Breaking News:
Beeline: Council is notified two
weeks after the Beeline contract with MV Transportation expired that staff
wants the contract renewed for 15 months. Read
the report here. By not bringing this issue before Council 6 months ago,
the Council had no alternative than to continue the contract with MV. CM
Quintero asked about fueling as the cost of fuel came into consideration as the
buses have to be sent to fueling stations in LA, Burbank and into the Valley as
the City fueling station has been taken out of service and the public waits for
the new station to be online in 8 months. Dr. Richard Espiritu spoke to the
issue of the number of breakdowns the buses were having, the poor maintenance
and other issues. Public Works Director Steve Zurn said that the Council would
be aware from the phone calls they would receive if the buses were down. [ED –
How many people riding the Beeline would call a Council member? Vanguard has
been around for several years and we have only 3 cell phone numbers for Council
members.] Barry Allen followed Dr. Espiritu and spoke to the contract and
financial issues, including the fact that MV Transportation did not provide
medical insurance and that was an issue for needing more money. Council member
Yousefian questioned staff about the financial issues that were quite unclear
in the document. City Manager Starbird made apologies for the poor staff
report. Yousefian went on record that he was opposed to the 15-month renewal
and then voted for the 15 months. The Council agreed to extend the contract for
15 months and fund the three months for just under a million dollars. They
would wait for the budget discussion to fund $7,000,000+. CM Weaver displayed
little interest and only wanted to vote. Mayor Najarian missed the meat and
only wanted to compare the costs of the Beeline with those of the MTA. Drayman appeared to be surprised
about the issue. Quintero and Yousefian have already been mentioned.
The issue as to why
this matter didn’t come before Council six months ago when an RFP could have
been issued was not brought up. The fact that the fare box system is not
working nor has there been any financial audit of the fareboxes since MV has
had the contract was not discussed. Most importantly, drivers were quizzed on Wednesday morning as to who is
leaking information to Dr. Espiritu. The Beeline has caused injuries to
passengers due to defective equipment.
In order to protect
employee or contract workers, Glendale needs a whistleblower ordinance
similar to that of the state.
Click here to read the
government code.
Expensive Reports: The staff report noted above was
·
prepared
by April Fitzpatrick Executive Analyst annual
base pay $91,640
·
submitted
by Steve Zurn Director of Public Works annual
base pay 180,900
·
approved
by Yasmin Beers for Jim Starbird City Manager annual base
pay 135,636
·
reviewed
by Scott Howard City Attorney annual base pay 202,788
·
reviewed
by Ron Ahlers Acting Director Of Administrative Services – Finance
annual base pay
between $135,000 & &178,000
This report, that was
the subject of Mr. Starbird’s apology, would not have come to the attention of
the Council (other than Mr. Yousefian who reads his packet) had not Dr.
Espiritu brought it before Council.
PERSONAL Phone Numbers: DPW Director Zurn indicated that Beeline riders would have
contacted the Council if Dr. Espiritu was correct about the number of bus
breakdowns. Based on Mr. Zurn’s statement, Vanguard will be publishing the
personal numbers of the five Council members and top management to facilitate
that contact.
Due Diligence: Kosti Shirvanian of Newport Beach owns Komar Investment LLC. It is a
multi-million dollar firm that has offered to build a Marriott hotel at 111 E Wilson. Apparently Marriott dropped out and
the public is waiting to learn of what is to happen with that property. Why is
this a due diligence issue? A recent article in the LA Times covered an
investigation into trash contracts in Gardena and 10 years ago in Compton. The major commercial trash contract
is with a company owned by Kosti Shirvanian. Shirvanian has been asked to give
up some of his business to Haig Papaian the owner of the Commerce Casino.
Papaian operates the residential trash service. So the question is, “Has the Glendale
Redevelopment Agency investigated Komar and its relationship to Glendale Council members and City Staff?”
Meanwhile an Internet search on Komar shows a parked website,
“Whoownsfrankquintero.com,” with a connection to Komar. Click
here for full story including link to Compton corruption.
