Friday, December 20, 2013

McDonald's reopens despite Prop A

Remember when the developer cronies told us that Prop A would mean that rebuilding the burnt McDonald's would require a special election?
Example: if the ‘Encinitas Right To Vote’ were currently the law and the owners of the McDonalds that burned down in the Sprout’s Center wanted to rebuild it exactly as it was in the 70’s, they would have to underwrite a Special Election of the half million dollars before they have spent one nickel on plans, materials labor etc…
Yeah, not so much.
After the fire in 2011, the McDonald's on Encinitas Blvd. was demolished and completely rebuilt with a new design. The new McDonald's is not connected to the any of the other businesses in the plaza and features a double drive thru but no play place. The inside is updated and more modern looking than the previous building.
Who can we trust these days?

192 comments:

  1. No Sad Sac. that guy lies like no other and really only knows how to bankrupt communities. Just look at the condition he left Stockton and Sacramento.

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    Replies
    1. Get it through your cast iron skull. Vina is not solely or even primarily responsible for bankrupting Stockton and Sacramento. If you insist he is, show the proof.

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    2. dude go read the sacramento bee (the sacto paper) Vina was booted out after getting a vote of no confidence from the council. Why? The city under Vina was $30 million in debt......what was Vina's solution to the debt? He raised salaries for his city employee cronies by as much as 30% spiking their pensions, geez, wonder why they ran him out of town.

      Barth hired him beacuse she liked his glasses. It's my opinion he looks and sounds like a leftist communist. It is a fact he had increased our debt and pensions, oh yeah, he hired 4 cabinet members at a cost of 600K + a PR Spin doctor for 70 to 100K, that is why Vina was run out of town.

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    3. Post the URLs of the Sac Bee editions that give those details.

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    4. look it up yourself, really, are you that lazy.

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    5. his only credentials are for bankrupting cities. We don't want him.

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    6. Here's how these kinds of things work: It's the responsibility of the person making the accusations to show the proof. If there's no proof, the accusations are baseless.

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    7. He was the financial Director for Stockton and Sacramento. I recall no articles about the recommendations from the Finance Director to change course to prevent the current terrible conditions.

      Sad Sac/vina has only negative input. The sooner he is gone the better for Encinitas. Lets hire a real City Manager that has something to offer.

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    8. 11;53 you are too lazy and irresponsible to do hour own homework OR you are a troll trying to protect incompetence. For truth seekers Google "city manager Sacramento Vina vote no confidence".

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    9. It's no secret that Vina got a vote of no confidence from the city council. The reason for it is unknown, although there has been speculation but even that doesn't point to mismanagement. City councils want a city manager who agrees with their philosophy. It only takes a majority vote to dismiss a city manager which is why the position is described as "at will". While settlement terms are in the employment contract, the reason for dismissal can be as trivial as not liking each other.

      There was nothing in the search of Sac Bee's website that indicated Vina contributed to Sacramento's financial problems. So if you want to be believed, cite your sources.

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    10. Good point, 11:03. Many of the people who comment on this blog are overwhelmingly ignorant, shallow and vindictive. That's not true of WCV. What he/she posts is factual and well-reasoned. When I read other blogs, I find a much higher level of discussion. Maybe that's because the hosts cull the knuckle-walkers.

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    11. The Coast News reported, after Gus Vina was hired, but before he took his place on the dais, that our City Manager was interim City Manager in Sacramento, where he was given a vote of no confidence by that City Council.

      When I questioned then "minority" Councilmember Teresa Barth about that Sacramento Council vote of no confidence for Vina at Environmental Day in 2011, in Cottonwood Creek Park, when Maggie Houlihan was on her deathbed (RIP, Maggie), before Mark Muir was appointed, Teresa said, "it [Sacramento Council's no confidence vote] was just politics."

      Isn't almost everything done by politicians politics? Teresa couldn't or wouldn't give me a real answer to my questions. She and Patrick Murphy were on the panel that selected Vina; she was delighted when he was approved by the rest of Council.

      So that we could learn from our mistakes, I feel Council, in the future, should consider using LOCAL headhunters to do searches for these high end positions. I believe the firm we contracted with to help find a City Manager, after Phil Cotton suddenly announced he was retiring, was from Sacramento? That could have weighted the results towards a Sacramento candidate? Also, Glenn Sabine informed Council that it could require Cotton to give six months notice according to his contract. That condition was not enforced, costing the City (taxpayers) tons more.

      I didn't respect nor trust former Planning Director Patrick Murphy's judgment. Now, after her tenure as Mayor, and the failures that are being covered up, or denied, and her seeming inability to evaluate the City Manager and City Attorney with objectivity, I have lost trust in Teresa's good faith and good judgment, as well.

      Teresa Barth may have good intentions, but she is closing her mind to those she can only see as her and Gus Vina's detractors. She appears to be missing the message, as she gets caught up in defending her choice, "bestie boss" Gus.

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    12. 11:03 Sacramento was $30 million in debt and Vina's solution was to give 20% pay raises, then he got the vote of no confidence. You might support fiscal mismanagement and chicanery, don't expect responsible taxpayers to join you.

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    13. Here are some links, decide for yourself..

      http://blogs.sacbee.com/city-beat/2011/03/sacramento-interim-city-manager-vina-resigning.html

      http://sacramentopress.com/2011/03/27/what-really-happened-with-gus-vina/

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    14. Here's the list of city manager pay in SD county again:

      http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/Nov/03/city-manager-pay-averages-204000/

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    15. (11:03 responding) I saw those articles mentioned in 7:59 AM and there wasn't anything pointing to Vina being the cause of the financial situation. Without rereading them, and others, I don't believe Vina had a direct vote of no confidence. The council voted to not appoint Vina permanent city manager but to do a national recruitment in which Vina could apply. It may seem like splitting hairs but I'll bet the council wanted to get a wider pool of applicants. Of course Vina took this as, in effect, a vote of no confidence but based on what I've read about the previous city manager there appeared to be rancor on both sides and I'm sure Vina was tarred by association.

      As far as salaries raises go, there were several department heads that the council thought had insufficient pay levels. It's unclear from the articles whether the pay raises were the city council's idea or the city manager but in either case the council has to approve it.

      Finally, I can't let Lynn's comment about a Sacramento based recruiting firm having a Sacramento bias. Please, don't just throw out these insinuations when you have no idea what you're talking about. No recruiting firm, if they want to stay in business, will have any regional bias other than possible additional contacts around where they are located. They do what the customer asks. I don't know what Encinitas required which could have been a long or short list of candidates to review and/or interview.

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  2. So the moral of the story is Prop A will allow us to clog our arteries without a public vote.

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  3. Kick Vina out of Encinitas before he bankrupts us all.

    Either Council kicks him out, or we kick them out. Are you listening, TERESA AND GASPAR?

    Act or your OUT!

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  4. 10:51, you raped my dog. I said it, therefore it's true. No evidence needed!

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    Replies
    1. 11:56 another Vina troll seeking to hide the truth? Google key words " Vina Sacramento vote no confidence". The truth will set you free, or you can join Barthcrown at San Elijo and stick your head in the sand

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  5. 11:56-

    11:56 above has your answer.

    Vina is the problem, not the solution. therefore, Barth and all are part of the problem.

    Its that simple.

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  6. Vina's employment contract is dated May 24, 2011, effective July 1, 2011. Bond was mayor, Stocks was deputy mayor, council members were Houlihan, Barth and Gaspar. So how is it that Barth hired Vina?

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    Replies
    1. She voted to hire his corrupt ass. She is responsible.

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    2. Barth told some people that she wanted to fire Sabine. She told other some supporters that she didn't like Vina, but that we had to give him a chance. Well, that chance has turned into 2 1/2 years, and he has only done more damage under Barth than under Stocks. Get rid of him!

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    3. Fact check: we have it from multiple sources that Barth has long been effusive, consistent, and sincere in her praise for Vina.

      It is hard to reconcile that with the statement above.

      WCV

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    4. WCV is correct. Barth has never wavered in her support for Vina, beginning with his selection. I think the commonality of their "hispanidad" is a factor. My hope is that Barth develops a more objective view of Vina. Both ERGA and the Hall property illegal discharges should be a wake up call. Both suggest a coverup and legitimate grounds for termination.

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    5. What's a "hispanidad"? A Hispanic father?

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    6. The vote was 5 0 to hire vina Gaspar. Stocks Bond Houlihan Barth

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    7. WCV
      Appears you are bit of a white red neck honkie .Well if the shoe fits ware it

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    8. Let's pull another reason out of our butt. Both Barth and Vina are height challenged. So that must be part of the reason Barth likes Vina.

      Please continue the speculation. The more outlandish the better.

