From the Email InBox: Review of City Council Meeting

Dear Gramps, I know you were out of town... so please post my review..

Review of City Council Meeting April 24, 2007.

The City Council held its meeting without the participation of Council Member Garcia, or Council Member Cortez.

The RDA Approved the Transfer of the Webber Property to the City for the Purpose of Building a Senior Housing Complex.

Patricia Farley questioned the legality of the land transfer under the provision sighted by the City Manager/RDA Director. The Current EIR of the Senior Housing Revised Plan is still under the Public Review Phase and under Legal Action as well. In addition the General Plan locates the Senior Housing to be on Barton Road not Grand Terrace Road, so the land transfer for the stated purpose does seem not to fit the justification provided by Mr. Schwab City Manager. When Council Member Miller asked about the legal entanglements, Mr. Schwab not the City Attorney offered an opinion, that there was no problem in approving the transfer. Where did Mr. Schwab go to law school?

This ended the RDA Portion of the Meeting.

Proclamations 3

Patricia Farley rose to the podium and asked why on the Check Vouchers there continued payments are being made to Jameson Group, Megna the folks who brought the city the now defunked OAC.

The question was not answered. The answer is. Mr. Koontz works for the City and Jamison Group and is paid for doing work for the city by Jameson… An audit of his time and activity sheet would be informative. The Question should be is Koonts Double Dipping, and is this a conflict of interest?

Patricia Farley also asked about the Water Company building going on Michigan amongst area where there are residents and land owners who will continue to be in residence. She indicated that the land was residential zoned.

City Manager Tom Schwab responded to this in a belittling tone directed at Patricia Farley but also to the entire citizenry if we the Citizens of Grand Terrace truly review the topic. Schwab said the project is in properly zoned land. Well, if the zoning on the County Tax Records have changed to reflect proper zoning that will be news. Schwab refers to the General Plan Map for his Authority on what the zoning is on a piece of property. When if fact the zoning has not been changed to match the Plan. Land Zoning Designations have to be changed and recorded in the County Records.

Then Schwab reviewed that the Water Company Building had already gone through the Planning, and City Council Approval Process. Yes, he is correct; when objections and concerns were raised in these forums they were summarily ignored or waived. Several issues were brought forth including the building of a metal building which is not in conformance with the City Code even on Industrial Property. As I recall, Council Member Hilkey or Miller indicated they were in support of the project except the Metal Buildings.

Patricia Farley reminds us that one or 400 voices have no impact with the City Manager but it does open the door to a Court Action. Failure to bring your concerns to the Public Meeting at City Hall and on the record at Planning Meetings, City Council Meetings and RDA Meetings will result in the Court House Door being closed.

SO… the lesson is, don’t expect the City Council to Hear You, Pay Attention, or be moved by fact and logic. They will do as they are told by Mr. Schwab. However, the Court House Door is open when you speak to their closed ears.

Patricia Farley also mentioned the AES Proclamation Against the AES Power Plant. She reminded the City Council that this is a real issue that will have a real adverse impact on the city, and the High School being planned, and previously supported by the City Council Members. She indicated that this proclamation was more important to the citizens of Grand Terrace than the other 3 proclamations of the evening.

No Council Member or Member of Staff chose to respond regarding the AES Power Plant Issue. No announcement about a Town Meeting. No indication that any of the Council Members have studied up on the issue. Zip.. Nada, Zero so much for taking the leadership role.


Moving on to the Red Light Photo Enforcement a way to make the city safer and not cost the city anything. Do it and Do it in all 10 places if it would not be any cost. Enforcement is needed at the intersection near the Middle School., Mt. Vernon and De Berry.

All funds from the tickets should be put in an escrow account for the term of the contract and not spent or allocated until the expiration of the contract. The surplus could or should be set aside for YOUTH PROGRAMS… as an annuity that the City Manager can’t reassign.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could use camera enforcment for Fireworks, Speeding, and Noise?