Herb Wesson forfeited all credibility when he failed in his blatant attempt to squeeze $216 million out of taxpayers to please his labor union bosses and the assorted greed merchants who have gotten so rich off of City Hall’s dirty deals.
Now, it’s time for Herb to pay the bill for rushing Measure A to the ballot without proper public hearings or analysis and then coercing business interests that do business with the city into funding the campaign. The unions needed no coercion since they are all set to get their deferred raises in a year along with new lucrative contracts.
He should resign as Council President immediately or the weasels around the horseshoe should fire him.
Of course, that won’t happen because they are all just as responsible for the state of this troubled city as he is.
The least we could expect from Wesson if he has an honor left at all is that he appoint Councilman Bernard Parks, the only elected official who knows anything about the budget and who is fiscally responsible, to head a Citizen’s Commission of his own choosing to offer solutions to the unending budget deficits and cuts in public services.
Of course, that won’t happen. But it doesn’t have to. Parks took the stage at the steps of City Hall on Monday to make a last-minute appeal to voters to reject Measure A’s sales tax increase precisely because it didn’t fix anything at all.
He also put forward a “Catch 22″ of talking points –22 specific measures that have been talked to death at City Hall for years without action, steps that could begin to turn L.A. around financially and, more importantly, politically by sparking a genuine public and open discussion of how we move forward together.
We don’t need Wesson or any of those people so let’s start the discussion now and challenge Garcetti and Greuel to offer their own specific plans on how to fix the budget:
Councilman Parks’ “Catch 22 Budget Fixes:”
- Take all taxation issues off the table until the new administration takes office July 1.
- Freeze hiring citywide. Stop filling vacancies unless critical in nature.
- Cut the size of the city’s workforce to a sustainable level. Contract out work that can be done by private industry, local entrepreneurs or local contractors.
- Reduce full-time city worker positions, where appropriate, to part-time positions, reducing costs and allowing for a more strategic deployment. The best example in the city is the recent deployment of part-time traffic officers at the Department of Transportation.
- Establish new budget priorities, deployment strategies and department organizational structures.
- Maximize civilianization.
- Prepare the legal basis for a city position to defer, mitigate or eliminate the current proposed employee raises and initiate the formal process for negotiating new contracts as current contracts expire in 2013 and 2014. Replace percentage increases with flat-rate increases. Eliminate all bonus-paid positions as pension based. Require re-opener language in all contracts. Future raises should be based on revenue projections, not cost-of-living increases. Value contracts on total compensation.
- Increase employee contributions to pension, current medical and retiree medical plans.
- Implement the recommendations listed in August 9, 2011, Parks – Perry letter to the Executive Employees Relations Committee which requested: 1–Compliance with Parks-Smith motion CF# 11-0690 through 11-0690 – S4 to identify cost containment and mitigation of medical costs within the Department of Water and Power(LADWP). 2–Creation of strategies to reduce LADWP’s salary and pension costs. This report identified 197, common job classes within the city and LADWP and 15 job classes performing similar duties. Of the 197 job classes, 195 classes received higher salaries working for LADWP, ranging from 1% to 43% with an average of 16.4%. All 15 job classes performing similar duties received higher salaries at LADWP; from 6% to 35% with an average of 18.1%. This letter also contained a recommendation to replicate the strategies within LAPD which reduced salaries for all entry-level positions by 20%.
- Study the “DROP” program that allows police to retire and draw their pension while they stay in their jobs and draw salaries should be cost neutral as mandated by city ordinance.
- Implement the negotiated “no code seven” policy within the LAPD to get 250 more patrol cars deployed. LAPD officers’ workdays were cut from 12 hours, 45 minutes to 12 hours in exchange for formally requesting a 45-minute lunch period. Officers have continued to get permission to eat while on duty, reducing officer availability by 90 minutes a day.
- Eliminate the three-and-four-day work week (12 and 10 hour shifts). Within the LAPD alone, uniform car deployment would increase 20% to 30% annually.