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    9. As I said in my previous comment, Teresa Barth and former Planning Director Patrick Murphy were on the City panel that recommended to the rest of Council that Gus Vina should be its selection as new City Manager, to replace Phil Cotton.

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    10. 8:28, save your bigotry for another blog. There's enough to discuss on point and on job merit without that kind of mudslinging.

      I would be curious to find out if anyone knows who the other finalists were for city manager.

      The whole concept of trying to lay the problems of Sacramento and Stockton at Vina's feet seem dubious at best. There's not a lot of information out there other than the usual "politics".

      Vina would've been hired even if Barth voted no. The blame game is kind of pointless. The question is as always, "Who Is Out there to take Vina's place" and would that person really be a step up.

      That and would any council actively look to replace a city manager. My guess is that type of thing doesn't happen very often, probably because it doesn't look good politically.

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  7. Barth is absolutely worthless; how did she ever acquire a reputation as a progressive reformer??? Her recalcitrance to change or reform has been exposed now that $tock$ is no longer the center of the activists' attention.
    She needs to be voted out.

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  8. Let me do some homework for you.


    Interim City Manager Gus Vina just awarded pay increases to three high-level department heads. The raises have ruffled some feathers on the city council, considering that there aren’t a lot of Sacramentans getting raises right now, and considering that lots of city employees have been asked to forgo raises and/or give up their jobs for the last few years.

    Leyne Milstein, the city’s Director of Finance got the biggest raise. Vina bumped her up because she was previously the lowest paid of the city’s department heads. Average pay for city department heads is $167,284. Milstein was making $131,270, she’ll now be pulling $150,304, still a bit below the average.

    Max Fernandez, head of the Community Development Department, and Geri Hamby, head of Human Resources, also got raises. Fernandez is moving from $164,445 to $172,667, while Hamby is getting a bump from $151,402 to $162,000.

    Vina justified both Fernandez and Hamby’s raises because their departments have been consolidated with other departments and, the logic goes, each now has more responsibility.

    Fernandez was head of the Code Enforcement Department. As part of budget cuts last year, his agency was consolidated with the Community Development Department. Asked Vina if Fernandez was really working that much harder, he said, “His life is nothing like what it used to be at Code.”

    Likewise Hamby recently added director of Labor Relations to her job description, which includes negotiating with all the city’s public employee unions. That’s probably not fun.

    As head of the Human Resources Department, Hamby is also the person responsible for recruiting and hiring. And the city is in the process of hiring a permanent city manager. Vina very much wants that job. And he just gave Hamby a raise. Is there a potential conflict of interest here?

    Vina said he’s “absolutely confident,” there’s no conflict of interest because the city manager search is being handled by an outside agency, and Hamby has little direct role in the search. And ultimately, it’s the City Council who will actually vote to hire the next City Manager, not Hamby, not anyone else.

    But all in all, it seems a bit awkward to be handing out raises to city bureaucrats right now. And I wonder if this will really help him win votes on the council.

    Vina acknowledged that, “There’s never a good time,” for raises.
    “But I looked at our salaries and I saw there were some inequities to address.” He added, “I absolutely know this is the right thing to do.”

    “Not a good time,” seems like an understatement, as the city’s budget crisis grinds into its fourth year. Sacramento is facing a $35 to $40 million shortfall this year, which translates to about 400 job cuts.

    Last year, when city council member Bonnie Pannell suggested the City Attorney Eileen Teichert and City Clerk Shirley Concolino (who make $189,000 and $128,000 a year respectively) should receive pay raises, she caught all kinds of hell. The Sacramento Bee editorial board even called Pannell’s suggestion “stunningly tone deaf.” I wonder if the public reaction here will be different.

    And, I wonder how all of this will affect the Gus Vina fan page on Facebook.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. From what I could tell on other sites, it was the City Council that gave him a vote of "no confidence" but the Sacto City Council didn't look so great either. Do you all want me to do more homework, or can you Google it? Either way is fine with me. It is the Holiday Season and I am feeling charitable.

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    2. more please. Lets educate the public about Sad Sac's financial destruction of both Sacramento and Stockton!

      Why Council hired someone with such a track record?

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    3. The question to me then would be who the other candidates were at the time other than Vina? Anybody know?

      To me Cotton and Miller weren't so great either...

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    4. Here's the link:

      http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/snog/blogs/post?oid=1921895

      Delete
  9. From the Sacto City Beat-2011
    Sacramento Interim City Manager Gus Vina is resigning his post today, the second time in 13 months that the top executive at City Hall has abruptly stepped down.

    And once again, a division on the City Council has played a role in the top manager's departure.

    In an interview inside his office this morning, Vina told me "it's difficult as a city manager to work when you don't have at least a supermajority of the council (behind you)." Five council members voted earlier this year to conduct a national search for a permanent city manager, while the four others voted to hire Vina.
    "It's OK, that's their prerogative," he said. But, he added, "some days I feel like I'm a wedge and the lightning rod and that's not what you want in a city manager."

    Vina, 50, does not have another job, but said he is in the final round of interviews for two city manager posts elsewhere. He has worked for the city for 12 years, taking over as interim city manager after former City Manager Ray Kerridge quit in February 2009.

    Councilman Jay Schenirer, who supported keeping Vina, called the news "unfortunate."

    "I think he has a done good job for the city in a very difficult time," Schenirer said. "And my hope is that the council can use this in a way that moves us forward as a cohesive body."

    Councilwoman Angelique Ashby, who also voted to keep Vina, said she was disappointed in the news.

    "I had hoped Gus would stay and be involved in the search and ultimately be our next city manager," she said. "I hope that we will find unity in whoever replaces Gus, but I do think we have a challenge ahead of us."


    Categories: City Council, City Manager

    Read more here: http://blogs.sacbee.com/city-beat/2011/03/sacramento-interim-city-manager-vina-resigning.html#storylink=cpy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dr. Lorri

      I found a column about Vina giving crazy rich pay raises to city employees in Sacramento! a 25% raise to the Director of Finance to more than $150K, Max Fernandez the 'Community' spin doctor got a 20% raise to more than $172K and the HR Director got a raise to more than $160K !!! No wonder the Sacramento Council gave Vina a vote of no confidence- he apepars to play fast and loose with taxpayer money.

      Why did Barth and gaspar hire this financial train wreck.

      CBS news did a story on it on TV-

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    2. Barth was not the only one who voted for Vina. So did Stocks, Bond and the rest of that particular Council. I don't know him well, so I could not tell you if he is better or worse than Cotton, or Miller.

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  10. The McDonald's project was approved long before the Prop A election.
    Prop A sure is working in Leucadia. I heard they are getting 10 homes on a R5 lot despite Prop A passing.

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    Replies
    1. Prop. A only requires a vote for an upzone. The Fulvia project in Leucadia is a Density Bonus project allowed by the State and can give up to a 35% increase over the local maximum density.

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    2. Prop A requires a public vote on any zoning change, not only upzoning.

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    3. So it's pointless.

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  11. I agree. The grounds for termination for Sad Sac is raiding the city's reserves for a regional sports complex and destroying the City's finances.

    He is the typical pension slug and nothing more.

    Council needs to hold an emergency closed session and fire him next week.

    As long as he is our City Manager I do not support our City Council.

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    Replies
    1. Vina didn't raid the City reserves for the Park. If the funds were "raided" it was long before Vina came. He has only been here since 2011. All cannot be blamed on Vina.

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    2. Dr. L has a point. Before Vina the Director of Finance was a woman who eventually married Sabine and is having his baby. Has anyone considered that there may have been some hanky panky back then before Vina.

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    3. Not true… there was a special meeting in Summer of 2013 where Via moved all kinds of money from other projects to fund the award of the regional sports park…

      He also didn't offer any plan on how to finance the huge perpetual operating costs which will be over $1 million per year or the costs of all the surrounding infrastructure needed to facilitate the project traffic in the area when the sports park opens.

      Doc you should know this being a park commissioner. Please educate yourself.

      Your right its not all Vina's fault. It Vina and the past city council including Barth's fault for supporting his recommendations to destroy our City's financial future.

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    4. Stocks Bond Dalagar vote for the hall park project ,Barth voted against it .Look it up.

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    5. 9:49-Believe it or not the Parks and Rec. COmmission has never been consulted on the Park. The only input we had was what to name it. And even that was overruled by Stocks and Bond. That Council voted on "Encinitas Community Park" even though we asked citizens to name it and not one citizen came up with that name. I presented the top 5 names the Commission thought were good to the Stocks and Bond Council, and the Jim Bond said he wanted Encinitas Community Park and that's what it became. So, unfortunately I know just about as much as any other citizen about the financing of the park. I wasn't around much in the summer of 2013 so I must have missed the special meeting. Sorry about that. Not that I have any say in what goes on in the City, as the P@R Commission is sometimes as in the dark as the rest of the citizens, especially with the new Director of P@R.

