City Hearing Examiner Contract - Another example of Government Waste


Go figure, what information was provided to the Edmonds City Council prior to accepting and entering into a contract that costs the Edmonds Taxpayers four times the amount the very same firm charges the the City of Everett ($120.00 per hour, not to exceed $10,000 in a calendar year)?

On February 20, 2007 via the consent agenda the Edmonds City Council approved a contract for Hearing Examiner services with the law firm Toweill Rice Taylor.
This contract calls for a $3,500 per month compensation or $42,000 annual expense. Folks that's $126,000 expense over the 3 year contract compared to $30,000 expense for Everett over the same contract term. No wonder the City financial situation appears dire. In 2009 the Hearing Examiner conducted 11 hearings or $3,818 per hearing. Another way to evaluate the contract $42,000 divided by $120 per hour, 350 hours divided by 11 hearings - 31 hours per hearing and decision. It makes no sense.

The City of Edmonds sends Toweill Rice Taylor a check for $3,500 every month even if there hasn't been any hearings. That's right, the Edmonds taxpayers pay for no service performed. Last year the Mayor proposed closing Yost Pool, cutting funds to the Senior Center and cutting the flower program. The City of Edmonds continues to subsidize Fire District One to the tune of almost 2 Million Dollars per year. The blame rests squarely on the shoulders of Mayor Haakenson as demonstrated by this bad deal with Toweill Rice and Taylor.

The Council looks for budget cuts while there needs to be a comprehensive evaluation of all business decisions and contracts for services currently in force at the City of Edmonds.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Edmonds City Council Again Violates the Open Public Meetings Act.

Edmonds City Council First Executive Session of May 26th 2020 The City Council may meet in executive (closed) session but only for one of the reasons specified in and in accordance with procedures identified in RCW 42.30.110. A personnel matter including a separation agreement is not specifically identified in RCW 42.30.110(1) and therefore is not a legally sufficient reason to meet in closed executive session. The Council discussed the Finance Director Scott James, Separation Agreement in the closed executive session under the guise of potential litigation. When in fact, any potential litigation ceased to exist on May 25 th , 2020, and the seven days from the date Mr. James signed the Separation Agreement, May 18 th , 2020, thus waiving all of his rights to pursue any civil action against the City of Edmonds. On May 26 th , 2020 during agenda item (4) Council President Adrienne Fraley-Monillas moved to add an Executive Session regarding “potential litigation” per RCW 42.30.1
Read more

Lighthouse Law Group's inferior legal representation

 Email to Jeff Taraday  PROVIDED FOR THE RECORD:   In Washington State there can be only one open public hearing.   The Hearing Examiner had 10 working days to make a decision. Any extension of that time requirement requires agreement from the applicant and the parties. Uniquely, the Edmonds City Code requires agreement from all parties. I testified at the hearing and was not asked to participate in this extension or provide any further testimony. In fact, my participation has been excluded because of the one open meeting. If there have been communications between the Hearing Examiner and the Applicant those communication would  be ex parte and needed to be provided to me.    Mr. Clugston testified that traditionally the Planning Staff posts the Agenda and Staff report at the Civic Center and Library. Then he stated that ECC 1.03.09 didn’t apply that was for City Council hearings. He stated the Agenda was posted on the City’s website 7 or 6 days prior to hearing. The City C
Read more

Skipper's Property

APRIL 20TH - 7:00PM Edmonds City Council Meeting Agenda Item: 9 Public Comment on possible purchase of Skipper's Property 102 Main St. Agenda Item: 10 Public Comment on Budget Cuts.
Read more