- Re-evaluate LAFD’s “constant staffing” requirements and criteria with the emphasis on reduction of over-time allocations. Refine the recently-implemented deployment model which is based on incident response data that allowed the department to match current resources with the real needs of the city’s diverse communities. Study the potential financial benefits and savings of contracting out paramedic services.
- Support the recently-approved “feed in tariff “ordinance, which will initially pay over market rate for excess solar power as an incentive to encourage community participation. Then, after the first two years, support the recommendations of the ratepayer advocate on solar costs due to “feed in tariff”(CF# 11-0617-S8). This change of reducing pay to market rate for excess solar power from private parties would mitigate, reduce and possibly eliminate proposed rate increases in the near future. Also, include a requirement that storage batteries be included in future “feed in tariff” infrastructure.
- Seek state workers’ compensation reforms and the city’s administrative rules on overtime pay.
- Reject the current approved recommendations regarding the “exclusive commercial and multi-family solid waste franchise hauling system” and implement a non-exclusive system immediately with revenues to the general fund.
- The gross receipts business tax should not be eliminated until a new source of can be found to replace this $480M in revenue. No further reductions or reclassification without an independent economic analysis.
- Expand Public-Private Partnerships, such as the Convention Center, Zoo, Information/Technology Agency and paramedics.
- Evaluate and implement appropriate recommendations of the Commission on Revenue Efficiency (CF#12-0430 thru 12-0430-S6) and gain full adherence to Executive Directive No. 5 and the Citywide Guidelines to Maximize Revenue Collections.
- Reduce the use of “one-time revenue” expenditures on multi-year/ongoing debt. Return special fund revenue (e.g. Special Parking Revenue Funds, ITA’s Public Access and Infrastructure Funds,…etc.) back to their intended purposes rather than filling budget shortfalls elsewhere.
- QUIMBY Funds- Revise city policy to expand area of usage, mandate usage within a short period after its allocation, concentrate on design build, local hiring, contracting for the construction. Allow interest earned on QUIMBY deposits to remain under the jurisdiction of the city’s Recreation and Parks Administration so that consistency, continuity and accountability can be clearly established. The goal is to prioritize, facilitate job creation and accelerate completion and expansion of green space and park land by using the millions of dollars that have stockpiled over the years.
- Explore the feasibility of creating expanded maintenance districts modeled after the current city’s lighting districts which would include tree trimming, sidewalk, curb and American Disabilities Act curb cuts repair. The goal is to create a vehicle for local communities to generate local revenue, hire local contractors, repair and maintain basic infrastructure needs and reduce liability to the city and adjoining land owners.
We need a Blue Ribbon Commission headed by Jack Humhpreville and other intelligent members of society to do a thorough evaluation of LA City government to devise a strategic plan. Not to be invited are the current sleazy politicians like Herb Wesson and LA Chamber of Commerce and other idiots who supported Prop A. These self-serving entities should have no future role to play in the city. They have done enough damage.
LA City Councilmembers including Parks are absolutely drooling and slobbering at the though of putting their dirty little hands on those untouchable QUIMBY funds.
Parks’ plan is just another BS way for them to get their hands on that money and WASTE IT LIKE ALL THE REST OF THE $$ THEY’VE WASTED.
HANDS OFF QUIMBY.
It’s intended for the immediate neighborhoods impacted by the construction projects that paid these fees. And that is EXACTLY WHERE IT BELONGS – in the specific neighborhoods impacted. For CITY PARKS.
Not in the hands of greedy councilmembers.
Do not turn Quimby into yet another slush fund for this City Council.
Interesting…and here I thought that CM Parks was thoughtfully trying to put the funds to use in the spirit they were intended, as opposed to sitting somewhere unmanaged, and unallocated for local projects as spelled out to the letter.
Your point is particularly valid when I recall stories of not just postponed pocket parks, but pristine parcels (i.e. empty lots) being passed on by Garcetti’s gang, so that they could conglomerate resources for the Hollywood Freeway Central Park…oy!
