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azsu
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Posted: Tue Oct 6th, 2009 06:23 pm |
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| working on it
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Fall Weather Friend
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Posted: Tue Oct 6th, 2009 06:20 pm |
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Has anyone decided to go to tonights meeting? Maybe all the useless bickering that takes place on here could actually be put to good use at that Counncil meeting tonight! Do show of hands! Me! anyone else I know Craig will be there and who else.......???????
Last edited on Tue Oct 6th, 2009 06:23 pm by Fall Weather Friend
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Fall Weather Friend
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Posted: Tue Oct 6th, 2009 12:12 am |
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| So, who from these message boards is going tomorrow?
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Fall Weather Friend
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Posted: Mon Oct 5th, 2009 09:42 pm |
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That's is right. What is the old saying? I really I mean no disrespect by this, but I think it goes something like this: "Put up or shut up". kind of harsh but true! We need to show our presence. We need to hold them accountable. The greatest thing is, like Craig said, you won't have to speak. Alos I would like to add you won't be spending any money, hey if you don't have gas money or a vehicle, I would be more than happy to pick you up and drop you back off at home! No charge, no gas money, just your presence.
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Craig
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Posted: Mon Oct 5th, 2009 09:25 pm |
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Ken Wright wrote: We are probably going to witness more translucent action and less transparent action. It seems council will try to control any investigation at the department head level. Very doubtful if some matters directly related to the central issue will be of concern to most council members. But the citizens still need to pack the house so they know we are interested...If you cant go, start writing....
http://www.surpriseaz.com/index.aspx?NID=1904
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Ken Wright
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Posted: Mon Oct 5th, 2009 09:10 pm |
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| We are probably going to witness more translucent action and less transparent action. It seems council will try to control any investigation at the department head level. Very doubtful if some matters directly related to the central issue will be of concern to most council members.
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Craig
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Posted: Mon Oct 5th, 2009 08:44 pm |
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Fall Weather Friend wrote: That's right Craig, enough armchair politics for the citizens of Surprise! Anyone who is just sitting at home, doing nothing at 6:00pm and claims to be interested, dissapointed, wants a change so on.....should be ashamed of themselves. The only way we will get answers, action, and transparency is to show up as a community. Let's see who is here posting on the message board at 6:pm tomorrow!
Come on out to the meeting tomorrow. Show them we mean business.
The best part is you dont even have to speak if you dont want to but you need to show up...
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Fall Weather Friend
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Posted: Mon Oct 5th, 2009 08:33 pm |
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That's right Craig, enough armchair politics for the citizens of Surprise! Anyone who is just sitting at home, doing nothing at 6:00pm and claims to be interested, dissapointed, wants a change so on.....should be ashamed of themselves. The only way we will get answers, action, and transparency is to show up as a community. Let's see who is here posting on the message board at 6:pm tomorrow!
Come on out to the meeting tomorrow. Show them we mean business.
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Craig
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Posted: Mon Oct 5th, 2009 06:49 pm |
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Ken Wright wrote: Looks like a free pass for the HR Director. He must be considered a "good" guy, while Doug and Robert were viewed as "bad" boys.
The old list of high ranking employees not considered qualified to do their job is now down to one.
Ken, why do you think they decided to make these items a no action item. Don t they think the citizens want action???
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Ken Wright
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Posted: Mon Oct 5th, 2009 06:46 pm |
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Looks like a free pass for the HR Director. He must be considered a "good" guy, while Doug and Robert were viewed as "bad" boys.
The old list of high ranking employees not considered qualified to do their job is now down to one.
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Craig
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Posted: Mon Oct 5th, 2009 05:33 pm |
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azsu wrote: Craig wrote: azsu wrote: Craig wrote: http://agenda.surpriseaz.com/MeetingAgenda.aspx?meetingid=412
See they do read the blog. Thanks guys...
not having read the original agenda, can you please tell me what items were added? CITY OF SURPRISE
Special City Council Meeting Agenda
16000 N. Civic Center Plaza
Surprise, AZ 85374 Tuesday, October 6, 2009 @ 6:00 PM
Amended agenda on Oct. 2, 2009 at 2:15 p.m. - added items 2 - 5 thank you craig
Dont forget to go to the meeting tomorrow night and let them know you are paying attention...
http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/LilyShumLeung/64409
Last edited on Mon Oct 5th, 2009 05:34 pm by Craig
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Craig
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Posted: Sat Oct 3rd, 2009 01:05 am |
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rvukanovich wrote: We have laid off employees and good executives are looking for work, so why are we paying our new Assistant City Manager 40% above the starting salary which is over $100,000.
