Opinion > Editorials
Attention to detail would serve city, save taxpayers' money
Last week's council meeting was a depressing collection of issues that indicate the city needs to pay a little better attention to detail.
The first problem surfaced when it was revealed that the birding trail near the San Pedro Valley golf course, constructed with federal grants, was actually built on land erroneously deeded to Tom Hartley in the settlement of a lawsuit. This problem was inherited by the current administration. The deal to settle the lawsuit was in July 2008 when Martin Roush was the city manager, Thomas Benavidez was city attorney and there were some different people on council.
Nevertheless, Roush and Benavidez apparently failed to order a city survey before signing the settlement. Hartley did order surveys in both 2005 and 2008. The birding trail was erroneously included in the land to be ceded to Hartley. Had the city ordered its own survey, the problem might have been discovered.
Now the city will have to repay thousands from a federal grant for the birding trail because the grant was for development of city land, not private land. And Hartley, obviously keen to keep the city over a barrel, has no intention of correcting the city's error without Benson coughing up things he wants. This will be an ongoing -and expensive - problem.
Secondly, the city purchase of a house and vacant lot adjacent to City Hall came to a screeching halt when it was discovered that the house is riddled with asbestos. One has to wonder at the city's allowing David DiPeso to represent both seller and buyer. DiPeso failed to provide a seller's property disclosure statement on the house, although he did provide one on the lot. Had the city hired its own Realtor, presumably this omission would have been spotted before the purchase went to council for approval.
And while it is not a problem yet, the third issue that has potential for future fights is the council's approving a new human resource administration policy that gives department heads wide latitude in determining how rules will be established and enforced. That is all well and good until an employee in one department perceives unfairness and sues. Although Councilwoman Jo Deen Boncquet noted the problem, she subsequently voted to approve the policy.
Attention to detail is a critical factor in all three issues. Although one lapse predated this administration, we are happy to see that the city manager is now focused on the problem. We hope he can nip it in the bud.
The first problem surfaced when it was revealed that the birding trail near the San Pedro Valley golf course, constructed with federal grants, was actually built on land erroneously deeded to Tom Hartley in the settlement of a lawsuit. This problem was inherited by the current administration. The deal to settle the lawsuit was in July 2008 when Martin Roush was the city manager, Thomas Benavidez was city attorney and there were some different people on council.
Nevertheless, Roush and Benavidez apparently failed to order a city survey before signing the settlement. Hartley did order surveys in both 2005 and 2008. The birding trail was erroneously included in the land to be ceded to Hartley. Had the city ordered its own survey, the problem might have been discovered.
Now the city will have to repay thousands from a federal grant for the birding trail because the grant was for development of city land, not private land. And Hartley, obviously keen to keep the city over a barrel, has no intention of correcting the city's error without Benson coughing up things he wants. This will be an ongoing -and expensive - problem.
Secondly, the city purchase of a house and vacant lot adjacent to City Hall came to a screeching halt when it was discovered that the house is riddled with asbestos. One has to wonder at the city's allowing David DiPeso to represent both seller and buyer. DiPeso failed to provide a seller's property disclosure statement on the house, although he did provide one on the lot. Had the city hired its own Realtor, presumably this omission would have been spotted before the purchase went to council for approval.
And while it is not a problem yet, the third issue that has potential for future fights is the council's approving a new human resource administration policy that gives department heads wide latitude in determining how rules will be established and enforced. That is all well and good until an employee in one department perceives unfairness and sues. Although Councilwoman Jo Deen Boncquet noted the problem, she subsequently voted to approve the policy.
Attention to detail is a critical factor in all three issues. Although one lapse predated this administration, we are happy to see that the city manager is now focused on the problem. We hope he can nip it in the bud.
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