Vote on Funds for Convention Delayed

The City Council on Tuesday agreed to spend an extra $2 million to cover shuttle-bus transportation for delegates at the Democratic National Convention. But council members delayed a decision on whether to give convention organizers $4 million to cover a cash shortfall.

Convention backers had promised not to ask the city for cash to cover the event’s expenses. But fell about $10 million short of their fund-raising goals.

The council asked the chief legislative analyst to study a proposal to provide $4 million to the convention’s host committeethrough grants or loans. The council will vote on whether and how to assist the convention backers when the legislative analyst completes its study, possibly by Friday.

Some council members said they will support spending city money on the convention to ensure a successful event. Others, however, said the city should pay nothing extra.

“The convention will go on. They’re not going anywhere else. The convention’s going to be the same whether or not we give them the money,” Councilman Joel Wachs said.