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    6. Maybe ur right. If that's the case Barth should take the lead in firing Vina for destroying our financial future.

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    7. The decision to build the park on the Hall property was made in a council meeting at the community center shortly before the 2012 election. A lot of dog owners spoke in favor. A lot of skaters spoke in favor. It was a manipulation by Stocks in collusion with Bond so Stocks would have a better chance of being reelected, which, of course, failed. And that was the delicious irony. Stocks figured out how to finance the $19.3 million and instructed Vina on the template. Gaspar didn't fall in line immediately, and Stocks in effect asked, Didn't you get the memo? The vote was unanimous. It would have been symbolic but pointless for Barth to vote no because it would have passed 4-1 anyway.

      9:56 above is confusing the purchase of the property with the much later decision to build the park. When that later decision was made, the council members were Stocks, Bond, Gaspar, Muir and Barth.

      Delete
  12. Good point 9:36. Where in Leucadia are you talking about. Is this project after Prop. A?

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  13. Dr. Lorri you are factually incorrect. Vina raided 15 fully funded capital projects including trail repair, sewer repairs, road repairs, park maintenance and more of about $7M. Go and review the city council meeting the week of July 4th 2012

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  14. The meeting was on July 11, 2012. Minimum public notice by design of the sneaky Vina/$tock$ regime right after the big July 4th weekend. Staff Report for the raping of the tax payers can be reviewed here by cutting and pasting the following web address into your internet browser window

    http://encinitas.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=7&clip_id=754&meta_id=25897

    Sad Sac and $tock$ are the cause of major financial pain for our City's future

    Some one needs to bang a pot and pan on their heads and run them both out of town.

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  15. Minutes from meeting include:

    STAFF RECOMMENDATION: following actions:
    It is recommended the City Council take the
    1.
    Reallocate General Fund Capital Improvement Project Funding in the
    amount of $7.0millionforthedevelopmentofEncinitasCommunityPark and/or Moonlight State Beach Improvement Project.
    2. Authorizeproceedingwith financingupto$8.0millionforthedevelopment
    3. 4.
    of Encinitas Community Park and Moonlight State Beach Improvement Project.
    Adopt Resolution 2012-64 amending the FY 2012-13 Capital Improvement Program Budget.
    Award of contract for the construction of Encinitas Community Park to USS CalBuilders in the amount of $17,087,681.49 forthecomplete park,and
    authorize the City Manager to award contracts for construction specialists
    and inspections, contract plant growing, and other contracts as necessary to complete the park construction in a total amount not to exceed $2,258,767.85 for the project.
    5. Award of contract for the construction of Moonlight State Beach
    Improvement Project to EC Constructors Inc. in the amount of$ 4,159,479.00
    and authorize the City Manager to award contracts for construction
    specialists, inspections,andothercontractsasnecessarytocompletethe beach improvements in an amount not to exceed $595,209.15 for the project.
    HarrietSeldin,NathanBauer,PatrickO'Connorspokeinsupportofthestaffrecommendations. Bernard Minster and Gerald Sodomka spoke in opposition to the staffrecommendations.
    George Hejduk, Kathleen Lindemann, and Tony Kranz spoke. MayorStocksdeclaredarecessfrom 8.00P.M.to815P.M.
    Thefollowingspoke insupport of staffrecommendations: VickiArmstrong,NancyDeGhionno, Nick Winfrey, Julie Graboi, Russell Levan, Morgan Mallory representing the Cardiff 101
    MainStreet Association, Joey Randall and Steve Lebherz representing the Patrons of Encinitas Parks, Dennis Lhota as the Parks and Recfreation Commission Chair, Marilyn Ambrose
    representing PADZ, Thomas Barker representing Skate Board Group, Jay Stoffel representing
    San Dieguito Pony Colt Baseball, Chris Duncan representing Encinitas National Little League,
    Rob Buckner representing Encinitas Little League, and Rick Lochner representing Encinitas Express Soccer Club.
    Sheila Cameron and Lynn Marr spoke.
    Andrew Audet spoke in opposition to the staff recommendations.
    07/ 11/ 12 Spec Mtg. Page 2 Mtg. #2012-,_, Bk#26, Page
    07/ 11/ 12 Special Meeting
    ACTION:
    Stocks moved, Bond seconded to take the following actions:
    1.
    Reallocate General Fund Capital Improvement Project Funding in the amount of
    7.0 million for the development of Encinitas Community Park and/or Moonlight State Beach Improvement Project with a proviso that this number is subject to
    modificationwithfutureCouncildiscussion; 2.Authorizeproceedingwithfinancingat$8.0millionforthedevelopmentof
    3. 4.
    Encinitas Community Park and Moonlight State Beach Improvement Project;
    Adopt Resolution 2012- 64 amending the FY 2012- 13 Capital Improvement Program Budget;
    Award of contract for the construction of Encinitas Community Park to USS Cal Builders in the amount of $17,087,681.49 for the complete park, and authorize the
    City Manager to award contracts for construction specialists and inspections,
    contract plant growing, and other contracts as necessary to complete the complete
    park construction in a total amount not to exceed $2,258,767.85 for the project;
    5. Award of complete contract for the construction of Moonlight State Beach Improvement Project to EC Constructors Inc. in the amount of $4,159,479.00 and
    authorize the City Manager to award contracts for construction specialists, inspections, and other contracts as necessary to complete the beach improvements in an amount not to exceed $595,209.15 for the project; and
    6. W ith $ 8.0 m illio n in bond issuance, this leaves $ 600,000 for Council to reconsider some of the reallocations from various projects at a later time.
    Motioncarried.Ayes:Barth,Bond,Gaspar,Muir,Stocks.Nays:None.

    Barth voted in favor of the public tax raping.

    http://archive.ci.encinitas.ca.us/WebLink8/PDF/vq2u5255bby0iied2skogp55/2/2012-07-11.pdf

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  16. I stand corrected
    A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ENCINITAS CITY COUNCIL AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2012-13 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BUDGET; REALLOCATE AND APPROPRIATE GENERAL FUND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FUNDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENCINITAS COMMUNITY PARK; FINANCE A PORTION OF THE CONSTRUCTION FOR THE ENCINITAS COMMUNITY PARK AND MOONLIGHT STATE BEACH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT; AND AWARD CONTRACTS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ENCINITAS COMMUNITY PARK AND MOONLIGHT STATE BEACH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
    WHEREAS, on June 20, 2012 the City Council adopted Resolution No 2012-45 for appropriations for the City of Encinitas FY 2012-13 Capital Improvement Program; and
    WHEREAS, the City Council desires to amend the FY 2012-13 Capital Improvement Program to reallocate and appropriate funds in the amount of $6,961,762 for the development of Encinitas Community Park, attached hereto as Exhibit A; and
    WHEREAS, the City Council authorizes the financing for the development of the Encinitas Community Park and Moonlight State Beach Improvement Project attached hereto as Exhibit B; and
    WHEREAS, the reallocation and financing of funds may be used on either project interchangeably; and
    WHEREAS, on May 17, 2012 five bids were received for the construction of Encinitas Community Park and on May 29, 2012 two bids were received for the construction of Moonlight State Beach Improvement Project; and
    WHEREAS, based on the lowest and most responsive bidder award a construction contract to USS Cal Builders for the Encinitas Community Park; and
    WHEREAS, based on the lowest and most responsive bidder award a construction contract to EC Constructors, Inc. for Moonlight State Beach Improvement Project.
    NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Encinitas does hereby amend the Fiscal Year 2012-13 Capital Improvement Program Budget; reallocate and appropriate General Fund Capital Improvement Project Funding for the development of Encinitas Community Park project; finance a portion of the construction for Encinitas Community Park and Moonlight State Beach Improvement Project; and award contracts for the construction of Encinitas Community Park and Moonlight Beach Improvement Project.
    PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Encinitas on the 11th day of July, 2012, by the following vote, to wit:
    Last printed 7/5/2012 2:34 PM
    07/11/2012 CITY ITEM #S1 22
    ATTACHMENT F (1 of 2)
    AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: ABSTAIN:
    ATTEST:
    _____________________________ Kathy Hollywood, City Clerk
    ATTACHMENT F (2 of 2)
    _______________________________________ Jerome Stocks, Mayor

    ReplyDelete
  17. video of the public tax payer raping shown here

    http://encinitas.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=7&clip_id=754

    ReplyDelete
  18. This entire council needs to apologize for the blatant Prop A lies that were distributed with their names on it.Until that happens I'll have no respect for any of them. I helped three of them get elected and all I got was amateur hour,posers and political pussies who are just happy to be there. Tony is totally pathetic.
    The Cabezon

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    Replies
    1. Kranz is the reincarnated Dalager - YEEEEEHAWWWWW!!!!
      Where be them kitchen appliances?!

