REMARKS
Council Member Brannan's opening remarks on oversight of homeless shelter providers
0:06:10
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136 sec
Council Member Justin L. Brannan delivers opening remarks at a hearing addressing the Department of Investigations report on compliance issues in homeless shelter providers. He expresses concern over the misuse of public funds and emphasizes the need for strong oversight mechanisms to ensure proper use of city funds for public services.
- Brannan highlights the contrast between delayed payments to nonprofit service providers and seemingly easy flow of funds to outside vendors and emergency contracts.
- He stresses the importance of careful inspection of large public service contracts and quick action on DOI recommendations.
- The council member emphasizes the need for accountability in spending taxpayer money, even in emergency situations, to maintain public trust in local government.
Justin L. Brannan
0:06:10
Thank you, deputy speaker Ayala, and good morning.
0:06:13
Along with my co chairs, I'm eager to discuss the Department of Investigations report and recommendations.
0:06:19
I'm also eager, to address the unacceptable findings of the ongoing compliance and governance issues that have led to the misuse of public funding and providing the essential services of temporary shelter.
0:06:32
As chair of the finance committee, I look forward to a robust discussion around the need for strong oversight mechanisms to ensure municipal funds are used for the purposes for which they are directed and intended.
0:06:44
The administration has the duty and responsibility to manage city funds with prudence to ensure city funds authorized for public services are in fact serving the public, not friends, family, or, private interest.
0:06:57
It concerns me greatly that our city can't get their act together long enough to pay our critical human service nonprofit sector on time for critical services rendered, and yet blank checks to outside vendors and no bid emergency contracts seem to flow like a never ending freshwater stream through city hall.
0:07:15
As mentioned my to by my co chairs, the public services contracts implicated in today's discussions are some of the largest the city enters in terms of cost.
0:07:23
They demand careful inspection from the council and close attention from the agencies charged with procuring and monitoring them.
0:07:30
Recommendations from DOI to ensure the to ensure the lawful and prudent use of public funds in connection with these contracts deserve both scrutiny and quick action.
0:07:40
I look forward to a productive hearing and learning more about how DSS, DHS, and MOX are working together to root out the issues uncovered in DOI's investigations.
0:07:50
Ultimately, when the dust settles and the frantic fog of an emergency subsides, every single dime of taxpayer money still must be accounted for.
0:07:59
This is not monopoly money.
0:08:00
Lacks procurement oversight and little to no safeguards against corruption only serve to further erode public trust in our local government and systems.
0:08:09
I'm grateful to the staff who put this hearing together and worked hard behind the scenes, including staff of the finance division, in preparation for this hearing, counsel to the division, Nick Connell, and financial analyst, Faria Raman, Michael Sherman, and Owen Kotowski.
0:08:23
I'll now turn it over to chair Juan for her opening remarks.
