More good news from the fine folks down at City Hall. Our elected officials have abdicated their responsibility to be stewards of the taxpayers’ money.
The City Council on Tuesday gave City Manager Tommy Gonzalez the authority to sign contracts and negotiate real estate offers dealing with the construction of the Downtown arena, which was approved by voters as part of the 2012 Quality of Life Bond.
The council voted unanimously — with city Rep. Claudia Ordaz not present — on the item that was discussed in executive session.
City Attorney Sylvia Borunda Firth said that currently Gonzalez has a cap of $50,000 that he can spend without having to go before the City Council for approval for other projects.
She said that Tuesday’s action allows Gonzalez to sign contracts with appraisers, surveyors and other experts without having to wait for the City Council to meet.
Borunda Firth said Gonzalez’s cap for the arena project is the $180 million budgeted for the development and construction of the project.
I bet those Executive Sessions are a lot of fun. Open bar? BYOB? Who caters those?
So Mr. Gonzalez’ spending cap for the Arena Project went from $50k to $180 million. That sounds reasonable.
“[City Attorney Borunda Firth] said that Tuesday’s action allows Gonzalez to sign contracts with appraisers, surveyors and other experts without having to wait for the City Council to meet.”
Wouldn’t you think that $50k might be a reasonable amount to spend on appraisers, surveyors and other experts?
If I were Mr. Gonzalez, I might be tempted to pay Rep. Larry Romero’s brother a cool million for some expert advice. Just on a goof.
I guess those people on City Council are too young to remember that the City gave former City Manager Joyce Wilson the authority to negotiate and sign contracts with MountainStar Sports Group regarding he ballpark, and she gave the store away. We’re in a hole for the ballpark that we’re never going to dig ourselves out of.
The names change but the game remains the same.
You have to elect county and medical examiner to run El Paso. That is why I followed and helped Jaime during my tunure at the pass.