Pay-off for a Biased Report?
At the May
22, 2008 meeting the city held to have the writer of the financial report about
Proposition E explain his report, Parks Pemberton asked if the consultant (Economic and Planning Systems) had been guaranteed
at least $100,000 worth of contracts in the future in exchange for doing this
report. The consultant denied this. He insisted his company had no
contract with the city and would have to bid like anyone else on any future
work. (The city’s work order shows the Prop E report was to cost
$30,000. (The City Manager now says the city actually
paid only $17,000.))
This appeared on the
council agenda on 6/10/08:
Redevelopment Agency
Consent Calendar:
5. A.
RESOLUTION OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA WAIVING THE
FORMAL CONSULTANT SELECTION PROCESS AND APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH ECONOMIC
AND PLANNING SYSTEMS, INC. FOR FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS FOR PROJECTS
IN THE MERGED BAYFRONT/TOWN CENTRE I PROJECT AREA
B. RESOLUTION OF THE
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA WAIVING THE FORMAL CONSULTANT
SELECTION PROCESS AND APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH ECONOMIC AND PLANNING
SYSTEMS, INC. FOR FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS FOR PROJECTS IN THE MERGED
PROJECT AREA
Staff is proposing an
agreement with Economic and Planning Systems, Inc. for ongoing professional
services on an as needed basis for the Redevelopment Agency for consultation on
financing strategies and fiscal and economic consulting services related to new
development within the Bayfront Master Plan area that includes the development
proposal by Gaylord Entertainment for a hotel and convention center. Services
for
Economic and Planning Systems,
Inc. will include analysis of other development proposals throughout the Agency
project areas. (Finance Director)
Staff
recommendation: Agency adopt the resolutions.
(Eric Crockett said A was for $65,000 and B $40,000. Total $105,000.)
One would think before this appeared on the agenda staff had checked with EPS to make sure they were willing to do these two projects. Why didn’t consultant admit this? Did Mr. Garcia actually at least call several companies before choosing EPS?
Three members of the public
objected to this. One a Dr. of
Economics with 30 years of college teaching experience challenged the
competence of the consultant. The other
two brought up the consultant’s response to the question asked
at the May meeting and the unfairness of no-bid contracts in general.
Councilman Ramirez also objected,
because he too has become suspicious of all the no bid contracts being
granted by the city and the perception of favoritism this produces. (Councilman
Castaneda had to recuse himself from A
because of where he lives.)
Staff vigorously defended the need
for continuing with this consultant who has been used since 2005 in the
negotiations with Gaylord. The mayor also kept trying to justify it. The
Finance Director stated the consultant’s contract had expired in December, and
this was just an extension. This was an odd statement since the comments
of other staff indicated an on-going part in current negotiations. Eric
Crockett pointed out that Laurie
Madigan had chosen this consultant when she worked for the city. (This in
itself should be a red flag.) Three of the council voted to pass A, because it was presented as being necessary to
continue negotiations with Gaylord. No explanation was given as to why if
contract expired in December this was not brought to council then as an
extension or how city has been managing for six months without EPS.
The City Manager suggested since
there was no rush with B the normal
process for choosing consultants should be followed. (The mayor did try to
justify giving the contract to EPS, but had no support from the rest of
council.) Considering that Eric Crockett stated that there were four other
consultants who were already pre-approved for projects this should not take
long. Councilman Castaneda made
a point of saying he would not vote for B
and insisting that not only this contract be handle in the normal way, but
definite policies should be established to make sure the entire council
approves future projects. (Councilman Ramirez had to recuse himself from B, because his business is in this redevelopment
zone.)
At this meeting three people
spoke during public comments about the dirty politics and character
assassination that occurred during the election campaigns for the June 3
election. Janice Jentz made a passionate speech in defense of her father’s
character, which she does not want on YouTube, but it is on the city’s 6/10/08
website. Theresa Acerro
spoke about how much more important it is for people to organize now that they
have been denied a chance to vote on an important land use decision.
Parks Pemberton spoke about how
much he respects and admires Earl as we all do. No matter how horribly he was attacked
during this campaign Earl would not stoop to their level or allow any of those
who worked with him to do so. He feels this is just the start and the campaign
against the Elected City Attorney Initiative, which will be on the ballot in
November, will be just as dirty or worse. The powers that be simply do not want
the people to have a voice. We need to be vigilant to find out just what all
the fuss about E was about and be prepared to fight it by organizing
opposition, since we won’t get to vote on it.
The last item on the agenda
was approving the 2008-2009
budget. (The entire discussion as well as RDA and Capital budgets can be
seen at the city’s website by
clicking on item 6 on the agenda.)
Substantial cuts have been
made, because projected income is over 20 million dollars less than past years.
The economic situation is grim. So far early retirements and attrition have
allowed the city to do very few layoffs. Mostly the dispatchers whose jobs were
contracted out to San Diego were the only ones who were laid off. The hiring
freeze will be continued for another year. The smaller staff will affect
services. The hours of the libraries will remain cut. Attempts were made to cut
recreation programs with lowest attendance, but some were cut.