|
The much needed soccer fields, as well as the baseball and softball diamonds planned for a sports complex at McKean Road have been part of the discussion about what is needed in Almaden Valley for many years, and there is finally some movement in getting approval for the project. That's the good news.
The bad news is that no one seems to know the current financial status of the Almaden Youth Association, the nonprofit organization that is spearheading the fields project. The directors say they don't know because they're just volunteers and don't have time. The city, which has already spent more than $594,000 on the complex—including $300,000 in the form of grants left at the disposal of the AYA—well, it's not clear why the city isn't keeping track of the money.
Although city staff said two contracts for the two grants totaling $150,000 have been signed, no one from the city has checked yet to see how the money was actually spent.
Contracts for the $150,000 Healthy Neighborhood Venture fund reimbursement grant and for another $100,000 grant the AYA is supposed to pay back to the city, have not been drawn up as they should have been before the money was ever disbursed.
At the same time, the AYA, a 501c(03) nonprofit organization, is refusing to tell if it has spent any of the money or on what.
We don't have any reason to believe that anything has happened to this money that should not have happened. Still, it is troubling to learn that the city of San Jose would invest funds without checking exactly how those funds would be spent.
And while we acknowledge the dedication and commitment volunteers bring to any nonprofit board, volunteer status does not excuse board members from a responsibility to make their organization transparent.
Donors and taxpayers alike have a right to know what is happening to their money. And Almaden residents have a right to know that those who have committed to seeing the sports complex through to fruition are taking their responsibility seriously.
It is more than a little troubling to hear that AYA board members do not know their financial status. And yet, the organization continues to stonewall, leaving us with little choice but to wonder why.
As for the city, the lack of oversight of the sports complex funding is small potatoes compared to the surprise $45 million overrun at the new city hall. But it's $594,000 worth of small potatoes and counting. The city hall fiasco arose when the city council failed to keep tabs on the project's budget. This is happening here.
Everyone involved with this project had better keep their eyes on the ball.
|
