ST. LOUIS — For the second straight day, Comptroller Darlene Green’s request to hire a consulting firm to help prepare a plan to close the city workhouse was blocked Wednesday by other top city officials.
The Board of Estimate and Apportionment — on which Green serves with Mayor Lyda Krewson and Aldermanic President Lewis Reed — again refused to vote on Green’s proposal to assign that task to PFM Financial Advisors, a national consulting firm that works with cities and other clients.
There also was friction between Krewson and Green over how to finance the purchase of new radios for the city Fire Department.
On the workhouse, Green reiterated that corrections officials would need help to prepare a plan to close the workhouse and move inmates elsewhere by the Dec. 31 deadline under a bill that has won tentative Board of Aldermen approval. “The time is near,†Green said. “It’s less than six months.â€
People are also reading…
She added that PFM already has been vetted because it acts as the city’s financial adviser under an existing contract. She said the firm could begin work next week.
But Reed said “I have no idea how and what PFM would add to ... what we’re attempting to do here except for costing us an additional quarter of a million dollars for such a short term.â€
Reed also said Corrections Commissioner Dale Glass is well-positioned to get the job done and can seek outside contractors if needed.
Krewson, referring to Green’s comment about PFM’s current city role, said “actually, they’re your financial adviser.†Krewson didn’t elaborate. Green responded: “That’s not true, Madam Mayor.â€
Shortly thereafter, Krewson moved that the virtual meeting adjourn and the mayor and Reed then outvoted Green to do so. “Madam Mayor, are you there?†Green asked as the Zoom session was shutting down. “No,†Krewson responded.
Green said later in an interview that Reed’s comment was misleading because the city could hire PFM for just one of two phases of its proposed study. The first phase, an analysis within 90 days, would cost $90,000, she said.
Earlier, Krewson asked the board to consider a plan she had submitted regarding the Fire Department radios but which wasn’t brought forward by the comptroller’s office, which sets board agendas.
Green responded that the mayor’s office had called for the radio purchase to be financed with a 2.5% interest rate, which she said was too high in the current economy. She said her office had obtained bank financing at a little over 1%, in conjunction with a planned purchase of new breathing equipment.
Green then recounted previous assertions that the comptroller is the city’s chief financial officer and is in charge of financing. Last year, the two clashed over whether Green or a city development agency should take the lead in arranging finances for expanding America’s Center.
“You don’t have to remind me of that again, but the Fire Department does report up through to the mayor’s office,†Krewson responded.
The mayor added, however, that “if you a have a better way of financing it, that’s terrific.†She said she wished Green had talked with her about it first.
‘’I would have been happy to have that conversation with you,†Krewson said. Green said she had discussed the issue with a top mayoral aide and the fire chief. After the meeting, the mayor’s office did not provide a reporter further details on her proposal.
