Friday's are Presentations and Awards Day at City Council Chambers, and after all that is done, there's the special event/fee waivers to be approved. I think too much of this is a waste of the diminished levels of tax funds that the city continues to commit without any thought other than to buy votes.
Here's today's list if another batch of waivers, including the one I mentioned here in this blog before, a motion made by CD-14's CM, Jose Huizar, for the sum of $13,322.00 to be waived for the "3rd Annual Boyle Heights Technology Center Community Awards Gala on May 29, 2009," which is today. This is already a done deal. It's really not a good showing for the process that this works out like that. You know the approval is a formality and if anyone challenges it at the council meeting, it's too late to stop the unanimous "aye" vote.
THIS will be approved, like most motions introduced, there's only the questions at the most, but any denials are so rare that they make news. What-if Questions: What if this was NOT approved? Where would the money come from if there is no money available- which is why most of the requests are made? Does the City eat it? or do they chase payment as a collection item that has to be eaten ultimately? OR more unlikely, deducting the amount from any funding approved for the Center's operation? The City is on the one hand, outrageous in actions to impose steep increases in costs felt by most in the city, like parking fees and trash fees, but on the other hand, gives away money for activities that most residents know nothing about and will not be getting a benefit from.
Are we out of the "budget crisis" and city workers no longer considered for furloughs? I continue to make note of these expenses since they are voluntary ones on the City's part. Each CM has $100,000.00 available for spending on assorted things in the districts and so on. THIS is where that allotted money COULD be used to slow down general fund expense and STILL FUND events, should a CM think it's a worthy expense. They don't have to now, and they continue to generously approve the expenses as they are presented to them.
note: 09-0218 Also a Huizar motion, co-sponsored by CM LaBonge, an expense (unstated) for a union "rally" - relative to declaring the SEIU Rally on May 22, 2009 a Special Event (fees and costs absorbed by the City = none submitted). If this is simply for noting it as some special affair, that's one thing. I do not think that's the case, and there's likely a cost generated for the public on the part of the "SEIU," the Service Employees International Union, that represents many government workers among its membership.
Why is a Union getting a waiver for it's own rally? If you didn't notice, the event was on May 22, 2009, so it's already done, and there's no notation of expense calculated since that time. Why? Too many expenses and automatic approvals are all that can reasonably be concluded from the way these are appearing on the agenda. Where does any input from the public come in to influence expense approval?
ON TODAY'S AGENDA:
"ITEM NO. (15)
09-1223
et al. MOTIONS relative to “Special Events” to be held in the various Council Districts.
Recommendations for Council action:
DECLARE the following community events as “Special Events”; APPROVE any temporary street closures as requested; and, INSTRUCT the involved City departments to perform such services as detailed the Council motions attached to the various listed Council files, including the waiver of fees, costs and requirements and other related issues, as specified:
09-1223
CD 3
a. MOTION (ZINE - PERRY) relative to declaring the Optimist Dads’ Day Dash on June 13, 2009 a Special Event (fees and costs absorbed by the City = $3,591).
07-0809-S1
CD 3
b. MOTION (ZINE - PERRY) relative to declaring the Walk for Darfur on June 7, 2009 a Special Event (fees and costs absorbed by the City = $3,860).
09-1224
CD 9
c. MOTION (PERRY - ZINE) relative to declaring the Swearing In Ceremony on June 4, 2009 a Special Event (the event organizer shall reimburse the City for all fees and costs associated with this event).
09-1225
CD 9
d. MOTION (PERRY - ZINE) relative to declaring the Father’s Day Affair on June 20, 2009 a Special Event (fees and costs absorbed by the City = $500).
08-0753-S1
CD 8
e. MOTION (PARKS - PERRY) relative to declaring the Sixth Annual City Lites Inner City Sports Event Bike Tour, 5K-Walk, and Health Fair & Festival on May 30, 2009 a Special Event (fees and costs absorbed by the City = $16,359).
08-1192-S1
CD 9
f. MOTION (PERRY - ZINE) relative to declaring the Celebration of Freedom on July 4, 2009 a Special Event (the event organizer shall reimburse the City for all fees and costs associated with this event).
09-1215
CD 10
g. MOTION (WESSON - SMITH) relative to declaring the Health Fair on May 16, 2009 a Special Event (fees and costs absorbed by the City = $2,262).
09-1217
CD 14
h. MOTION (HUIZAR - LABONGE) relative to declaring the Third Annual Boyle Heights Technology Center Community Awards Gala on May 29, 2009 a Special Event (fees and costs absorbed by the City = $13,322).
09-1218
CD 14
i. MOTION (HUIZAR - LABONGE) relative to declaring the SEIU Rally on May 22, 2009 a Special Event (fees and costs absorbed by the City = none submitted)."
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