On February 8, 2011, the Legislative Analyst's Office issued a report explaining the background of the Redevelopment Agencies – RDAs: their original purpose, what they have morphed into, and why they are being eliminated.
Among the reasons for elimination of the RDA Program is Limited Transparency and Accountability:
“Redevelopment agencies lack some of the key accountability and transparency elements common to other local agencies. Specifically, unlike other local agencies, redevelopment agencies can incur debt without voter approval. Redevelopment agencies can also redirect property tax revenues from schools and other local agencies without voter approval or the consent of the local agencies.
In addition, although redevelopment programs are authorized in state law and increase state costs, redevelopment programs lack the key accountability elements that are common to state–supported local assistance programs. Specifically, no state agency reviews redevelopment economic development activities or ensures that project areas focus on the program’s mission. We also note that use of redevelopment is not limited to communities with low property wealth—some of California’s most affluent cities have declared large sections of their jurisdictions “blighted.” ...”
Instead of closing down their RDAs the City of Imperial Beach is packing them with massive payrolls of not only their friends, but themselves.
The City of Imperial Beach lists 13 positions on the 'Approved Budget Fiscal Year 2011-2012' drawing from the RDA; but the salaries add up to $1.3 Million. That's $97,750 per person. $75,000 pads the pockets of City Attorney Jennifer Lyon, $376,350 for “Professional Services”, $792,344 for Salaries, and they even had the nerve to add $47,900 for random junk like “trips, memberships, & subscriptions”.
On pages 114 and 116 the Mayor, Council Members, City Clerk, City Manager, City Planner, Code Compliance, Finance Supervisor, Finance Director, Community Development Director, and Associate Planner are diverting part of their salaries to RDA . The only reason they could possible have for this move would be to grab power and hide their illegal activities.
The Mayor and Council Members are suppose to represent The People as the check on the City Employees. But when Council and City join together to circumvent the Law we are way out of balance.
I am an Accountant with a Masters' in Administration. I can not believe what I see – and I am not allowed access to much. The City Manager, Gary Brown, has refused access to Public Records and has refused to allow me to address the Council. I forwarded the refusal letter the City Manager sent me to the Mayor and every Councilman requesting that they over-ride the City Manager, but no one has replied.
I can see a massive shift in money in 2010, but there is no Budget available for the Year Ending 2009 available. It's not just the salaries; they are trying to shift millions of dollars to the RDA program before to avoid accountability. And avoiding accountability is the only logical reason.
This is not a budget, this is a massive power grab. Our City Attorney, Elected, & Appointed Officials are conspiring against The City itself and they must be removed immediately. What they are doing is not only illegal but immoral. We entrust them to do what is best for their Community. Instead of working to better the City they're pillaging it.
The City of Imperial Beach shows the shocking reality of RDA funding. Our City doesn't have a $300,000 shortfall, we actually millions in surplus because of massive cut backs in social programs and funding to the schools.
Wow! I'm really curious about the saleries and the trips, memberships and subscriptions! I wonder if it is possible that we'd save money if we had our own city attorney, who kept us out of court, and didn't make money for another law firm, everytime IB needs legal advice? I think it would be great to see the Mayor get involved, set up a citizens' task force to look at how other cities handle big expenses like the attorney, graffiti, etc. The last city I lived in, had a $10 limit on gifts to elected officials, had volunteers to help deal with the graffiti problem and paint was stored at stategic locations. We had many public/private partnerships to help during tough economic times. The volunteers also helped to keep swimming pools and community centers open. It sounds like IB could benefit from input from its citizens. The problem right now, is that everyone is afraid to speak up. They don't want to be punished, have Code Enforcement peaking over their fences, etc. Only the mayor can change the "tone", let in the sunshine, and allow residents to participate. The city manager and city attorney aren't going to do it. If our elected officials aren't getting the message then shame on us. We'll have to do better and vote them out in the next election. Meanwhile, I hope that everyone thanks Libi for the work she's put into enlightening us and supports her efforts. It's a thankless task, she's taken on.
http://lgcr.sco.ca.gov/CompensationDetail.aspx?entity=City&id=11983738400&year=2010&GetCsu=False
2009 is unknown.... 2010 - $6,602,640...a gain of $213,317 in two years.... 2011 taxes collected $7,124,965..a gain of $522,325... ...$735,642 more taxes collected in the last few years..- mostly from property tax increases... rda's allow them to raise taxes without notifying the public...
If you would like to be a voice for accountability and transparency in Imperial Beach you need to use your full and real name for this blog.
libi is the hebrew word for 'my heart'
I hear lot's of talk all the time from residents who want changes in our community. The only way that will happen is if resident's attend these meetings and voice their concerns. Perhaps, if there is a real surplus of funds; we could have these meetings' televised on our local community channel. That way even disabled and homebound residents could participate. Gee, maybe there's a way for feedback to be recorded back via internet so the city council will hear our comments during each meeting. What a concept, get involved and know the fact's before speak out.
i went to the last city council meeting....the city manager wants to ticket anyone over ten years old for riding a bike on the sidewalks because state law ''gives the city discretion in this area''...when the other council member started to voice concerns a city official stood up and said the problem was that it's already illegal to ride a bike on the sidewalks in the business district but "no one knows where the business districts are"...then the mayor chimmed in "..yea....who knows that...who knows how to tell where the business district is.." to all of our city officials: the business district: where the businesses are located the residential district: where the residence are located the industrial district: where the industries are located then they started talking about putting in bike paths and educating the public....but there is no funding attached to this ordinance and they don't even have bike paths on i.b. blvd for the high school that's a block from city hall...
other revelations from the mayor: - the council isn't required to know anything "it's a popularity contest" - the reason city officials and the council have their wages in rda is because they spend that amount of time working on rda - i.b. is a bedroom community that's never going to make money except by raising property taxes - they use rda so they so they can subvert prop 13 and raise property taxes i said to him: " if i.b. is just a bedroom community that's never going to make money why are you putting the city in debt with all this construction....it doesn't make any sense, does it ? " i saw a moment of clarity in his eyes.....then he walked out...
finance director maximum salary = $125,435 ... actual = $144,840 grounds supervisor max salary = $66,560 ... actual = $76,577 network administrator = $76,661 ...actual = $92,032 public works director = $,125,435...actual = 143,847 view the salary caps for every city & county in cali at: http://lgcr.sco.ca.gov/CompensationDetail.aspx?entity=City&id=11983738400&year=2010&GetCsu=False
"The information presented is posted as submitted by the reporting entity. If you have any questions, please contact that entity ..." So Mayor Janney pick your poison. Are the wages being shown on the Controller's website for Imperial Beach accurate? if so, this data clearly contradicts your claims that IB is running a "lean and mean government"... Or, is this data merely "political propaganda" as you stated to Libi? If this is the case, then as per the Controller's disclaimer (as shown above), the City of Imperial Beach would be the true source of any "political propaganda" being reported to the state. It's important to understand that the only reason the CA State Controller started requesting employee wage information from every government agency in the state was to provide the public with some sense of transparency in the wake of the City of Bell Corruption Scandal. I sincerely hope that the City of Imperial Beach would not purposely attempt to deceive IB residents or the State Controller by reporting false information. Tim
This was a very interesting read. I'm afraid our little lazy beach town is going to have to get off it's fat A__ and do something about all this or it will end up on the top most corrupt cities list. It seems like everyone, including myself, who lives here close enough to hear the waves, are living the beach combers syndrome. We are all so layed back and enjoying life while an undercurrent of mass proportions is working to smash all of our beach dwellers dreams!