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    2. In the spirit of Christmas they should give us a present and all resign.

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    3. They have too many "ethics" to apologize.

      Delete
  19. Interesting article from Stockton paper in 1997.

    By Jim Sams ,Record Staff Writer
    October 08, 1997 12:00 AM
    Mayor tells strike team: 'Go get 'em'

    Stockton code enforcers are making a hit list of slum properties that
    will be hammered by the city's "strike team."

    "Go get 'em," Mayor Gary Podesto said.

    The council voted unanimously Tuesday to endorse a proposal by staff
    to escalate the city's war on blight.

    In addition to making routine sweeps through run-down neighborhoods,
    code enforcers will obtain search warrants to go inside buildings that have
    a history of code-enforcement violations, overcrowding, unsanitary conditions
    or crime problems, administrative analyst Gus Viña said. He said
    the city will force owners to close buildings that are deemed unsafe. The
    city will file suit against owners, if necessary, to force them to make
    repairs, he said.

    "We're not talking about administrative citations," Viña
    said. "We're going to use every tool at our disposal."

    Vina said city officials are developing a list of 10 properties that
    will be targeted by a "strike team" to include code enforcers,
    police officers, county health officers and any other officials who have
    enforcement authority. The team will start making inspections next month,
    he said.

    The city used a similar process to crack down on the Stockton Flea Market
    on South El Dorado Street. After officials from several city departments
    inspected, code enforcers ordered the market closed for one weekend and
    allowed the owner to reopen only after he agreed to make repairs.

    Stockton code enforcers now make routine sweeps through neighborhoods,
    note violations from the street and issue citations to owners and tenants
    who refuse to clean up or make repairs. Even though fines increase from
    $100 to $500 for a third offense, some owners still ignore repeated warnings
    and more severe action is needed to get their attention, Viña said.

    The city still has some loose ends to tie up before the strike team gets
    started. Viña said the city will likely force some owners to board
    up unsafe buildings, but that could leave tenants without a home.

    Deputy City Manager Donna Brown said the city needs a policy on how to
    deal with residents who are put out on the street because of code-enforcement
    action against their landlords. Often, the tenants are living in dilapidated
    quarters because they don't have enough money to make a deposit on a better
    place, she said.

    Brown said the city of Sacramento pays the deposits and even the cost
    of increased rent for dislocated tenants and then assesses the owner of
    the slum property to recover its costs. But in San Diego, tenants are left
    to fend for themselves, she said.

    The council referred the relocation issue to its Legislative/
    Environmental Committee to recommend a policy that will work in Stockton.

    HOME

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. WOW! Be careful out there people!

      Delete
  20. This is interesting as well.

    SACRAMENTO, CA - Sacramento City Manager Gus Vina said the taxation of medical marijuana to help close a $43 million budget gap is a distinct possibility and a step the city would take to "legitimatize" the business of marijuana sales.

    "It's a recommendation we're going to make to the council as part of the budget hearings," Vina said.

    Details on the plan are still not clear, and the tax would have to be approved by voters during an election.

    "We just think that if we're going to go into the medical marijuana dispensary business, that this is an opportunity for us to raise revenue," Vina said.

    Vina said the city is also grappling with how to regulate the existing marijuana dispensaries. According to Vina, there are currently 43 operations in the city. The plan is to reduce that number to 12, strategically located away from neighborhood gathering places such as schools and playgrounds.

    That plan could be approved sometime this summer.

    Written by Will Frampton, wframpton@news10.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Dr Lori. You might find it interesting to know that after raiding 15 projects of $7 Million Vina recommended the council raise fees on many things, youth sports, building permits, Heck Vina even raised fees on Fire Pits ! Vina has no problem sticking it to taxpayers to pay for his mismanagement. Sacramento council had enough of his big spending me first ways and ran his ass out of town, we should the same.

      Delete
  21. Vina has alot of baggage - how'd he ever get hired in Encinitas? Major blunder!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm not opposed to marijuna. At least Vina is pro that.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Big deal. Vina taxes pot. I wouldn't call that pro pot. Is call that tiring to make his 220k pension last forever.

    Fire sad sac now !

    ReplyDelete
  24. Agreed. Vina only supports Vina. He is pretty staight laced, and I seriously doubt that he is interested in pot for anything but a revenue stream. This shows that he is the worst sort of hypocrite. He will take a dividing issue and go for the side with the worst long-term consequences to make a short-term gain! How is that different than his position on development, bars, or anything else?

    ReplyDelete
  25. I don't like Vina. He gives me the willies. Yet, I don't think it's fair to condemn him based on hearsay and false information. Read this:

    http://sacramentopress.com/2011/04/07/one-on-one-with-gus-vina/

    I seriously doubt that the 2011 council who chose Vina from among 80 candidates for the job said, "OK, here's the guy we need. He bankrupted Stockton and Sacramento. Those are great credentials. Let's hire him."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the link, 8:57. I was disappointed that the public could not be more involved in the evaluation process of Gus Vina and Glenn Sabine. As part of the interview you provided a link for, above, by Isaac Gonzalez (IG) with GV:

      "IG: The Jan. 25 meeting in which the council voted 5-4 not to promote you to the permanent position was closed to the public. City Attorney Eileen Teichert says that "personnel discussions" can be held in closed session without public oversight. However, the city can open these meetings if they choose, as some have even gone as far as to say that the public has a right to know the reasons behind the decision to retain or remove the person who is the most influential individual in the city structure.

      Do you believe that this meeting and other closed-doors meetings like it deserve more transparency, or do they require to be held in closed-door sessions to protect the privacy of the individuals involved?

      GV: That’s a great question, and it’s really both. You do have to take into account the privacy of the discussion for the sake of the individual. That’s why closed sessions are actually allowed under the laws, so that you can evaluate, without embarrassment, if you will, evaluate the candidate, or the employee. All four charter officers are afforded that opportunity when they are evaluated. They go into closed session.

      Like any other personnel issue, when you’re evaluating a employee, you don’t put it on TV. Once you’ve decided to recruit, this is what I would offer, if then they decide as a group, "OK, we’re going to do a national search," they do always have an opportunity to involve the public in what they would like to see in their next city manager.

      So that’s maybe a better way to talk about transparency in what the community would like to see in a manager. If you think about that for a minute, the timing of that’s important. If council would have decided, as an example, to invite the public in, to ask, "How is this guy doing? Would you do a search or is this the right candidate?" That’s a nice little step."
      *******
      The public was not meaningful involved because to my knowledge, there were no members of the public on the panel that chose Gus Vina, including Teresa Barth, recommending him to the rest of Council.

      When push comes to shove, Gus Vina did not urge greater transparency. Saving himself embarrassment is not an adequate reason for any Council to effectively exclude the public from the hiring and evaluation decision process.

      Delete
  26. Nice exit interview. The experience and lack of any value to an organization speak the most to me.

    He has been a part of or lead two major failing Cities. What has Sad Sac done that has improved a City's financial future?

    This guy appears to be a government tick just like Mark Muir.

    ReplyDelete
  27. They picked a loser from my standpoint.

    Why not pick someone with some fresh ideas about how to better Encinitas.

    This guy is a lemon from day one. Pension pussy all over the place. Begging to hit his retirement age, so he can collect $220,000.00 a year for as long as he lives. Now wonder we are broke and have no money for any projects to better our beaches or streets.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, but anyone they hire most likely will be a career city manager type, who will also get a pension. Gus is no different than Miller or Cotton in that regard.

      The real question is will the current or future council be committed to transforming city hall staffing, pension and process...

      Delete
    2. 8:58,

      Exactly. The last council wanted someone who would not rock the boat and who would continue the status quo. That's what they got.

      It would take leadership by the council to choose someone who would help tackle Encinitas' long-term problems. We haven't seen any signs of leadership yet.

      WCV

      Delete
    3. 8:58 and WCV are spot on.

      Instead of focusing on not arguing amongst council, they should focus on getting good leadership at City Hall.

      They need to fire Vina and have a new City Manager clean all the deadwood which is deep.

      Until that happens, nothing will change for the better in our City

      Delete
  28. I see no leadership on this blog just more verbal masturbation-------YADA YADA YADA

    ReplyDelete
  29. Common Sad Sac, thats pretty gross. Clean it up. Please.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great articles in today's UT about the civil servant parasites bleeding the public coffers dry with excessive salaries and benefits. It is an epidemic around America, as self-interest dominates the public domain. As long as the citizens allow it, it will continue.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/dec/20/lump-sum-ot-boost-city-pay/?Watchdog

      Delete
    2. Don't know how to "live" link it.

      Delete
    3. Not that the UT has anything against public servants. Isn't Papa Doug still trying to figure out how to steal the waterfront for a stadium?

      Delete
    4. OK, thanks for the URL.

