Respectfully,
Dolores Proubasta
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On Fri, Aug 28, 2009 at 4:06 PM, Jones, Jolanda - CNL
Ms. Proubasta,
Thank you for contacting my office. Sorry I'm just getting back with you. I just got back in town after being out of pocket for approximately a week. In fact, I missed the vote on Mr. Fusco's contract. Likewise, it was not until last Friday, the day before I left town, that I was able to get a meeting with Mr. Fusco. I try and make informed decisions on all matters I vote on which includes input from all stakeholders, especially Mr. Fusco, in this matter. To that end, here is where I stand on Mr. Fusco's BARC contract:
The economy is a big issue not only for Houston but for this country. Just last week, the Mayor asked each City Council office to cut back yet another 1%, notwithstanding a mandatory 1.6% cut imposed earlier this year. FYI, I have cut back on staff to meet these new budget requirements imposed by the Administration. No decision is made in a vacuum. Fiscal responsibility is a must with each decision we vote on.
Please let me be clear, I met with Mr. Fusco personally on Friday before I went out of town. He did not and would not answer questions related to what he was supposed to be doing for $200,000. That's a problem for me. The Mayor does not earn $200,000/year. Department Directors, which BARC is a subordinate bureau of a department, don't make $200,000/year. They don't even make $150,000/year. Yet, we are proposing to pay Mr. Fusco $200,000 for six months. He also wouldn't disclose who he says promised him $200,000. He blamed me not knowing details of his contract on people other than himself. He said it was their job to give me the details, not him. I actually explained to him that I would be willing to vote for him to be the consultant to BARC if he were willing to accept a contract which was more in line for what the City could afford, especially considering the economy and the fact that we have cut the budgets of other departments. Mr. Fusco said that we, the City, would destroy his business, if we asked him to substantially reduce his contract fee, and if accepted it; therefore, he would not accept anything that amounted to a contract of $200,000, less the $25,000 he said he would donate back. I do not believe tax payers expect me to weigh the effect on Mr. Fusco's business when I determine what is a fiscally responsible spending of tax payer money. Mr. Fusco also said he didn't want to embarrass the Mayor. I don't think that's a valid consideration to whether we spend $200,000 (less his $25,000 donation) of tax payer dollars on Mr. Fusco. I've asked various questions that have yet to be answered. Mr. Fusco stated that there were a number of requirements that had to be met in the contract. When I finally reviewed the contract, those requirements were not mentioned. Accountability is important in this decision, specifically, if performance is not met, what is the penalty? Neither Mr. Fusco, not the contract, addressed this issue either. The City has and is cutting back on department budgets yet it is proposing to spend this astronomical amount of money on Mr. Fusco.
Apart from fiscal irresponsibility which I believe voting for this would show, Mr. Fusco stated to me that it is not his job to sell himself to me. Without more specific information, I cannot, in my opinion based on the information I have now, vote yes to Mr. Fusco's contract. Quite frankly, I was surprised that Mr. Fusco refused to answer the questions I asked him.
I wrote and article, presently in African American News & Issues regarding my beliefs regarding BARC. To read the article, please click on http://www.aframnews.com/html/interspire/articles/817/1/BARC-A-Band-Aid-Solution-to-an-Emergency-Room-Problem/Page1.html. I try real hard to learn issues in order to make informed decisions. Interestingly, this article was submitted prior to my meeting with Mr. Fusco, notwithstanding it was written after my initial request to meet with Mr. Fusco.
Some have said that too many are making emotional decisions regarding BARC. Please let me be clear, no decision, which I have made, is based on emotion. Instead my decisions are based on experience, accountability, fiscal responsibility and most importantly, receiving all information from all stakeholders.
I hope you're well and I will continue to try and learn the issues and make informed decisions which are the most efficient use of tax payer money. I know you support Mr. Fusco [Ms. Jones inadvertently errs here... CLL] but at present, I cannot vote to approve a contract with him. Too many questions remain unanswered.
The People Are the City,
Jolanda 'Jo' Jones
Houston City Council
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