Monday, June 29, 2009
The winner is ….
Marcus Jahns has been named interim city administrator. Mr. Jahns lives in Seguin and is a consultant for Marcus Jahns & Associates. He was the Interim city manager of New Braunfels, 2005 to 2006. He took over for current Seabrook City Manager Chuck Pinto, who had then been hired as city administrator in League City. Read more on the Chronicle blog. I say Welcome to League city Mr. Jahns. What are your thoughts.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
The finalists
Today’s Galveston County Daily news gives us some insight in the 3 “Finalists” for the interim city administrator. To me the selection seems like a no brainer. What are your thoughts on the subject? What do you think about the candidates and what is your impression of Texas first group replacement services?
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Property measure headed to voters
"Gov. Rick Perry signed a bill Monday that asks voters to amend the state constitution to limit the ability of government entities to take private property using their eminent domain authority." Houston Chronicle June 15, 2009
On the surface this story does not sound like much, but it is huge win for proponents of private property rights. The US Supreme Court Case Kelo vs. City of New London in 2005 gave authority to local governments to take private property for private use. This decision was contrary to long established use of eminent domain whereby governmental entities take private property only for a specific public need and public use. Over 20 states have enacted legislation to severely limit or stop takings of private property for economic reasons.
Last year the Western Seafood (Freeport TX) case was discussed on Marc’s blog. Many argued the local governments have the right to take private property for private use to increase local tax bases and other economic reasons. Generally these types of eminent domain issues are referred to as economic takings. Another local case of interest is a recent district court decision were the Porretto Family won a lawsuit against the General Land Office over beach property.
Looks like Texans will have the opportunity to vote on this issue.
On the surface this story does not sound like much, but it is huge win for proponents of private property rights. The US Supreme Court Case Kelo vs. City of New London in 2005 gave authority to local governments to take private property for private use. This decision was contrary to long established use of eminent domain whereby governmental entities take private property only for a specific public need and public use. Over 20 states have enacted legislation to severely limit or stop takings of private property for economic reasons.
Last year the Western Seafood (Freeport TX) case was discussed on Marc’s blog. Many argued the local governments have the right to take private property for private use to increase local tax bases and other economic reasons. Generally these types of eminent domain issues are referred to as economic takings. Another local case of interest is a recent district court decision were the Porretto Family won a lawsuit against the General Land Office over beach property.
Looks like Texans will have the opportunity to vote on this issue.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Reed Resigns
In a vote of 7-0 (at 12:36 AM)the city council voted to accept the resignation of Chris Reed effective June 30, 2009. He will get everything that his contract states in the event of his resignation. According to the Houston Chronicle Everything League City blog “As part of his resignation, Reed said he will (be)paid a year's salary and for his sick and vacation time, which he said equates to approximately $211,000.”
Texas First will “send two or three names” to the city for an “interim” city administrator. Then the city staff will go out for RFQs for a search firm to decided on a permanent city administrator. Mr. Baron wanted to hire Ron Cox’s firm and asked if this could be done now, however it was pointed out to him that the agenda item did not allow such action.
Texas First will “send two or three names” to the city for an “interim” city administrator. Then the city staff will go out for RFQs for a search firm to decided on a permanent city administrator. Mr. Baron wanted to hire Ron Cox’s firm and asked if this could be done now, however it was pointed out to him that the agenda item did not allow such action.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
The rest of the story
When one P & Z Member decided to tape the proceedings because “there was a possibility that the commission’s vote may have opened up the commissioner’s to personal liability that would not be covered by the TML insurance.” He failed to mention that the plat vote allegedly “takes away land in the 50-foot setback behind the residents’ houses.” So I wondered what was the the rest of the story.
Well we got the rest of the story according to today’s Galveston County News. According to the story the Developer of the project Nick “Scotto plans to extend the canal within 20 feet of the Twin Timbers houses. League City subdivision rules require canals be no closer than 50 feet from abutting properties; that rule can be waived with the consent of area landowners.”
So it may appear that the Planning and Zoning Board either was unaware of the rules (which every commissioner should know ) or those that pushed for the project allegedly violated the League City subdivision rules. Either way those that voted for the project should understand that such a vote is only good to the special interests of the developer and NOT good for the citizens or city. What they have done has forced the residence to sue the city. In my opinion, those commissioners who knowingly understood the consequences of their actions regarding this despicable vote should do the city and citizens a favor and resign. The citizens have voted for change and, in my opinion, you are obviously still part of the good old boy way of doing business and a major part of the problem.