      Delete
  31. The only good thing council can do is fire sadsack and hired good staff

    ReplyDelete
  32. Start a movement to unincorporate. That is the answer.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Remember if we unincorporate, we are stuck with what San Diego County would want for us. Not sure that would be better. In fact, isn't that why we incorporated in the first place? That's what I remember.

    ReplyDelete
  34. We incorporated to get better local control of our future and especially the willy-nilly developments that the county was approving like the clusterization of Vulcan Ave. It would only work if Leucadia seceeded from the city and county and became it's own county. Which reminds me, WHY was it called "Leucadia County Water District"? - like the man hole covers still embossed here with those initials. A friend of mine used to ask "Where's Leucadia County?" Then there are those who would annex to Carlsbad, redo the facades with plastic and call it Legodia.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Unincorporate. The problems we face with no leadership are worse than anything we would have under county rule. At least the county would fix the awful roads like the intersection of 3rd & I. We are broke folks! Broke & leaderless!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Vina's "Cabinet" are a set of empty suits! They have less skill level than most supervisors in other organizations. Engineering Director Glenn Pruim lied on Wednesday when he said that the park was only out of compliance for 6 days. It would have been more honest to say that it was out of compliance for at least 6 months. No wonder his hands were shaking as he was at the speaker's podium on Wednesday night. His license should be on the line, and the whole department should be replaced.

    The real purpose of these directors is to take the fall for VIna. Remember Jeff Murphy's opening move that almost did him in when he tried to pull a fast one with Prop A? Vina tells them to dress up, then flings them out as sacrifices to protect himself. 3rd-world-style leadership at its best!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Forgot to mention, 3rd-world-style leaders often have lists of enemies! Who does he think he is??

    ReplyDelete
  38. The Encinitas tax payer

    ReplyDelete
  39. City Council only has one top priority. Fire Vina.

    All the other crap is minimal and would have very little difference if $tock$ were in office.

    Do what the electorate was commending and fire Vina.

    Everything else is chickens play.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Why would you say that.

    Barth wants to get along.

    She really doesn't have that strong of any opinion she just wants to get along.


    Isn't peace short lived.

    ReplyDelete
  41. 10:53 "Do what the electorate was commending and fire Vina." WHAT PLANET DO YOU AND YOUR GROUP OF 3 LIVE ON???

    ReplyDelete
  42. The planet of sustainable City Governments.


    And not huge pensions like the useless Vina will get after bankrupting Enicinitas just like Sacramento…...

    ReplyDelete
  43. Morons, you're all morons. Don't you know what you are doing to yourself? Don't you care. All of that hate and anger toward a few people is not healthy and is not good karma. Get it together people. We all have to learn to get along or the planet is really doomed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anon 12:35 uses the favorite threat that the planet is doomed if we don't embrace high density or what ever the developers feed to Barth, Shaffer and the rest of the council. Anon proceeds in calling us morons as a model of how to get along. Threats and insults. What about some facts and citizen input instead? Enough with the flakey platitudes and utopian vision of a high density Encinitas supposedly to level the playing field but actually based on creating sustainable city jobs, pensions, and income for developers.

      Delete
  44. 6:57 said it clearly. Now the citizens must listen and take action.

    ReplyDelete
  45. 7:18 am that is the problem.

    The Citizens of Encinitas and all of America are pretty Fricken stupid. How do you think Vina was able to rise from an Analyst position in the first place. Same as phil cotton. Both when from clerk level jobs to City Manager with no real education, knowledge or know how.

    You know the saying, "Fake it, until you make it" Right?

    The citizens woke up to boot $tock$. Lets see if they are smart enough to boot Gaspar and Barth for them supporting the nightmare leading our City.

    I will not be voting for either. That is for sure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cotton was the head of Parks and Rec, before that he was in the MArine Corps. Vina, like it or not, has a Masters in public administration and has worked in Government for a long time.

      http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2011/Sep/08/encinitas-city-manager-made-way-cuba/

      http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2010/03/08/daily26.html.

      Agree with the Sculpin below, when is the council going to get it together and tell Vina how things will work.

      Barth and Gaspar are in for the mayoral election, will anyone else jump in against them, or will they run for their vacant seats instead?

      Delete
    2. Alex Fidel will run.

      Barth may not. She'd have a tough road against Gaspar, and what's the upside for her? She may find it better to go out gracefully than risk an ugly loss.

      WCV

      Delete
    3. It would be an ugly battle between Gaspar and Barth, the developers will put all their $ into Gaspar. But Gaspar has taken some serious lumps as well, what with her skipping the mayor's post last year, passing on votes. Teresa has her detractors as well.

      Alex Fidel? He has to post some local issues on his site, other than weed, fluoridation and the police state..

      Delete
    4. fdw will back Barth, she will lose in a landslide. she only got in in 2010 thas to Dalagers stupid kitchen and a handful of residents making the public aware of dalager and putting up signs. Barth won't get the peoples vote in 2014, she has proven herself useless, with the exception of ribbon cutiing and private patries for dema and L 101

      Delete
    5. Really, I think Dalager came in last in 2010? Barth came in 2nd to Danny in 2006

      Council Member; City of EncinitasClick here for more info on this contest including known links to other sites (2 Elected)

      Kristin D. Gaspar .......... 11,056 votes 28.6%
      Teresa Barth .......... 10,167 votes 26.3%
      Tony Kranz .......... 8,870 votes 23.0%
      Dan Dalager .......... 8,549 votes 22.1%

      Delete
    6. Danny D was under indictment from the DA for what could be described as corruption charges. Channel. News 10 news did not one but three stories on Dalager. The Coast news did more than . Stories on dalager, the North county times did three stories as did the UT....................and with all that still ve news Danny still only lost the election by 4%.

      BARTH won because residents one told other residents about Dalager, two residents handed out fliers about dalager, three residents put up signs fBarth, and four residents walked neighborhoods. Those residents will not support Barth in 2014. She has proved to be a failed leader, and eogoists and she has voted the same way the developer candidate stocks would have voted on desert rose, prop a and others.

      Delete
  46. This is just too funny. It took you guys all weekend to finally come full circle and agree with me! Vina is not the problem...the council is! Vina is doing exactly what the council wants him to do (I'm still not convinced the council really knows itself what it wants to do.....), so he gets high job ratings. So now that the easy part is over - what's next? Who's running? Will it be a slate? What will their positions be? And it better not be "I'm firing Vina" because, as 8:18 so adroitly states, the public ain't going to go for that.

    - The Sculpin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vina has experience at bankrupting cities.

      Delete
    2. Scuplin as often is the case you again do little research and write before you investigate. when Vina got ru our Sacramento after giving his cabinet hige pay raises and floating the idea of taxing weed , Vina told the press it was tough to be city manager when the council didn't back him........do you see? Vina wants and needs to run the show, that is why he whsiked the new council vbehind doors to control them. Ever see hos Vina lectures the council im Encinitas? Barth is a flunky and a tool, Kranz has no confidence and shaffer is senseless. Muir and Gaspar are buying time and Vina's laughing all the way to the bank

      Delete
    3. Vina's not going from interim city manager in Sacramento to being hired as the city manager, was a purely political 5-4 vote. It had nothing to do with his job performance as assistant or interim city manager. It was a spat among the council members. 10:48, you're going on bias, not facts, then you're suggesting that others who post should do their homework. Do yours!

      Delete
  47. Sculpin - what do you mean it won't work? It worked for Lisa and Tony!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As far as I recall, I never saw any mention of replacing the city manager in any of their campaign materials. Did I miss it?

      - The Sculpin

      Delete
    2. While Vina's experience, limited to two failed cities, was known at the time of his hiring, Kranz and Shaffer could not have known at the time of the campaign that he would pull the Rutan & Tucker stunt, or that he would hire an expensive new "cabinet" before addressing pension problems. So there was no reason to campaign on firing Vina at the time.

      However, Kranz and Shaffer campaigned on a platform of reforms we might call "Hope and Change." Given what we saw Vina do in 2013, "Hope and Change" would have to include a change of city manager. So far, it looks like Kranz and Shaffer are voting "Nope and Same."

      WCV

      Delete
    3. It's a tricky thing to campaign on firing someone, because then you have to do it to keep your promise.

      I'm not saying keep Gus, but it might take a little bit of time to get rid of him. When does the next review come up?

      Delete
  48. Agree w WC and not w the bottom feeder.

    Vina is a huge problem that needs to be addressed. $tock$ regime left over.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You guys can't seem to grasp that all of the issues you are ranting about have been going on for 20 of the 25 years we have been a city.

      There has been for the most part a cobbling together of misguided and real good ideas about projects throughout the city by multiple councils. The most recent Stocks, Bond, Holihan, Dalanger, Barth and Gerrin and a few others all had their hands on this city way before Gus got here.

