By Erica Madison
“They owe us an explanation”, said Mayor Beverly Johnson, at the Nov. 17, 2009, City Council meeting.
The “they” Johnson is referring to is the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD).
On Sept. 15, 2009, the EBRPD reported to the City Council members, regarding the Boys and Girls Club request, for $2 million of Measure WW Funds.
At that Sept. meeting, an EBRPD representative assured the Council, that the City of Alameda would be eligible to apply for Measure WW Funds on behalf of the Boys and Girls Club. The meeting ended with an agreement from the City manager to follow-up the request with the EBRPD’s bond counsel.
Unfortunately, the EBRPD may have spoken to soon. Nov. 17 meeting reveals that the EBRPD’s bond counsel, won’t affirm this statement one way or another. It’s possible the Boys and Girls Club is not eligible for Measure WW Funds.
This revelation angered some Alamedans.
“I hope you (City Council) don’t grant the Boys and Girls Club money, you don’t have the right to give them”.
As it stands, the City Council can’t make a decision on the Boys and Girls Club request until they hear from the EBRPD, that the Boys and Girls Club is eligible to receive Measure WW funds.
“This places us in a catch-22, said Councilmember Lena Tam.
City Manager Anne Marie Gallant informed the City Council, that the EBRPD bond counsel, has sent an e-mail refusing to make a decision until the City Council provides them with an application.
All of the council members requested that Gallant send another request for EBRPD, to give them a yes or no on the Boys and Girls Club eligibility.
“I want them (EBRPD) to come to the next meeting and tell us one way or the other”, said Councilmember Matarrese.
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