This is Nothing More than a Charade to Bilk Money from Developers and Funnel More Money to the Crooks
Potrero Interchange Workshop
Staff Report by Amer Jakher, the same Public Works Director/City Engineer that brought you such hits as ignoring and forging Sewer Reports which led to the Water Board Investigation and of course forging not one but two ‘Certifications of Completions’ proclaiming that yes, all Fire Stations, Roadways, and even the ‘State of the Art Title 22 Complaint Recycled Water Facility was complete and needed no more funding.
“..in cooperation with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans),.”
The City must produce a documentation verifying that Caltrans has agreed to work in cooperation with the City on the Potrero Interchange Project.
“Caltrans is the Lead Agency for NEPA and CEQA.”
The City must produce a documentation verifying that Caltrans has accepted the Lead Agency position for the Potrero Interchange Project.
Interim Phase: $2.23 Million – Estimated in August, 2013
Permit Expired in 2015
“Revalidation of environmental documents has been submitted to Caltrans for their approval.”
Copies of documents submitted to Caltrans.
“It appears that all right of way acquisitions must be acquired prior to construction of Phase I.”
List of all property owners that must allow Right of Way Acquisitions for Potrero Interchange.
“Staff has submitted the plans to Edison..”
Copy of Plans submitted to Edison.
“City received letter from RCTC dated November 23, 2016 indicating RCTC’s intention of de-programing $8.929 million in STP Local funding due to lack of progress on the Interchange Project.“
Letter from RCTC dated November 23, 2016.
It’s not just because of lack of progress; it’s also because the City embezzled $13 Million from the CFD Bond Fund Accounts under the guise of ‘Potrero’ and forge all of their documents that they lost the Grants.
“Developers/Property Owners in the area have indicated their desire to upfront $5 Million ..”
List of Developers and Property Owners that have pledged $5 Million.
“There are several options available to Council to fund the Interim Phase and Phase 2, such as Development Impact Fees, EIFD Bonds, and/or Agreements with potential Developers to Upfront the required Funds.”
EIFD Bonds are still federal bonds. The City of Beaumont is under an SEC Investigation and can not acquire bonds.
In order to form an EIFD the City of Beaumont must produce Audited Financial Statements for the past three (3) years, which would be Fiscal Years 2014, 2015, and 2016. Fiscal Year 2014 Audit was never Approved, 2015 Audit received a Disclaimer of Opinion, and Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2016 has yet to close, but will not improve the City’s financial situation.
The Potrero Interchange is a Regional and State Project, not a project for a city to fund. Potrero was used as an excuse to embezzle $13 Million. A Public Record Request for the $13 Million design and planning produced nothing more than a glossy flyer.
Potrero is part of the SEC Investigation. The Mello Roos Bond Requisitions verify that money was paid out of the Bonds and to Urban Logic Consultants under the guise of Potrero as recently as March, 2015.
Council Approved $819,856 to complete planning and design work on all Potrero Interchange projects on March 17, 2015 – less than two year ago.
Council again approved funneling more money to Willdan and Mark Thomas under the guise of Project Design on August 16, 2016. Mark Thomas and Willdan are both associates of Urban Logic Principals and under SEC Investigation.
What are the odds that the City of Beaumont will build the Potrero Interchange?
The odds are zero. The City has no financial means and no desire to build the Potrero Interchange. This is nothing more than a charade to bilk money from Developers.
The Funding Sources Listed are:
$13 Million in Grants that the City has already lost
$5 Million in Developer Contribution
$2.5 Million in Impact Fees Collected from CFDs, which can not legally be used for this project,
Other Funding Sources Listed are:
Developer Impact Fees
Upfront Funds from Developers
and a Enhanced Infrastructure Finance District Bond, which the City can not obtained.
So out of the funding sources listed; the only actual legal revenue available is the Developers. Some might argue that it’s illegal to defraud the Developers, but the Developers have been fully informed of the situation, so they can not claim deceit. And as Mayor White proclaimed to the Citizens; “You can sue us to get your money back.”
The Lawsuit Line is over $100 Million Dollars long and so is the Deficit line, but Developers can feel free to get in line behind Pardee Homes to recoup your money.