"Anyone Notice?"

The City does not own the entire burnt out block downtown. Does that surprise you? The block is divided smack dab in the middle by an area that is privately owned, yet the total “investment” on the City’s portion of the vacant land and destroyed Miller Block Building is over $250,000. Is anyone making any money on this? The City Attorney is the only one I can think of, that would be for his bills for time involved with negotiations, which has been going on for over a year. Richard Nienstedt saw big dollar signs when he informed the Commission that the city would receive an urgent need grant for over $400,000 after the fire, so he went on a spending spree. The results are on display at the heart of downtown. Did the city ever receive the $400,000? Nope. Put another check on the Snafoo list.

Anyone notice that this Administration, with the exception of Nick Graham, voted to spend over $70,000 to “shore up” 2 sides of the Miller Block, (which includes a change order of an additional $300 for bolts that weren’t figured in.) This request was presented to the commission by Richard Nienstedt, and local historian and part-time city employee Don Miller spoke at great length in favor of it. (He was on the city payroll during the summer months running the “downtown crew” for public works. That crew consisted of the children of Richard Nienstedt and Bob Johnson. I don’t think it’s the same group of kids that are employed by the city to work at the Jubilee, it get‘s too confusing.) Anyway, if the building is so Historic and salvageable then why not stabilize all four sides? Another check mark on the list.

Anyone notice that over $6,000 was spent with Richard Nienstedt’s good buddies at PEC (Professional Engineering Consultants) for making an initial damage estimate just days after the fire. That was a literal “Walk around the block,” but nothing compared to the rest of the story...

Were you aware of the $600,000 that was spent with PEC in 2004 for engineering various projects. Was that ever in the budget? That’s quite a bit more than anything budgeted on streets or other projects and services. "But that’s for the new water tower" you might say. Well, it would seem that PEC is getting paid to investigate the problems that are being encountered with the new water system, which the city paid them to engineer in the first place. For instance...

Bet you didn’t know about PEC turning in a $66,000 bill turned in on the last day of 2005 which this administration approved for engineering services at the new water plant, as well as $7,500 for engineering the theater parking lot. And most recently the description of bills from PEC are not specific as to what they are for on the pay out requests that the commission views, such as the $2,500 “for services” during the two weeks preceding the last commission meeting. (I think they learned that trick from the city attorney.) We do know however that Public Works director Eric Bailey explained that he would be “working with PEC” on the water pressure issues as of late, so more than likely that's what "the services" are.

On another topic, ever notice that the business downtown across the street from the fire that received a $12,000 grant for “repairs of fire damage” has not been completed. The urgent need for the funds to repair the fire damaged parapet wall seemingly wasn’t so important after the grant was received. The metal is flapping in the wind. That business is owned by self-proclaimed political pundit Greg Kuplen who has also been Richard Nienstedt’s shadow buddy. The two of them were even Christmas shopping in Pittsburg together. So does it surprise you that Kuplen received the funds before provided accountability and 4 to 1 matching funds as agreed to in the grant agreement signed by himself as well as City Manager Richard Nienstedt? Another check to the list.

Do you know how much City Attorney Bob Farmer makes for his services to the city? Neither do I. I asked, so did former Commissioner Allen when he was on the Commission, but we were both quoted that it would cost us $230 in city time for us to get the answer. Who reviews the open records requests and estimates this time? The City Attorney does. Big checkmark.

Did you know that the Phoenix Project committee recently met at the Courtland Hotel to discuss the marketing and sale of the Miller Block? $300 was paid to the hotel for the evening. Out of the General Fund, not the Phoenix fund. Let’s compare, $230 to find out what has been spent in legal fees with the City Attorney over the past few years or $300 for one evening get together? Check.

And another thing, has anyone noticed that Bob Johnson, HR Director, recently showed up at a car accident and the Gordon Parks funeral security line to tell the Police what to do? He has a badge you know, or did you know? It’s pretty shiny. Smack dab in the middle of his tie. Does he have any law enforcement training? Nope. He stated at a previous CAC meeting that he is a reserve lieutenant on the Police force. (This was back at the time of the 23% turnover rate.) He stated he mostly does interviews in homicide investigations. I asked him what formal training he had for providing that service. He stated his communications degree from the JUCO, and that he had taken a test that was approved the Kansas League of Municipalities. Mind you that the “league” is a club of cities, not a legislative authority. Well I suppose somebody has to be in charge of the new recruits while the new police chief is off to school in western Kansas getting his training to be a police officer.
Those are just a few of this morning’s Gripes and Groans. I think I better have some more coffee and calm down.

Wait a minute! One more thing...

Did you know that myself and the CAC have been accused of only complaining without offering any solutions? Well, let me just answer to that with my answers to the issues above. (These are my solutions, not necessarily the views held by the rest of the CAC.)

First, I would have never voted to salvage the Miller Block and would have recognized that as sad as it is, it is a worthless burnt out, utterly destroyed couple of buildings. I would not maintain the public nuisance any longer. Fire up the cutting torches and bulldozer and erase that check-mark.

I would request of the City Attorney at an open meeting for accountability of his fees and to report back with them promptly, AT NO CHARGE to the citizens or sitting commission.

I would hold PEC responsible for all of their engineering and make sure that all engineering projects are put out to bid in the future.

The grant agreement with Kuplen would have been adhered to “by the letter of the law” and I would hold the City Manager accountable for not expecting the same accountability of his friend that the state expected, and which both he and his friend signed their names to.

I personally feel that their have been enough screw-ups on the City Manager’s part of managing some of his staff and this city that he would be seriously reprimanded and put on probation, and replaced if necessary, certainly not given a raise. By-the-Way, another “did you know?” ...The city manager has in his contract, (which is prepared by the City Attorney) what is referred to as a “fire-proof” clause. That is, if a sitting commissioner makes any comments eluding to his discharge publicly he can take that as the opportunity to resign with 6 months severance.) -Might be the best money this City ever “invested” in my opinion.

And as far as the Police Department. I feel that this city’s citizens deserve trained, experienced and well- compensated police personnel, including the chief. If Bob Johnson wants to be a detective than he can go to school and learn to be a policeman first, but not on our dime.

Now, for that cup of coffee...