12.7.2004

 

Happy Tony got his Christmas wish this week…sort of.  Anthony Cobos got to sit in the big chair again on Tuesday because Wardy missed part of the meeting.  (It seems that Cobos has heard about just how silly and small he looks in that big chair…he seemed taller there this time.  Maybe he was sitting on a booster chair or a phone book.)

 

Beaming like a proud wife, Cobos explained why Wardy would be late and said, “I would like to announce that Mayor Wardy is meeting with Senator Hutchinson [sic] this morning.  He will be joining us a little late, but he is on official business representing the City of El Paso with our U.S. Senator.”  And yes, folks, Tony did mispronounce the senator’s name (it’s Hutchison without an ‘n’).  And I would like to announce that Anthony Cobos has been sent packing by the people of El Paso but, alas, that I can’t make that announcement just yet.  Hopefully I will come May.

 

Can Someone Turn the Lights On?

Speaking of Senator Hutchison’s visit, it seems that some of El Paso’s good ol’ boys (you know, those rich guys who really run things around here) really got her mad.  In case you missed the article, it’s a must-read.  The El Paso Times documents how those rich ol’ boys were encouraging our U.S. Senator not to run against Governor Rick Perry.  It seems that they’ve invested way too much money in Perry.

 

Hutchison, who has done more for El Paso at the federal level in one year than our Congressman has done in eight, would be a great Governor.  Unlike Perry, she’s been a strong advocate for the border and believes in our community (it ain’t just lip service for her).  Now, a cynic could argue that she was just mad because, collectively, these good ol’ boys have donated over $800,00 to our happy-talking-do-nothing Governor while they, collectively, have given her just $7,000 (actually that came from one donor, Jonathan Rogers).  However, look at it this way.  What has their $800,000 gotten us?  A few appointments for these guys; that’s nice, but the Senator has actually delivered for El Paso time and again.

 

I couldn’t help but shake my head when I read the article.  This is par for the course in our community.  Our “leaders” fumbling around in the dark for the light switch.

 

We saw this same problem come up with the recent medical school debate.  It seems that UTEP’s Diana Natalicio has decided to back out of her deal with Texas Tech (and the community) to create a unified health campus (http://www.borderlandnews.com/stories/borderland/20041205-202890.shtml).  She’d rather ignore several agreements she’s signed promising she’d help and instead will hoard what she can to preserve her own little fiefdom.   Meanwhile, aside from a couple of strong and outspoken community folks (like Dr. Carlos Gutierrez) and one elected official (Sen. Elliot Shapleigh), everyone else is silent or too polite to tell her that this medical campus is important to all of us. 

 

Like I said…we need a light switch.

 

Pearl Harbor Survivors for Wardy?

Back to the Council meeting.  Before the public portion of the agenda began, Representative John Cook noted that this is the first time since he’s been on Council that there’s not been a Mayor’s Proclamation honoring Pearl Harbor survivors. 

 

I wanted to go to the podium and remind Council that the reason for that probably was because Mayor Wardy checked his list and saw that they hadn’t made any campaign contributions!

 

One Classy Lady

The following item was placed on the agenda by northeast community activist Esther Perez, who has spoken to Council many times:

 

1.      Presentation on displaced workers and neighborhood associations.  [Esther Perez]

 

Perez reminded them that despite the pleas of displaced workers and people like herself, she said that Guillermo Glenn (the advocate for displaced workers) “Must feel like St. Joseph, knocking on the doors again and again, asking that the displaced workers be let in.”  She said that in a recent El Paso Times article, displaced workers were noted as being important to the economy. 

 

Perez must have placed this item on the agenda knowing that Wardy & Co. wouldn’t make good on their promise to draft an ordinance creating the board that Glenn has been asking for (http://www.thestrelz.com/shm/2004_1130.htm).  Well, she was right.  There wasn’t a single item introducing the ordinance Cushing and Wardy said was necessary in order to move forward on this week’s agenda. 

 

She then mentioned the Neighborhoods First initiative and asked that training on Roberts Rules of Order and Conflict Resolution be included in the program.  She also said that she and others agree that while Council members have a right to ask questions, Cobos recently went too far in his interrogation of Alberto Rivas from the Five Points Neighborhood Association. She said that Cobos sounded like a prosecuting attorney.