Now the city council will have to get the city out of the liability that your poor decision made.
I can’t help but reminded of the commissioner who taped the proceeding saying to me on this blog “stop framing me in other than a positive way as a citizen who is volunteering his time for the good of the city.” I ask do you really wonder why you are looked at like you are? To some it’s all about the money and business to others it’s about what is best for our city.
Well we got the rest of the story according to today’s Galveston County News. According to the story the Developer of the project Nick “Scotto plans to extend the canal within 20 feet of the Twin Timbers houses. League City subdivision rules require canals be no closer than 50 feet from abutting properties; that rule can be waived with the consent of area landowners.”
So it may appear that the Planning and Zoning Board either was unaware of the rules (which every commissioner should know ) or those that pushed for the project allegedly violated the League City subdivision rules. Either way those that voted for the project should understand that such a vote is only good to the special interests of the developer and NOT good for the citizens or city. What they have done has forced the residence to sue the city. In my opinion, those commissioners who knowingly understood the consequences of their actions regarding this despicable vote should do the city and citizens a favor and resign. The citizens have voted for change and, in my opinion, you are obviously still part of the good old boy way of doing business and a major part of the problem.
Now the city council will have to get the city out of the liability that your poor decision made.
I can’t help but reminded of the commissioner who taped the proceeding saying to me on this blog “stop framing me in other than a positive way as a citizen who is volunteering his time for the good of the city.” I ask do you really wonder why you are looked at like you are? To some it’s all about the money and business to others it’s about what is best for our city.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
The moment of truth
Under the heading “Fired? Demoted? League City's administrator waits” Thayer Evans,of The Houston Chronicle and the blog Everything League City, talks about Tuesday nights agenda. The following is a portion of what he wrote.
"The agenda for Tuesday's City Council meeting will include a closed-door item to "deliberate the employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline and or possible dismissal" of the city administrator, City Councilman Jim Nelson said. The item was submitted by Mayor Toni Randall, he said.
There is also a closed-door agenda item to "deliberate the appointment or employment of a public officer or employee" as interim city administrator, Nelson said. It was also put on the agenda by Randall, he said.
After the two closed-session items, there is also an action item on Tuesday night's agenda for the city to request proposals from executive search firms that could assist with the city's potential search for a new city administrator, Nelson said. It was also put on the agenda by Randall, he said."
What are your thoughts? Should Chris Reed be the assistant city administrator? Should he be reassigned? Do you think bringing in someone who has no knowledge of the city, with Mr. Reed being the assistant city administrator, will change the way business has been and continues to be conducted in city hall? Do you think the employee’s moral will go up or down (as if it could get any lower) and do you think more positions will become vacant? And when the people voted overwhelmingly for change (70% to 30%) do you think this is what they had in mind?
"The agenda for Tuesday's City Council meeting will include a closed-door item to "deliberate the employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline and or possible dismissal" of the city administrator, City Councilman Jim Nelson said. The item was submitted by Mayor Toni Randall, he said.
There is also a closed-door agenda item to "deliberate the appointment or employment of a public officer or employee" as interim city administrator, Nelson said. It was also put on the agenda by Randall, he said.
After the two closed-session items, there is also an action item on Tuesday night's agenda for the city to request proposals from executive search firms that could assist with the city's potential search for a new city administrator, Nelson said. It was also put on the agenda by Randall, he said."
What are your thoughts? Should Chris Reed be the assistant city administrator? Should he be reassigned? Do you think bringing in someone who has no knowledge of the city, with Mr. Reed being the assistant city administrator, will change the way business has been and continues to be conducted in city hall? Do you think the employee’s moral will go up or down (as if it could get any lower) and do you think more positions will become vacant? And when the people voted overwhelmingly for change (70% to 30%) do you think this is what they had in mind?
Monday, June 1, 2009
Reed Runs
With all the fight being put up by Mr. Reed in the past, why has he decided to run away now? I understand that a new interim has been selected and it will be all done on June 9th. Is there more to this than just meets the eye? Or has Mr. Reed just decided to move on. Who could be the next interim and what experiance do they have in the workings of our city? What do you think?