and Francine Ruya) as having instructed a staffer, Susan Fink, not to release the money; she said the federation has been unable to receive the funds despite council approvals and a subsequently overridden mayoral veto.
Committee members expressed concern about the allegations and asked Perez to provide a written account and a list of federation‑affiliated businesses, with notes identifying which received funding. Councilors emphasized that the funds should reach small businesses in need and asked staff to locate documentation of prior approvals and disbursement records. The committee then moved to re‑table the item for follow‑up; the motion carried on roll call.
