Council members requested a motion for Splash Park cost overruns and the status of a 640 acre Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure, both done without their consent and outside of required protocols!

• Splash Park cost overrun motion is required for a a council vote

Councilor Carmody requested at the August 13th council session an answer “regarding the over-budgeted Splash Park and playground equipment.”

“I wonder when we’re going to be seeing a request for a budget amendment for council to vote on?” Carmody requested of Mayor Foster Mayor Foster’s uncommitted response was, “We’ll get the answer to you as soon as we know.”

Councilor Carmody brought this issue forward again at the September 3, 2019, Study Session. “Quoting the Minutes, “When [will] the Budget Amendment will be presented to reflect the Splash Pad/Playground overruns?”

The next public Council session is October 8, 2019, almost 2 months since the council asked about the $363,375 in Splash Park cost overruns, which require an Action item for their approval, which Mr. Foster still has not presented to-date.

• 640 acre Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure contract is up Dec. 29, 2019.

At the September 3, 2019, Study Session, “Councilmember Stillwell asked for an update on the 640 acres at the next Study Session,” quoting the Minutes. If the property owners do not bring their taxes in arrears up to date, the city will own the land and be responsible for a $1+ million L. I. D. The October 1st Study Session Agenda has no listing to discuss the 640 acres statuis.

• Bottom line: Mayor Foster ignores council’s requests at his own peril! Only the Legislative branch of city government (council) can authorize budget expenditures. The council needs to reign in the Executive Branch (Mayor and City Administrator) for these budget expenditures they authorized without council approval.