The City of Los Alamitos was presented with one of the California Parks and Recreation Society’s (CPRS) top awards during its monthly meeting in March, as later in the meeting a Council member wondered aloud why documents she requested have not been given to her.
Jenny Worsham, Vice President of the CPRS was present at this past Tuesday’s meeting to congratulate the city and its Recreation and Parks Department for being the recipient of the “Creating Community” Award of Excellence.
“The CPRS state award program is an annual award program that celebrates outstanding examples of quality facility and park design, programming accomplishments, effective communications, community leadership, and professional successes that take place daily in our profession,” said Worsham.
“This award recognizes outstanding initiatives by agencies, departments, or districts in their effort to deliver the highest level of recreation and leisure programs and services that embody and embrace the values and mission of the profession and move the agency towards a stronger position or role within the community,” she added.
Apparently, the city received the award for its coordinated efforts for the third annual “Celebrate Los Al” event.
“It was a demonstration of effective collaboration, innovation, resourcefulness and economic and community engagement,” said Worsham. “This event evolved from a one-week celebration to a one-day celebration,” she added.
“The results included a triple event attendance and accomplished citywide goals and objectives in economic vitality, community gathering, local business and nonprofit awareness, downtown revitalization, law enforcement presence and engagement honoring local veterans,” she said.
In addition, the event provided health and wellness activities, it offered safe community events and activities while celebrating the rich, rich history of Los Alamitos and continuing all the new traditions in the community.
“Wow, that is a lot for one day,” she said.
Also on Tuesday, the city listened to a mid-year budget review
“This event provides a realistic model for all cities to execute a dynamic downtown event that engages all facets of the community. This is the highest honor bestowed upon CPRS and I would like to invite the city of Los Alamitos, Mayor Jordan Nefulda and all city department representatives to receive this award tonight which shows true collaboration and teamwork. And a great example for all cities. Congratulations.”
Nefulda accepted the award as Mayor on behalf of everyone on the city’s team and thanked Recreation Director Emeline Noda and the city’s team for their “dedication and hard work” on behalf of residents.
In other action Tuesday, the city council heard that despite a slight drop in sales tax revenue, the city’s increase in interest income and other factors left the budget and spending in good shape.
During the discussion of the Consent Calendar, however, there was a sharp exchange between Council member Emily Hibard and City Manager Chet Simmons, as she expressed frustration about not being provided with the financial documents she requested.
After repeated questions about city finances by Hibard and Council member Trisha Murphy over the past several months, the city recently changed its warrant policy to try to have their questions answered before the meeting and presumably out of the limelight.
On Tuesday, Hibard questioned the policy and questioned why the city has refused to provide her with copies of invoices she requested. She said the city manager has not even responded to her emails, so she wanted to make her request public.
Although she questioned the expenditure of $12,000 for an interim finance manager, she focused most of her questioning on a $32,000 payment to a company she identified as Harris and Associates for performing a “peer review” of the Lampson project.
The Lampson project is a housing project of about 250 mixed-use homes under consideration to be constructed on a large parcel of land along Lampson Ave.
“That again is a question you can get an answer to,” said Simmons, referring to the interim finance manager.
“This is just a stopgap measure (interim finance manager) to get ourselves to a position where we can find a qualified individual. We’ve been out to recruit for this position many times and have yet to find somebody that we think is qualified,” the city manager said.
Hibard then asked about the invoice copy she requested without getting a response from Simmons, asking this time for her request to be duly noted in the minutes of the meeting.
For the invoice, Hibard asked Simmons “as a matter of public record, about how many days do you need to provide this information to me?”
“I will have to go back and see what exactly it’s going to take in order to pull up each piece of that information,” said Simmons.
“Again, in the interest of time,” he added, “we can speed up this process if these questions are given to us beforehand, we can have an answer before we get to the actual council meeting.”
Regarding the Harris and Associates $32,000 expenditure, she asked to see the invoice.
“I just want to clarify because I was under the under the impression that invoices are not being provided to council members. So, is that true or can we still request invoices or backup documentation?”
“I will try to provide as much information as I can in order to get you to a place of comfort about your question,” said Simmons.
“So we are providing invoices, no?” asked Hibard.
“It’s more than I can provide,” he said, offering instead to provide “an explanation as to what exactly the invoice was for.”
“Okay and does the city of Los Alamitos take the position that council members will not be provided with financial documentation to support our expenditures?” asked Hibard.
“Not sure if I follow your question,” said Simmons.
“I’m asking for invoices. I’m not sure what we’re spending these dollars on so I’d like to see the invoice instead of an email with a narrative. I’d like to see the actual invoice. Is it the city’s position to provide them (invoices) to council members,” asked Hibard directly.
“That is a Council policy that we do not (provide invoices),” answered Simmons.
“What policy was that” asked Hibard?
“It was action that the Council was asked whether or not they agreed with that policy and there was no voice of opposition,” the city manager responded.
“And what was the date of that,” she asked.
“I couldn’t tell you,” said Simmons.
“And was there a vote taken,” Hibard asked?
“No,” said Simmons, “but it was the issue that actually led us to having a warrant policy in the first place.”
“So there was no vote taken,” affirmed Hibard, “and so it’s a policy based on no vote?”
“I think that it’s very common that I, in my role as city manager. I will say that absent hearing voices of opposition on this, I intend to do things this way. And that has stood for the last… I want to say at least four months,” he responded.
“So just to be clear, the city of Los Alamitos does not provide financial documentation to city council members upon request. Thank you,” said Hibard.
Mayor Nefulda jumped in with his interpretation of Simmons’ answer and ended the debate.
“I don’t think that was the answer,” the mayor said.
“That was given but this is something that can be taken care of. This is why we are provided with the warrants ahead of time. If there are any questions pending or should be asked during that time,” he said.
“I understand what you’re doing,” insisted Nefulda, “trying to make a record in terms of what you would like the public to know and that’s fine. But I think these are types of things that we that should be addressed initially beforehand.”
“And if there’s no resolution,” the mayor said, “then you can proceed forward but I’m sure this is a conversation that’s better suited off the record.”
In other action, the city noted that a section of the city commonly referred to as “Apartment Row” will soon have a new name.
Development Services Director Ron Noda said approximately 4,000 residents who live in this area of the city will be surveyed using a list of three names selected by the city.
While “Midtown” emerged as an early favorite among the Council, Council Member Tanya Doby suggested the city also let residents fill in the blank for names they might suggest
and also to pick a word to go along with Cottonwood, as Council members did not opt to use all of the names suggested by Development Services.
On a motion by Doby, seconded by Hibard, the city authorized the renaming survey and other steps that will eventually give residents in “Apartment Row” a new name for its section of the city.