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What do all these consultants cost?

(35 posts)
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  1. spatny
    Member

    Over the last years we have had numerous service projects here in Riverside, including the B2 Zoning, the TOD Study and now this current exploration of a TIF District. One firm developed a B2 Zoning code that is so flawed it allowed something as oversize as the Village Center to be stuffed onto what was arguably the prime site in the CBD. We got the TOD Study that has caused so much concern with it's recommendation for high density condo construction, a parking structure and identifying "opportunity sites" for building in important greenspaces. Now we have the steamroller called the TIF inching its way forward. The residents need to know who these projects will benefit and equally important, how much these hired hands are costing us. I have requested these numbers and been denied. Today, I sent by registered mail, the following request by Registered Mail to the Village Manager. It is important, I believe, that the public be informed of just how many taxpayer dollars have been thrown at these projects BEFORE the election is held. Let's see if this information is forthcoming on a timely basis.

    Dear Ms. Rush:

    This is a request for information under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140.

    I request the following information, or a copy of documents containing the following information be provided to me:

    For the years 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 to date, the total amount paid to each of the following outside contractors or consulting firms for business done with the Village:

    1. Camiros
    2. Kane, McKenna and Associates
    3. URS Corporation
    4. BauerLatoza Studio
    5. Morris Consultants
    6. Benes Engineering

    I believe this could most easily be accomplished by providing copies of the IRS 1099 forms, suitably redacted, for each of these firms in each year.

    I understand that the Act permits a public body to charge a reasonable fee not to exceed the actual cost of reproduction and not including the cost of any such search or review of the records. 5 ILCS 140/6. I believe this should amount to a total of 30 copies or less.

    I look forward to hearing from you, in writing, within seven working days, as required by the ACT. 5 ILCS 140(3).

    Posted Saturday Mar 17, 2007 11:25 #

  2. Elisa
    Member

    Mr. Spatny - I know that Christopher Burke Engineering, Ltd. has also done work on the TIF project. I also believe that he has worked on other projects in town, but you might also consider looking at his services toward the TIF. I am not in any way suggesting that he or his firm is doing anything inappropriate - it's just that if you want a complete picture of how much money the Village has spent so far on the TIF, TOD, B2 zoning, then you might want to try and tease out those fees as well.

    Posted Saturday Mar 17, 2007 11:36 #

  3. spatny
    Member

    Thanks Elisa - I knew there was someone I forgot. Well, that can go on the next one.

    Posted Saturday Mar 17, 2007 12:34 #

  4. Catherine
    Member

    That sounds like a reasonable request. A usual contracting practice, I can say from experience, would be to include the cost of the project if set. If multiple projects, then a master agreement attaching a separate statement of work and the cost of each particular project. It is not an acceptable or done practice to work without a contract. At a very minimum, normal record retention requirements would mean that the invoices or the receipts of the checks cut would be retained. I am sure there are laws governing procurement of professional services by local governments and the record retention requirements of local procurements. If they could not give you the 1099s for privacy reasons, they should have something that would describe the money paid for each project. If you have had trouble getting this information, I cannot see why anyone would say it is private.

    I can see no reason why the taxpayers should not know what you have described above.

    Posted Saturday Mar 17, 2007 14:11 #

  5. spatny
    Member

    Well take a look at this:

    Here's an interesting item that appears on next Monday's Village Board agenda. Can anyone explain what this means? I'm referring to the item (A - 1. ) under Finance and personnel - the last item I have copied here. I have never seen an item where you are authorizing such a wide disparity of numbers - from $15K to $115K or "another amount." I believe the notes attached to the last resolution for Kane McKenna said they had already been authorized $80K and were looking for $10K more, but that was tabled. This is an example of what is incomprehensible to ordinary residents and needs to be divulged.

    VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE
    BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
    March 19, 2007 7:30 p.m.
    Room 4, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, IL 60546

    I. Call to order
    II. Roll Call - Village Clerk
    III. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
    IV. Approval of Consent Agenda:
    A. Approval of Bills March 19, 2007
    B. Approval of Board of Trustees Meeting February 26, 2007
    C. Approval of Executive Session Meeting Minutes February 26, 2007
    D. File and Review Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes February 1, 2007
    E. File and Review Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes November 2, 2006
    F. File and Review Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes December 7, 2006
    G. File and Review Plan Commission Meeting Minutes January 22, 2007
    H. File and Review Plan Commission Meeting Minutes November 27, 2006 —“ Revised
    I. File and Review Riverside Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes January 22, 2007
    J. File and Review Cable Commission Meeting Minutes February 12, 2007
    K. File and Review Board of File and Police Commissioners Meeting Minutes November 14,
    2006
    L. File and Review Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes February 8, 2007
    M. Installation Of Portable Toilets In Harrington Park, Indian Gardens, Big Ball Park,
    And Swan Pond Park For 2007.
    N. A Resolution Recommending The Acceptance Of A Proposal From Arcon Associates, Inc.
    For Engineering Services For The Police Station and Fire Station #1 Roof Project For An
    Amount Not To Exceed $19,713, Pending Legal Review.
    O. A Resolution Authorizing The Village Manager To Execute An Intergovernmental
    Agreement
    With The Village of Brookfield For Fueling Services.
    V. Unfinished and Deferred Business
    VI. Reports of Board Chairpersons
    A. FINANCE AND PERSONNEL (Trustee Thomas Shields)
    1. A Resolution Authorizing Additional $15,000, $45,000, $115,000 Or Another Amount
    For Contract With Kane McKenna And Associates For Out Of Scope Work Performed
    For TIF Study.

