Meeting Notes
Tuesday, May 2, 2006
Regular Council Meeting
Tonight's meeting began early with a 5:30 start to a financial report update from Accounting Supervisor Gordon Eton to the Council. This was an opportunity for the Council to ask questions as they went over a budget report that should be available for public review at City Hall. While the Council members were asking questions, a crowd began to gather outside. The Council Chambers had been set up for a very large attendance as there were more seats placed for the audience than usual. They were expecting a large turnout and they received one. The Chamber of Commerce turned out in force to show their support for City Manager Jay Parrish, or as their sign's put it "support our homeboy." The Channel 3 News had been called in to record the show of support. If you are not aware of the issue surrounding the Mayor taking over the City Manager position and the lawsuit, read here. Today's Eureka Reporter had done a very nice article regarding the planned event as well. I was asked to give a short interview on camera, which I did. I was very nervous but hopefully I was able to articulate that the law needs to apply to everyone in Rio Dell, including friends of City Hall. We have witnessed an amazing disregard for the law coming from City Hall since we first went to the City to ask for help (for more on that, read this).
The public study session ended and the Council took a short break to bring in the audience. The hall filled up to standing room only, an attendance I have witnessed only when the Council was voting on raising the water rates. I attend each City Council meeting and they are sparsely attended, mostly by a few fairly regular attendee's. The Council resumed with the regularly scheduled agenda items. First was a proclamation declaring the first week of June, 2006 as Amateur Radio Week. The proclamation was warmly received by a couple (whom I failed to get names) who spoke of the very important work done by amateur radio enthusiasts, especially during an emergency. Amateur radio is a vital link of communication at times of emergency and they deserve the recognition.
The consent calendar was next with the usual approval of various minutes, the check register and the ever present extension of the local water emergency through to the next Council meeting. These items passed as a block. The first special call item was a pay request by John N. Petersen in the amount of $74,659.80. There was a brief presentation by Charles from the company regarding the progress of the water project which he said is "progressing well." The weather has been cooperating lately so the work is proceeding quickly. He spoke of the damage that Edwards Dr. is receiving from the work and said that the repairs would be addressed later on. A citizen pointed out that the small building which sits on Edwards Dr. has the hillside behind it sliding. Charles said that it would be addressed. Next came the approval of May 13, 2006 as Spring Clean-up Day and will include free electronic waste collection. City Manager Parrish said this will be the 9th annual clean up day and that Carla Ralston, Code Enforcement Officer, had coordinated the e-waste disposal. This is a great deal for Rio Dell residents as you can not bring these items to the dump (or anywhere else) without paying a fee for disposal. The waste disposal will be located near Fireman's Park and open from 10-2 on Saturday, May 13th.
The public presentations were next with many people prepared to make their statements of support for City Manager Parrish. There were 9 speakers in all, all united in their support for Parrish remaining in the position of City Manager despite the law prohibiting it for one year. Citizens said things such as "a great injustice is being done" to Parrish, "Murderers can get off on a technicality" but it is a "technicality" that is resulting in Parrish having to step down, and a plea for the lawsuit to be dropped and mediation sought. Just a couple of points on those comments; the injustice is being done to the law abiding citizens of Rio Dell when City Hall ignores any laws they choose. The law is not a "technicality." It is necessary for the exact reasons we are seeing in Rio Dell. There are issues of cronyism and back room deals here that serve to benefit the "friends" of City Hall. The lawsuit was a last resort, only made necessary by the City which chose to ignore the appeals for Rio Dell to comply with the law signed by both Parrish and Bud Leonard. The City had been contacted soon after the appointment of Parrish, and notified that there was a problem. The City had the opportunity to simply put things back the way they were essentially and there would be no penalties or repercussions on anybody. The City chose to ignore the law knowing that a lawsuit was inevitable. We deeply regret that the City feels it needs to spend a great deal of money to defend their choice to ignore the law. The City of Rio Dell is evolving into a more modern city but still needs to deal with the remaining "old boys network" that has run the City for so very long. There are huge issues before the City that absolutely demand that the Council respect the law and do their best to follow it. The citizens of Rio Dell deserve to have the laws applied equally across the spectrum. There is no fine print that gives a free ride to the friends of City Hall, not even a "homeboy."
I hope that some of the residents of Rio Dell will read the timeline we posted and ask any questions they may have, either of ourselves or of their City Officials. It is far more productive than driving an old two-toned Ford through our front yard, as someone did the other day. Thank goodness nobody but our mailbox was injured.
City Council Rio Dell California