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Council debates role of Aspire consultant and how departments pursue grants
Summary
Councilors questioned whether Aspire should work directly through the city manager instead of maintaining multiple council contacts; members also raised concerns about department heads pursuing grants without council input.
City Manager Michael Johnson told council the city's contract with grant-advising contractor Aspire will see a personnel change and a request to route work through the city manager rather than individual council members.
"Aspire, there's going to be a change in the Aspire contract. We're going to no longer deal with Cassandra. She's going to be replaced by Jarah Mbutho. I hope I said it right," Johnson said, adding that Aspire prefers coordinating through the city manager's office as it does with other municipalities.
Several council members objected to the shift in access and frequency. Councilor Mayo said he did not want department heads unilaterally deciding priorities: "I don't need the department heads deciding what direction we go to the city. That's our job." Councilor Hoover said she supports using Aspire's grant-finding work but urged the firm to provide timely information: "If we're paying Aspire, you should be looking for the grants and in a timely manner in providing us with the information so that we can apply for them." Walker clarified that departments may apply for grants but that council ultimately controls matching funds.
Johnson said he will work to share grant activity with council before proposals are finalized; no change to the contract was voted on at the May 5 meeting.
