CM Brooks-Powers questions OMB on Brookville Park Recreation Center funding removal

Yet that funding was later removed from the capital plan.

Subsequent commitments to restore those funds have only been partially fulfilled, resulting in roughly $22.5 million

currently budgeted, despite a combined council and administration commitment of $32.5 million.

Why did OMB remove funding that had already been appropriated?

Why was I not notified before these changes occurred?

And when can the community expect the remaining $10 million in committed funding to be rectified in the capital plan?

Thank you, Council Member.

I know that we've had a couple of conversations about the trauma center.

Really one yesterday, but...

Well, also in the cow when we had a little brief conversation.

But yes, I do agree that this is something that we need to look into.

I know that we spoke about the money that was existing in the budget.

We talked about what else would be needed.

We talked about whether or not the actual estimate was a correct estimate vis-a-vis.

what we had said versus what was put out there in terms of the overall dollar cost.

So I am evaluating all of that with the team and looking at exactly what the estimates are.

So we're talking about what the actual numbers are that we can all agree with.

We need to agree on a number first and then talk about how there's available funding in the funding envelope.

I'm sorry, Director.

I will say, I'm sorry, one moment.

Because I will say while...

It's one thing to look at the final dollar tag, which I do not expect the administration will cover.

I would love for you guys to cover the full balance, but I doubt it.

So at the same time, what is the administration's commitment in this fiscal year in terms of funding in the final budget for the trauma hospital?

The previous administration had provided $50 million, not including funding that the council has also funded on the expense side of this.

I want to know what this administration's commitment is going to be.

And that's obviously a conversation that we'll be having with you over the next few weeks.

My point was that in order to make a determination about, particularly when it talks to capital, because with capital funding, as you know, if a project isn't fully funded, you can't do the certificate to proceed.

Capital project can't.

I understand.

So we need to figure out what the actual, we need to have an agreement on the numbers.

You had mentioned that H&H said it may be this.

We knew that our team was saying something.

So I'm going to talk to the parties about it and figure out what the actual number is.

Then we need to look at the funding envelope.

It's just a matter of funding to see what is actually doable.

I'll look into the Senator Sanders $1 million as well.

In terms of the rec center, we also discussed that, and we'll be going back and looking at, as part of discussions that happened in the past, what was the change to that funding that went from, I think, $10 to $5 million, you said?

Yeah, it's a balance of $5 million.

Now, Director, we did, to your point, speak about this yesterday, so you had a preview of what I was going to ask today.

So I would imagine that you would have some sort of an answer for me right now under oath in this hearing.

I do not, but I'm happy to follow up with you as I continue.

Can I ask why you're not prepared when we spoke yesterday and you knew that I was going to ask these questions?

Beginning of a conversation, and I'm happy to continue over the next few weeks with you.

But I've been asking this question since the preliminary budget.

Understood.

And there's been no progress and no indication from the administration that we are moving beyond this statement that I'm getting right now.

Understood.

And we also talked about a provider for the actual facility.

And we spoke about the provider being a part that's happening simultaneously with the securing of the funding.

I don't want this administration to hide behind that as an excuse when we have been successfully securing funding.

in the last several budgets and prioritizing this from the administration.

Mayor Mamdani has shared with me privately that he understands the need in this community and the fact that health care is a human right, but I'm not seeing that demonstrated in action.

So I do ask that, Chair, if possible, before this hearing is done, that I can get an answer, because I did preview these questions, and I think it's unacceptable to not get an answer to basic questions.

I want to know if the administration is going to commit to some level of funding for the trauma hospital, as well as restoring the $5 million that was removed from the Brookville.

Park Recreation Center.

Thank you.

And we'll work with you on hopefully getting some sort of answer on that.

Sorry, I have like 10 papers in front of me.

We've also been joined by Councilmember Hankerson as well as Mealy.

And we will hear from Councilmember Aviles, Marte, and then Hankerson.

Sorry.