City of Pacifica calendar, and other city meetings. Any event you may wish to add, please advise.
Monday, 5/20. City Planning Commission cancelled.
Tuesday, 5/21. No meetings.
Wednesday, 5/22.
Chamber of Commerce luncheon, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM, RSVP. City infrastructure projects, speaker Councilmember Mike O'Neill, information.
City Budget Study Session, cancelled (according to the PCT26 calendar).
City Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission, cancelled. rescheduled to Wednesday, 5/29.City Budget Study Session, cancelled (according to the PCT26 calendar).
Thursday, 5/23. No meetings.
Friday, 5/24. No meetings.
Posted by Kathy Meeh
62 comments:
I wonder if the rogue chamber forced Ed Oneil, do this meeting?
This sounds like an ilegal meeting.
25 bucks? Not free for the citizens of Pacifica, City Council member O'Neill? Can someone please comment if this activity is legal under CA Title 2, 18950.3?
It's Mike O'Neill and if you know him you know that nobody forces him to do anything. I hope Mike takes his presentation on the road this is information that all the citizens of Pacifica need to hear.
Oh ya Ed Oneil was Al Bundy!
"This sounds like an illegal meeting" Anonymous 8:28 AM
Sound like a guy who quoted the CA title and sections proving his own statement false. See CA Title 2,18950. And Section CA Gov Code 82044.
The Councilmember does not personally profit from the Chamber luncheon. This issue is similar to the Democrat's meeting where the Mayor spoke about the "State of the City".
How about next time arguing against "free speech". That could be interesting. If you don't want to pay the "$25 bucks" for lunch and listening to the speaker, stay home-- or, I hear Denny's has corn flakes for $4.
http://news.yahoo.com/extreme-global-warming-seen-further-away-previously-thought-090821067.html
Anonymous 10:16 AM, is your United Nations originated global warming panel science article a yahoo comment related to this week's City Calendar?
The article says: "The rate of global warming has slowed after strong rises in the 1980s and 1990s, even though all the 10 warmest years since reliable records began in the 1850s have been since 1998. ... By assuming that this behaviour will continue, (the scientists) calculate that the climate will warm about 20 percent more slowly than previously expected, although over the long term it may be just as bad, since eventually the ocean will stop taking up heat. .. He said findings "need to be taken with a large grain of salt" because of uncertainties about the oceans."
And what does this really say, other than global warming is with us and is not going away? Try the search on Fix Pacifica/Global warming. The search includes related articles and comments.
If O'Neil eats or drinks more than $10.00 worth of food, he's broken the law. In fact, He has to pay Nick's the $25.00 just to get in or he's broken the law. (and he has to report anything under the $10.00)
annon 8:28, this is NOT like the Demo Club meeting which is free to anyone who wants to attend, this is a paid event - sponsored by being held at the business of a CofC Board member. Heck, they even admit to lobbying City Council (and don't report it on their tax returns).
from the CofC site:
What is the value of a Chamber membership to your business?... For more than 55 years, the Pacifica Chamber of Commerce has....advocating on behalf of business to government."
That is why they want on the city council. Free food at all those grand openings around town.
$10 Anonymous 11:20 AM, etc.
Yeah, well speakers are usually guests of the host. That's the way it works, free eats and free admission for the guest speaker. (Same policy at the Democrat Club).
Oh, but if you weren't so cheap you could or would attend, spy, and monitor such "criminal" activity-- just in case... ha, ha, ha.
Meeh laughs off a potential violation of the CAFPPC rules - because when it comes to pissing on civic responsibility by the real estate mafia, no problem!
We need to bring back the gang of rogue realtors!
Anonymous 7:05 said...
I wonder if the rogue chamber forced Ed Oneil, do this meeting?
I wonder if the CofC will pay his potential Five Thousand Dollar fine?
CA Title 2, 18950,, and CA Gov Code 82044, again.
Anonymous 1:08 PM, no violation, and an artificial issue hyped by you. Kind of a sad, smear commentary from you. Further deflection name-calling Real Estate agents, and that's pretty cheesy too.
Got a name? No. Got credibility? No. What's your political agenda, and, what kind of work do you do?
Here we go again. When Kathy can't refute the content of your argument, she goes on and on about you being anonymous. It's always a dead giveaway for when she's wrong.
Yep you're right Anonymous 1:40 PM. Anonymous lies and name calling don't work for me. Not even "potentially". Zero credibility in your smear, while hiding under "no name". No name, no game. Should be spam.
Kathy,
I'll let you in on a secret.... I'm a card carrying hippy NIMBY, but I didn't want to mention it because I know how sensitive you are to name calling on your site.
My job and agenda? Why exposing fools and liars, of course.
Fix Pacifica rule #1.
If Kathy, says its ok it stands up in a court of law!
Don't you people understand this?
This is the rule of the land.
Now bow down.
