Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Council approves MOU with Paterson Public Schools to use school facilities as emergency shelters, amid questions about fees
Loading...
Summary
The council adopted a memorandum of understanding allowing Paterson Public Schools facilities to be used as emergency shelters, with discussion about custodial/security hourly fees, reimbursement by state/federal agencies, and protections for local hiring.
The Paterson Municipal Council voted to approve a memorandum of understanding (Resolution 26-190) with the Paterson Public School District allowing municipal use of school facilities as emergency shelters.
The item prompted an extended discussion about logistics and costs. OEM leadership explained the MOU's operational model: staffing and custodial/security fees scale with shelter population (the district's policy was cited as $120–$125 per hour per school employee/security contractor for initial staffing levels). OEM representatives said most emergency deployments are reimbursable by the state or federal government once a state of emergency is declared; the OEM director stressed that failing to have an MOU would leave the city reactive rather than prepared.
Council members raised concerns over: who bears initial costs if reimbursement is delayed; third-party vendor margins and whether contracts require hiring local residents; and whether the school district's adopted rental/security rates were appropriate for city use of the facilities. The OEM director and BA said federal/state reimbursement typically covers deployed expenses in declared emergencies and that shared services agreements benefit both entities. Several members asked for a follow-up review of the MOU to address local hiring or fee-sharing provisions.
Why it matters: Paterson currently lacks a permanent designated municipal shelter and has used temporary sites during emergencies. The MOU is intended to formalize an operational relationship so the city can activate shelter capacity quickly with pre-agreed roles and reimbursement expectations.
What happens next: The MOU passed with recorded recusals noted; council asked the administration and legal staff to provide additional clarity about funding flows, whether the district receives grant reimbursement, and possible contract language to prioritize Patterson residents for staffing roles when feasible.
Quotes: "When you see me, it's always something bad ... 95% of the time federal funding comes in," OEM Director said, explaining typical reimbursement sources. "We should not be paying retail rates when we own the facilities," Councilman Jackson said, urging stronger negotiation and local hiring clauses.
Ending: The resolution passed and staff were asked to return with clarifications on funding sources and potential contract language to preserve local economic benefit.
