Earlier today I received four call from residents about their receiving the Fall 2008 issue of Mission Viejo Leisure Time magazine in today’s mail. Well, our copy just arrived.
The headline on page one reads “Rose Parade Float Volunteers Needed.” And it states: “The grand finale of the City’s 20th Anniversary of Cityhood celebration will be an entry in the 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade. Hundreds of volunteers will be needed to create our beautiful float, so gather your family, friends and neighbors and be part of Mission Viejo history! Also a great way for students to earn community service hours.” Further down the page it says “Transportation, meal and souvenir included.”
Wait a minute. This magazine had to be created and printed prior to today, August 27th. How many times have I blogged that city manager Dennis Wilberg admitted not having a design or contract with Fiesta Floats yet he marches down the road as if he had the authorization to proceed.
Based on his aggressive position on this non justified waste of taxpayer funds he is ignoring the appropriate procedures of a public entity. Namely we vote before we commit. The next meeting of the city council will be Tuesday Sept 2nd. Has there been a Brown Act violation where the majority has already agreed to this participation?
Why couldn’t the city staff wait until AFTER the vote before publishing this magazine?
Larry, you already know the answer to that question. They are LATE, months LATE, based on your interviews of other city participants.
While the council “budgeted” $300,000 for the float, by the time this project is completed, due to a very late start, and we bus and feed hundreds of volunteers traveling to Pasadena, this CIP floor will be broken.
Wouldn’t it be nice if the city council majority boycotted the next two meetings to test the city manager’s authority. I guess he knows they are simply rubber stamps.
Note: As we will be out of the country we will not be there to question this pending design and Contract.
email sent to city council by former city community service commissioner and council candidate:
“Today I received my copy of the Fall MV City Leisure Time Magazine.
To quote page 2 of this magazine “The grand finale of the City’s 20th Anniversary of Cityhood celebration will be an entry in the 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade.”
Then there follows on that page a schedule and call for float decorating volunteers.
Questions:
1. How can city staff call for float volunteer activities before the Council has meet and voted for a float entry and expenditure as well as authorized city staff to issue a contract to a float designer/builder? Is it not true that having a planning budget item for a float is in reality just an estimate item and without a council vote authorization to implement such an item is reason enough for staff to not proceed ahead and advertise as if it has become a fact. Does not said item have to become an council authorized CIP or Expenditure activity in order to proceed ?
2. If the above is true should the citizens be embarrassed of a late council decision or an early staff implementation ? Should this be viewed as a lack of leadership of the council where city staff is proceeding ahead of a council vote to enter said float in the parade ? Has the Recreation and Community Services Department improperly acted hastily on this matter ? Is it within their operating budget to expend labor on this item before a council vote to proceed has occurred ? I also note that the city web site is also calling for volunteers !
3. Should the citizens be concerned ? Have we received proper public notification ? Has council meetings given proper public notification with public discussions and opinions on said float voting ? Has budget authorizations and controls properly been implemented ?
Do not misunderstand me. I am not raising a question about entering a float in the parade. My questions is about the ongoing business practice. This is a question of protocol and not about entering a float or not.
Bill Barker
Wilberg’s consistent posture is either to act as if he doesn’t need approval or to lead the sheep on the council. The float fiasco is a battle cry for those who believe city hall is long overdue for housecleaning.
Thank you also for mentioning the costs involved in transporting and feeding anyone who volunteers. Look at the city’s check register and see how many “free” meals taxpayers fund each month. Most of those feeding at the trough are city employees! Wilberg says the “community” is participating. When investigated (e.g., easel “volunteers,”), it’s smoke and mirrors.
The budget of $300,000 for the float will be exceeded many times over. Look at the staff time, advertising, “free” meals, transportation, rental of tables, chairs and other equipment for the staff (“volunteer”) parties, tickets for Rose Parade “VIPs” and much more.
City hall staffers have a constant scam going to eat, drink and party under the guise it’s a “community” project. The only community benefiting from the float is Pasadena. The community of Mission Viejo is getting the shaft.