Councilor John Lysak said he saw no reason to delay a vote on a $500,000 grant.
John A. LysakSPRINGFIELD – The City Council held off on formally approving the use of a $500,000 state grant to combat youth and gang violence this week, triggering one councilor to say he was shocked by the delay.
A state Executive Office of Public Safety spokesman, however, said the contract for the grant from the Sen. Charles E. Shannon Jr. Community Safety Initiative is already signed by the city, effective Feb. 25, and funding is intact.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno had asked the council Monday to authorize the use of the grant, which was awarded to the Police Department. The council instead referred the matter to committee for further review.
“There is absolutely no reason at all to hold that up,” Councilor John A. Lysak said Tuesday. “This is free money coming in. To not take the money was a shock to me.”
Councilor Zaida Luna asked for referral. She and some other councilors said they want to review how the funding is dispersed and who receives it.
Zaida LunaThe largest amount, $180,000, is kept within the Police Department for overtime pay and gang suppression efforts, and another $43,000 pays for a coordinator. The balance is split among 11 local organizations that provide youth programs and services, and $5,000 is set aside for evening gyms.
The funds are intended for anti-gang strategies that include prevention, intervention and suppression programs.
Lysak said that if Luna wants a study done, he supports it “100 percent,” but believes any changes could be for the next round of funds. Those organizations selected for funds went through an application and review process dating back to last year and now complete, officials said.
Councilor Kateri B. Walsh said the review provides the council with an opportunity to find out if the funds go to the same groups year after year.
After the issue was referred to committee, Lysak asked for reconsideration, but it failed by a 6-6 vote.
Those wanting reconsideration were Lysak, Melvin Edwards, Timothy Allen, Thomas Ashe, Michael Fenton and James J. Ferrera III. Those opposed to reconsideration were Luna, Walsh, Timothy J. Rooke, Clodovaldo Concepcion, E. Henry Twiggs, and Jose F. Tosado.
The city had received a $1.4 million Shannon grant in 2009, but the amount dropped to $500,000 in both 2010 and this year.
Those awarded funding this year, ranging from $16,000 to $30,000, were nearly identical to the groups getting the funds in 2010. The recipients this year are Dunbar Community Center, Greater New Life Christian Center, the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, Martin Luther King Community Center, New North Citizens Council, Sprectra Management Services Corps., the Springfield Boys & Girls Club, Square One, Salvation Army, Roca youth intervention, and South End Community Center.
Sarno said he hopes the council gets the answers it needs, and acts quickly on the grant, which he described as a formality.
