St. Augustine 450th contracts back on table

St. Augustine 450th contracts back on table
Posted: March 19, 2015 - 11:40pm


By SHELDON GARDNER
sheldon.gardner@staugustine.com


A review of contracts for St. Augustine’s 450th anniversary celebration is back on the table.

Mayor Nancy Shaver introduced the issue at the March 9 meeting. She asked about contractual compliance related to the 450th contracts. A few commissioners said then that they were against an audit of contracts.

The discussion at the meeting also drew a sharp response from Commissioner Leanna Freeman, who pushed for a quick end to the meeting.

Shaver plans to restart the discussion at Monday’s City Commission meeting, and she plans to provide more details on her proposal.

“I think this is an opportunity to clarify what I was asking for and have a discussion with the commission,” Shaver said Thursday.

Shaver wants to examine whether processes are being followed in the contracts, and she would like the city manager to come back with some options. But she needs the support of other commissioners.

She said previously that she wants to make sure the city is getting what it paid for.

“Do we have the controls in place to make sure in that process we’re doing the right thing?” Shaver said.

Shaver said she has reviewed expenses and processes related to the 450th commemoration, and she said it is her understanding that 450th contracts are not overseen in the same way as contracts in other departments.

She introduced the issue after commissioners approved an after-the-fact license agreement to bring a 450th-related contract into compliance.

City Manager John Regan said Thursday that the city is not concerned about an audit because there are already different controls in the city for review, including financial audits.

“We’re used to that,” Regan said. “That’s no problem.”

The commission will make the ultimate decision whether to move forward and what members want to accomplish with a review, as well as what budgetary impact that might have.

“We welcome any review of any work that we do,” Regan said.



The contracts

The city agreed to pay Mummy Cat Productions $10,000 for a 12-minute video for the “Journey: 450 Years of the African-American Experience” exhibit. The follow-up license agreement allowed for the video to be used in an expanded documentary.

However, Mummy Cat Productions produced the expanded documentary before the license agreement was finalized.

Mummy Cat’s attorney said previously that the group communicated with city officials to make sure they had permission.

Dana Ste. Claire, 450th Commemoration Department director, has said that through the process a contract was developed for the expanded documentary, but it was not executed.

That agreement was handled outside of the 450th department, Ste. Claire said.

Shaver requested further review of the contracts in the March 9 meeting.

She said a process analysis of the contracts would help shed light on any problems. She also said it would also promote transparency and good governance.

For example, a review could reveal whether a bidding process was done correctly. And if not, a review could also help determine what policies can be put in place to make sure the city is compliant in the future, she said.

Shaver said she has received support from constituents about her review idea. Shaver said she would be OK with delaying the process until after the 450th anniversary in September.

“I think it’s a reasonable request,” she said. “I have every expectation that we’ll go forward with it.”

Jim Piggott, director of the city’s general services, said his department helps write initial city contracts. The contracts get a legal review and then are managed by the appropriate department. That is the same for 450th contracts, which are managed by the 450th Commemoration Department.

Ste. Claire said some efforts related to the 450th are handled outside of the department. An example he gave was the initiative to bring El Galeon to St. Augustine. Those contracts were handled outside of the department.

The task of overseeing the contracts managed by the department is shared by 450th department employees, Ste. Claire said.



Some support for discussion

While the idea for a contract review was not supported at the March 9 meeting, some commissioners are open to further discussion.

Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline said the first talk about the issue seemed to be cut short, and she wants more information.

“I would like to hear what exactly it is we’re talking about,” Sikes-Kline said. “Right now I need to know more. I have questions.”

Sikes-Kline said at the March 9 meeting that she could see both sides of the issue.

Vice Mayor Roxanne Horvath, who was against an audit, said the city has done well monitoring contracts since she has been employed by the city. She said she does not see a reason for spending money on a contract review.

“My feeling is I’d like to hear more about her (Shaver’s) concerns,” Horvath said.

Commissioner Todd Neville said previously he was not in favor of spending money and time on auditing 450th contracts, since the anniversary efforts will be finished in six months.

“To me, at this point, it’s going to come down (to) if other facts are presented,” he said.

Commissioner Freeman was not available for comment on Thursday.

[Ed's note: Wonder why? Or as William F. Buckley, Jr. once asked, "Why does baloney reject the grinder?"

Comments (3) Add comment

LocalColor
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LocalColor 03/20/15 - 09:42 am 50Well done, Nancy!
No one but the local Junta and its minions have any reason to fear an audit *OR* governmental transparency. It's especially amusing to hear that the officials who have wasted hundreds of thousands of tax-payer's "450th" dollars - on junkets to Spain, logos, "lectures," and assorted bread-n-circuses - are suddenly concerned about "the cost of an audit." Where has that overwhelming sense of fiscal responsibility been for the past six years? We the People are left with no 450th leadership, no 450th plan, and no 450th funding - and it's time we determine who's responsible for that.

SIC 'em, Nancy!!!

martystaug
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martystaug 03/20/15 - 10:34 am 30Keep It Simple
Cut the ribbon, cut the cake, take the photos, have a parade and be done with it. Almost a million dollars for a week long extravaganza is unnecessary and too expensive. Thank you Mayor Nancy, hold their feet to the fire for all this expense.

JoeJoe
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JoeJoe 03/20/15 - 12:33 pm 10There are some arrogant commissioners
on the city board that think they are above reproach. I am glad to see Mayor Shaver keeping her promise that she would try to focus on fundamentals.