Before our current but temporary city manager came along the mayor signed all contracts where the city was a party. The mayor could only do that with the approval of city council which meant that the document had to be placed on the public agenda.
Now we see agenda items where the council approves of the concept of a contract and allows the city manager to “execute any and all documents necessary…” without actually seeing the documents.
Why should all of the documents come before council when the city manager would only be fulfilling the instructions of city council?
Well, because things happen. Scrivener could allow contract language mistakes through the carelessness of the city attorney’s office. The city manager or staff could interpret their instructions incorrectly. Someone could try to slip something through.
Some will say that bringing the documents before city council would be a waste of time. Some would even point out that some council members probably would not read anything that the city manager wants, or that they would not understand what the read even if they did read the document because they are only there to rubber stamp the city manager’s actions.
On the other hand, when the city actually does post a document with the agenda, some alert citizen may notice something and help stop something that should not happen.
We deserve better
Brutus
elpasospeak 
From what you are saying, Ms.City Manager is basically running the city.
Did this power come from the new Charter or was it given to her by her City Quintet and followers? the Mayor?
I don’t think there is a business in town that would allow this since it wrought with obvious problems open to corruption.
Is there no checks or balances? Are those who should be watching the coop, appointed and beholding to the Boss Lady?
Brutus your learned opinion and response is needed!!
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Anonymous,
Just for the record I have never said that our strong mayor form of government was without major flaws. I do think that the outcome of the ball park mess and the destruction of city hall would have been better for us with a strong mayor. You have probably read that I think that the ball park could have been done in a much different manner, saving us a lot of money.
Yes, the city manager does run the city departments. Council is supposed to run the city manager. The city manager should be implementing policy, not making it, and least that is the way I read the charter.
Many of those that prefer a city manager point to the continuity it provides and the ability to see long term projects through to the end. Our charter has been modified (by the voters) to give four year terms to the council members. I personally think that this was a mistake. The council is however supposed to manage the budget and the city manager. From the looks of what has been happening, we have not been electing representatives who are capable of doing that.
In addition, there is a contingent on the council that seem to think that more government and public spending is better than less. I suspect that question will be answered by the voters over time. In the mean time, the city manager has a great deal of influence over the representatives through the controlling of projects in the city representatives’ districts.
Our next chance is in May. Who we vote for and how we vote on proposed charter amendments will have a major effect on our collective futures.
Please do your part to get people to think about this and vote their consciences this May.
Brutus
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Way before we ever had a city manager, Mayor Ray Salazar signed a contract to purchase the land where City Hall was built (recently demolished). He signed this contract over the weekend and informed Council after the fact. I say this just to demonstrate that things were not always perfect and above board in the past. I also remember deals that were killed by past mayors — deals that would have passed a vote from Council and the public. Take, for example, the trolleys under Mayor Francis. We had a federal grant to pay for their reintroduction, using the rail lines that were still in place at that time. Francis killed the deal saying there would be traffic congestion. This was done despite overwhelming support from Council. I believe that the city runs better with a city manager. And you’re, right — Council members don’t read or understand all the documents that come before them — but neither did some of our past mayors!
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