12/07/1999 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Council Minutes of 12/7/1999 Mayor Musial responded to Councilman Gareau's remarks made earlier in the meeting: gym, "He made the allegation that one should not serve two masters. May I remind Council that the negotiation was conducted by Mr. Jenkins, director, and my administrative assistant. I have worked with my administrative assistant for nine years. She has reported to me and has kept me informed of the negotiations. She has an intellect which I think is unmatched by very many people. She has been doing a superb job. And I take great offense at the allegation that Mr. Gareau Jr. is making with regards to her position as the administrative assistant and sticking to what he thinks she should be doing. Secondly, there has been an indication that there's been a flawed negotiation with regards to this particular contract. And that the flawed negotiation should not happen again in that administration should be more careful and more realistic, more concerned about negotiating these contracts. I want to remind Council that, even though I'm an attorney, I did not review this contract from a legal point of view. This contract was sent to the Law Department for review, and Jim Dubelko did review this contract. So, if it was a flawed negotiation and if the contract was flawed and if it was improper to have two subjects in an ordinance, by God I have to rely upon our Law Department. And I'm glad, I'm glad though that there's no communication between Mr. Gareau and the Law Department and the rest of the laws, lawyers that's helping us out in the city." N~"--. M :~ Mr. Gareau responded: "I believe, Mr. Mayor, that I plainly stated in my statement that the process was flawed from the beginning. It's not a written flaw. I believe the process was flawed by virtue of the fact that somebody came and said, "what can we do with our extra money, where can we put it?" and at that point the decision has to be made to recommend a project or to suggest a project that either benefits the city or benefits a private group. When somebody is put in that situation and they are involved in two different processes, they have to make a choice. And, if they're even in that position, it creates a conflict. It shouldn't be there." Mayor Musial said he recognized that, but that two people had been involved-Mr. Jenkins had also been involved in the negotiations. Mrs. Kasler said she shared Mr. Gareau's concerns about Mrs. Creadon's participation in negotiating a contract regarding city funds that are diverted to a privately funded project. She agrees that is a conflict, and in that case then Mr. Jenkins is in conflict as well. Mr. Miller commented that, if negotiations happen at a Fourth of July picnic and bicycle parade in casual conversation, it certainly indicates that there's some flaw there. On another issue, he has heard from a resident that Cablevision is raising their rates. The increase in these new rates range anywhere from 7% for family cable, 28% increase for premium channels, 26% up to 40% increase for installation at homes. He asked that the Cable TV Advisory Board take a look at these rate increases and see if they are in line with the existing contract we have with Cablevision. Mr. Limpert commented on the issue of the contract being flawed or done under informal negotiations. He noted that many of the discussions and negotiations for the Springvale purchase ($4.2 million purchase) were done informally. He would say that, from looking at the contract when it was presented, he had several areas that he differed with the 19 i