Now the City of Portland can't even give away money without hiring a middleman who takes a cut. Here's a bid solicitation by the planning bureau for a "fiscal agent" who will make a nice commission for handing out $570,000 of city money as community organizer grants:
The successful Proposer will serve as a fiscal agent for BPS to distribute funds to Community Organizations for outreach projects and events. The goal of this contract is to create an avenue of communication and to offer innovative incentives to engage community organizations that may not traditionally participate in BPS programs. By involving neighborhood associations and community organizations, the City builds a positive partnership within the communities, encourages diversity at the grassroots level, and encourages neighbor-to-neighbor interaction. To facilitate this involvement, these Community Organizations coordinate volunteer-based education outreach and events, Through this program the City helps these organizations earn money to be used in their operations.
The anticipated funds to be disbursed to the Community Organizations for the services described herein are approximately $40,000.00. The incumbent fiscal agent is being paid an administrative fee of 7% of the total disbursement value paid to the Community Organizations to cover their administrative expenses.
There aren't enough bureaucrats in the planning department to process grant requests without shelling out 40 grand for a paying agent? Unbelievable. And note, they already have some outside outfit skimming this 7% now.
To make things even more lame, note that they're already stating in the announcement that the winning bidder will get 7% as its cut:
The successful Proposer would receive an administrative fee based on 7% of the total amounts paid to the participating groups.
Shouldn't the bidders be allowed to underbid that percentage? Oh, never mind. That would be good fiscal practice, and this is the City of Portland.
Does anybody know who's got this contract now? It seems a lock that they'll get it again.
UPDATE, 3/11, 11:50 p.m.; Despite the screwed-up bid solicitation, the contract is only for $2,800. It's the grants that will total $40,000. Further details here.
Comments (11)
Ding! New winning entry in the Incomprehensible Jargon-Filled Tub O' Verbal Sludge Award!!
The goal of this contract is to create an avenue of communication and to offer innovative incentives to engage community organizations that may not traditionally participate in BPS programs. By involving neighborhood associations and community organizations, the City builds a positive partnership within the communities, encourages diversity at the grassroots level, and encourages neighbor-to-neighbor interaction. To facilitate this involvement, these Community Organizations coordinate volunteer-based education outreach and events, Through this program the City helps these organizations earn money to be used in their operations.
Has anyone asked why the city is giving out money to people so they can lobby the city council in return? Isn't that what "community organizers" ultimately are doing? What do you think "avenue of communication" means here? Does not this city give money to the BTA who in turn then lobbies Mayor Creepy for a $600 million dollar bike nirvana? This is just more of the same, IMHO.
If you out there who want to whine about the condo bunker set lobbying the city and PDC for their share of our tax dollars aren't up in arms over this seemingly small turnips heist, then you're not really paying attention.
The entire $570,000 is a waste of tax money by a council oblivious to the notion of fiduciary and fiscal responsibility, especially at a time when a deep recession is hurting basic services.
The proposal above will surely violate the city's own rules banning racial discrimination. Americans need not apply.
When Maria Lisa Johnson and Amalia Alarcon de Morris direct such funds to someone other than themselves (as in the recent past), likely their anti-American leadership trainees, they can put on a face of being almost not-racially-disciminatory, at least facially.
The City of Portland is instead an official hate group. Tom Metzger did not directly kill Mulugeta Seraw with a baseball. He just had a big mouth, much like Portland's own contemporary official paid big mouths. The hate is palpable, and the tax dollars are being used to fuel it until it becomes a conflagration (. . . like at some Max station, resembling the attack in Gresham, but by a mob with multiple victims.)
Jack, it sounds to me like you've misread the numbers a bit (emphasis mine):
The anticipated funds to be disbursed to the Community Organizations for the services described herein are approximately $40,000.00
Unless I'm missing something (I didn't see the $570K quoted anywhere in the bid solicitation) it sounds like the city's giving out about $40K, and the "fiscal agent" gets 7% of whatever is actually disbursed (i.e., up to $2,800).
