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Pembroke Park commission debates using building‑department funds to finish 3rd‑floor EOC or design community center
Summary
Commissioners debated how to obligate roughly $1.4–$1.7 million in excess building‑department funds before a July 1 state deadline, weighing a 3rd‑floor emergency operations center build‑out against using funds for community‑center design. Staff said only about $500k–$600k is immediately available and legal constraints limit allowable uses.
Pembroke Park commissioners spent an extended portion of Wednesday’s meeting debating competing proposals to obligate excess building‑department funds before a July 1 deadline that would otherwise force the town to return much of the balance to the state.
Mayor Jeffrey Jacobs told the commission the town has "approximately $1,700,000 into the building department funds" but that staff had identified only a portion that could be used. "If they aren't allocated before July 1, you guys are gonna have to give back $1,400,000," he warned, urging the commission to move quickly to obligate funds to avoid forfeiture.
Council members and staff discussed two main options: (1) proceed with the previously planned 3rd‑floor build‑out to house an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and relocate the building department there, and (2) use the funds, at least in part, to design a new community center and allocate building‑department costs proportionally to permissible uses. Town manager and finance staff said a realistic available amount for construction this summer is closer to $500,000–$600,000 once reserves and operational needs are reconciled.
Town attorney cautioned commissioners about allowable uses and timing, noting state law changes could curtail some uses after July 1. Commissioners debated technical details — whether elevator upgrades or air‑conditioning work could be paid from the building fund — and whether reallocating money to community‑center design would meet statutory restrictions. One commissioner suggested obligating the architect for the design phase as a timely way to meet the state's obligation deadline.
Several commissioners called for a practical approach that would commit funds to eligible design and contracting tasks before July 1 and continue deliberation at the next regularly scheduled meeting. The commission instructed staff to prepare a focused agenda item for the June 10 meeting with options, feasibility analyses and legal recommendations to avoid losing grant‑eligible dollars.