 

Actually Ms. Perez, that’s Mr. Cobos’ fantasy…he criticizes lawyers publicly, but in many ways tries to emulate them.  It’s kinda like a Madonna/Whore complex with old Tony—he hates lawyers but at the same time he secretly reveres them.  Maybe he hates lawyers because he knows he’s not smart enough ever to become one.  In real life, Cobos is nothing but a two-bit predatory business owner (http://www.newspapertree.com/newsletter.ssd?section=feature&c=1f0e4198d62147fa) –you know, predatory businesses are the type that preys on poor folks and exploits their lack of education when it comes to finance issues.  Even with their bad reputation, lawyers are far higher up the food chain than people like Cobos.  It must gall him every day of his life.

 

Cobos also doesn’t even know how to be courteous on the most basic level; he refused to look up at Ms. Perez while she politely addressed him.  And people voted for this guy? 

 

Servin’ Up Those Minutes

For you obsessed minute-readers, I made sure to include the following item this week:

 

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  [Municipal Clerk, Richarda Duffy Momsen, (915) 541-4127] Approval of Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of November 30, 2004.  (Attachment)- Regular City Council Meeting Minutes 11/30/04

 

The minutes passed on the consent agenda without discussion or a Rojas postponement.

 

Arriba de los Oficiales

Also passed on the consent agenda was the following $75,000 award to Project Arriba:

 

5B.  That the Mayor be authorized to sign Contract of Services between the City of El Paso and Project ARRIBA Advanced Retraining and Redev, Inc. ("Grantee"), a 501(c)3, a tax exempt, non-profit Texas corporation. Pursuant to the Contract, Grantee shall provide training and case management services to eligible clients who require occupational skills.  The Contract shall continue in effect until August 31, 2005; the cost to the City will not exceed $75,000.  (All Districts) Funding Source: Dept. ID: 99010273, Account: 505200, Fund: 01101 (Attachment) [Economic Development, David G. Dobson, (915) 541-4680]

 

I’m sure that once the campaign season begins, EPISO (the El Paso Interreligious Sponsoring Organization) will again hold their hostage negotiations…er…“accountability sessions,” where they will demand that the candidates promise to give them money each budget season if they want EPISO’s endoresement.  EPISO calls it “accountability”; Sid calls it bribery (you give us money; we’ll give you an endorsement and votes).

 

The irony in all of this is that, while Project Arriba boasts of helping to create highly trained workers ready to take on well-paid jobs in the community, the City of El Paso was under such a serious budget crunch that it had to ax jobs and lay off employees.  Maybe those laid-off El Pasoans can apply for re-training through Project Arriba!

 

Furthermore, while Wardy & Co. continues to string Guillermo Glenn and the displaced workers along, they have absolutely no problem finding money ($75,000 to be exact) for the EPISO project.

 

KWAL-ity Representation?  NOT!

Interestingly, the following contracts were approved on the consent agenda without discussion:

 

12A. Solicitation No.:  2005-007   Paint and Painting

Award to:                         KWAL Paint, Inc. Denver, Colorado

Item (s):                   #1 thru #22

Amount:                                        $30,000.00 (estimated annually)

Department:                       Facilities Maintenance

Funds available:               31010326-503200-01101

Funding source:                Building Maintenance General  Operating Funds

Total award:                    $90,000.00 (estimated)

District (s):                     All

 

The Building Maintenance and Purchasing Departments recommend award as indicated to the lowest responsive offer meeting specifications, from responsible parties.  Vendor offers the City the option to extend the term of the contract at the same unit prices for one (1) additional year if the option is exercised within one (1) year from the date of the award. Vendor also offer the City a 2% ten (10) days prompt payment discount.  This is a Requirements Type Contract with an initial term of Thirty-Six (36) months.  (Attachment) [Purchasing Department, Jesus M.  Juarez, (915) 541-4317]

 

12B. Solicitation No.  2004-232    Proprietary Parts, Graco

Award to:                          Kwal Paint, Inc. Denver, CO

Item (s):                         All

Amount:                        $60,000.00

Department:                     Department of Aviation

Funds available:                62620003-503121

Funding source:                 Airport Operating Funds

Total award:                       $60,000.00

District (s):                        3

         

The Department of Aviation and the Purchasing Department recommend award as indicated to the lowest responsive offer, by definition meeting specifications, from responsible parties. This is a twenty-four (24) month requirements-type Contract for a "Proprietary Parts, Graco".  Vendor offers the City the option of extending the term of the contract for Twelve (12) additional months utilizing the same pricing structure, if the option is exercised within One (1) Year from the date of award of the contract.  Vendor offers a 2% discount if paid within 10 days. The Contract will officially begin at 12:01 a.m., December 15, 2004.  (Attachment) [Purchasing Department, Enrique Acosta, Jr., (915) 541-4267]

 

If you recall, dear reader, Anthony Cobos and Robert Cushing (with Wardy’s help) tried as hard as they could to get the award away from KWAL paint.  They were advised not to openly break the law, though, which might have helped Cobos and Cushing change their mind.  And although the El Paso Times didn’t document the bid rigging attempt in any great detail, they did do a story about the item (http://www.borderlandnews.com/stories/borderland/20041206-203279.shtml). 

