ABSTRACT: After the Planning Commission voted unanimously (3-0) to recommend Robert Leidig’s Carmel Convalescent Hospital property annexation request be denied at their 11 April 2007 meeting, the City apparently contracted with Pacific Municipal Consultants (PMC) to assist them with Leidig’s proposal. On September 14, 2007, Rigoulette, LLC, the owner of the property, filed a "Description" with the Monterey County Planning Department. On September 25, 2007, the City wrote a check for $10,527.60 for “Professional Planning Services-Carmel Hospital Annexation Site" to PMC. In that context, the Ralph M. Brown Act is cited, information on Pacific Municipal Consultants is presented and Comments are made with regard to the actions of the Mayor, City Council Members and City Administrator.
The State of California’s Open Government Law, the Ralph M. Brown Act (California Government Code Sections 54950-54963), states, in part, as follows:
“In enacting this chapter, the Legislature finds and declares that the public commissions, boards and councils and the other public agencies in this State exist to aid in the conduct of the people's business. It is the intent of the law that their actions be taken openly and that their deliberations be conducted openly.”
“The people of this State do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created.”
The Mayor, City Council Members and the City Administrator have failed to honor the intent of the Ralph M. Brown Act by failing to inform Carmelites about the City’s contract with Pacific Municipal Consultants involving Robert Leidig’s Carmel Hospital Redevelopment project.
Pacific Municipal Consultants“PMC offers a broad range of comprehensive municipal services to public agencies.”
Planning Services, including LAFCo And Annexations and Zoning.
Monterey Office
585 Cannery Row
Suite 304
Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: (831) 644-9174
Fax: (831) 644-7696
For more information about PMC, click on Post title above, or copy, paste and click http://www.pmcworld.com/
Carmel-by-the-Sea
October 2007 Check Register
(Includes checks dated 9/25/07)
113927 9/25/07 PMC $ 10,527.60 PROFESSIONAL PLANNING SERVICES-CARMELHOSPITAL ANNEXATION SITE
COMMENTS:
• Carmelites are unaware of the City’s contract with Pacific Municipal Consultants and the extent of the Professional Services provided to the City because this item was not placed on a public agenda.
• Another waste of taxpayer money, another covert action by the City.
• The Mayor, City Council Members and City Administrator should show respect for Carmelites by heeding the intent of the Ralph M. Brown Act, particularly with respect to the following:
“The people of this State do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created.”
4 comments:
How arrogant! If it wasn't for this blog the public would never know about such dealings. Where are the local papers? Isn't it their duty to keep the public informed instead of providing information favorable to the administration and omitting that which is unfavorable or covert?
What else is Sue et al. not telling us?
Local media and community groups are compromised in their ability to tell the truth to Carmelites. The reason they are compromised is they fear ostracism and controversy more than anything else. So they spin more positives than negatives, more raves than rants, more cheers than chides when in reality there are many more negatives than positives. Unfortunately, Carmelites need less happy talk and more truth talk for things to get better. And they need be become familiar with the info on this blog. Until more Carmelites care more about Carmel than their social standing in the community, I'm afraid things will remain the same, despite the great work of this blog. Then again, maybe it is finally coming to pass for the worm to turn.
Prima facie evidence Sue was deeply involved in Robert Leidig's proposition.
On top of that, Sue had the gall to say she couldn't talk with the Neighborhood Coalition because of the Brown Act. Meanwhile, she is talking to Robert Leidig and using taxpayer monies to assist her.
Her covert strategy must be exposed for what it is, an ingrained habit from her past CIA days and an inability to cultivate the skill sets required for open government.
Also, what else do we not know about Sue's involvement and Rich's and other employees?
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