City Commission OKs limited contract review amid public support

City Commission OKs limited contract review amid public support
Posted: March 23, 2015 - 11:52pm

By SHELDON GARDNER
sheldon.gardner@staugustine.com
St. Augustine City Commissioners approved taking the next step in reviewing 450th anniversary contracts, but on a limited scale.

All commissioners approved having Mayor Nancy Shaver meet with City Manager John Regan to discuss any specific concerns about the contracts.

Then the issue will be brought back before the commission for further discussion on how to move forward and possibly expand the review.

Commissioners disagreed on having Regan come back with options for contractual review for all the contracts.

Shaver said she had concerns based on her review of the 450th contracts but declined up go into specifics, although commissioners asked repeatedly for them.

Commissioners agreed that there was a call for a review based on public feedback.

During the public comment period earlier in the meeting, people started calling for an audit of the 450th anniversary contracts.

More than 20 people spoke in support of the effort, which was brought up by Shaver at the previous meeting — when most other commissioners did not agree with moving forward. Those who commented wondered why.

“Why not answer her questions?” said Ron Mickler, a St. Augustine resident, during a break. “What’s the big deal?”

Pat Reilly, of St. Augustine, cited her business experience and said audits are a routine part of the business world.

“It makes you a better, stronger organization,” Reilly said during a break. “And it says to the public you have nothing to hide.”

While she believes no one is hiding anything, an audit would clear up the matter, she said.

Reilly reminded commissioners that they have talked about openness and transparency in government, and moving forward with an audit would send a message that the commission is willing to look at things in an open and transparent way.

People came prepared with pieces of paper with the word “AUDIT” written in big, bold letters.

Several people raised the signs during some people’s comments.

The Alcazar Room was overflowing at City Hall, and some people had to wait outside.

There was a buzz in the room and applause broke out frequently as people supported Shaver’s request for an audit.

Judith Seraphin, of Linvolnville, supported the audit and said millions have been spent on the 450th anniversary. “And what do we have? ... Seriously, I’m a businesswoman, and I have to have audited (finances) every year.”

At the March 9 meeting, Shaver said she wanted an audit of contracts for the 450th anniversary celebration to make sure they are in compliance.

Her request and comments that followed sparked debate among commissioners and rebuttal from Commissioner Leanna Freeman. Most commissioners did not want to move forward with a contract review.

Earlier in the March 9 meeting, the commission discussed and approved, 4-1 (Shaver dissenting), a license agreement with Mummy Cat Productions. The agreement allowed the firm to use the video produced for the “Journey: 450 Years of the African-American Experience” exhibit in an expanded documentary — one that had already been produced and sold before the license agreement was approved.

In the city’s initial contract to pay $10,000 for the exhibit video, the city kept intellectual property rights of the film. So permission was required to modify it.

The license agreement took care of that officially. James Whitehouse, attorney for Mummy Cat Productions, said previously that officials were in touch with the city throughout the process to make sure they were doing the right thing.

Shaver said she wants to make sure the city is getting what it’s paying for from the contracts. And she said it is her understanding that 450th contracts do not have the same oversight as other city contracts.

Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline and Vice Mayor Roxanne Horvath said previously that they wanted more information about Shaver’s proposal.

Commissioner Todd Neville said previously he was not in favor of funding a review of 450th contracts, since the event will be over in six months. He said his position would not change unless new facts were presented.

Shaver said previously she would be willing to wait until after the 450th celebration to review the contracts. She said a review could help the city find any problems with compliance and correct issues in the future.

Comments (2) Add comment
LocalColor 03/24/15 - 08:55 am 20Why "limited"?
What is the Junta so afraid of, hmmm?

Joe Weeks 03/24/15 - 12:00 pm 00Great and powerful OZ
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!