All I know, is that we had some action just last week in Winnetka (oh so coincidentily a photo op right before the Zine’s election) for a new Quimby-funded playground at Quimby Park!
http://cd3.lacity.org/CommunityInfo/CommunityAnnoucements/LACITYP_023868
Pleeease, no more “citizen’s” advisory committees, commissions, councils etc…
all BS waste of time and energy…meanwhile the monster grows stronger…
SOS to current and/or ex-insiders: start talking and tell everything.
UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!! Mayor just announced budget deficit only $100mm not $260mm. It`s obvious the crooks wanted to take care of Durazo. Go Wendy!! You are surrouned by crooks and liars. Great future for LA under your leadership.
Commissions are no substitute for sound management.
Yes, I’ve just completed the analysis of the Blue Ribbon Encino Panel for L.A.:
1/ GET A LARGE BUS FROM HOMELAND SECURITY
2/ ESCORT THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL TO THE DHS BUS
3/ DRIVE THEM TO THE FEDERAL DETENTION FACITY ON ALAMEDA AVE
4/ PUT THEM ON TRIAL AT THE ROYBALL BUILDING
5/ GET AN ALL VALLEY-HOMEOWNER JURY
6/ FINISH THE TRIAL IN 1 DAY
7/ JURY READS THER GUILY VERDICT THE NEXT DAY
8/ LIFE IN PRISON FOR THE CROOKS
9′ THROW AWAY THE KEY
10/ APPOINT KEVIN JAMES L.A. CITY REGIONAL BUDGET ADMINISTRATOR
11/ DON’T FILL THE COUNCIL VACANCIES FOR, LIKE 30 YEARS.
12/ KEVIN SOLVES THE CITY’S FINANCES IN 10 years.
13/ OUR HOME VALUES TRIPPLE IN THAT TIME
14/ WE ALL SELL OUR HOMES
15/ WE ALL MOVE TO A STATE WITH NO STATE INCOME TAX AND NO HERB WESSON
16/ WE ALL RELAX AND LIVE TO A 130!!!
END OF REPORT.
YOUR THOUGHTS…..
It’s so easy for Parks to say “Reduce full-time city worker positions to part time” when he is doble-dipping. He is one of the 15 most overly paid elected officials in the country AND is receiving his pension from the LAPD. So of course he isn’t worried about how he’s going to make his mortgage/rent, car payment, or put food on the table. Why doesn’t suggest that he and the other CMembers start by slashing their salaries? Because everyone else should pay but not them. How convenient to start at the bottom with the employees who are barely getting by, f*ck em, right!?! As long as their pockets are not affected, make cuts here there everywhere except where in their pockets!
Brandy, if you can find a better job, take it. However, I doubt if one exists for you. Public employees need to contribute far more for their benefits…and that includes Parks.
One reason to make people part time employees is that they generally do not qualify for any benefits. That save the city a lot of money — in the short run.
The developers want voters to focus on the evil unions so no one notices that the developers are robbing us blind. As Rachel Maddow said, “the NRA is a Heat Shield for gun manufacturers.” It is common for the real culprits to offer up some scape goat so that no one notices what the real villains are doing. The city hall employees have become the Heat Shield behind which the developers and their buddies hide. It is indeed true that a sucker is born every moment, but do so many have to live in LA?
Watch out for the QUIMBY fees. This came out in the CD13 debate over the Hollywood Freeway Park.
Intertstingly though, when I yahoo’d the topic of L.A.’s…er, status, of banked/unallocated Quimby fees, there was an oldish article from LAT, with a breakdown by CD of what was sitting around (with info only partially provided for Mukri and CM’s per Controller Chick’s persistance?).
The breakdown of the $77.5 million showed 14 CD’s averaged $5.5 Million, with Rosendahl, Zine, and LaBonge on the top end (over $10 Million).
