For those who voted for the 5yr tax levy, or those who may be invited to the exclusive dinner/fundraiser coming up, take a look at how the Board is on track to spend a good chunk of the expected revenue this year.
Disclaimer: this is not about TJ Fiorelli or his Company. It is about protocol, fiduciary responsibility and a possible ‘backroom’ sweet deal ill-approved by the board.
In March of 2023, TJ Fiorelli’s Consulting was approved for a ‘capped’ contract of $10,000 from the NCRD to raise 2 million dollars for the new pool (see board minutes of 3.16.23)
If you look at the NCRD’s financial statements from May ‘23 when the 1st invoice (#72) was paid thru the end is December, you’ll discover the NCRD has paid TJ’s company $41,060, that’s $31,060 over the approved contract.
SIDE NOTE: Curiously an additional $2200 was paid for ‘grant writing services’? Being heavily involved with the Friends of NCRD since almost its inception in 2008, their responsibility is raising funds through fundraising and grant writing, why is the NCRD paying an outside company to do this?
At the Board meeting Thursday night TJ confirmed he is being paid $8500/mo for his services, folks that’s $102,000.00 a year! The ‘past chair’ defended this expense as TJ has brought in a $500k donation ‘singlehandedly’, “more than anyone has ever done” That’s great Jack and…
NOTE: The Board is not allowed to meet outside a scheduled board meeting. The public is to be notified and allowed to be present.
When I asked if this ‘new’ contract had been approved, Jack said yes. So my question is ‘When did that happen’? Did I also miss this (potentially) $102,000 contract being put out to bid to the community? Or at what Board meeting was this ‘new’ contract discussed and approved by the board? There is Nothing, Nada, -0- mention in any Board minutes regarding a contract, the date approved, the scope, the cost (there is a blurb in the October 12th minutes which states ‘Review/Approve contract with TJ Fiorelli: this item was tabled’. (Could a potentially negative impact on the 10/18 ballot drop for the 5yr levy been the consideration for this table?)
Pay attention Community: we were told by past BM Wally B, ‘you don’t want to get on the wrong side of the board, we have our own way of doing things’.
I am requesting the following documents be presented at the February Board meeting:
1. Present signed and dated copies of the revised contract, approving payments made over and above the $10,000 ‘capped’ contract approved.
2.Present the notification agenda for the meeting where TJ’s ‘revised’ contract was presented, discussed and approved
3.Present copies of TJ’s 1st & 2nd signed and dated contracts with the NCRD
FYI: The Board meets on the 2nd Thursday, 6pm via zoom or in person at the NCRD. It would be great to see standing room only…
The City’s selected contractor to build the new City Hall described all of the above negative building conditions associated with the reuse of the Underhill structures. Then just months later, he purchased and remodeled the old City Hall on Laneda as his business office. His new office has the same concrete slab on grade foundation as the School and Q Hut and is less than 300 feet away from the ground shaking dangers that he claimed would potentially destroy the Underhill structures. To this point his remodel does not include the installation of the bored pilings he claimed were the economical solution necessary to prevent foundation failure.
Finally, when Mayor Simmons requested access to the Old City Hall and Fire Station to examine the potential of those respective facilities for reuse, the City Manager denied her request to enter the buildings because “volunteers are not allowed” and then stated that the Mayor “was trying to undermine the new City Hall project”. I would note that EVC volunteers have complete access to the old Fire Station with no apparent concerns by the City Manager.
Those citizens who have taken exception to me sharing my opinions about the City Hall project or other City business matters with Mayor Simmons and demanded that she sever all ties with me should be aware that Mayor Scott and other past and current Councilors have sought me out to meet with and seek my suggestions, opinions and support on other of City issues.
After one private meeting Mayor Scott asked me to attend on the Underhill project he emailed me with the following: ” Thanks for your thoughts. They are well thought out and I will share them with the council. I really appreciate all the time and effort you have put into this project over this past year. ” In a separate email, Mayor Scott responded “I need your help in coming up with a strategy to get public support so we can make this project work.”
My experience with the City shows me that as long as you stay on script and do not ask too many questions, the Club has a place for you. If one dares to request an explanation or correction of public misstatements, the City Manager has recommended to the Council that “we must discourage or even ignore if necessary” such individuals.