The Council should discuss this at the Oct. 6th meenting also.
I dont think bringing this guy in at mid level is a bad deal. He has 30 yrs experience and has been a city manager. I would be curious to see what else we are paying him. But i suppose the contract can be had. Even though this guy, like most city managers rarely leave their jobs without some kind of cloud, im sure the CM knows what he is doing. If there are any problems with Kolb and transparency as some of the stuff i have read, he will get used to it or he will leave. This is not a big city, Wichita had 350,000 when he was the city manager. A lot easier to have transparency issues compared to here. Besides, i think this council has learned a valuable lesson because of this snafu and transparency has seem become job one, at least with the CM. He has been very candid with the republic and that says something to me. Yhings will get better, it is going to be slow, painful and expensive but we will get there. Now that we persuaded them to add the appropriate items to the agenda the next step for the citizens to do is show up at the meeting so they can believe your really paying attention. I know i will be there...
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rvukanovich
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 11:27 pm |
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I will only be doing reporting on my web site, for a while. Surpriseaznews.com which receives about 5,000 Hits a month. God Bless
Surprise, AZ
Last edited on Sat Oct 3rd, 2009 03:42 pm by rvukanovich
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rvukanovich
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 11:14 pm |
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We have laid off employees and good executives are looking for work, so why are we paying our new Assistant City Manager 40% above the starting salary which is over $100,000.
The Council should discuss this at the Oct. 6th meenting also.
Last edited on Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 11:17 pm by rvukanovich
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azsu
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 10:55 pm |
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Craig wrote: azsu wrote: Craig wrote: http://agenda.surpriseaz.com/MeetingAgenda.aspx?meetingid=412
See they do read the blog. Thanks guys...
not having read the original agenda, can you please tell me what items were added? CITY OF SURPRISE
Special City Council Meeting Agenda
16000 N. Civic Center Plaza
Surprise, AZ 85374 Tuesday, October 6, 2009 @ 6:00 PM
Amended agenda on Oct. 2, 2009 at 2:15 p.m. - added items 2 - 5 thank you craig
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Craig
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 10:47 pm |
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azsu wrote: Craig wrote: http://agenda.surpriseaz.com/MeetingAgenda.aspx?meetingid=412
See they do read the blog. Thanks guys...
not having read the original agenda, can you please tell me what items were added? CITY OF SURPRISE
Special City Council Meeting Agenda
16000 N. Civic Center Plaza
Surprise, AZ 85374 Tuesday, October 6, 2009 @ 6:00 PM
Amended agenda on Oct. 2, 2009 at 2:15 p.m. - added items 2 - 5
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rvukanovich
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 10:46 pm |
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| If the Council is reading this web site, they might want to see if the City Manager has the authority to hire some one above the midpoint on the pay scale without their approval. At one time they couldn't.
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azsu
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 10:39 pm |
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Craig wrote: http://agenda.surpriseaz.com/MeetingAgenda.aspx?meetingid=412
See they do read the blog. Thanks guys...
not having read the original agenda, can you please tell me what items were added?
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Craig
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 10:28 pm |
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http://agenda.surpriseaz.com/MeetingAgenda.aspx?meetingid=412
See they do read the blog. Thanks guys...
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Ken Wright
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 10:16 pm |
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| The HR Director was involved in the lenghty "search" for the report of the inspector sent out to investigate the JJ sign complaint. In absence of Lily Lueng's pursuit of the report, it would have remained "lost" or "no such record exists". Now, the same HR Director is involved in the overpayments. There is one clear distinction. Doug, Robert and Michael were hired by a different city manager. The HR Director was hired by Randy and for that reason may be given a pass on his missteps.
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Craig
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 10:02 pm |
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We already know they read the blog. I hope the agenda is being revised for the item they forgot to put on it.