Wonder if O'Neill got a legal opinion on this appearance? He definitely should. He's an elected official speaking in an official capacity at a meeting that is not free to the public. And he's got city staff appearing with him. Mike O'Neill's belief in open government is well-known and much needed in this town. His independence on that council is a breath of fresh air. I'd hate to see it blow up in his face. Get a legal opinion.
@310 you are on the side of the angels
" I'm a card carrying hippy NIMBY", yes you are Anonymous 3:10 PM, yes you are. .. And, aside from your smears, exactly what part of that code applies to politicians (all politicians), including to our Chamber of Commerce?
"I'd hate to see it (Fair Practice rules) blow up in his face" (referring to City Councilmember O'Neil), Anonymous 4:14 PM. .. Why were you not concerned about Mayor Len Stone speaking to the Democrats? Or prior, why were you not concerned about all other Mayors, City Councilmembers, Candidates, and all other regional politicians?
So, what we have here is much to do with "potential" NOTHING. Anonymous 3:48 PM, the floor for you to "bow down" is not very far.
Since Kathy asked...The Dems meeting was free to the public. Buying breakfast is optional. Membership is not required. Free to the public to hear an elected official speak on city business. Chamber thing is not free. Another thing to consider, does any part of that meal charge go to the chamber? Just saying there are differences here that might, that's might, complicate the issue.
Maybe the city attorney has cleared it already. Just saying, she should be consulted.
O'Neil is going to appear before a group that LOBBIES our city council that requires a fee to get in and she thinks this is the same as appearing at a public free meeting open to all. Exactly how dense are you?
And according to anon 4:14 he's appearing with City staff support???? This is too rich! People need to crash this meeting with TV cameras rolling to see if it's going to pass the stink test.
Occupy Pacifica is hungry for crab sandwiches!
@527 I don't think Meeh is dense. Her priorities are different on this thing. Fine. She has nothing to lose. O'Neill does and should be advised by the city attorney before he does this. Just saying.
"The Dems meeting was free to the public." Anonymous 5:18 PM.
Well the Democrats breakfast meeting option is only "free" to freeloaders in more recent years. These breakfast meetings did not used to have a "free" option, because "free" is not fair to the restaurant that provides the facility (and previously this restaurant objected).
To suggest that politicians or city staff may not speak to private paid functions, without inviting in the "free" mob makes no sense.
Do save the city some money and call Fair Practice to confirm (with the exact code, section, language) that the information you are advancing is incorrect. The phone call to Fair Practice is free.
So, whether it makes sense or not, the Democrat's meetings are indeed open to the public and at no charge. With a public official speaking on city business it just seems like the chamber meeting should also be open to the public whether they buy lunch or not.
No Anonymous 7:04 PM, GET FACTS, you've been wasting our time all day.
Politicians appear at the Commonwealth Club, and you have to buy a ticket.
...and the Commonwealth Club doesn't throw in food.
Like you have been to the Commonwealth Club!
This anons concern is that this is a local elected official speaking before a private group that has formed a PAC to influence the decisions of local elected officials. Not my intent to ignite the usual Fix partisan pyrotechnics, but this has some fuzzy edges to it and we don't need any blunders. Just saying. The city attorney probably vets all speaking engagements so why worry? The proper FPPC forms are filed and O'Neill can stick a fork in that crab sandwich.
Get your facts straight Mr. Sinai, the Commonwealth Club is a non-partisan 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, whereas the Pacifica CofC is 601(c)(6) organization. Those types of organizations are permitted to lobby, as in having representatives speak at City Council sessions, throwing dinners where Council members appear, voter guides, etc., but those expenditures are not tax-deductible and funds must be segregated. The expenditures should appear on the organizations tax form as lobbying activity.
Buy a ticket to hear the Commonwealth speakers or listen for free on the radio. Several stations carry. Barney Frank 5/24.
Seriously Anonymous 7:20 PM, "get your facts straight", Red Herring, different facts from the question at hand.
Surely in America, a public official may be a guest speaker at a private luncheon (where there is no Brown Act violation). The luncheon speaker topic is "city infrastructure projects in process". That's what we've been talking about.
I'm seriously thinking of paying to attend this just because I doubt O'Neill will recite the party line no matter who stomps their little foot. Keep it real!
So if you can't afford to attend this elitist function, you don't get informed on city infrastructure projects!?!?
Is this event brought to us by Bush, Cheney, or Rumsfeld?
Anon@8:20, if you're so sure of your legal opinion, put your name behind it.
Your statement was so convoluted I couldn't understand it anyway.
BTW - there's no such thing as a 601(c)(6) organization.
There is however such a thing as a 501(c)(6) organization. "Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code provides for the exemption of business leagues, chambers of commerce, real estate boards, boards of trade and professional football leagues, which are not organized for profit and no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual."
http://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Other-Non-Profits/Business-Leagues
In the IRS tax codes chambers of commerce fall under 501(c)(6). No clue what the rest of that post refers to.
501(c)(6) makes sense.
Anyone see something in the regs that says they can't charge for a politician's speech. I don't see anything.
Anyone who can afford the meal should go.
The information is important and the food and company will be good.