      He is on the hook for how funds were moved around to build the park and that's it. As far as I can tell, some of the project funds that were moved were not fully funded as some like to claim. Only time will tell if this was a prudent decision or not.

      I believe he did negotiate a new pension tier for all new hires that does start pension reform and also got back some consessions on the new labor contract. Not enough progress for most of you but it is progress on the issue.

      There's good and bad in all of those decisions but at least we finally have some pension reform, real progress on the park and the Moonlight beach upgrade is pretty awesome.

      Delete
    2. 9:32-Your position would have more weight if you could spell the council members names correctly. Try Guerin for a start and then try Dalager, and Houlihan. That might help some of us who have lived here a very long time. Spelling is important my friend. And, where did you hear he negotiated a two tiered pension plan and some form of new labor contract? News to many of us. Please back up your statement with facts.

      Delete
    3. Vina's idea of good negotiating is to recommend goving firefighters a raise, then having fiirefighters contrubte more to pension..............problem is it's all our tax money! So vina the spendthrift take our money and gives it to fireman to pay themselves more of our money. Hey we have three fires a year in Encinitas and the buget is near 10M not to mention the 8.2M for the new firehouse in cardiff

      Delete
  49. Vinas heading the city in the wrong direction. Increasing staffing costs with no accountability.

    ReplyDelete
  50. 2%@60 for all new hires. Don't have the specifics on the new labor contract.

    Sorrry for the lack of facts and spelling errors old timer but maybe you should pay more attention to what's really going on around here and not digesting all the BS on this blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 10:12-I would so love to do that, but I have been active in this City longer than you have probably lived here. And I am an old schooler, you are right. When someone cannot spell names correctly, I have to wonder what else they are getting wrong. If you don't know about the new labor contract, how then could you know about 2%@60? And, what exactly does that mean? See you at a Council meeting.

      Delete
  51. 10:12 PM
    The 2%@60 is for city hall - not fire. It became effective after August 22, 2012. Check the state list of Encinitas salaries where all salaries are at the top of the pay range.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The city employees now pay all there pension costs give it up WCV I call bullshit

      Delete
    2. Wrong. First, there is both an employee portion and an employer portion. City employees do not pay the employer portion.

      Second, the employee portion and employer portion together are not enough to cover promised benefits, leaving taxpayers exposed to tens of millions in unfunded liabilities.

      I call bullshit. Get your facts right.

      WCV

      Delete
    3. The fact that city employees are still spouting this nonsense indicates that management is still not being honest with them about pensions.

      WCV

      Delete
    4. This is 2010, credit to Hoodlink.

      http://civics-101.com/hoodlink/pdfs/CharlieMcDermottActuarialStudy.pdf

      Delete
  52. The agreement does nothing to all the pensions of the current deadwood. We need to get rid of all the old deadwood - 1st being Vina.

    ReplyDelete
  53. We need to get a list of every city employees' pay for 2013 and do an analysis of how much they earn in comparison to people in the same position in the private sector. For example, should a city cashier be paid between $50,000-$60,000 for a job where they sit at a front desk and process payments every now and then, as compared to a cashier who works at Wal-Mart with no benefits and does high-volume work while standing up, yet only gets paid minimum wage?

    In terms of some of the analysts and planners, could we consider getting some Kelly girls to perform the functions that many of them do since they file items (in the wrong files I might add) and operate hole punches to hide documents in binders? When responding to emails, they have a set number of prewritten responses that a temp could be trained to insert into the reply.
    Exactly how much value and benefit do we get for what we are paying these 200 plus employees and the consultants that they bring on board to do their jobs?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Envy is soooooooooo ugly at 9:40 AM! You wouldn't recognize any 'value' if you were confronted with it unvarnished. Starting over at National University is probably a better use of your time: rather than trying to drag down City employees to what is obviously your diminished level and capacity. Seen your G.E.D. certificate lately?

      Oh and 'Peace On Earth and Good Will Towards All Men and Women':

      Give it a rest, Hater.

      Delete
    2. 10:08 contempt prior to investigation is the tool of failure. 9:40 raises excellent points! I am for a hiring freeze at city hall and all new employees to be hired through temp agency's to reduce pension costs.

      THis would have incldued Gus Vina being hired as a contractor and also his 4 member cabinet (this year) It is my opnion city staff are overpaid in comparison to the private sector and there should be salary freezes.

      Our city is in debt due to the failures of Barth and Gaspar. They are both financial dimwits, they play fast and loose with our money.

      Delete
    3. Wake up slacker and do something for someone else for a change today.

      Renegotiate all existing pensions by going Bankrupt and lets get this party started.

      Delete
    4. Question. Does any city in San Diego County has a city manager who's a contractor? One agency who has contracted out most of their functions is NTCD.

      The jury is out on the effectiveness of that move across the board. It saved a lot of money, but there are issues with oversight of subcontractors.

      Delete
  54. The City should file bankruptcy and reinitiate all the the existing enormous pension debt and the huge debt from all the new fire stations and regional sports park. Lets start from stretch. We will be better off.

    Lets give Muir $70,000 per year instead of $180,000 a year forever.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Anon 11:07 should not mistake envy with disgust! We are paying people with dubious qualifications more than taxpayers in our city earn who have advanced degrees and professional degrees from good universities.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So playing devil's advocate for a second (And I'm for Pension reform), why is it these people in our city with advanced degrees who aren't at city hall (and who's to say some people at the city don't have the same degrees) can't make good money or sock it away in a 401k?

      Let's be honest, the city isn't going to declare bankruptcy, or hire all contractors, or temps etc. We need pension reform, people have to fund their own pensions, with as little from the employer side as possible.

      Again, the question is can we get a council with the will to get that process started and begin taking steps in that direction. It won't happen overnight, that's the reality.

      Like any workplace, there are good and bad. I've worked plenty of private sector gigs where you couldn't get rid of senior people who sucked either. I've been at jobs where incompetent people got $30-40k a year more than I did.

      It happens. Unfortunately we've had guys like Stocks voting up the pensions, and until about 5 years ago, you didn't hear that much about the potential pensions. Some of this should've been tackled then. I'm sure a lot of cities are saying that now.

      Delete
    2. It's $tock$ - so bloated, his eyes barely open....

      Delete
    3. You can always get rid of deadwood and pensions it just takes direction from council.

      You can fire young or old deadwood. You just need to establish an environment for making employees pull their weight. It's that simple.

      As for the existing pensions and debt, bankruptcies is the best option.

      Start the initiative .

      Delete
  56. 10:08, if we are receiving the value that you claim, you and other city employees should welcome ROI (Return on Investment) formulas to demonstrate how valuable you are! There are a number of professional tools that industry uses for measuring productivity and value.

    Consider the $430,000 Park fine and how many layers of city staff and managers had oversight on this project. Who is to blame? Gus' 28 activists, who been warning of the difficultly of this project for more than 10 years? For sure, not.

    The City has had complete control over all aspects of this project, and it is their own fault that they did not listen and that they lack the skill to select able contractors and monitor their work on projects. This is the same pattern of ineptitude that we see over and over again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought the 28 activists reference had to do with the Prop A ballot language meeting at city hall? Pretty soon the 28 activists will be hailed for defeating communism....

      Delete
    2. Bang your pots.
      Drive them out.
      Drive them all, out!!

      Delete
    3. How about an initiative to reform pensions.

      Delete
  57. Anon 1:04, there were nearly 100 signature gatherers on Prop A, and there were thousand who signed it and voted in favor of it despite Gus Vina hiring Rutan and Tucker at $50,000 to muddy the water and despite our council members writing op eds against Prop A. They have titles, positional power, press contact, and our money, and they still lost!

    You will have to ask Gus Vina about his hate list of 28 for clarification. Comunism is only one flavor of a totalitarian regime. I think that what Gus Vina practices is closer to a dictatorship, but if the thousands of people who voted to pass Prop A get involved, we may get rid of him sooner rather than later.

    ReplyDelete
  58. The city currently has an environment that rewards bad performance. Tell me any other place where Gus Vina or Glenn Pruim could keep their jobs after the park spillage and the cover up to make it look like appropriate preventative measures had been in place. Their main jobs are covering up bad work, creating awards for themselves, and releasing PR stories about how great everything is at the city.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ahhh, Susan Rice went on 5TV stations and lied aboutvBenghazi, her reward was a promotion to National Sec=Advisor. Hillary Clinton lied about Benghazi blaming a video and then told america when her lie was exposed "what difference does it make"..........her reward is running for President. Then there is President Obama he ran around the country telling the untruth Benghazi was caused by a video, his reward was being rreelected................doesn't this sound like Encinitas? There is phony Tony lying about Prop A saying no upzoning has happened without a vote of the people. There is the Barth lie that Encinitas will never have 5 story buildings. There is Shaffer saying I support A just before she opposed A. See how it works?

