October 25, 2019 San Marino CA 91108 City Council Meeting

I attended the City Council Meeting and the first item on the agenda was the hiring of the new Finance Director.

Councilman Ken Ude asked if Mr. Paul Chung is "coachable."  Mr. Chung is an analyst and does not have experience as a Finance Director.  City Manager Marlowe said "yes."  Mr. Ude asked if the City Council can be involved in the coaching.  Ms. Marlowe said "no, he reports to me."  Marlowe must have forgotten she reports to the City Council.

The City Manager said Mr. Chung is available to start work on Monday November 25th.  I asked to be heard and explained the following to the Council which went completely over their heads:

1) Week of Nov 24th is a short week since it is Thanksgiving.
2) Why pay someone 5 days to work 3; plus most staff leave early on Wednesday before Thanksgiving

Plus the staff Mr. Chung needs to meet might not be in during that short week.

But since the City Council members are not hiring for their own business or practice and it's only our taxpayer dollars, wasting 2 days' salary is not an issue.

The Councilmembers need to be "COACHED" to think of the City's money as their own money.  Spend the City's money as if you are spending your own money.

They need to lead by example.  San Marino has a revenue and expense problem according to the City Manager and the Council because it needs to have a Utility Tax and a Special Public Safety Tax in order to operate. 

Let's start reducing expenses, NO MATTER HOW SMALL THE REDUCTION THE COUNCIL NEEDS TO START.  Don't be led by the City Manager.  Manage the City Manager for once.