Administration Questions & Answers

As per email from Carla Martinez on 2/20/2025:

Responses to Councilor Grout-EHS Governance 2-19-25.pdf

“Good afternoon President Bassan and City Councilors,

As discussed in the City Council meeting yesterday, attached for your review is the answers to Councilor Grout’s questions to Youth and Family Services regarding the Governance Advisory Committee.  Please understand that my comment about Councilor Grout’s questions coming in at 5:01 to the Administration was not meant to be punitive in nature, but rather to express that I wanted to provide the City Council a thorough and accurate response to the questions, and I needed more time to do that.  I obviously was not effective in communicating such and I apologize.  You will see based upon the detail provided in the response, that time was spent being as thorough and accurate as possible.  Thank you, Carla

 CARLA MARTINEZ

Associate Chief Administrative Officer”

As per email from GovAffairs on 2/26/2025:

 “DMD executed the contract with Wilson & Co on February 19.  Aziza Chavez originated the contract and was notified the second that DMD signed it through docusign.

Government Affairs”

Councilors Rogers and Grout requested a map and a schedule detailing when the Duke City Ambassadors program will be present in their districts.

As per email from Deputy CAO Matthew Whelan dated 2/18/2025:

Final Exhibit A-B.pdf

“Councilor, per our discussion this morning attached is the area that Duke City Ambassadors operate in. The map shows a section of downtown but they mainly focus on Central, Gold and Copper, 1^st through 8^th street.  They also do a small section in Nob Hill Central,  from Sierra to Girard.

I am copying Brenda Martinez and Director Gallegos on this email so we can get something set up next week when Director Gallegos returns so can meet and discuss other issues you brought up this morning.

MATTHEW WHELAN

Deputy Chief Administrative Officer ”

In regards to East Gateway Arch project: Councilor Grout requested:

1) information regarding the construction experience of the project manager, Paul Olson;

2) Can someone on Council Staff be involved in this project?

3) Councilor Grout also asked if language in Council's (canceled by DMD) contract with Wilson & Co. that ensures Council involvement in every meeting will be carried over into DMD's new contract with Wilson for the same work;

4) Have DMD staff met with Wilson Engineers about this project?

5) Have any elements of the sign been changed since DMD took over the project? and

6) follow-up is needed regarding the U.S. Department of Transportation grant application for safety improvements, specifically about the contract for the grant writer that has not yet been signed by DMD.  

As per email from Josh Anderson dated 2/7/2025:

“Good Morning Councilor Grout and Rachel,
I wanted to share the responses from DMD regarding your questions asked at City Council on Monday Feb 3. Have a great day, thank you!
1. How much construction experience does Mr. Olson have? Mr. Olson has over 25 years of experience. He is a licensed Professional Civil Engineer with project related experience in a variety of infrastructure improvements including, but not limited to, bridges, dams, pipelines, roads, channels, and stream restoration. 2. Will Council staff still be involved in this project? We appreciate Councilor’s leadership in securing funding for this project and moving it forward. We will schedule monthly project discussion meetings for the Councilor and Council staff and keep them updated on all stages of project development. 3. Wilson’s contract has been cancelled by DMD. The original contract included language that insured all Council staff in meetings, has that language been carried over to this project? Wilson’s contract has not been cancelled. The DMD project team has requested an updated scope, fee and schedule from Wilson and Co. Council staff will be provided regular updates during project development. 4. Has DMD staff met with Wilson engineers about this project? DMD has recently met with Wilson and Co. 5. Has the sign been changed in any way since DMD took over this project? The Arts and Culture Director, Dr. Shelle Sanchez, provided feedback to Councilor Grout via email on recommended changes to the sign. The Councilor was in agreement with the recommendations made, therefore DMD is moving forward with implementation. 6. One more question about grants, we are applying for a US Department of Transportation grant for safe streets for all program, for safe streets on East central and District 9. The contract for the grant writer hasn’t been signed yet, can you please follow up on that? DMD has received the Wilson & Co scope and fee for grant writing services. However, DMD is not aware of what project this grant will be written for. The US Department of Transportation Grant is for shovel ready projects and is a very competitive selection. DMD requests additional information about the proposed project so we can have a follow up discussion.
JOSH ANDERSON
Government Affairs Official”

As per email from Josh Anderson dated 2/11/2025:

“Hello President Bassan,

Following up on your question from the last City Council meeting, thank you!

Director Sanchez to compile an analysis regarding staffing vacancies, reclassification and recruitment efforts at North Domingo Baca MultiGen Center.

North Domingo Baca recreation staff currently has three vacancies.

The vacancies are a Program Coordinator (posted), a Recreation Assistant which is being reclassed, and Program Assistant II which is in the approval to be posted.

For recruitment, we are recruiting one temporary employee in the interim while we access staffing levels and hours of operations. North Domingo Baca is open 71 hours a week, including every night and on Saturdays.

JOSH ANDERSON

As per email from GovAffairs dated 2/12/2025:

List of FY25 Non-Recurring Items.pdf

“Hello President Bassan,

Please find attached the update you requested at the City Council meeting on Feb 3.

Thank you!

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