READER'S EDITORIAL: WHICH IS THE SLOWEST? MOLASSES, GLACIERS----OR THE CITY OF EL CAJON?

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By Robert Clark

July 21, 2015 (El Cajon)--The City of El Cajon has been stalling for many years on two major projects: the reopening of the East County Performing Arts Center, and the building of a new animal shelter. Major developments regarding the animal shelter were revealed  at the July 14 Council Meeting, but in a bizarre, stunning manner.

It became known that an agreement with an architectural firm to design the new shelter  (for a fee of nearly $1 million) has been in place for many months. The City has kept this agreement a secret, perhaps because the selection of this firm (out of 11 bids) was based on a request for proposals issued in April  2011, but not acted upon until now.

The firm produced a report in November 2011 stating that building the shelter at the current site would cost $1.3 million because of expenses related to relocation of "storm drain and sewer pipelines," rock removal, and temporary housing of the animals during construction.

In a report dated July 14 of this year, the City states that it decided in 2011 to build the shelter at a new site, saving the $1.3 million. However,  in two stories published in the "Union-Tribune" (October 21, 2012 and November 21, 2013), Nancy Palm, Deputy City Manager/Finance Director, said that the  new shelter would be built at the current site. Inexplicably, a budget sheet released on July 14 states that money is included in the budget for the current fiscal year (2015-2016) for "relocation of a sewer line and rehabilitation of the storm drain pipe." (The Agenda material is available on the City's website.)

Perhaps the strangest aspect of this situation is that the resolution authorizing  adoption of a four-year-old bid (and the spending of $1 million) was included in the Consent Calendar, intended for routine items to be approved without discussion.

During a three-minute public comment period, I strongly objected to this procedure, and said that the resolution should be withdrawn, and a public hearing scheduled. The Council voted 5-0 to approve the resolution as presented. All five councilmembers agreed that  what was happening was "routine."

El Cajon residents who disagree can email members of the council, or, more appropriately, use "snail mail." 

The opinions in this editorial reflect the views of the readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org

 


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