This series on Club Manzanita is my attempt to present factual information concerning the policy and financial decisions of our public officials. I will continue to raise issues and have questions. I regularly receive emails from residents who I have never met who are interested in what is happening in our community but recognize the risks of publicly voicing those concerns. Thank you for watching what’s happening and your support.
The City Manager will be at the Pine Grove on January 16 to discuss the State of the City. Take the opportunity to ask your questions if you plan to attend .
Randy Kugler
January 20th 5-7pm @ St. Catherine’s Church
Please bring a dish to share, your own beverage, plate and utensils.
An RSVP would be ever so helpful:
pyn.bayside.gardens@evcnb.org
This is an event sponsored by the EVCNB: Prepare Your Neighborhood – Bayside Gardens Planning Committee
If you would like to be added to the Bayside Gardens Neighborhood Activities List, text “Bayside Gardens” to 503-440-7861
Secondly here is a message from a California U S Representative Kevin Kiley about happenings in our country’s capitol. All things that are happening effect our lives very much regarding income, employment, livability
and just plain survivalbility.
I would also like to say that Governor Newsom may be running for president after practically ruining the state of California. Just so you know.
A Warning to America – from Kevin Kiley
On Wednesday, we voted in the Judiciary Committee to hold Hunter Biden in criminal contempt. That is a routine step for any witness who defies a Congressional subpoena. Yet in a wild scene, Hunter decided to show up and crash one of the hearings – before abruptly fleeing.
In their own cartoonish way, Hunter’s antics encapsulate the *growing lawlessness of this administration. For instance, Biden has baldly “re-nominated” his “Acting” Secretary of Labor Julie Su, who was rejected by the Senate last year yet has clung to power nonetheless.
Worse, with Congress having rejected his attempt to nationalize Newsom’s vile AB 5 law, Biden is simply imposing the policy on America by Executive Decree. This week, he announced an “Independent Contractor” rule that takes a sledgehammer to the American workforce.
On the House Floor, I read a list of all 600 professions that have been decimated by Newsom’s law in California. I also outlined every possible tool I am using to block Biden’s decree, including fast-track legislation to nullify it and language in the Appropriations bill to de-fund it.
Meanwhile, in a deposition on Capitol Hill, Anthony Fauci said “I don’t recall” over 100 times and admitted the “6 feet apart” COVID rule was not based on data but “just sort of appeared.” Turns out “following the science” meant making things up.
And Newsom rolled out his budget, falsely claiming the $68 billion deficit is “only” $38 billion (the nonpartisan LAO says otherwise). Particularly revealing: Newsom is cutting support for foster kids as he insists on providing free healthcare to everyone in California illegally.
It has never been so clear. Newsom’s California is the furthest thing from a “model for the nation.” It is a warning to the nation.
* growing lawlessness may describe the previous, the existing and further administrations of our country and citizens really need to get involved and pay attention.
Shred Fest 2024 Community Campfire, Cocoa, and Chipping
Saturday 1/13/24 11am – 1pm
Dirty Bird’s Lot (corner of Division and Manzanita in Manzanita)
Drop your trees, wreaths and garlands on the lot in front of the worm bins anytime before the 13th. Or bring your items day-of for live chipping.
No tinsel, no decorations, no non-natural items.
Thanks to Tony from NW Tree and Landscape for his time and for providing his chipper (nwtreeandlandscape.com)
Let’s shred it up and use it!
For more info contact queenbee@dirtybirdsgardencenter.com
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Winter Storm Watch for our area. In a weather briefing today, the NWS-Portland stated that the coast and coast range have a good probability of light snow and freezing rain. Freezing rain is a very dangerous condition where utility and emergency response is delayed and extremely dangerous to responders.
Click the following link to read the full article:
mailchi.mp/evcnb.org/evcnb-ebrief-nehalem-bay-coastal-weather-warning-jan-11-2024?e=1ab4a262e0
Are You Winter Storm Ready?
With the predicted weather system moving in to our area, we could be without electricity and cell service.
Click the following link to read our article with tips to be prepared for the winter season:
evcnb.org/news-updates/are-you-winter-storm-ready-12042023
We were told that we would be getting a new City Hall and Police facility that “can accommodate 10 years of growth”‘. Our Officers will now be placed in a building that does not even provide enough space for their existing nor immediate needs let alone for needs 10 years from now.
What happened to the need to combine City Hall and the Police Department into one building for administrative and operational efficiency? A separate City Hall and Police buildings as has now been approved by the Planning Commission was an alternative concept proposed to the Council this past June as a more cost effective building option.