 

Ultimately, Cobos and Cushing backed off and the items were approved with no discussion. 

 

No Money For Parks…Too Abajo?

The following items are all related to keeping our parks clean – or not.

 

5F. That the Mayor be authorized to sign an Amendment to the May 1, 2001, State Use Contract between the City of El Paso and Texas Industries for the Blind and Handicapped (TIBH), and Border TM Industries, Inc., to provide for extension of the termination date of the Contract for maintenance services for Special Areas of the City's Parks from December 15, 2004, until December 31, 2004.  Funding Source: General fund, Account 51010262/503113 – Land Management-Horticulture and park clean up. (Attachment) [Parks & Recreation, Norman Merrifield, (915) 541-4331]

 

5G. That the Mayor be authorized to sign an Amendment to the May 1, 2001, State Use Contract between the City of El Paso and Texas Industries for the Blind and Handicapped (TIBH), and Border TM Industries, Inc., to provide for extension of the termination date of the Contract for restroom maintenance services from December 15, 2004, until December 31, 2004. Funding Source: General fund, Account 51010262/503113 – Land Management-Horticulture and park clean up.  (Attachment) [Parks & Recreation, Norman Merrifield, (915) 541-4331]

 

5H. That the Mayor be authorized to sign an Amendment to the May 1, 2001, State Use Contract between the City of El Paso and Texas Industries for the Blind and Handicapped (TIBH), and Border TM Industries, Inc., to provide for extension of the termination date of the Contract for parksites maintenance services from December 15, 2004, until December 31, 2004. Funding Source: General fund, Account 51010262/503113 – Land Management-Horticulture and park clean up.  (Attachment) [Parks & Recreation, Norman Merrifield, (915) 541-4331]

 

5I. That the Mayor be authorized to sign an Amendment to the May 1, 2001, State Use Contract between the City of El Paso and Texas Industries for the Blind and Handicapped (TIBH), and Border TM Industries, Inc., to provide for extension of the termination date of the Contract for parksites maintenance services (additional day/weekends) from December 15, 2004, until December 31, 2004.  Funding Source: General fund, Account 51010262/503113 – Land Management-Horticulture and park clean up.   (Attachment) [Parks & Recreation, Norman Merrifield, (915) 541-4331]

 

5J. That the Mayor be authorized to sign an Amendment to the May 1, 2001, State Use Contract between the City of El Paso and Texas Industries for the Blind and Handicapped (TIBH), and Border TM Industries, Inc., to provide for extension of the termination date of the Contract for maintenance services for the El Corredor Area of Downtown El Paso from December 15, 2004, until December 31, 2004. Funding Source: General fund, Account 51010262/503113 – Land Management-Horticulture and park clean up.   (Attachment) [Parks & Recreation, Norman Merrifield, (915) 541-4331]

 

5K. That  the  Mayor be authorized to sign a City Parksites Maintenance Contract among the City of El Paso and Texas Industries for the Blind and Handicapped (TIBH), and Border TM Industries, Inc., to provide for parksites maintenance services for the City's Parks and Recreations Department.  Funding Source: General fund, Account 51010262/503113 – Land Management-Horticulture and park clean up.   (Attachment) [Parks & Recreation, Norman Merrifield, (915) 541-4331]

 

5L. That the Mayor be authorized to sign a City Parks Restrooms Maintenance Contract among the City of El Paso and Texas Industries for the Blind and Handicapped (TIBH), and Border TM Industries, Inc., to provide for maintenance services at restrooms for the City's Parks and Recreations Department.  Funding Source: General fund, Account 51010262/503113 – Land Management-Horticulture and park clean up.   (Attachment) [Parks & Recreation, Norman Merrifield, (915) 541-4331]

 

Border TM Industries, which is a company that has done park clean-ups for the city for a while now, employs folks in the community who usually don’t have the same employment opportunities as others.  Border TM employs disabled people and has done a great job helping their employees find steady work.  Some of that steady work has come from the City contracts.

