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Debate over capital eligibility of water fountains and bottle filling stations in schools
3:00:59
ยท
141 sec
Council Member Gale Brewer engages in a discussion with OMB Director Jacques Jiha about the capital eligibility of water fountains and water bottle filling stations in schools. Brewer argues for their inclusion as capital projects, while Jiha explains the current limitations.
- Brewer cites previous successes in getting items classified as capital projects under Directive 10
- Jiha explains that individual water fountains don't meet the $50,000 threshold for capital eligibility
- Brewer argues that the connected nature of the plumbing system should allow for a waiver
- The discussion ends with Jiha agreeing to look into the matter further
Gale Brewer
3:00:59
Alright.
3:01:00
Water fountains and water bottle filling stations.
3:01:02
Thank you for responding.
3:01:04
So, quite a few council members, I think almost 25, signed a letter to you.
3:01:09
You responded, basically stating that we would like to fund independently water fountains and water stations in the schools.
3:01:17
And you responded, yeah.
3:01:18
You can do it, but only if you like renovating the, you know, the lobby or renovating the building, etcetera.
3:01:24
But, I know directive 10 very well.
3:01:26
I was able years ago to get, laptops when people said, oh, you can't do it.
3:01:31
But we did under directive 10 because they were networked and because they last more than five years.
3:01:36
I proved that.
3:01:36
So water fountains last a lot longer than five years.
3:01:39
And guess what?
3:01:40
They're all connected under in the plumbing.
3:01:43
So why cannot they be allocated status of, capital?
Jacques Jiha
3:01:49
Yeah.
3:01:50
You know, as you as you indicated,
Gale Brewer
3:01:51
Previous just so you know, previous directors of OMB agreed with me.
3:01:55
I won't say which ones.
3:01:57
I called them up.
Jacques Jiha
3:02:05
It's a water fountain by itself.
3:02:08
Itself.
Gale Brewer
3:02:09
By itself, they're all They
Jacques Jiha
3:02:12
are not capital eligible because they cost about $8,000 and the limit is $50,000
Lynn Schulman
3:02:16
I know.
Jacques Jiha
3:02:17
The asset has to be $50,000 or more to be CABLE eligible.
3:02:22
The way it usually work is part of a bigger ask, okay?
3:02:29
That's how they were able to get it approved.
3:02:31
But by individually by itself, it, you know, it doesn't pass the
Gale Brewer
3:02:36
But the committee directive 10 says, I you know, when I got my laptops, they were not $10,000.
3:02:43
They're not they're not even close.
3:02:45
They're connected.
3:02:46
The water fountains are connected, and they last more than five years.
3:02:49
I think you should look to see they're connected underneath in the plumbing.
3:02:52
That, to me, would argue a, waiver around directive 10.
3:02:59
Will you look at that again, please?
Jacques Jiha
3:03:01
I will look into it.
Gale Brewer
3:03:02
Okay.
3:03:02
Because we you know, you're not run they the kids want a water fountain that can then fill their water bottle.
3:03:08
We're trying to make them healthy.
3:03:09
We're trying to get them to not be drinking soda.
3:03:11
How do you do it?
3:03:12
You have water fountains that, in fact, fit their current health needs.
Jacques Jiha
3:03:18
We'll look into it.
Gale Brewer
3:03:19
I'm not giving up.
3:03:20
Thank you very much.