(La Mesa Courier, La Mesa, CA) – Watchdog La Mesa Citizens Oversight Group (LMCOG) is calling the La Mesa City Council out, insisting more transparency is needed in the council’s dealings.
LMCOG cited three agenda items on the recent Jan. 8 La Mesa City Council meeting – a resolution to waive bidding requirements for purchase of a commercial lawnmower, discussion of eliminating the city’s Downtown Revitalization Subcommittee and proposed amendments to the council’s travel policy – as the most recent examples of the council’s need to be more forthcoming – and accountable – in its policies, particularly those dealing with fiscal expenditures.
“Bypassing the required open bidding process and showing only one proposal [for a lawnmower purchase] is a concern … that alternatives [such as purchasing used but newer equipment and subcontracting out work] haven’t been explored and that the city bargaining power is being maximized,” wrote Scott Kidwell, LMCOG spokesman, in a letter.
Kidwell’s letter goes on to say that his watchdog group “supports action that improves and protects open government and transparency ensuring full council participation in all issues and timely sharing of knowledge to each elected official and the public.”
Regarding council travel expenses, Kidwell in his letter said, “We support increased control and reporting of expenses. Our review of travel and expenses and reports from the past several years show the [council’s] adherence to the current policy is inconsistent. We can see no legitimate reason the expense of taxpayer monies should not be fully and specifically justified, well in advance, to meet the mission, purposes and policies of the city government.”
“Was [purchasing] a used machine considered?” asked Councilperson Ruth Sterling at the council meeting.
City staffer Greg Humora, replying to Sterling’s query, defended staff’s decision to waive the bidding process and purchase outright a John Deere 1600 commercial mower as the most practical – and cost-effective – solution to replacing outdated equipment.
“The high-volume use mower that cuts Harry Griffen Park is 16 years old, breaks down frequently and is difficult to find parts for now,” said Humora, adding the city got a substantial discount on purchasing a state-of-the-art John Deere 1600 Turbo Series II commercial mower from AA Equipment.
Humora noted bidding out replacement of the commercial mower would have been costly and, if implemented, would have resulted in purchase of a less-efficient machine prone to break down that would likely have cost the city a great deal in maintenance over the long term.
Councilman Ernie Ewin proposed discontinuing La Mesa City Council’s Downtown Revitalization Subcommittee, arguing it was no longer necessary, saying downtown issues could be handled by the council as a whole. His colleagues agreed, voting 5-0 to do so.
Kidwell said LMCOG was created in June 2012 by himself and a core group of other politically conservative individuals who are committed to holding the City Council more accountable for their actions. He said travel expenses are a prime example.
“The last few years there’s been a lot of travel by councilmembers,” Kidwell said. “I don’t think there was good exposure, or transparency, about what these trips were about, if they were germane to their jobs. I’ve been pushing pretty hard to have more transparency and more reporting on travel expenses.”
At the Jan. 8 meeting, Ewin’s proposal to adopt amendments clarifying the city’s travel policy were adopted. Kidwell described that development as “a very good start,” adding, “I would hope other cities would do the same.”