Municipal Pay Raises are coming again. Unfortunately
they will be greater than the 1% pay increase received by the private sector
(you and me) where the productivity increased 18%. City employees will get
between 3 and 4% per year with scads of perks and pensions. They are not
trquired to have any productivity increase as their pay is not tied to merit.
Besides there are no measurements of productivity by City management.[i]
Council Pay Raises
went into effect last week.
Complaints: School Board member Greg Krikorian
complained about the City Council when he ran for a Council seat. His complaint
was that the Council spent too much time on affordable housing and not enough
time on helping small business. He omitted two very important issues:
- He applied for and received an
interest free loan of $35,000 from the City as a first time homebuyer.
- Business Life and Senior Living
magazines (he either is an owner of them according to statements at
candidate forums or an employee according to the statement of economic
interest) receive about $12,000 per year from the City of Glendale for advertising. This
enterprise is a small business under the widely accepted definition of a
small business being one with less than 500 employees. He forgot to
mention that the City does purchase from his small business.
Advertisers use audit reports to compare and evaluate advertising opportunities,
and most national and regional advertisers require audited circulation. Local
advertisers look for audited circulation as a mark of credibility and
professionalism. Publishers either have an outside audit by ABC or BPA to
verify that they publish what they claim otherwise advertisers require print
and mail receipts. Neither John nor Greg Krikorian returned Vanguard phone
calls to determine if their circulation is audited. Circulation auditors ABC
and BPA are unfamiliar with Business Life or Senior Living, magazines published
by Krikorian.
Glendale Redevelopment Agency: Check out their web page. In recent
years there has been a lot of activity but no headway. They succeeded in giving
away millions on the Americana and thousands on façade improvements. They hosted an
event to hustle investors but it wasn’t well focused or organized. Anyone can
give stuff away but it takes talent, skill and understanding to sell your
product. Developers have told Vanguard that other cities, even with business
taxes, are easier to do business with. It doesn’t take expensive consultants
just an enlightened management, from the top down. Rick Caruso is building an
830,000 square foot mall in Arcadia. Did their City Council give away the
land? Answer: No, it was not theirs to give. The land belonged to a private
developer and the City stayed out of the deal. Glendale Director of Development
Services receives a base salary of $153,792.
Published
independently by Vanguard – Our vision
is to live in a City where all people, regardless of geography, background or
economic status, can enjoy accountability, integrity, effectiveness and
responsiveness from our elected officials and each of the city's departments
CONTENTS:
1) Commentary
2) Announcements - Letters-
Calendar – Links
3) Statement to City Council
4) Help Vanguard – Your
Contributions Count!
You may agree or
disagree with the views below. Feel free to comment on them.
A
private note to Mayor Najarian: You have a delightful family and we would hope
to see more of them. You have backed away from being a judge to being a
referee. That also has a negative connotation. A referee needs to be outside
and independent, not a player in the game. If you are suggesting that you are a
referee between the Council and the Public, you would have to rule in favor of
the public because, otherwise, the playing field is not at all level as can be
seen with staff and council comments coming after Oral Communications.
Let’s examine the Challenges to the new Council:
- Campaign Finance Reform. The
big money that is generated each election cycle is unnecessary. This money
leads to corruption, vote trading, and selling the vote. Developers are
forced to add thousands of dollars to their projects. We have seen the
result of the obvious just by watching the former mayor. In fact Vanguard
filed a Brown Act cure and correct letter for the delivery of a staff
report affecting one developer.
- Improved Fiscal Responsibility
and Accountability. The fire department alone last year cranked up almost
$1,217,500 worth of overtime just on reportable injuries. The Beeline has
NEVER had a cashbox audit and now the fare-box system doesn’t work. The
buses breakdown constantly and are in ill repair. The MV Transportation
contract has ended. Yet the transportation department asked for and
received a 15-month renewal after the contract has expired. The Council
has not shared with the public the unfunded portion of the pension
program.
- Creation of a Public Safety
Committee with oversight of Police, Fire and Paramedics and ADA. The Police and Fire
Departments run without oversight. The Council has a hands off approach.