Under this manufactured building design, our Police Department would have had their own 2,232 sq. ft building and City Hall would have had 4,080 sq. ft. of meeting and office space. Both buildings were designed with solar capabilities and their price included all of the pre-wiring to accept solar roof panels. In addition, this option would have allowed the City to repair and remodel and use the Quonset Hut for a wide variety of community uses as well as emergency shelter and storage to be paid with money already available in the City’s Tourism Promotion and Facilities Fund.
This option would have saved approximately $2 – 2.5 million in total project costs, eliminated hundreds of thousands of dollars in consultant fees, completed construction earlier and lessened the amount of City debt for the construction loan. Even though citizens made clear that cost was their number one priority for this project, the Council declined to even consider this new build option.
The Police building is now designated as our Emergency Operation Center (EOC). In the event of a disaster where electrical power is lost, an EOC requires a source of power generation to function. This typically is provided by a permanently installed standby generator that is housed outside of or within the EOC. The plans submitted to the Planning Commission show neither.
The EVC claimed that they needed a dedicated space to serve as a command center for their volunteers in the event of a disaster. The EVC command center must be in the Police Building, but it does not show on the submitted plans.
For years now, the City has selected which of its consultant’s recommendations it would follow just as long as they were on the new build team of the Council’s choice. When City officials and their representatives thought it was expedient to make a commitment or offer a concept that they thought would gain public support for their desired new build option, it would do so.
The expensive consultant driven team presentations on this project are big on style but have fallen short on substance. How about just providing factual information, telling us what we are going to get and then following through on what we are told.
Randy Kugler
For this series we will focus on fundamental skills in drawing, painting, and sculpture. Each week we will begin with drawing exercises to develop the building blocks of visual perception and organization. We will then progress into multimedia projects where the students will develop their own creative voice and freedom.
To receive more information and to register and reserve your child’s spot please email Reeva Wortel tigrereeva@gmail.com
or call/text (503) 816-1724
A bio about my background as an artist and a teacher:
Reeva Wortel is a contemporary artist, social worker, and teaching artist. Through portraiture, immersive installations, dance-theater, and multi-year community based art projects and murals, she has spent over 20 years exploring the depths of human complexity by utilizing her art, teaching, and social work to re-imagine the communities we live in toward a more just and equitable world.
In her experience as an arts educator Reeva Wortel has witnessed how the arts promote positive development in the academic, social, and emotional realms for all students. Wortel believes that when children engage in art projects they’re taught to tap into their innovative side, to think creatively, and out of the box and that this process inspires children, supporting them in all aspects of their lives.
We were told in previous public meetings that soil conditions at the site were such that in the event of moderate or severe ground shaking, the existing Underhill structure’s foundations were potentially at risk of catastrophic failure. The City’s contractor for the new City Hall explained that the solution to this risk was to place the new building on a system of bored pilings that would be able to resist the threat of liquefaction and structure collapse. This solution he explained would be “an economical method of supporting the proposed structure”.
What the Planning Commission was asked to approve was a separate Police structure that would be placed on this system of bored pilings and a City Hall that would not now have to have a foundation supported by this piling system. The reason: it would be too expensive to include this foundation system for City Hall.
What had just months ago been a critical factor and argument by the City’s consulting team for demolishing both the School and Quonset Hut was not now a concern for City Hall because it was no longer the “economical” solution that we were led to believe.
What happened to the City Hall design that was presented to us at previous public meetings? The architect had presented a building design based on input from citizens that said they wanted a building that represented Manzanita similar to the Library and First Security Bank.
The City Hall that we were told that we would be getting did share architectural features with the Bank and Library. A welcoming entrance, abundant natural lighting with an interesting roof design and horizontal lap cedar siding. What was submitted by the City to the Planning Commission does not resemble what the City’s team presented to us and was characterized by a resident as something you would find in a Beaverton Industrial Park.
The reason for the difference between what we saw then and what we are now getting is simple; it is a cheaper design. Compare what the Planning Commission approved versus what was presented to the community.
tinyurl.com/wkk34wyp pg. 15 tinyurl.com/4mpk4cvu pg. 89
What happened to our solar powered City Hall? The City Manager stated that “solar is still on the table” and the contractor confirmed that the inclusion of solar “seems like a no-brainer to be ready for”. The architect described how they planned to design the roof for solar panels to maximize the potential for solar power to operate the building.
