Inquiries about Irvine Land Trust Remain Unanswered
The Watchdog has been asking some very basic and fundamental questions about the proposed bylaw changes to the land trust. We asked in writing. Almost two months ago. Does someone in the city, or on the Irvine land trust, have the answers? We saw a public relations flyer about the change, referencing how “this was always the plan”, but no direct answers. We see rhetoric and social media posts accusing us of “politics” and trying to “hurt” the land trust, but no direct answers. Our simple questions remain on the table-
- Did Irvine voters know that the millions of dollars allocated to the trust over the years would be suddenly out of reach, allowing no transparency about how the funding would be spent?
- What is the upside for the city in this change? The land trust has been running just fine, with excellent governance and full visibility.
- Why the need to take the organization into the shadows?
- Our two elected officials appointed to represent the city, for a city created entity that manages the bulk of city affordable housing dollars, are ok with this? Stripping the city entirely from all operating control of the land trust, while it still is providing the majority of the funding, is a good idea?
- What are the clear and concise explanations for making the changes, and how will the land trust be better off for making these changes?
The city attorney claims that because the two council-board members are not being paid, that there is no conflict of interest. The dictionary defines “conflict of interest” below. Note that there is no mention of financial gain as the sole reason to declare conflict of interest.
What does smack of conflict and bias is the fact that the $3m from the CITY BUDGET is going unchecked to “a timing delay, design change and elevator problem” (ref. Councilwoman Fox in the video snippet here. It appears that these are developer related issues? Are we okay with bailing out the developers with this money? Why can’t we see how this money is spent? Why is it shrouded in secrecy? If you have nothing to hide, then hide nothing!
The Land Trust currently has $10 million in cash on their balance sheet and some $70 million in assets, why do they need another $3 million? (Note that Melissa Fox originally asked for $6 million)……to fix an elevator? And did you catch in the exchange in the video that there was a re-design that is also the basis for requesting this money? How does this not need some type of oversight as Councilwoman Schott delineates here?
Does anyone know how many affordable units the ICLT has built? Well – I guess now we will never know!
The Land Trust hasn’t become a political target as Ms. Fox claims below, it’s the shady politics that have obfuscated our citizens’ right to see how the CITY’s money is being spent. This money largely comes from “in lieu of” fees that developers often pay instead of building the percentage of affordable units. It appears that this money is now being funneled back to the developer through the city and its land trust. It goes to the trustworthiness of our elected officials and their track record of deceit. Click here for this track record and the Watchdog will soon be publishing a financial history of these elected officials who want us to “trust them”, so STAY TUNED!
* Note that the post above appears to have been removed……
We have a right to ask questions and we deserve to get answers and not baseless accusations from our elected officials.
The Watchdog will continue to ask.
2 Comments
Dee Fox
July 7, 2018 at 5:20 pmMELISSA…You keep saying the Land Trust does good work. How do we know? Why can’t you address the questions? The Land Trust has closed door Board Meetings and does not provide any reporting to the City. Yet, you request $6 million from the City, (above and beyond what the Land Trust already receives from the City), and the people are asking to see the records from the Land Trust to verify it IS DOING GOOD WORK. I am sorry but your word just is not good enough. The fact that CHRISTINA SHEA and LOBBYIST, PATRICK STRADER are also on the Board of the Land Trust is a cause for concern.
Dee Fox
July 7, 2018 at 11:08 pmFYI – I filed the FPPC Report. Lynn Schott and Jeanne Baran did not file. I was asked to give witnesses to my claims and I listed them in my report. They had no knowledge that I had referenced them at the time I filed the report. So for Christina to publicly call them out and make accusations against Ms. Schott was wrong and, it was wrong for Melissa to just sit there and not correct Christina when she also had a copy of the report. Is this the way the Mayor Donald Wagner keeps the council in check? Or do the three of them not know how to read a report? I hope these three have the integrity to apologize to Ms. Baran and Ms. Schott publicly at the next City Council Meeting…the people will be watching.
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