The bid solicitation says that the fiscal agent contract is for $40,000. If it was for only $2,800, I doubt they'd even put it out for bid. But who knows? Let's hope that's right.
What is even more absurd about this is probably CoP had another outside consultant to advise them on how to solicit a "fiscal agent", and went through similar procedures of solicitation to do so.
Solicitations on top of solicitations. The next step for CoP is a third level of solicitations.
So if I am understanding this right, someone gets hired to hand out taxpayer money, and gets a percentage of the money they give away? Pardon me, but WTF?
And this...
By involving neighborhood associations and community organizations, the City builds a positive partnership within the communities
Sounds to me like they are paying hush money to get the community on board with their nutty ideas...
Charamba, Douro 2008
Horse Heaven Hills, Cabernet 2010
Lorelle, Horse Heaven Hills Pinot Grigio 2011
Avignonesi, Montepulciano 2004
Lorelle, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2011
Villa Antinori, Toscana 2007
Mercedes Eguren, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Lorelle, Columbia Valley Cabernet 2011
Purple Moon, Merlot 2011
Purple Moon, Chardonnnay 2011
Abacela, Vintner's Blend No. 12
Opula Red Blend 2010
Liberte, Pinot Noir 2010
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Indian Wells Red Blend 2010
Woodbridge, Chardonnay 2011
King Estate, Pinot Noir 2011
Famille Perrin, Cotes du Rhone Villages 2010
Columbia Crest, Les Chevaux Red 2010
14 Hands, Hot to Trot White Blend
Familia Bianchi, Malbec 2009
Terrapin Cellars, Pinot Gris 2011
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2009
Campo Viejo, Rioja, Termpranillo 2010
Ravenswood, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2010
Waterbrook, Reserve Merlot 2009
Lorelle, Horse Heaven Hills, Pinot Grigio 2011
Tarantas, Rose
Chateau Lajarre, Bordeaux 2009
La Vielle Ferme, Rose 2011
Benvolio, Pinot Grigio 2011
Nobilo Icon, Pinot Noir 2009
Lello, Douro Tinto 2009
Quinson Fils, Cotes de Provence Rose 2011
Anindor, Pinot Gris 2010
Buenas Ondas, Syrah Rose 2010
Les Fiefs d'Anglars, Malbec 2009
14 Hands, Pinot Gris 2011
Conundrum 2012
Condes de Albarei, Albariño 2011
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2007
Penelope Sanchez, Garnacha Syrah 2010
Canoe Ridge, Merlot 2007
Atalaya do Mar, Godello 2010
Vega Montan, Mencia
Benvolio, Pinot Grigio
Nobilo Icon, Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2009
Portuga, Rose 2011
Revelation, Chardonnay, Pays d'Oc 2010
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 2005
Monte Alto, Tinto Reserva 2005
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Cabernet, Indian Wells 2009
Espiral, Vinho Rose
Vin-Koru, Pinot Gris 2011
14 Hands, Hot to Trot Red 2009
Rodney Strong, Cabernet, Sonoma 2009
Abacela, Vintner's Blend #11
Portuga, White 2010
La Bourgeoisie, Red 2009
Januik, Red 2009
Three Rivers, River's Red 2008
Kirkland, Alexander Valley Merlot 2008
Muga, Rioja Rose 2010
Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2009
Mauro Molino, Barbera d'Alba 2009
Garda Chiaretto Rose
Columbia Crest, Two Vines Vineyard 10 White
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley 2009
L'Hortus, Rose de Saignee 2010
Maculan, Pino & Toi 2008
McKinley Springs, Bombing Range Red 2008
Trader Joe's Pinot Gris 2009
Montes Alpha, Cabernet 2007
Gran Sasso, Sangiovese, Terre di Chieti 2009
Garda, Classico Chiaretto Rose
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1999
Picos del Montgo, Tempranillo 2008
Chateau de Montmirail, Vacqueyras 2008
La Granja 360, Syrah 2009
Montgras, Carmenere Reserva 2009
Lange, Pinot Gris 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet 2008
Kirkland, Pinot Grigio 2010
Trader Joe's Coastal Syrah 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Merlot 2008
Trader Joe's Coastal Chardonnay 2009
Vieux Papes Red
Domaine de l'Aujardiere, Chardonnay 2009
Santa Rita, Cabernet, Medalla Real 2007
Penfold's, Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2008
Guild, Red, Lot #02 2008
Dievole, Dievolino Sangiovese 2008
Laforet, Burgogne Chardonnay 2009
Columbia Winery, Merlot 2007
Bonterra, Cabernet 2008
Elk Cove, Pinot Gris 2009
Maquis Lien 2006
Scott Paul, Pinot Noir, Le Paulee 2007
The Occasional Book
Neil Young - Waging Heavy Peace
Mark Bego - Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul (2012 ed.)
