1.     Have you taken your required Open Government training?

I have not taken the required Open Government training; I will wait for the outcome of the election.

2.     Is it the “policy” or the custom of the city to make loans to employees?

The most current council approved employee manual does not include a policy regarding loans to employees.  Employee loans have simply been a custom and records indicate loan proceeds range from IRS payments to employee payroll advances.

3.     The animal shelter continues to be an offense to all humane sentiments. Do you plan to do anything? (combined with #4)

4.     Have you been to the shelter recently?

I have not visited the animal shelter.  The need for shelter improvements was discussed in great detail during the 04-05 budget workshops.  During that time, council made significant budget cuts as it anticipated the Humane Society would complete their plans for a new shelter.  This year’s budget includes $6000 for capital improvements for the shelter.  In the last several weeks, Tamara Nelson and I have discussed the shelter on a regular basis.  Ms. Nelson has been in contact with Jim Case and Nancy White from the Humane Society and I was expecting them to bring a proposal to council.  However, I’ve learned that apparently the State completed an inspection in October and found several violations that require attention.  I anticipate a plan to address those violations is forthcoming from the department head, Chief Scown.  

5.     You spend more than $90,000 annually on a “recycling” fee paid directly to Duncan Disposal and the only actual recycling is done by volunteers.

6.     What specific recycling does Duncan do?

I honestly don’t know what Duncan recycles.  During the Karen Phillippi administration, and after being questioned by several taxpayers, Karen and I discussed the fact that a very small percentage of customers opt to recycle, yet all customers are responsible for the monthly recurring recycling fee.  Karen suggested I don’t go “there” as she believed I would upset recyclers.  

7.     What is the city going to do about the Duncan Disposal contract which expires in September?

The contract between the City and Duncan Disposal will expire in September 2006.  The council has not discussed a contract renewal or the possibility to resuming our own sanitation.  Therefore, at this point I cannot speak on what the City intends to do in September.

8.    The city has no idea what records are maintained by the city and does not comply with either our own ordinance, state law or the consent agreement with me. Do you intend to insist on correct administration?

It became obvious soon after being elected that city records were an absolute mess.  There has been one too many occasions where, we (council) have been “burned” as a result of a lack of a “paper trail”.  When the council interviewed candidates for the city secretary position, I expressed deep concern about this matter.  Upon hiring Molly Taylor, city secretary, she suggested she be given an opportunity to inventory the records and report the status to council.  I don’t believe she’s completed that task, but I’m confident that with the assistance of Ms. Taylor along with her experience and knowledge we are well on our way to correcting this long overlooked and serious problem.   

9.    The city's administration (and perhaps conduct) of ORCA grants is so bad that it deserves auditing by the state. Are you going to do anything?

Recently, we all learned the chaotic status of the last ORCA grant.  We also learned that a couple of streets were paved prior to receiving a “blessing” from ORCA.  I would not be surprised if we (city) do get audited.  Recently, while reviewing the engineers’ proposals, I discovered that the West Murphy Street had been omitted from the contract signed by the Mayor.   I intend to keep a close eye on the progress of this grant.  City manager, Chuy Garcia, is very familiar with the grant process and I expect he will keep the records straight.  However, the individuals who were responsible for this grant, prior to Mr. Garcia’s arrival, are no longer employed by the City.  In the event an audit is conducted by the state, our only choice is to be honest and provide the records/information that we do have available.   

10.   You have no policy on utility hookups outside the city (you appointed part of a committee and promptly forgot to do anything more). Do you enforce a moratorium?

 I believe a moratorium would be extreme, an evaluation on a case by case basis would be more appropriate, until a policy is in place.

11.   You maintain a redundant police dispatching system at a monstrous cost. Do you plan to continue this?

For the best interest of the public, the city and county elected officials should come to the bargaining table with ideas.  Since the county is a higher level of government, it would only seem appropriate they handle this service with assistance from the city.  Both entities would benefit from this and best of all, save taxpayer money!

12.   You maintain a “volunteer” fire department which services the area and is paid for by only the citizens of Alpine. Do you plan to continue this?

I don’t know how we can require anyone else to pay for these services.  Of course, the city could restrict the fire department from going on calls outside the city limits, but if there were a casualty as a result of the department prohibited from responding to a call outside of Alpine, I would hold myself responsible.  Perhaps, an interlocal agreement between the city and the county is in order.

13.   City salaries are bloated and unjustified, yes or no?

 Not all.

14.   You have not completed a policies manual?

The policies manual has not been completed.  I’ve learned it’s more work than I expected.

15.   You have no “plan” other than the 2001 GrantWorks plan which the city neither modifies nor observes yet you are required to have a “plan" for grants?

Grant writing/process/procedures are a new experience for me.  I believe Mr. Garcia’s knowledge and experience in this field will bring the city up to par on requirements/modifications.

16.   You have failed to audit or establish a base report of the city’s water meter status. Why?

Obviously, this was met with great resistance by the previous administration.  There is a plan by City Attorney, Rod Ponton to begin addressing this matter.

17.   As the previous charter committee discovered, the city’s voting records are a shambles. Do you know what the ward boundaries are?

I don’t know.

18.   Can anyone work the GIS system?

I’m not sure, if I’m not mistaken, Ms. Taylor may have some experience with this system.

19.   Are materials and equipment inventoried at the warehouse? By whom? Reported to whom?

To my knowledge, there are no inventory controls for warehouse material and equipment.

20.  We transferred more than a million dollars from the Enterprise Fund to the General Fund last year without specifying what it was for … do you intend to fill in the blanks? Do the same thing this year?

I don’t have a complete grasp on the money transfer from the Enterprise Fund to the General Fund.  I’m not a CPA and I should and must have confidence on the guidance of the city auditor.

21.   Is there a list of city employees, their total compensation, vacation, sick, compensatory time status and retirement?

I’ve seen documentation of most of the information above.  However, I haven’t seen the information combined in one report/spreadsheet.