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azsu
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 09:57 pm |
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| maybe the moles are reading this blog
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Craig
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 09:47 pm |
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I just tried to access the agenda for the special council meeting and it is no longer there. Maybe they will put it back later???
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rvukanovich
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 07:57 pm |
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| Let's hope that the Councils action's don't lead into a successful law-suit.
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Ken Wright
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 07:39 pm |
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| I place the odds of these questions being fully pursued by the council at less than 25%. Much more likely action by council will be to place full blame on Mike Schrock, Doug Sandstrom and Robert Niles. All three of those individuals were targets for removal dating back to the Shafer era. I am not denying they played a role in creation of the current crisis. Overpayments were made to council members a few years ago . The overpayments were identified and a citizen requested in writing the money be returned to the city. No council member returned the money.
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Craig
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 07:32 pm |
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I would say none, as you can not discuss anything not on the agenda as it is not properly noticed...
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azsu
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 07:11 pm |
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| what are the odds of any of this being brought up at the special meeting????????
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Craig
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 06:39 pm |
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Ken Wright wrote: Three Questions:
1. Will the HR Director be held accountable for his role in the overpayments?
2. Doug Sandstrom maintains Randy OK'd the decision to leave the overpayments in place. Randy says he did not. How does this get sorted out?
3.Did one or more council members put pressure on Randy to seek the resignation of Doug and/or Robert?
Bonus question: While legal issues are being pursued, Potential violations of the cities ethics policy are numerous. City officials have the responsibility to pursue violations, but will they? Or will they simply default and hope the public doesn't notice?
The part of the public not noticing is past...
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Ken Wright
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 06:37 pm |
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Three Questions:
1. Will the HR Director be held accountable for his role in the overpayments?
2. Doug Sandstrom maintains Randy OK'd the decision to leave the overpayments in place. Randy says he did not. How does this get sorted out?
3.Did one or more council members put pressure on Randy to seek the resignation of Doug and/or Robert?
Bonus question: While legal issues are being pursued, Potential violations of the cities ethics policy are numerous. City officials have the responsibility to pursue violations, but will they? Or will they simply default and hope the public doesn't notice?
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Craig
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 05:32 pm |
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So far a real lack of leadership. The biggest issue to hit surprise and the mayor and council are virtually silent.
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azsu
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 04:21 pm |
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| it also appears they had better get a very large broom and tarp if they think surprise residents will let this slide...this whole thing smells like mai lai
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Craig
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 03:18 pm |
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It appears the council is not going to discuss or take action on the budget screw up. Too bad for them...
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rvukanovich
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 05:33 am |
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| What are your thoughts on the meeting, doe it look kosher?
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Craig
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 03:54 am |
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Bob, i think your right. This meeting was called to discuss how the oversight happened and what we were going to do to fix it and make sure it didnt happen again. Or at least that is what we were led to believe. That is surely not on their...
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rvukanovich
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 03:27 am |
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A discussion about Fiscal Year 2009 is not an Agenda Item, so unless I am wrong they can't discuss it.
ITEM #
DISTRICT #
ITEM DESCRIPTION
PRESENTED BY
#1
District Citywide
#2
District Citywide
Update and discussion on the Fiscal Year 2010 budget and anticipated future actions.
#3
District Citywide
Consideration and action on a project titled "It's My Money" that will be a financial transparency portal for the citizens of the City of Surprise
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Craig
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 02:04 am |
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rvukanovich wrote: They now have the special meeting on the city calender that can be seen on the web site. A very interesting item on that agenda....
http://agenda.surpriseaz.com/Bluesheet.aspx?ItemID=3108&MeetingID=412
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rvukanovich
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Posted: Fri Oct 2nd, 2009 01:31 am |
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| They now have the special meeting on the city calender that can be seen on the web site.
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Ken Wright
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Posted: Thu Oct 1st, 2009 06:12 pm |
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| Bob; Call the city clerk's office at 222-1200 for confirmation of the 10-6-09, council meeting.
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Craig
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Posted: Thu Oct 1st, 2009 05:39 pm |
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rvukanovich wrote: Where do you find this on the City's web site? I didnt i was at the last council meeting when they announced it. Also it has been in just about every article in the paper that has discussed the issue. I dont know why its not on the website. That would be a question for Ken.