At the bottom end, was Parks…who either had spend Quimby on Quimby efficiently to only have the $58,000 remaining, or had a small slice of the pie because all the development responsible for the accrual of fees went to other CD’s.
This is ancient, but I’d be intrigued to see what the numbers are now:
http://articles.latimes.com/2007/oct/20/local/me-parks20
Why would I vote for either one?
My vote means I support someone!
Their actions will speak louder than words.
What’s QUIMBY fund?
John P. Quimby Sr., a former state legislator (who passed away just two months ago) authored a namesake law in 1965 that required developers to set aside land or money for local parks.
(I’d post links to the Quimby Act or his bio/obit, but I’m testing whether long tag lines after name or including links raises flags for ‘Awaiting Moderation’ status, such as recent pending posts…)
Hope that helps…a phenomenal device, Quimby fees are used by cities to provide parks as mitigation for development…but in L.A., being already built-out with little available open space to build new parks, it’s challenging.
Thank you for the explanation LA Moderator.
You’re welcome!
Just read D. Huerta endorsed J. Gardea. What right does she have to tell the LA taxpayers how to vote? The lazy reporters should investigate where she lives……… Oh, and Congresswoman Chu of SGV endorsed Greuel. Figure this out. Hm, may be it`s the woman thing. Guys, then let`s also vote for the man in the race. What an election. A farse!
Brandy, go find another job if you think the city pay and benefits are inadequate. The tax payers don’t you anything more.
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Ron always has to “babysit” my posts. I posted about voting for Garcetti, and it doesn’t appear? IS RON A WENDY-GROOOOPIE???? If Ron wants to endorse Gruel, Jesus, Ron, just make your case! I am also endorsing FIELD MARSHALL KORETZ for the next President of the City Council, whereby he’ll be coronated “SULTAN BIGHEAD V.”
Now, It doesn’t mean Paul will have to convert to Islam! MORE FUNDS FOR CD5, MORE $$$$ for tree trimming, street repair, and sidewalk repair. LET’S HAVE ONE PERFECT CD out of 15–MAKE IT CD5!!!
Now this isn’t a controversial post. I’m sure it will make it past the Blog-Patrol…
The Unions have become the Heat Shield for the corrupt developer just like the NRA is the Heat Shield for the gun manufacturers. Rachael Maddow explained this Heat Shield concept last week. By demonizing unions and workers, we insulate the real wrongdoers from any liability.
If those 22 points were instituted, within a few years the city, which is already crumbling, would be devastated. You cannot constantly attack your workers, cheat them with scams like making them part time, taking away pensions and expect the qualified workers to stay.
As the private sector returns (it always does), the more qualified city workers will be tired of being vilified, scapegoated and cheated. They will simply quit. Then the city will be left with the dregs — those employees who could not get a job based on merit.
Right now, the top level of the City from the mayor and city council and the appointed department heads are crooks and incompetent, but many of the lower level staff are great people. Somehow a low of decent assistant city attorneys have stuck it out through Rocky and now Trutanich (whom Ron endorsed), but I imagine as soon as the private sector opens up, they will flee. Ironically, we know how this will play out — after another four years of corruption and incompetence, the city attys office will be so incompetent that the City will hire more and more outside la firms at triple or quadruple the price.
Firemen will leave and so will paramedics and well as qualified employees in Planning. The Deployment Plan which Ron urges upon the city has been proven to be based on fraudulent response rates.
Why would a city employee leave a position that pays more than a comparable position in the private sector with much better benefits and shorter work days? Pointing to the other branch of the unholy alliance doesn’t change facts like 70% of city employees pay nothing for their medical. Heat Shield isn’t addressing the problem of overcompensation of city employees
You missed my point entirely.
Overcompensation is not a problem locally just as the deficit is not a problem nationally. These false beliefs are part of the propaganda to have the public ignore the hundreds of millions we give to developers each year.
Riordan, CIM Group, Eli Broad are not dumb.