Mike is making a special effort to reach out to the public an will in all likely-hood find other ways to get this data before the people of Pacifica.
I will be at the lunch N learn and will report back on what I learn.
Are they charging for O'Neill's speech or simply for the meal? The accounting, which is what the IRS cares about, is much simpler if every penny of that $20 or $25 tab goes to Nicks for the meal. Just a pass-through. If O'Neill gets a free sammie, he'll have to report it. Ditto for the chamber.
@820 please note that 501(c)(6) says nothing about non-partisan even though your example, the Commonwealth Club, might be considered non-partisan. We shouldn't generalize from that.
Why is City staff time being used to support this private affair if true as claimed earlier? Suggestion to Council member O'Neil, give your presentation on PCT so it's available to everyone. I expect very few members of the public would be willing to spend $30 to hear this speech.
The city attorney probably vets all speaking engagements so why worry? The proper FPPC forms are filed and O'Neill can stick a fork in that crab sandwich.
Cecilia Quick did an excellent job of vetting everything. In Pacifica and San Mateo.
Nice little mess she got the owners of the 7-11 into down there.
Tom, does Mike owe you $50 bucks and your looking to get paid?
I really doubt that the city attorney vets speaking engagements. Why bother? A council member speaking at a paid-seating lunch is a total non-issue.
It would be a non-issue if it was a non-partisan org as opposed to a group that's trying to influence O'neil's vote. There's the rub.
A value-packed lunch for sure. For your $20-$25 you get O'Neill and also on hand to answer questions at the meeting will be the city manager, the head of the WWTP and the director of public works. This is according to the Tribune article 5/14/13 cited on Fix. A party of four. This must have passed the sniff test at city hall.
Relax.
It's a Chamber event, not a city event. It would have been nice if council had had a public hearing or meeting on the widening EIR instead of this BS, but the Chamber and city manager are literally Rock mountain sweet bread buddies, so wadda ya gonna do?
Mike as I understand it is offering any group in town a visit with his power point in hand, although I imagine the 3 senior city staff who are showing up at the Chamber even wouldn't be available
"3 senior city staff" will show up at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Anonymous 2:38 pm.
This is going to be a fabulous luncheon with quality information-- an opportunity to hear from Councilmember Mike O'Neill, and senior city officials as needed. Make your RSVP right now, today, while there is still time.
PS: The Caltrans highway widening "process" continues as scheduled. Whereas the city faction "mediation forum" (including no widening) failed, thankfully. (Without adequate in city development, at least we need a good road to get out of town, and south coast needs a good road to get through town).
Yeah, let's get a good road so people can get through town and get outta town without stopping at Pacifica businesses.
@313 don't give up on your people skills just yet. it'll be another 25 years to do anything with that road. a life sentence.
"..get outta town without stopping at Pacifica businesses." Anonymous 3:13 PM.
NIMBY planning in this city did not care about jobs, industry, business, or an adequate highway. That's why were stuck with 50-60% open space, limited money, limited future, and mostly struggling businesses. So let's not act as if you care about business or the business organization now. Been there, and you're "caring" is a real ha, ha.
"Yeah, let's get a good road so people can get through town and get outta town without stopping at Pacifica businesses."
Yeah, because we all know traffic jams are so good for business.
Pacifica needs a mayor like this guy.
Not just another stuffed suit.
http://www.fox19.com/story/22278769/minnesota-town-has-4-year-old-mayor
I promised to report on the lunch n learn so here it is.
First the meal was worth the $25.00 by itself. I had the stuff fillet of sole [stuff with shrimp&crab]
Mike did a quick overview of a 1/2 dozen or so projects The pier,San Pedro creek overpass,Street paving, Sewer retention tank, sewer lateral replacement,Beach blvd./library and the highway one widening. He explained the cost, benefit and funding source for each project and a rough time line for each. He answer question but made it clear that he was not going to debate the merits of any project. I believe everyone had a good time an came away knowing more then when they came in.
Wait till Oneil has to deal with an angry Mary Ann about this.
The only projects that will happen is maybee street paving. The Highway 1 bridge(which should have been finished before Devil Slide tunnel)
Everything else is a pipe dream.
O'Neill and Nihart (and Stone) get along just fine.
The person who keeps saying otherwise is a disgruntled hippie who misses the days when the Gang of No ran the city.
"O'Neill and Nihart (and Stone) get along just fine." Steve Sinai, 8:50 AM
Yep, probably 4 councilmembers on the same page this time. Goodbye Sue Digre and NIMBY rule. And what a 30 year mess you've left to partially, as possible, clean up.
If, as Mr. Clifford reports, this was merely an overview with no public debate of the merits, I wonder how much private lobbying was going on? We will never know because it was a private forum. The Chamber of Commerce has a vested economic interest in all of these projects, and are registered with the IRS as a lobbying organization. How do we know O'Neil wasn't promised something to support them? If Mike O'Neil won't conduct the City's business openly, he should be impeached. Maybe the "town scowl" will get up at the next City Council meeting and ask him these questions, but I doubt it.
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