Check the Status of Your Ticket
Cattery Decision by City Commissioners and conflict of interest
Commissioner Robinson should have recused himself from votng at the last city commission meeting on the Cattery. He has a definite conflict of interest, being past president of the group (Animal Foundation) that built the Maclean Animal Center and he is perhaps its most significant financial donor. He has being trying for years to get the city to abandon its shelter and take over the Maclean facility. In doing so, he wants the city to take over the debt of the Maclean Center. The city should have no part of it. In addition, I feel Commissioner Moe's actions with Robinson in conducting non-public meetings on city policy matters, though not illegal according to the MCA, is still troubling.
Years ago, the Animal Foundation basically orchestrated a hostile takeover of the Human Society and took the Human Society's Maclean donation for themselves. Past mayor Dona Stebbins, who also happens to be a close friend of Robinson, also apparently played some role in Animal Foundation shenanigans.
I would also like to know why the Metzgers comments on the cattery are not included in the minutes. As public comments, shouldn't those be part of the public record?
In addition, I feel that the city should adopt an ordinance that requires City Commissioners to disclose all ex parte communications on matters they will vote on. This is required for matters that fall under OCCGF Title 17 Land Development Code, but it should be expanded to include ALL city matters voted on by the commission as well.
I would file an ethics complaint against Robinson, but I've already done that for one commissioner. It's time someone else step forward.