As the Council and management give platitudes to these departments they
have not a clue as to how they operate. The cost of law suits, injuries, overtime,
growth, promotions. There are no metrics measuring the effectiveness of
either department. Vanguard requests to the Fire Department often end in
derision by the GFD management. What do the two new chiefs do? Did we need
the extra expense? Does $25,000,000 for two rebuilt fire stations get the
rigs there any quicker? How much does it cost when the firefighters take a
truck out to buy groceries, wear & tear, fuel etc? A Public Safety
Committee is a needed function, unlike the TPC that met for 4 out of 12
regular meetings.
- Civility among Council members.
In the past CM Quintero and former CM Manoukian didn’t speak with each
other over a long festering feud. Weaver wanted to have the public evicted
from Council Chambers for any ‘infraction’ such as laughter or applause.
Council members, with the exception of Yousefian appeared to not have read
the Council packets and were unprepared to discuss issues publicly which
gives way to questions of backroom negotiating, a Brown Act prohibition.
- Greater Transparency of the
Legislative Process. Much of what goes on at Council occurs during closed
sessions, sessions that are not mandated to be closed. These sessions can
be opened up to the public by the Council directing staff to so do.
Remember that the City Attorney represents the Council and Staff, not you
and me, the public.
- Create an Ethics Commission.
Presently we ask the Council to discipline itself. It doesn’t and won’t
happen. Did the Council direct Mr. Weaver to repay the City for the
services that were given to Miss Asia? When Mr. Yousefian indicated that
he had been solicited for a bribe did he tell the authorities? In fact Mr.
Weaver told him to shut up. The Council will not discipline itself. The
City investigator has had opportunities to investigate wrongdoing by
elected officials and those cases are sitting by the wayside. Let’s have
an ethics commission, as does Los Angeles to make certain our elected
officials and managers are accountable.
ACCOUNTABILITY
is the issue!
The Glendale Municipal Code,
2.83.070 on the improper use of city position or prospective position. “No
official of the city…shall use his/her position, or the power or authority of
his/her office or position, in any manner intended to induce or coerce any
person to provide, directly or indirectly, anything of value which shall accrue
to the private advantage, benefit or economic gain of the official, or of any
other person. (Ord. 5219 (part), 1999)”
Integrity
starts with the individual
TAKE ACTION – GET INVOLVED – BE INFORMED
Announcements – Letters -- Calendar
.
ED – Letters published do
not necessarily express the opinion of Vanguard, the publication, the
organization or Barry Allen.
·
Your
comments about Greg Krikorian not being the best example for the students as a
role model if he is appointed as president of the School Board were very valid.
No doubt those comments fell on deaf ears. Sort of, “I don’t practice what I
preach.” Then again I couldn’t understand why Dave Weaver was re-elected after
the way he received all that free service for his friend Virgelia. It must be
frustrating to dig up that information and have the voters shine it on. Thanks,
Vanguard. I am going to send you a check to keep up the good work you do. RM [ED Krikorian was appointed
president of school board]
·
The
killings at Virginia Tech made me realize that former Council member Manoukian
was right when he wanted to discuss the sale of guns across the street from Glendale Community College. LC
·
Here
is a link to the Clery Act that parents should know if they have friends or
family attending college. Click here
for information on the campus security law. Jeff Lerman, Attorney
GENOCIDEEVENTS.COM: WORLDWIDE ARMENIAN
GENOCIDE COMMEMORATION EVENTS
April 24, 2007 marks the 92nd
Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Armenians worldwide will be commemorating
the First Genocide of the 20th Century with solemn religious and
civil ceremonies. Along with the Armenian people, prominent celebrities and
statesmen will be participating in this day of remembrance. Click
here for more.
Colburn Orchestra was at the Alex Theater on April 15. What a treat! These performers playing
the music or Dvorak, Ravel and Schubert could blow away the LA Phil. They were
energetic, flawless and enthusiastic. The conductor. Jorge Mester (20+ years
with the Pasadena Symphony) was a treat to watch. He is so animated.
