It appears that the staff, headed by City Manager Warne, has a new way of doing business. I usually read the staff reports to prepare for the upcoming council meeting and to inform the readers of what’s on the menu for the night. Well, I was surprised on May 8th, 2012, when Matt McCleary of RSG, presented an “informational” session. The session was in regards to the Department of Finance’s denial of Project Phoenix and it was not listed on the Agenda, nor was it in the staff report. While some people thought it might be a violation of the Brown Act, it wasn’t. I think the “informational” session was in response to the amount of information that Cactus Thorns was/is putting out regarding the letters denying Project Phoenix.
It would seem that someone on the city staff has discovered a new way to contain what information needs to go in the staff report. This week, I read the staff report, and for some reason thought to check the agenda. Listed under Awards, Presentations, and Proclamations: Review of Pertinent Correspondence Between the Successor Agency Staff and San Bernardino County, Department of Finance and League of California Cities. Yet, there is nothing in the staff report. There may not be anything wrong with this, but it is not advisable policy to appear to be “managing” the information.
This can’t look right to the City Councilmen. This information is not in the staff report, therefore they do not have the information, either. This is a trend that I would like to see changed. Our City Councilmen should not be blindsided by “Pertinent Information”. They deserve better than that and so do we.
Most recent Correspondence.
29 Palms City Council Agenda: a Must Read,
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Hi Cora,
As a citizen you have the right to go to city hall and ask for copies of the “Pertinent Correspondence” that will have a “Review”.
Trust me the Council already knows exactly what documents will be reviewed and have copies of them all.
I can recall on several occasions where individual packets of information were placed in each Council members document holding bin that were marked “confidential” It was then up to each Council member to read the material.
Then there is the little known matter of any city staff member may talk to each Council member one at a time as long as that staff member does not repeat the ideas of thoughts of any other two Council members during that one on one meeting with the third Council member.
I foresee in the very near future we will see nothing on the agenda about “Project Phoenix” and the “Bonds”. Why? Once this matter transforms into an actual filing of legal documents against the State it will be handled entirely as “closed session” material. Then following those closed sessions the mayor will report, as dutifully told to report by the City Attorney, there “Is nothing to report from the closed session”.
It is this type of conduct that I fought when I was on the council.
I can recall actually leaving a closed session because the material being presented was not closed session material but rather an informational briefing about a regional recreation center that would include off-road facilities.
The reason it was being presented in closed session under the guise of property negotiations is because when the term “off-road” is used in a public setting by the city it draws the negative attention of the same few that a $100,000.00 sign is being built for and a potential 13 million dollar theater is being pursued for.
You, and I, as well as hundreds of others, can claim foul all we want but nothing, and I mean nothing, is going to change this “new”, really old, tactic by city staff until three Council members say enough is enough and we want to do the People’s business in the light of day.
Good luck Cora.
Steve,
I will go today and ask. Want to take bets on whether I get the information?
Not really.
The way it should work is that they go and make copies and then charge you ten or fifteens cents a copy.
However, I have heard from reliable sources, that any request for “public records” at our city hall, especially from anyone associated with negative viewpoints of city direction, will be sent to the city attorney for review which allows the city to delay anything and everything up to 10 days if I remember right.
I think you would fall into that “negative viewpoint” type of person in their eyes.
Again – good luck and please prove me wrong!
Fay and I need your Help. Tonight June 12th at 6:00PM the 29 Palms City Council will be hearing our application to legalize street vending under strict conditions and terms. So we can do business as a Hot Dog Cart in town as a Street Vendor. We would love you to to attend and show your support for Mustards Last Stand.
I wholly support Mustard’s Last Stand to do its vending business in 29 Palms, as well as I support all present and future vendors under the proposed code.
In order to have a more thriving and pleasantly open city, people need to allowed to enjoy the ambiance of having a city with vendors and street activities where people actually get out of their cars and enjoy the city. It’s good for the public, vacationers, tourism, travelers and JTNP goers.
Now when is the CC going to allow the public to have a Swap Meet at the drive-in theater? In yesterday’s LATimes, there is an article that the Average U.S. family’s wealth plunged 40% in recession, Fed says.
http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/la-fi-family-worth-20120612,0,3132029.story
Isn’t this good cause for the CC to get their heads out of their obsession with Project Phoenix and allow its people to purchase goods in a open and friendly market: It’s good for those vendors and their families; good for the public; good for the city.
The Planning Commission deserves a big thumbs-up for their vision and hard work.
Another issue: Where is the incentive for the public to attend CC meetings when staff hides the ball by omitting on the agenda one of the most important and controversial issues to face the public (Project Phoenix)? [See Steve Spear's comments to this story]
Unless the they changed the proposal since I last read it, it is unreasonable regulation. But that’s how government rolls these days.
Good luck Dan.