 

Norman Merrifield, Director of Parks and Recreation, reminded Council that “During the 2005 budget hearings in July, it was necessary for the Parks and Recreation Department to reduce it’s contractual account approximately $187,000.  In addition to that reduction…we find ourselves today with rising irrigation costs…turf maintenance increases…and also security costs.”  He said that they looked “long and hard” at “creative ways” to realign these costs.  One of those creative ways of making up for that $187k is cutting the Border TM contracts.

 

The items listed above are amendments to existing contracts, extending services as they are until the end of the year.  There are also two new agreements for much-reduced services from 1/1/05 to 12/31/05 (Border TM will be going from five contracts to two). 

 

One of the new agreements, which Merrifield recommended, includes basic maintenance services (trash and debris removal at parks) by Border TM and will allow for 7-day service at small downtown parks, 4-day-a-week service at larger parks and one-day-a-week service at smaller parks.  The second agreement is for cleaning the public restrooms only on weekdays (on weekends it will be handled by Parks Department staff).  Merrifield said that while the new contracts will mean a reduction for Border TM, they “will have a shot at the mowing opportunities.”

 

Cushing wanted a guarantee from Merrifield that the quality of the parks would not be reduced and Merrifield replied, “You never say never.”  What a silly question (but then again, Cushing’s a silly man).  When park clean-ups are reduced, of course the quality of those parks will diminish.  Merrifield added that he would need the help of the neighborhoods and the community to keep the parks clean.

 

Warning Council about the future, Merrifield noted, “As we acquire more and more parks and particularly sports complexes it may not be in our interests necessarily to contract those [clean ups] out, we’ll just have to see.”

 

Eddie Sanchez, from Border TM Industries and the Association for Retarded Citizens, thanked Council and especially Representative John Cook, whom he said supported them “110%” in the past.  He said that at the end of the month, half their employees will no longer have work because of the reduction of services.  He sounded very proud of the work his employees do, and reminded Council that as a result of their hard work for the City, these employees become active, productive members of the community.

 

“Our community lacks in supporting people with disabilities,” said Sanchez, “Some of them have children, they’re married, they pay taxes, they pay rent, utilities, they’re gonna go on unemployment pretty soon…and we’re gonna have to carry them, and that’s why I’m here.”

 

He’s right. 

 

Wardy thanked him and said, “Unfortunately, this is a tough time to be a public official, these are tough times in trying to balance the needs of the city against dwinding revenues.  These are not easy decisions to make.”

 

Hmm. Funny.  Wardy had no problem rewarding Lisa Elizondo with a bloated salary of $150,000 for being an incompetent micro-managing spendthrift; he had no problem rewarding Jabba/Jimbo/Jumbo Salary Martinez with an even cooler $165,000-per-year salary to serve as an Assistant to the incompetent micro-managing spendthrift.  Wardy has no problem giving $75,000 to Project Arriba.  He has no problem increasing the wage level for Assistant City Managers. 

 

Wardy has absolutely no problem making City Hall so top-heavy it leans more severely than the Tower of Pisa while the quality of life of El Pasoans who frequent City parks declines, and while hard-working, productive members of the community lose their jobs.

 

Anyhow, the items passed unanimously.

 

If You Ain’t the Sun Bowl, Don’t Bother With Cobos

On the next item, the representatives of the Car Club Toy Run organization were asking the City to waive the permit fees for a toy run that would deliver 400 toys to needy El Paso children:

 

17.  BUILDING PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS: APPLICATION FOR USE OF CITY PARKS/STREETS & SIDEWALKS:  Permission to use public streets, sidewalks or parks for special events does not constitute endorsement by the City of El Paso of the contents of any expression that takes place during these events.  Discussion and action on the request of the 1320 Club of El Paso Texas to hold its 4th Annual Car Club Toy Run on December 11, 2004  from 10:30 a.m. to  1:00 p.m.   Route: Start at 1225 Airway heading north to Montana, turning right on Montana and heading east to George Dieter, turning right on George Dieter and heading south to Pebble Hills, turning right on Pebble Hills and heading west and ending at the Pebble Hills Regional Command.  Approximately 75 persons, 50 vehicles will take part and 20 spectators are anticipated. Request to waive fees for the necessary police traffic assistance.   Signed affidavit submitted.   PERMIT#:  04-162 (Districts 3 and 5) (Attachment) [Jody L. Stice]

 

Wardy informed the toy run representative that there are only two ways to get around the payment:  The City could either co-sponsor the event or find the organization indigent.