      Delete
    2. How about CBS and Lara Logan and their lie on Benghazi?

      Delete
  59. Merry Christmas to all you blog haters! I hope your perspective for 2014 can be a little more positive - even the Grinch finally realized that he had a heart! I won't hold my breath for some of you.

    ReplyDelete
  60. It is not about being a 'hater' when they pay themselves rates that are maybe 5 or 10 times higher than what they would get in other places--only because they are using our money, and we have no say. It is not being a hater to find out what we are paying for and for us to expect a level of performance that is equal to what we are paying.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you haven't figured it out, I was speaking to YOU. Your a hater! If you don't like your job, get a new one. But, don't bring others down.

      Delete
  61. 8:37 a Vina troll toiling on Christmas in a continued effort to hoodwink the public. Now we know why Vina wanted to hire a PR spin doctor, his past is catching up with him. People are finding out he was in effect run out of sSacramento. People are questioning why he gave/raises, why he hired a new 'cabinet' why his staff can't keep their stories straight, why the city was fined 400K over the park, why Vina hired Rutan and Tucker, and the list goes on and on.

    we know it is you who is the hater. How do we know? You offer no facts. Not a one.

    Peace on earth, the light of the truth will set you free.

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  62. Well said. Let 2014 be the year we rid our city of Vina and the rest of deadwood at City Hall and Council supporters in the 2014.

    I already know I will not vote for Vina Supporters Gaspar and Barth. By not electing either of those two will send a very clear message to the remaining City Council that we want them to:

    Fire Vina, Hire a good City Manager, clear deadwood managers and employees, start hiring good managers and employees in their place.

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  63. Christmas Anon 8:37, none of us are saying that we don't like our jobs. We are simply saying that facts about what city workers are paid and what their pensions actually are need to be out in the open since it is public information, and we are the ones paying them.

    Some have said on this blog and other places that it is not comfortable that we have to fund our own retirements and the retirements of city workers too. I think that is a good point, and we need to have data to find out exactly how much we are paying these 220 city workers. Calling us haters and praising and complimenting yourselves and giving yourselves awards is not enough. We need unbiased information and we will decide if your work is valuable. My own personal experience with most in the city has been overall, poor.

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    Replies
    1. In every dept except water I have encountered rude inefficient behavior that would equal immediate termination in the private sector. And I'm talking hundreds of interactions, not just a few.

      Delete
    2. I'm sorry, but the first thing that comes to mind here is that maybe you're the problem? After hundreds of interactions all you encounter is rude and inefficient behavior? Does anyone else see (enjoy) the irony in this comment?

      And please - before y'all bash me for being whatever it is you think I am, all I'm pointing out here is the irony in the statement.......it's similar to your kid telling you "everybody does it".....

      - The Sculpin

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    3. This isn't some loan voice, the behavior is systemic, except water dept or perhaps I just got lucky there. Given the rate increases perhaps that pays for their good manners.

      Delete
    4. Perhaps Scuplin has not spent time at city hall interacting with not only incompetent staff but staff that actively works to deceive residents, misinform and mislead. Obvious examples are RUTAN AND Tucker. Many other residents experienced deceptive staff during the Norby led GPU, others saw misinformation at ERGA, where Vina refuses to do a forensic audit. We can only encourgae Sculpin and other like Sculpin to go to city hall and paparticipate. The light and truth will set them free and open their eyes.

      Delete
    5. 11:57 , I'm inclined to agree with the Sculpin. Ever go to Toyota Carlsbad? Inefficient behavior is their stock and trade. Why, they can get away with it because business if off the charts. Trust me, the people don't get fired there either, barring something really bad. Wonder why? They're always super nice, while they're being super incompetent.

      To me that's way more sinister, the smiling idiot approach. Still, I did well there and got good service. How, by being super nice.

      I've done the same thing at city hall, and it works. Trust me, when you face the public and you have to see that same person who gives you a hard time over and over (whether warranted or not), you're going to have a hard time not reacting.

      You've clearly got this going on. I'm not saying staff is right, I have heard the stories, I'm just trying to tell you how to get what you want.

      Did my buddy get resolution at Toyota C-bad giving them a hard time, no he did not. Did I get resolution on a billing issue, yes I did....

      Delete
    6. Long ago I had a Toyota and had trouble like you speak of with toy Carlsbad once out of a dozen visits. To compare them to city of Encinitas, well you just aren't even near a comparison, no one acts like this city, take incompetance & mix in dishonesty and butt covering and presto! Lets not insult the good folks at Toyota Carlsbad.

      Delete
    7. Do bloggers just assume as a group? I am into Christian behavior as a principle and have never treated anyone rude at city hall, if anything perhaps too nice. Really don't think the few here are aware how things are at the city if you go beyond a simple question or routine payment. Do your homework before casting stones.

      Delete
    8. As someone who has used Toyota Carlsbad for over 30 years, I can't understand what you're talking about. While I've encountered a few problems over those 30 years, Toyota Carlsbad has always rectified them. I'm beginning to understand the type of commenters here if you're bashing Toyota Carlsbad. Maybe your problem is you act like butt-heads?

      Delete
    9. I know there good people there, I did have some good experiences. The one more "senior" service writer I dealt with there, a taller gent with curly hair was awesome (about 10 years ago) ! Some of the other service writers, not so much.

      My main issue is they wouldn't back their work. I took my car in for service, they did it, I get in the car, service light immed. goes on (Prius). I turn right around, they hold the car. The dude calls me and says "It's the air filter sensor, we can replace it, $500.

      Long story short, I had to bump up to the head of Service, who I battled with for several weeks to get a credit. The service staff goofed and broke the sensor. All they had to do was own up to it, or unequivocally back the work. They would do neither.

      I got my money back and went elsewhere. Everyone I know who went there has that story, documented, possibly X5 or X10. They just have too much volume there.

      I'm not out to bash them, and it won't matter either way, they're the only dealer on the coast, and I'm not going to Escondido. I ended up going to Kearny Mesa near my work, and then buying a normal car again.

      Delete
    10. '87 Toyota pickup with about 150K miles. Strange whirring noise coming from somewhere up front. Toy C-bad verdict: timing chain = ~$1,500 to replace. Checked to see if that was likely — yep, timing chains usually go out at about 150K. Toy C-bad did the work. I'm in their driveway on my way out, strange whirring noise still happening. Turned right around, hey guys, what's up? Still making the noise. Result: it was the speedometer cable. Did Toy C-bad own up and make good? No way. Did they give me credit for future work? No way. Have I gone there since, or will I ever again for anything but a recall where I don't pay? No way on earth. Scammers to the core.

      Delete
    11. Thanks 8:31. Everyone I know who's gone to Toyota C-bad has a variation on that story. Sorry 10:06, it's a tough place to get quality work done, and they won't stand behind anything they do....

      Delete
  64. 8:32 agreed. It is morally bankrupt to ask you the private worker to woker harder and longer to pay for your retirement and the retirement of Mark Muir and others like him at $170,000 a year. It is morally bankrupt to ask the private worker to work to age 65 while Muir and those like him retire at age 55. It is morally bankrupt to ask you to take wages that would benefit your family and to give those wages to Mark Muir to benefit his family. I see it as theft.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 65? Proles will have to work to 67 now to get Social Security which currently maxes out at $2533 per month, or about 1/6 what Muir gets.

      WCV

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    2. I'm one of those proles, but I'm not retiring at 67. It's morally bankrupt that we the citizens didn't do something before now and allowed Mark Muir or anyone else to get something that is that out of line with what someone needs to live on.

      To me it's not a question of public vs. private, but simply of basic need and taking more than one's share. I've seen people like John Moores and crew pull of the same crap at Peregrine system, in what in the stock world is known as "A pump and dump". Lots of phony accounting went on so that investors, board members and higher ups could reap big $. Meanwhile, the company went in the tank, a few were prosecuted, but most skipped away. People didn't work hard for that money either, nor did they care about the average joe.

      So there's another form of moral bankruptcy. It's my contention that the stock bubble of the late 90's blinded us to a lot of the crap going on down at city hall with the pensions. We should have been on it then, but these guys weren't retiring then, and no one looked ahead.

      Now that everything's in the shitter for a lot of us, people are paying attention...

      Delete
    3. Wow peregrine! I know that story, you got it right, they had blackberries that deleted emails or someone (several) would be in jail. That deal was hiway robbery as is Encinitas and their crooked stuff.

      Delete
  65. These are all false comparisons. The comparison of Susan Rice and Hillary Clinton allegedly lying about what happened at the American Embassy in Libya looks bad. However, in the first days after a crisis situation, especially one where information is not available as in an unstable foreign country that is under attack, incorrect information was shared before it had been vetted. The 60 Minutes reporter likewise did not check her sources before running the story that is mentioned above.