The City’s design plans submitted to the Planning Commission does not include any solar nor was mention made of including solar power in the future. Perhaps because of the complete change in the building design described above, the now north-facing roof orientation of City Hall can no longer deliver effective solar power.
I find it fascinating that when I report on the actions of our City Officials supported by their direct quotes, the howls of indignation come from the same group of citizens whose only rebuttal is a personal attack and a demand that I stop. I observe what I see happening, present the facts and ask questions.
If we’re not witnessing a City Hall bait and switch, what do you call it?
I will continue this post with two more editions highlighting other examples in the coming days.
Randy Kugler
Dirty Bird’s Lot (corner of Division and Manzanita in Manzanita)
Drop your trees, wreaths and garlands on the lot in front of the worm bins anytime before the 13th. Or bring your items day-of for live chipping.
No tinsel, no decorations, no non-natural items.
Thanks to Tony from NW Tree and Landscape for his time and for providing his chipper (nwtreeandlandscape.com)
Let’s shred it up and use it!
For more info contact queenbee@dirtybirdsgardencenter.com
Chuck
I want to give a huge shout out to Manzanita’s legendary ‘dog whisperer’ Ginger Matyas.
We have used her services several times while away from home & we all know the stress of leaving them behind. Ginger not only took excellent care while visiting our 3 cats several times a day to feed, empty litter boxes but the play time was unique. She brought in crepe paper, sprinkled with catnip, lots of kitty toys & actively played & stimulated them. The follow up videos she sent to us were awesome as one of our cats whom is antisocial to begin with, was chasing around through the scattered papers, jumping in the air after flying feathers & sitting on her lap. Such a welcoming site when so far away from home. Everything was cleaned & vacuumed before our return as if nothing had taken place. She did ask first if this was ok! They were very happy babies during our absence!
Equally our dogs were also taken care of by Ginger over the holidays & it’s not about just walking them that amazed us with her services, she actively engages them in physical play time, fun exercise & healthy treats.
Ginger has massive compassion & knowledge in this industry so don’t miss out on asking her about any concerns, she has you covered!
I also just added her as an additional service to our Airbnb rental & it has had tremendous support from visiting guests! Thank you Ginger for all you do for our pets in our small community. Grateful
It is worrisome that 3 city councilors have resigned as well as our mayor
in years ’22-’23. We now have an unrepresentative government. One wonders how these appointed people represent the people. The city charter should be updated. The city councilors and Mayor should be elected by the community and the voters decision honored. Where is the integrity of the city councilors and city manager?
The public STILL needs to know findings of the employee complaint investigation and the legal costs to the community. It appears $24,000 have been spent on this investigation in the last month. (December expenses) We need answers to this investigation.
The Mayor’s Monday meetings were innovative, well attended and valuable to the community. The city councilors thought so too by following suit.
The Mayor opened up the planning commission appointment process to be more fair and transparent, even receiving praise from chair of the planning commission.
I appreciated the Mayor’s efforts to be responsible about the budget.
The hostile behavior of the council and city manager have cost the community financially. You have also lost our trust and our willingness to participate in this hostile environment.
I hope that the damage can be repaired.
Sandy Wood
Manzanita Homeowner
(Planning to visit the recycle center tomorrow, too)
Local volunteer first responder, Letty Buchanan, needs to stay home from work through the month of January to care for her daughter who is battling a mysterious illness. They are traveling often to Portland and with 4 other children and being a single mom, Letty needs our help.
Please sign up to help with a meal or donate some much needed funds.
As a volunteer firefighter and soon to be EMT, she will be there for you should the time come.
Thanks!
And of course all the fire department volunteers who keep us safe in times of crisis. And to all the volunteers I neglected to mention.
Congratulations to our new mayor for also giving us your time and volunteering to take on, at times, a thankless task of running this community with the city council.
I believe it is time to put our differences aside and be grateful to those who are willing to put themselves in the spotlight and deal with the wrath of some and the ingratitude of others.
There are always many sides to an issue and listening and understanding to the other side, even if your opinion is markedly different, would benefit all of us.
In gratitude and kindness in the New Year,
Leslie & Frank Bagon
Fence builds.
Painting.
Pest control( rats Mice bats)
Gutter guard installation
Roof Moss removal
Gutter cleaning
Brush clearing,
blackberry removal
503.812.0560
