"The City of Sidney is now in an economic crises. Or, were we supposed to know that? Person explains how the State of Nebraska is keeping our local sales taxes to pay the state's economic development package. Of the nearly $700,000 sales taxes collected in recents months, the state has or plans to keep over 450,000 for economic development. While it is argued whether this is a state of local responsibility, this, too, is another cost of economic development. The Economic Development Director may not want to look at that way, but the City manager should be looking at every way possible to reduce costs for the city. Is This another conflict of interest as the result of combining the Jobs? It would appear so."
Nope, I have not read the letter, but, was told that our city manager sent a letter asking for the money (signed by council members) and is looking for every possible was to get it back. Just like other city managers in Nebraska are doing. I am currently looking for a copy of the letter or where it was read in public.
"Is the City Manager preparing our community for additional financial shortfalls? According to the coffee shoppe talk, Person recently advised his staff to trim travel costs because of local business had told him, out of courtesy to the city, they were going to file a claim for an additional 300,000 of refunds to to economic development programs. Just travel costs? Are there not any state or local reporting requirements or cost projections for economic development programs? Has this ben discussed at a council meeting for the benefit of the public's knowledge? Have city council members been informed of this? What is the city manager doing to prepare the city for this shortfall?"
I have heard in more than one meeting that is a concern. And I'm very pleased to know that all departments are looking at cutting cost. I would hope that it's not just travel. As far as has he advised council I don't know. I would also like to know if council has asked.
"The City of Sidney is in the process of hiring a new Chief of Police after the unexpected retirement? of the former chief. Makes it sound like the public is not being informed of everything. Although city council members were part of the initial scoring process, everyone else involved in the process are either hand selected by the city manager or appointed by the city manager. In the end, the ultimate decision is made by one person, the city manager."
I also have heard the word on the street about our former chief, don't know really what was what on that. I can say he told me over a year ago just how many months he had left to retirement. And his retirement was in line with that. If there is more to the story one would have to ask if it is a personnel issue and just can't be discussed. As far as council members not being involved at the last meeting they were all asked to be in the interviewing process. If that was the city manager hand picking I guess that is what he did. BTW none of them gave an answer to his question about being involved. Also, in case we forget, it's the city manager's job to find a replacement for our police chief.
"Many of the comments at the city council meeting indicated that Person was irreplaceable. The apparent theme was that only Gary could do both jobs. Then one speaker commented that after a short period of mourning everyone would continue on. Irreplaceable? Really?"
Everyone is replaceable without exception. Gary has done both jobs, and by most accounts, done them well. But he is replaceable. The bigger question for me was and is, why now? What has happened to push for this change now? If council feels that he is in someway misleading council and the citizens of Sidney I want to hear it loud and clear. And if they feel this, why are we finding out about in in an anonymous letter? Is it not each and every councilmen's duty to let us know? I voted for the 3 councilmen in question, because I thought they would ask the hard questions in public. I want the right balance for our city. I don't want them to just be bullies. I have had city employees tell me how Filsinger has ripped them about the job they are doing. That is not what a councilman is for. And if they determine that Gary is not capable of keeping his employees doing their job they need to take it up with him. Solve the problems in public just as we elected them to do.
"also, comment was made regarding the use of an outside attorney by council. After hearing another of the City Attorney's dissertations, with no real opinion clearly expressed, one has to ask if the City Attorney represents the City, Person, or the City Council Members. Did he contact Mr. Van Vleet to discuss the agenda item and provide any guidance or advice regarding that item? Or did he solely counsel Person.
I asked the question that Ball answered and I understood it. And when does an attorney give a short answer? The City attorney works for all of them. I would have to ask Van Vleet if he called the city attorney or the other that he wanted hired.
During the July 14, 09 meeting Council Member Van Vleet proposed that the Council hire Joel Jay of Chappell to act as legal council to the city council whenever council may need additional legal advice and/or there is possible conflict of interest cases. After discussion, Van Vleet moved, Filsinger seconded "That Joel Jay be hired as legal council to the city council whenever council may need additional legal advice and/or there is possible conflict of interest cases." Three of the five councilmen voted yea on this. How is current council supposed to know what is a conflict and what is not. Council is writing the rules on this one. So if Van Vleet has a question of the city attorney he should pick up the phone and call.
Why should the taxpayers be paying for legal advice to council members? Where does attorney-client privilege fall on this one? As tax-payers, we deserve to know what this attorney is being paid to advise our council members to do and say. Are the two council members who voted not to hire Joel Jay involved in discussions with him? Where does this issue fall in regards to open meetings law?
When I asked how many citations had been written to councilman Filsinger for the messes he has on his property I was told the City Attorney would have a conflict of interest in that area and would have to send it to the City Manager to hire outside council. So the way I look at this in a year of budget short-falls the city councilmen are causing more expenses with attorneys than this city needs.
The big question remains: Do we really have a problem, or is this a power grab? If there is a problem, council owes it to us to put it on the table.
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