After the end of the Redevelopment Agency, forced by Guv Brown, the city of San Diego decided to go around the law and formed “Civic San Diego”—a government agency that did tens of millions in deals, behind closed doors, assuring the crony capitalists and special interest still controlled the process—without the public being involved or informed. Now, thanks to muck raking attorney Cory Briggs, the days of this form of corruption has ended.
“In October, open-ended deals between the city and Civic San Diego failed to receive the necessary six votes for approval. When a five-year cap was added, six votes were no longer required, and the agreements passed on a 5-4 vote.
After the council again voted 5-4 last month on a second reading, lawyer Cory Briggs informed city officials that the item should not have been reconsidered at the October meeting, but placed on a later agenda. He also alleged Brown Act violations when council members met privately during a break in the meeting and by not giving the public an opportunity to comment on the amended term of the agreements.”
By definition, government is incompetent, mismanaged, and/or corrupt. The citizens need to be vigilant—does anybody believe even the “best” of governments can be trusted?
Cory Briggs Forces Council to Redo Civic San Diego Deal in Public
Posted by Ken Stone, Times of San Diego, 12/1/16
The City Council is scheduled to hold a special meeting Friday to revisit recently approved deals with Civic San Diego after a lawyer alleged violations of the state open meeting law.
The operating and agency agreements set the terms for how Civic San Diego performs its functions. The quasi-independent agency, formed after the state abolished the redevelopment system, assists city officials with development projects in downtown and some other neighborhoods.
In October, open-ended deals between the city and Civic San Diego failed to receive the necessary six votes for approval. When a five-year cap was added, six votes were no longer required, and the agreements passed on a 5-4 vote.
After the council again voted 5-4 last month on a second reading, lawyer Cory Briggs informed city officials that the item should not have been reconsidered at the October meeting, but placed on a later agenda. He also alleged Brown Act violations when council members met privately during a break in the meeting and by not giving the public an opportunity to comment on the amended term of the agreements.
The council can take corrective action within 30 days of receiving a notice of an alleged Brown Act violation, according to the City Attorney’s Office.
Council members will be asked to rescind their votes to approve the amended agreements and then vote again on whether to adopt the deals.
Civic San Diego has come under fire from both sides of the political spectrum, with critics calling for stronger oversight measures.
Even some council members who voted for the agreements in October acknowledged they weren’t perfect, but said they formalized accountability and city oversight without expanding the agency’s responsibilities.
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