The Colburn School offers free tuition and room and board to those
musicians that pass its rigorous auditions. Click here for more.
www.ripoffreport.com
Check out this site before you do business
Click here for Vanguard
Archives by Hal Weber
TIPS
for your presentation
before City Council or any of the boards or commissions:
- Do NOT make personal
attacks…this can’t be stressed enough
- Do your research and present
facts
- If you present an opinion,
indicate that the statement is your opinion
- Do not give your materials to
the legislative body until you have finished your presentation
- If you present in a language
other than English be prepared with an interpreter
- If you have a presentation that
requires a computer (PowerPoint) contact the City Clerk or
Ritch
Wells at Management Services
Prickly City April
17, 2007
City
Calendar
April 25, 2007
NOTE Council
Meeting will be Wednesday not Tuesday
Click on the underlined to view the agenda
City Council - Housing Authority -- Redevelopment Agency
Tuesday, April 24
Armenian Genocide Commemoration – 6:30 pm, Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd.
548-6464. Tickets may be picked up
at the Alex Theatre Box Office prior to the event.
Wednesday, April 25
Zoning
Administrator's Hearing -- 9:30 am, Municipal Services Building, Room
105, 633 E. Broadway, Glendale. 548-2140
Special Meeting – Redevelopment
Agency (re-scheduled from Tuesday) – 2:30 pm, City
Council Chambers, 548-2005
Civil
Service Commission -- 5:00 pm, City
Council Chambers, City Hall, 548-2110
Special Meeting – Glendale
City Council (re-scheduled from Tuesday) – 6:00 pm, City
Council Chambers, City Hall 548-4844
Thursday, April 26
Design
Review Board #1 -- 1:00 pm, Municipal Services Building, Room
105, 633 E. Broadway, Glendale. 548-2140
Arts and
Culture Commission -- 7:00 pm, City
Council Chambers, City Hall, 613 E. Broadway, Glendale. 548-2000
Friday, April 27
2nd Annual Take Back the Night Rally and March – Glendale
Commission on the Status of Women –
4:30 pm, Perkins Plaza behind
City Hall, 613 E. Broadway, Glendale. 548-4844
Statement to City Council:
“Good
evening your honor, Judge Najarian, Council, staff and the public. I am Barry
Allen of Vanguard the community accountability watchdog. Last night the Council
appointed Mr. Najarian the mayor for the next year. In his acceptance he
indicated that as a Judge pro tem, he would use that training to run council
meetings like a judge. The public, not just the Citizens of Glendale, was
expecting a mayor,
not a judge. A Judge has private side bar meetings and meetings in chambers when
he doesn’t want the public to hear the discussion and sends the jury away when
he doesn’t want them to be privy to ‘secret’ information. This is not what the
public wants. The public wants openness, transparency and public debate. In
fact we want fewer closed sessions. Closed sessions are permissible not
mandatory.
Judge
Najarian wants decency and decorum; no laughter, applause, jeering, cheering,
smirking or sneering. We want accountability, our first amendment rights of
expression and press. We want Vanguard and other media available in City Hall
even if it is critical of the government. Judge Najarian we await your ruling
on that availability, as we know that you, as an officer of the Court would not
jeopardize the first amendment as did your predecessor. We want to be able to
emote and share our opinions by our expression. Things that were denied us by
the former mayor whose actions resulted in a least one civil rights lawsuit. We
want a Council free from corruption.
The
oath of office included pledging your allegiance to the US and California Constitutions…not the Glendale
Charter or Municipal code that includes admonitions on the use of your office
for private gain. We want to be encouraged to come before Council and state our
case, not discouraged by the flaunting of public office. We want civility from
the dais along with your full attention. Turn off your cell phones and
blackberry’s, take turns going into the backroom stay with us and stay alert.
Your honor, we respectfully request that you reconsider being a Judge and
staying the Mayor, a job for which you are well qualified.”
Vanguard encourages your input and needs your ongoing
support!
Send your tax-deductible contribution today!
Vanguard
Emailto:ba@fieldworks.net or call 818 243
1502
Please
make checks payable to Vanguard & Mail to Post Office Box 11202 Glendale CA 91226
© 2007
Vanguard-USA Intended for personal use by recipient and forwarding without
change to recipient’s personal email list. Vanguard is in legal formation as a
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