IS IT TIME FOR THE MAYOR AND THE FULL CITY COUNCIL TO ENTER THE SENIOR CENTER CONTROVERSY?
In the latest article in the Katrina Foley Almost Daily Daily Pilot today (12/24/08) we read:
'“It’s an insult that Wendy would think we’re misspending money,” Scheafer said.' [Failed City Council candidate Mike Scheafer.]
'[Judy] Lindsay said she was offended by Leece’s claim that the center needs stricter financial oversight.'
'“The vote isn’t the important part. She has antagonized everyone. I have a staff that’s very uneasy because of her,” Goelman said.' [Center Director Aviva Goelman.]
Be sure to read the full article HERE.
Our opinion:-
THE CITIZENS OF COSTA MESA ARE HEAVILY INVESTED IN THE SENIOR CENTER. THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH THE CENTER IN OFFICIAL CAPACITIES SHOULD BE OFFERING COMPLETE COOPERATION AND TRANSPARENCY WITH OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS.
A few facts:-
The City of Costa Mesa and the Costa Mesa Senior Corporation entered into the Senior Center Agreement on April 19, 2005.
This ten page agreement sets forth the duties and responsibilities of the City and the Costa Mesa Senior Corporation and is primarily a lease agreement by and between the City as landlord and the Costa Mesa Senior Corporation as tenant, with some additional provisions.
Here are some of the major points of the agreement with our comments in []. When you see the words "The City," read: you as a taxpayer.
The City of Costa Mesa leases the Senior Center building at 695 West 19th Street to the Costa Mesa Senior Corporation for $1 a year. [If the City were to lease this building to a for profit business, the City would receive approximately $133,000 per year in rental payments.]
The City provides maintenance and repairs for the foundations, roof, exterior doors, landings, balconies and exterior walls of the Senior Center as well as the landscaping at no cost to the Costa Mesa Senior Corporation. [Actual cost (?) is in the City budget.]
The City gives a cash contribution to the Costa Mesa Senior Corporation each year that started off at $225,000 in fiscal year 2005 and has increased by $ 5,000 each year. Thus, in the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2010 the amount given will be $245,000. [June 30, 2010 is also when the present agreement terminates.]
The City also gives the Costa Mesa Senior Corporation various amounts under the CDBG program as the CM PRESS reported in CM PRESS # 559.
The City provides, at its own cost and expense, a transportation program to transport senior citizens to various locations throughout the City. Examples of transportation provided include trips for doctor appointments, banking, shopping, senior activities and visits with friends. [Actual cost (?) is in the City budget.] The Costa Mesa Senior Corporation coordinates the transportation.
Now, with all of the above, don't you think that the City Council should have a voting member or two on the Costa Mesa Senior Corporation's Board and don't you think that City Council members have a right to ask questions about where our money is going?
And, when senior citizens complain about conditions at the Senior Center, don't you think the City Council should take those complaints seriously and investigate?
SUPPOSE THE CITY AND THE COSTA MESA SENIOR CORPORATION AREN'T HAPPY WITH THE RELATIONSHIP
What can happen if the City or the Costa Mesa Senior Corporation are not happy with the relationship between the two entities?
Here's section 25 of the Agreement:TERMINATION
Either party may terminate this Agreement at any time by giving the other written notice no fewer than ninety (90) days in advance of such termination and in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 19 [Section 19 just gives the how, where and why for delivery of notices and nothing else]. In the event of such termination, City has the right to recover from Tenant the worth, at the time of the award, of the unpaid rent that had been accrued at the time of the termination of this Agreement and any other amount, including, but not limited to any court costs and attorney's fees necessary to compensate City for the eviction of Tenant.
THUS, IF THE PARTIES CAN'T RESOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES...
If the Costa Mesa Senior Corporation doesn't want City Council oversight, it can simply terminate the agreement and move out of the City's building at 695 West 19th Street.
And, if the City is not happy with the way things are going, it can terminate the agreement and ask the Costa Mesa Senior Corporation to vacate the premises.
In either case, the City can then do whatever it wants with the building, including, but not limited to, leasing it to a new tenant at full market rate or leasing it to a new corporation that serves senior citizens.
Mayor Pro Tem Wendy Leece is needed
Since so many people involved with the Costa Mesa Senior Corporation don't want Mayor Pro Tem Wendy Leece to be involved as a board member or as City Council liaison, she is exactly the person who should continue to be involved. What do they think they're running, a private club? We need oversight from someone who is not shy about asking questions. We don't need someone over there who goes along to get along.
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FRY'S FIRES EXECUTIVE OVER KICKBACK SCHEME
IRS says executive set up shell company and took $65 million in kickbacks from vendors.
LINK
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CITIZEN CORRESPONDENT AT KATRINA FOLEY ALMOST DAILY DAILY PILOT TODAY IS...KATRINA FOLEY. THE KFADDP JUST CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF THEIR PAL FOLEY. (This is not a photo of Foley)
Say, maybe Foley should get a shot as editor over at the KFADDP.