The qualified people already left the Planning Department. The corrupt ass kissers are doing just fine under the most corrupt leadership ever and won’t leave come hell or high water.
While people like LoGrande do tend to force out the honest and more qualified, the slow economy since 2008 has left many employees with no realistic option. There are some honest employees left, but if I were to identify them, that would only harm them.
As the pre-Keynesian boom cycle begins, the economy will improve before becoming overheated and crashing again. Obama’s Geithnerism and the GOP’s KnowNothingism, however, may combine to thwart even this regular type recover. During the up-phase of a recovery, we will lose the best workers to private industry unless we stop this witch hunt.
The segment of the American public who identifies with the predators and who kick the victims while they are down is too large. The psychological defense mechanism of identification with the aggressor probably accounts for some of the need to side with the developers who steal the tax dollars while blaming the fireman and paramedic who will save your home and child’s life.
You’re in luck.
Folks on this blog know better than kneejerk villification of all things public union, but reforms would not be unreasonable.
Further, we’re intimately acquainted with some of the CRA cronyism which you’re promulgating as part of your efforts to paste others as arch enemies of the people.
But before we see your Krugmanesque salt water economic namedropping run up against our fellow correspondent who will share his knowledge of the control fraud which exemplifies the ponziesque nature of our city’s malaise, you may want to dial back on the faux-elitism which posits that the only people who can fill these well paid positions are those already entrenched. Suggesting that they would bleed to the private sector only conjures up the reality that many go into a consulting role or as a lobbyist. That’s the venue where their connection and knowledge of the system would help them be part of the club that profits from what is sold to us as a boom time. Where the electeds dole out pet projects, keeping the voters happy, while stuff goes on in the background where the ample revenues are spent as if by a sailor on shore leave…while the streets are merely slurried and the rotting infrastructure is whitewashed.
There’s plenty of new blood out here that can do their job better then them. And the REAL private sector has never been as full of peach positions which you threaten our civil savants would leave us for.
So how about thinking of ways where we can deal with some of these thoughtful suggestions collaboratively, without telling us how sad we’ll be when we don’t have 6-digit managers to kick around anymore….
Bravo
Excellent reply to a typical LA-think type
Notice the terms: “witch hunt”, “predators”. Etc
Kkanter–you are correct. These are scare tactics used by the union. Recently, 18,000 people lined up for 200 vacancies at the Fire Department. There are thousands who would grab any of the over compensated city jobs. Let them leave.
Isn’t this the same fire dept that we have to have the DROP program for to retention?
It is time to delete the DROP program and require city employees use time clocks.
That would be an easy start.
Quimby $ is currently being used to keep Rec and parks construction and Mainteance staff employed and exempt from budget cuts, look at Commission reports for last 3 years. The question is are all the charge backs legit or “smoke and mirrors’? Projects are being done “in-house”. The real question is why did Recreation and Parks get approved another Assistant General Manager? Now it has 4 highly pd admin postions.
A lot of Part time employees do get 1/2 beneifits, per the Unions no savings there…..
There is more – from anonymous to anonymous – the new AGM also had a highly paid engineer transferred from public works to recreation and parks to be his assistant. Actually 5 highly paid admin positions 4 agms and a gm. You forgot the superindentents – 3 or 4 – no clear org charts available.
Recreation and Parks is following best city protocol and promoting and protecting those at the higher level of management and they all get longevity bonus’.
Recreation and Parks also has two Sr. MA II”s in corner offices at the Griffith Park Maintenance yard – one should have bumped the other when returned to rec and parks as a no longer needed Assistant General Manager, she was returned to be a Sr. MAII, the other Sr. MAII was transferred from Admin Services because of a lawsuit. They both used to have responsibility for sections and divisions totaling 100′s to 25 employees, now they are responsible for 0 to 1 employees and are located with “Partnerships” which probably runs a million in payroll(including benefits) to gross 5 million in partnerships – however that is figured. They are laughing all the way to the bank, especially the one who will retire with AGM pay (highest year) for retirement calculation.