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rvukanovich
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Posted: Thu Oct 1st, 2009 05:15 pm |
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| Where do you find this on the City's web site?
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Craig
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Posted: Thu Oct 1st, 2009 05:06 pm |
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rvukanovich wrote: I understood that the Council was to have a meeting about our fiscal problems.
Oct. 1
Cancelled - Special City Council Work Session
Oct. 5
Arts & Cultural Advisory Board Meeting
Oct. 5
Coffee Conversations - District 2
Oct. 7
Financial Fitness Class - Budgeting
Oct. 8
Cancelled - Regular City Council Meeting & Work Session
Oct 6th 5pm be there...
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rvukanovich
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Posted: Thu Oct 1st, 2009 04:52 pm |
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I understood that the Council was to have a meeting about our fiscal problems.
Oct. 1
Cancelled - Special City Council Work Session
Oct. 5
Arts & Cultural Advisory Board Meeting
Oct. 5
Coffee Conversations - District 2
Oct. 7
Financial Fitness Class - Budgeting
Oct. 8
Cancelled - Regular City Council Meeting & Work Session
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rvukanovich
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Posted: Thu Oct 1st, 2009 03:22 pm |
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| We only get news, through the newspapers from the City Manager, wonder where the Mayor and Council are? By the time they have their meeting there won't be anything to talk about. God bless America
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rvukanovich
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Posted: Wed Sep 30th, 2009 08:03 am |
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| I should of known.
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Razenkn
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Posted: Wed Sep 30th, 2009 04:08 am |
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rvukanovich wrote:
With all of the top officials in Surprise that were in charge of the city’s finances resigning because of an investigation, how can the City Council of Surprise not have a complete accounting of the money coming in and going out in their tenure.
Oh yabby dabby, BV is back.  Did it ever occur to you BV that sometimes employees move on regardless of what is going on around them? Maybe he felt his time has come, why always the negative, why always the "innuendo"? It might simply be he was made a better offer. Duh. This guy makes TWO. That's not exactly a run on the City BV. Get a life. That innuendo thing gets very old and tiresome. 
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rvukanovich
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Posted: Wed Sep 30th, 2009 03:48 am |
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With all of the top officials in Surprise that were in charge of the city’s finances resigning because of an investigation, how can the City Council of Surprise not have a complete accounting of the money coming in and going out in their tenure.
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webmaster
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Posted: Tue Sep 29th, 2009 06:02 pm |
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| <<<Note from the Webmaster: A posting that violated the Member Pledge has been edited after a complaint. Let’s work together to keep your Public Forum dedicated to free speech with civility.>>>
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Craig
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Posted: Tue Sep 29th, 2009 02:25 pm |
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The cafe is not the issue it is the procedure.
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rvukanovich
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Posted: Tue Sep 29th, 2009 07:16 am |
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AZnatural1 posted
Why is there such concern over a small cafe with food?
For myself it’s not the small café that I have a problem with, it’s the way we operate as a city.
Aznatural, if you have been reading the newspapers about the City of Surprise lately, you might get the drift, from where I am coming from.
The same night that the Council approved Fat Freddy’s, they also leased American Water 1,000sq.ft. Although the numbers don’t add up, the lease is for 1,000sq.ft. @ $21.00 = $2,100 per month, but they are going to charge American $1,750.
Fat Freddy’s will get 1,800 sq. ft. enclosed and another 1,800 sq.ft.of open patio, he will also have all of the vending rights for the City Center, for $500 per month for the first three months after that we won’t know because it will be based on the percentage of sales.
All done under the Consent Agenda, no discussion.
I rest my case, AZnatural, hope you get involved in city government.
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rvukanovich
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Posted: Tue Sep 29th, 2009 06:12 am |
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Craig, posted
Here is a riddle for you bob. Last Thursday the council approves, on the consent agenda, the contract for Freddy's Cafe in city hall. Today is Monday. They are open for business.
No riddle Craig, this was probably finalized months ago, the Bids were opened on the 18th of May 2009. The money for this deal was put in the 2010 Budget.
The other night was just the necessary formality executed by the Council.
Last edited on Tue Sep 29th, 2009 06:17 am by
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