Committee pauses $250,000 retroactive BART grant after BLA flags nonprofit financial distress

The Budget and Finance Committee on May 10 continued consideration of a retroactive $250,000 grant from the Bay Area Rapid Transit District to San Francisco Public Works for staffing and monitoring of three Pit Stop public toilet locations near BART stations.

Bruce Robertson, chief financial officer for Public Works, said the grant is a typical retroactive award from BART caused by BART board timing and some administrative delays within Public Works. "Most of the delay in this late retro activity is from public works," Robertson said, acknowledging the department’s role in the timeline and saying the funds cover monitoring and staffing at sites near Powell, 16th and Mission, and 20th/4th and Mission.

Nick Menard of the Budget and Legislative Analyst’s office reviewed program data and fiscal monitoring results. He said the nonprofit partner that performs monitoring shows negative financial indicators: "their net position decreased from $1,800,000 to $750,000" and its cash position declined to about 2% of operating expenses, which Menard said raises concern about the organization's ability to meet grant requirements.

Public Works told the committee it has issued a competitive RFP to reprocure the Pit Stop services and has begun evaluating proposals; the department also agreed to assume lead fiscal monitoring responsibilities for the nonprofit in the coming fiscal year. Robertson said the city can provide technical assistance and reprocurement will allow consideration of new providers.

Supervisor Dean Preston and others pressed for assurances about monitoring and continuity of service. Chair Supervisor Connie Chan moved to continue the matter to the call of the chair so that Public Works can return with RFP evaluation details and a monitoring plan; the motion passed on recorded ayes. The committee emphasized it expects Public Works to supply the requested procurement and performance details before the item returns.