 

After a discussion about the organization’s finances, John Cook moved to approve waiving the fees for the organization and to declare them indigent. 

 

Cobos asked for a summary of how many toys would be given and how many people would be participating.  And taking off his “I wanna be a prosecutor” hat and switching over to his “I wish I were a judge” hat, said, “I’m concerned that these hot rods are expensive automobiles…we’re going to a really tight budget cycle and giving up $500 is quite a bit.  I’m just concerned that I think the resources are there…”  He gave the speaker a disapproving look.

 

Right.  This is the same guy who lobbied hard to waive over $3,000 in fees with the Sun Bowl just so that he could ride in a convertible, wear his tight turtleneck and flash that inane grin.  He sure wasn’t concerned about tight budgets or their ability to pay when it came to the Sun Bowl, an organization that certainly had the funds to pay that money.

 

Presi Ortega seemed to want to donate the money from discretionary funds and Lisa Elizondo said he couldn’t do that unless there were a public purpose and…guess what?  She also told him it wasn’t posted correctly if he wanted to do that!

 

Rojas must have been reading my mind because she said, “I was just going to remind Council that I believe we waived, I’m not sure how much it was…for Vitalis to put up banners for the Sun Bowl, and I mean, that’s a corporation and they could’ve paid for that and we waived it for them.”

 

Grinch Boy…er…Cobos, who runs those fly-by-night tax preparation businesses, did some quick calculations on the 400 toys the organization gives.  He said, “Just so that I’m understanding what the reality of this is, taxpayers are paying $2 a toy?”

 

There was no response.  Gee, Cobos, how much per sign are we paying for the Sun Bowl?  I don’t recall you asking Bernie Olivas, President of the Sun Bowl Association, that question.  What a doofus.

 

The waiving of the fees was approved unanimously.

 

A (Nearly) Half a Million Bucks for Lozano

The following item was approved with little discussion:

 

5D.  That  the Mayor be authorized to sign an Agreement for Engineering Services by and between the CITY OF EL PASO and KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC., for a project known as "Airway Feasibility Study", in an amount not to exceed FOUR HUNDRED TEN THOUSAND and NO/100 DOLLARS ($410,000.00).  (District 3) Funding Source: 2004 Bond Issue Funds, 14200403/PBE04ST10129115/508016 (Attachment) [Engineering Department, Irene Ramirez, (915) 541-4431]

 

We can’t find money to help displaced workers, we can’t find money to keep our parks clean, but we can sure find money to study the extension of Airway.  Now, I’m not criticizing the Airway extension project, folks.  It may be a good thing and a feasibility study is probably in order.  However, when the previous mayor wanted to spend money (which was going to be reimbursed by the feds) on a feasibility study to relocate the rail lines outside the City (a great idea, a smart Homeland Security and safety issue, and a nuisance solver), Wardy (as the mayoral candidate) and Cushing (then a candidate for District 2) criticized him for wasting public funds. 

 

Today, Wardy and Cobos congratulated Lozano on his $410,000 study and Cushing supported it.  Their hypocrisy would be stunning if it hadn’t been the umpteenth example in their tenure on Council.  The item was approved unanimously.

 

Thankfully, it was a short meeting.  I say “thankfully: because that was about as much hypocrisy as I could handle for one morning.

 

Now We’re Cookin’!

Just when you thought that that the most corrupt and inept municipal administration in our lifetime – that of Joe Wardy – would be running unopposed in the next election, we got some great news this week.

 

On Thursday, John Cook announced that he is running for Mayor:

http://www.borderlandnews.com/stories/borderland/20041210-204880.shtml

 

Wardy, who has said that he will run for re-election (ick!) said he’s ready to run against Cook and has a record to run on:

http://www.kvia.com/Global/story.asp?S=2674143&nav=AbBzU2cj.

 

He’s damn right he has a record to run on; in a short year and a half, Wardy has:

 

Wardy needs to be removed.  Thanks to John Cook for stepping up to do the job.  Now we only need eight more good people to run for City Council seats.  That’s my Christmas wish this season (well, that and that some indictments are handed down and we see Cobos, Cushing and Wardy do the “perp” walk).

 

But we have a responsibility, too.  When good candidates step up, they need money, volunteers, and support.  They cannot do it alone, nor should they.  If they are good enough to fight corruption, we cannot sit in the bleachers, watch and keep our fingers crossed. 

 

Until next week.