The Jersey City Council debated a resolution about maintaining the Department of Public Works (DPW) employees’ uniforms during their caucus, another part of the fallout of what has been deemed an over quarter billion dollar budget deficit.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
DPW Chief of Administrative Services John Lynch explained the city had an annual contract for $300,000 a year for the Cintas Corporation to provide uniforms for Department of Public Works (DPW) employees.
“So, we’re renting them, not purchasing them?” Councilman at-Large Michael Griffin asked.
“Correct. They size the staff. They give a complete set of shirts and pants. They give us three different sets of uniforms. They supply seasonal uniforms. They pick them up. They launder. They maintain, and they replace the uniform,” Lynch answered.
A short time later, Ward F Councilman Frank “Educational” Gilmore asked for the contract amount, to which Lynch reiterated its for $300,000.
“It’s $300,000 to wash uniforms for grown individuals?” Gilmore pressed on.
“It’s $25,000 a month,” Lynch replied.
He noted they give three sets of uniforms, including seasonal ones, maintain them, clean them, and drop them off.
“These are adults, right?” Gilmore continued.
“There’s logos on them, people’s names on them. A lot goes into it,” Lynch replied.
Gilmore again asked if these employees are adults before inquiring if police officers clean their own uniforms.
Lynch said he was not familiar with the inner workings of public safety beyond that they have a uniform allowance.
Gilmore said they purchase their uniforms, to which Lynch said DPW rents them. Later, Lynch clarified that DPW has about 300 workers and between 150 to 200 wear uniforms.
“How much would it cost if we were to purchase their uniforms and have them be responsible for laundering and taking care of their own uniforms?” Ward E Councilwoman Eleana Little asked.
“I really have never looked into that. I inherited this contract. We’ve been doing it this way for about 14 years,” Lynch replied.
Ward D Councilman Jake Ephros interjected that it would be really helpful if such an analysis was done.
“If the uniforms themselves cost like $2,000 each and this is a good deal, maybe it is. But I’m not convinced the laundry and the extra service is necessary,” added Little.
Lynch stated that he was open to working with the Business Administrator’s Office for such an analysis.
“Fixed dollar amount every month?” questioned Councilman at-Large Rolando Lavarro.
“Yeah,” Lynch replied.
“Can you speak to the volume done on a monthly basis?” Gilmore asked.
Lynch further explained that there are special winter and summer seasonal sets, as well as the regular 3 uniforms.
“Do we track the weight of the load? … To get billed the same amount every month?” Gilmore asked, to which Lynch said the amount always varies.
“I get it, you inherited the program. It’s been like that. But to justify doing something by saying we’ve been doing it, that may have passed, flew in the past. But as I’m telling all these directors that come up, we’re 250 [million] in the red!”
Lynch continued to declare the contract a good deal, but Gilmore said “I don’t even wash by kids’ uniforms,” claiming this could be done in house.
Little repeated that she’d like to see a data analysis before committing to anything.
“It’s in their contract. It’s something that has to be looked at,” Acting DPW Director James Leavy told the governing body.
“We can still save money if we purchase the uniforms and find a local business that can launder the uniforms … and send DPW the bill. I’m pretty sure we can get a discount if we’re getting 500 uniforms a month,” Griffin asserted.
Lynch said that the current way complies with the union contract and that allowing a uniform allowance would require changes. He added that he thought Leavy was the right choice to lead DPW (he was nominated by Mayor James Solomon on April 15th).
“He’s very positive … very community related. He’s been practical. I’m confident he’ll do a great job for us,” Lynch expressed.
“He’s also very responsible. You guys at DPW sent me a death trap to drive, and he took care of it quickly,” Griffin replied.
The busier than usual four-and-a-half hour caucus meeting Monday also saw a sometimes heated discussion about the next recreation and youth development director, as well talking about waivers for certain employees who live elsewhere.
“Death trap to drive”?
Councilmembers get city cars?
What does that cost?
Just because Fulop was blowing money left and right does not mean Solomon has to continue.
Since when union contract supersedes City obligation to taxpayers?
Do what private industry does: buy them once and be over with it.
It takes quite a few of taxpayers to pay $ 300k/y.