    The Toyota Carlsbad and Peregrine comparisons do not even register since they are private companies. There are other dealerships in Escondido and elsewhere, so at least customers can find an alternative. Peregrine is another case like Enron where bad businesses got away with terrible behavior and stock holders and employees were hurt. The City of Encinitas is paid by us to look after our best interests—not their own.

    We can’t go to another city, but we may end up seceding or going bankrupt if things continue on the present path.

    The situation with the spillage at the park is completely different than the Benghazi situations since Gus Vina was alerted by letter in November 2013. He chose not to be forthright with Encinitas citizens and instead had someone set it up to look like the barriers had been in place when the spillages occurred. He scheduled a number of updates and events so that staff could praise the progress on the park, not once mentioning that they had been cited for wetlands violations, negligence, and the appearance of a cover up.

    Gus Vina is an evil, selfish, and cowardly man who now has thrown Pruim in the spotlight. The people who he has forced out of the city are those who tell the truth and have actual professional standards. Those who lie, hide records, and make mistakes are treated well since they fit in with the culture at the City of Encinitas. He will do anything to keep it all going since it is doubtful that he will find a 4th city to bankrupt after Encinitas!

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    Replies
    1. horse hockey, the Toyota Carlsbad story is totally relevant. You didn't get my point. The point is kill them with kindness is you want to get what you want at City Hall. The question In this instance isn't whether that should have to happen, or how public employees should have to act, it's about getting what you need.

      In this time of decreased public civility, you can make it happen if you know how to interact with public facing workers in a civil manner, even if they act rudely to you. In case you still don't get it, I'll put in succinctly, if you act like a dick or have made enemies down at city hall or anywhere else, you're going to hit a brick wall on service.

      Now do I think they need to act civil at City Hall and try to be more sensitive to service, yes I do. But that's a different issue. Same goes at Toyota C-bad. I took my service elsewhere, and I know others who have as well. The difference there is we have only one city hall, you can't take your service elsewhere.

      Not sure where Benghazi comes in, apparently that box has to be checked, We'll cover that, the failed Iran rescue in '79, Iran-Contra, Whitewater and any other Federal scandal in another discussion. At least the Love Canal was an environmental disaster, or 3 Mile Island for that point, maybe swap those out!

      The other issue with CBS was her source was publishing a book by the parent company of CBS as well, and that reporter has a clear bias on military issues, she should not have even been on the story. But I digress.

      My overall point is we all suffer as a society when we allow bad behavior in the name of commerce, whether it's Peregrine, Toyota C-Bad or City Hall. And for many years, bad behavior has been allowed to fester at city hall. Jerome and his gang didn't do us any favors by buddying up down there for most of the last 20 years.

      Now we have to unwind that behavior, and it won't be easy, because the only attrition you'll get down there is through retirement. With few jobs available in the pub. or private sector, people won't rotate out.

      So you may have to have a little bit more patience. It sucks, I know, but Rome wasn't built in a day. And yes, it's our tax money, the same way it's always been our tax money. Nothing new there..

      Delete
    2. It's a little bit too broad of a statement to say he bankrupted Stockton and Sacto, plenty of blame to go around there, and he as city mgr. of sacto for what, a year?

      I personally didn't find Cotton or Miller any superior, but we've been round and round on that one before.

      All I can say is Dennis Holz, where are you when we need you....

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    3. 6:31,

      Effective organizations don't wait decades for deadwood to retire. They make changes.

      WCV

      Delete
    4. President Obama and Hillary Clinton received letters and wires and cables form ambassador Steven at Benghazi asking for more security and that al Quada and islamic jihad's of hate and intolerance were threatening american lives. President Obama and Hillary Clinton ignored them. When the US ambassador was assinated and raped by the islamic jihadist, the us consulate overu and burned to the ground, the US flag of freedom removed and the Islmaic Jihadist flag of hate, intolerance, subjugation of woman and stoning of homosexuals raised i it's place President Obama and Hillary Clinto lied and told the american people the ambassor was assassinated because of a video. The media in the USA failed to report the story to get President Obama re elected. The BBC, The Lebanon Daily, the Jerusaleavm Post and the Canadian Free Press all acurately blamed AQ and Islmaic Jihadist the day of and after the attack. President Obama was re elected, Hillary Clinton was not held accountable (did you know she did not even testify under oath at Issa's hearing to avoid future perjury charges) and Susan Rice was promoted for lying on 5 tv shows and blaming the video. These are the facts and they are not in dispute.

      Delete
    5. OMG - 7:13 that 60 minutes Interview you reference was done more than one year later! The BBC, Jerusaleam Post, News in Beirut and the Canada Press all got the story right blaming terrorist the day of and after the attack. Only did the USA Press allow the President and his propagandists to go on 5 tv stations blaming a bogus vide we know is a falsehood. 60 minutes Steve Kroft did an interivew with President Obama before the debates where the President admitted the attack was terrorism- but 60 minutes edited the interview to protect the President.

      Thge most recent 60 Minutes story done by Laura Logan was a set up by the media to achevie 2 things. First was to discredit Laura Logan- Laura is an unbiased reporter who actually wants to get the story straight. The 2nd media objective was to begin the rehabilitaition of Hillary Clinton so she can run in 2016 and when her role in the assassination of Ambassor Stephens comes up the press can blame Laura Logan for bad reporting and make the issue about Logan.

      That is why Hillary never testified under Oath- does that not stike you as odd? It is all a set up. The greatest lie the devil ever told was convincing the world he didn't exist.

      Delete
  66. If Pruim makes it through this and is able to keep his engineering license, expect him to get a raise from Sad Sac!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Both will retire with big fat set for life pensions and laugh everyday at the fools that live, work and run the city govt of Mayberry by the sea.

      Delete
    2. Some background on pensions in CA...

      http://www.sacbee.com/2013/09/09/5718823/california-public-pension-payouts.html

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  67. Vina raids the Cardiff and Encinitas sanitary land easements to increase city assets as explained in the annual financial report.
    Page 6 of the report -
    The Governmental Activities portion improved by $8.1 million (net), primarily due to an increase in the net investment in capital assets of $17.4 million. Of that amount, approximately $1.8 million can be attributed to the reclassification of the value of land easements which were transferred from the Cardiff and Encinitas Sanitary funds to general government capital assets during the fiscal year. The increase in capital assets was offset to some degree, by the issuance of $7.9 million of long-term debt during the
    fiscal year to partially finance construction of the improvements to the Encinitas Community Park. The net proceeds of that bond issue were on deposit with the bond trustee at June 30, 2013, and make up the
    majority of the increase in other non-current assets.

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    Replies
    1. Which in layman's terms means what?

      Delete
  68. It looks like what the person is saying is this

    1. Vina writes i the report that the city has increased it'x assets by 8.1M good news right?
    2. No becuase to claim this increase Vina used questinable accounting and xhaffer the ethics guru let him claim 7.9M in debt as an assett(it's a liability and to pay it back costs more than 7.1M becuase of interest)
    3. Vina then transferred 1.8M in assetts from the ecnitas and cardiff sanitary land easments to dress up the city's finances with window dressing....................kind of like a pump and dump for a public company.

    no wonder Vina got run out of Sacramento. Barth is no better than Stocks, she is a loser with a capital L. Look at the shennanigans under her watch.

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  69. Demand the park be stopped and sell the land to Costco. Realize this park will be the tipping point to dire insolvency! We are broke and they think they can build up to support their fiascos. Game over with this park folly.

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  70. I would agree with that… better for city finances. Sell the property to developers, costco would be welcome with all the tax revenue verses the sports complex raping the city's tax payers with huge annual maintenance costs.

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    Replies
    1. That's not going to happen, the park is way too close to completion.

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  71. They already have sold the park. There will be almost no public space and the fields will be rented out to soccer leagues. If the local residents were able to use the park and benefit in some way, maybe there would not be such hard feelings about the many negative impacts on local neighbors. The $430,000 water board fine is just the beginning of this newest drain on city funds--and that does not even take into account the money that they borrowed to buy this polluted property or finance the building. We are millions and millions in the hole because of this. And for what?

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    Replies
    1. You can thank Jerome and his crew for that. The neighbors and others fought against the regional sports park plan. The Soccer clubs pushed for more fields. Not really fair to put this one on Teresa's doorstep, the wheels were in motion before she was on council. We're talking Jerome, Jim, Danny, Christy.

      Hey, the skaters are already in there, I saw them when I drove by yesterday. At least someone's having a good time...

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  72. For what? Why for a ribbon cutting ceremony!

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  73. Barth will be remembered as the Ribbon Cutting Mayor while she lays down and lets developers ruin the city under her vision of change. Meanwhile, her former supporters are disgusted and her traditional enemies are laughing at her as she is the main tool they have found to degrade our city.

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