    Posted Saturday Mar 17, 2007 15:18 #

  6. KimJ
    Member

    A. FINANCE AND PERSONNEL (Trustee Thomas Shields)
    1. A Resolution Authorizing Additional $15,000, $45,000, $115,000 Or Another
    Amount For Contract With Kane McKenna And Associates For Out Of Scope Work
    Performed For TIF Study.

    ie.
    Pay Kane McKenna MORE money to revise their botched TIF plan.
    In all seriousness, We Don't Want A TIF! Please Stop Giving Our Tax Dollars To Consultants And Pay The Police Pensions.

    Posted Saturday Mar 17, 2007 21:41 #

  7. Elisa
    Member

    From a board meeting held on Oct. 2, 2006:

    V. Village Manager's Report:
    A. Personnel Pay and Classification Study Recommendation
    Ms. Rush stated that every three or four years proposals are secured from consulting agencies to evaluate the Village's compensation system. Proposals were solicited from five firms; three responses were received: McGrath Consulting and PAR Group submitted proposals and a third firm responded that they will not submit a proposal. The work programs proposed by the two firms are very similar but the cost is significantly different with McGrath proposing to complete the project for $10,500, including travel, versus the PAR group proposal of $18,000, including travel and reproduction expenses. Ms. Rush is familiar with both firms and feels comfortable proceeding with McGrath Consulting. If the Board concurs, this item will be placed on the Consent Agenda at the October 16, 2006 Board meeting. Trustee Shields questioned why this study is necessary as the Village does a market study every year. Ms. Rush responded that the Village study does not examine specific factors that are compared in the compensation system study. Trustee Scully stated that this is a good proposal that will be very helpful to the Board. Trustee Gustafson stated that the study provides a good planning tool for the Board and recommended that it be placed on the October 16 Board meeting Consent Agenda.

    Posted Saturday Mar 17, 2007 23:39 #

  8. KimJ
    Member

    How many full time employees does the village have?

    Posted Sunday Mar 18, 2007 12:28 #

  9. spatny
    Member

    I spent a little time at the library today. Kane McKenna has already been authorised $80,000 - and either $70K plus or the full amount has been paid to them already - so the item for tomorrow's agenda is in addition to that. Obviously, when people who are responsible for allocating and spending public funds throw that much at a project they will be reluctant to call it off. It sort of runs parallel to the present situation in Iraq where getting the admin to call it quits and stop sending more troops when they have invested so much treasure and so many lives amounts to an admission of policy failure. Few are willing to do that. Our Board seems to vew this as a way for them to make up for the hundreds of thousands they have squandered on projects such as the B2 Zoning, the TOD Study and this TIF nonsnse. Since the Zoning is so flawed that it allows monsters like the VC to be built, and the TOD is nothing but a call to condo-ize the CBD, people need to let them know that this TIF is not what we want - and tomorrow's Board meeting is a good place to start, by protesting against paying any more to AKNe McKenna for this ill-conceived TIF project. Show up and voice your opinions before it is too late and we end up with walls of condos on Burlington, Quincy, Pine and possibly elsewhere. This TIF is not the way to improve our Village. If you care about Riverside now is the time to let tham know in no uncertain terms.

    Posted Sunday Mar 18, 2007 17:33 #

  10. Elisa
    Member

    Kim, here is a link to a budget document for 2007. The breakdown of employees is at the end of the document.

    http://www.riverside.il.us/vertical/Sites/%7B42F3B77D-FE50-43B3-96BF-EB06D8EB0A86%7D/uploads/%7BA156CF9E-2BDA-4255-B094-CEDF82096CCC%7D.PDF

    It says that there are 81 employees. Now, some are part-time, some are student interns, some are secretarial staff, some are public works, some are police/fire, etc. It includes everyone. I believe (like Mr. Spatny, I spent time at the library a couple of weeks ago) that this consultant was just supposed to see about the non-union employees, which leaves out fire/police at least and maybe public works or electricians. I don't know if they are worried about crossing guards and part-time secretaries. It does appear as if there are relatively few non-union employees who are a part of this study. I think that if they are worried about compensation, the money would be better spent dividing the consult fee among the employees who are non-union - which at least keeps it "in the family" and not another payment to a consultant. And they do this every 3 years or so?

    I was joking, of course, about dividing the money up among the employees. I do have to ask, however, why some person can't call up a few of the villages around here and ask about their compensation packages on their own. Or have a sense of the going rate when they are in the process of hiring a new employee. Or having an exit interview with an employee who is leaving..if money is an issue, that would arise in that forum. I'm not an expert, but it seems like something that could be cut out of the budget. Small amounts ($10,000 here and there) add up to quite a bit!

    Posted Sunday Mar 18, 2007 20:37 #

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