The Plainfield Public Library will receive nearly $16,000 for erroneous solid waste and sewer charges dating back to 2003.
As resident Alan Goldstein suggested at a special library board meeting on Oct. 16, the library property is city-owned and so not subject to PMUA charges according to the interlocal services agreement between the city and the authority.
The PMUA board of commissioners was on the verge of approving a resolution to refund the money Thursday when Commissioner Carol Brokaw raised objections, saying the lapse was a shared mistake.
"Both parties have responsibility in a contract," she said.
Commissioner Charles Eke agreed that responsibility for the ongoing error should be shared, but PMUA Counsel Leslie London said the contract was with the city and library staff would not have known of the details.
Commissioner Malcolm Dunn noted another property, "the Crescent island," which was owned by a church and not the city and questioned whether there might be more instances of erroneous billing. The board agreed to hold off on the resolution until December to allow for the possibility of other repayments.
The grassy island with a memorial flagpole at East Seventh Street and Crescent Avenue is maintained by the city, but is owned by Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church.
PMUA Executive Director Dan Williamson said the library situation involved its parking lot and there was "some confusion" over the listing.
Williamson mentioned research into possible charges dating back before 2003, but Dunn questioned a statute of limitations and said, "I don't see us going back 15 years. It's crazy."
The authority was established in 1995. Ratepayers are charged a "shared services" fee that covers trash pickup in public areas such as parks and municipal buildings, among other things. Even residents who "opt out" of PMUA trash pickup are charged the shared services fee, which has caused controversy for several years, as described at the link above.
--Bernice
Another example of ineptitude by the PMUA and the exact reason why we are paying so much for PMUA - no one there has a clue.
ReplyDeletePlease city council, keep the commissioners we have who have even less than a clue on the board. I would hate to think that Plainfield would actually have competent people heading this city. The council is a superb example. I
And some people on the City Council want to keep these loser commissioners on the PUMA. Are they kidding! It's bad enough that we have four loses on the City Council and one of them is the Council President. Sometimes it's like Sharon never left.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Alan, for bringing this up so it can be resolved. Our public library has had more than enough fiscal problems!
ReplyDelete"Dunn questioned a statute of limitations and said, 'I don't see us going back 15 years. It's crazy.'"
ReplyDeleteKind of reminds me of Hillary's comment, "What difference does it make (now). "
Angelo Mone
If the grassy island (private property) is owned by the church, why is the city of Plainfield maintaining it? Is it because there is a flag pole there? Who owns the flag pole? Is there a contractual agreement? What is the city's annual costs for labor and materials? What about liability insurance . . . who covers the city on private property? Can other religious institutions can the same service for their private property? The Administration need to answer these and other questions regarding this issue.
ReplyDeleteThat arrangement goes back a while. I recall Mayor Fury's wife planting tulips there. The city uses it for ceremonies and beautification. I think it is a special situation. It is also part of the Civic Historic District. More details may be in the documents on the historic designation.
DeleteI'd say going back 15years to give 50,000 people of the city the money their library was overcharged is no more crazy than charging 50,000 people $1,000,000 in 1 year and giving it away to 2 people who quit their jobs Mr. Dunn.
ReplyDeleteI agree Dunn worries about the library and had no problem with a 1,000,000 dollar payout. Give the library their money they do a great service for the city.
ReplyDeleteIf someone overcharged Dunn any amount of money he would go back 20 years of audit to collect every last dime plus interest!
ReplyDeleteAlan thank you for keeping PMUA's feet to the fire. Jan M
ReplyDeleteAbout 2 years ago the PMUA paid the County Transfer Station in an amount which I believe was about $300,000. A Tad more that the $16,000 now in question with the library. The issue was that the County Transfer Station had been undercharging the Plainfield PMUA . There are different disposal rates for different types of waste and the County had made an error spanning many years misidentifying the categories resulting in the erroneous billing .When the County became aware of their error they sent a corrected bill. One of the provisions in the Agreement between the PMUA and the County is that they conduct an annual reconciliation of the quantities and resulting charges. This takes the form of a document which both parties revue and acknowledge with their respective signatures. On other words it is a done deal. When I protested the payment opining that the settlement did not give the County the right to reopen the books I was told by Ms. London that the PMUA had to comply with the contract. I further pointed out that a long standing error, particularly in light of the annual reaffirmation exempted the PMUA from paying the adjusted charge. Ms.Brokow, who was present, and is an attorney, never rendered an opinion or objection, or set forth her shared responsibility theory. It is interesting that now when we are dealing with the relatively minor sum of 16K she kicks up her heels. Ms. Brokaw has also received the illegal benefit package, and may still be receiving it after her reappointment. I am uncertain. The price of the benefit package for the Commissioners ran $15,000 to $17,000 per year each. Bill Kruse
ReplyDelete