Jenny Lawson - Let's Pretend This Never Happened
J.D. Salinger - Franny and Zooey
Charles Dickens - A Christmas Carol
Timothy Egan - The Big Burn
Deborah Eisenberg - Transactions in a Foreign Currency
Kurt Vonnegut Jr. - Slaughterhouse Five
Kathryn Lance - Pandora's Genes
Cheryl Strayed - Wild
Fyodor Dostoyevsky - The Brothers Karamazov
Jack London - The House of Pride, and Other Tales of Hawaii
Jack Walker - The Extraordinary Rendition of Vincent Dellamaria
Colum McCann - Let the Great World Spin
Niccolò Machiavelli - The Prince
Harper Lee - To Kill a Mockingbird
Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus - The Nanny Diaries
Brian Selznick - The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Sharon Creech - Walk Two Moons
Keith Richards - Life
F. Sionil Jose - Dusk
Natalie Babbitt - Tuck Everlasting
Justin Halpern - S#*t My Dad Says
Mark Herrmann - The Curmudgeon's Guide to Practicing Law
Barry Glassner - The Gospel of Food
Phil Stanford - The Peyton-Allan Files
Jesse Katz - The Opposite Field
Evelyn Waugh - Brideshead Revisited
J.K. Rowling - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
David Sedaris - Holidays on Ice
Donald Miller - A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
Mitch Albom - Have a Little Faith
C.S. Lewis - The Magician's Nephew
F. Scott Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby
William Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night's Dream
Ivan Doig - Bucking the Sun
Penda Diakité - I Lost My Tooth in Africa
Grace Lin - The Year of the Rat
Oscar Hijuelos - Mr. Ives' Christmas
Madeline L'Engle - A Wrinkle in Time
Steven Hart - The Last Three Miles
David Sedaris - Me Talk Pretty One Day
Karen Armstrong - The Spiral Staircase
Charles Larson - The Portland Murders
Adrian Wojnarowski - The Miracle of St. Anthony
William H. Colby - Long Goodbye
Steven D. Stark - Meet the Beatles
Phil Stanford - Portland Confidential
Rick Moody - Garden State
Jonathan Schwartz - All in Good Time
David Sedaris - Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Anthony Holden - Big Deal
Robert J. Spitzer - The Spirit of Leadership
James McManus - Positively Fifth Street
Jeff Noon - Vurt
Road Work
Miles run year to date: 21
At this date last year: 52
Total run in 2012: 129
In 2011: 113
In 2010: 125
In 2009: 67
In 2008: 28
In 2007: 113
In 2006: 100
In 2005: 149
In 2004: 204
In 2003: 269
Comments (11)
Ding! New winning entry in the Incomprehensible Jargon-Filled Tub O' Verbal Sludge Award!!
Posted by George Anonymuncule Seldes | March 10, 2010 6:19 AM
When did Vito, Guido, and Rocco move to Portland and climb in bed in City Hall?
Posted by LucsAdvo | March 10, 2010 6:24 AM
Sounds a bit like the East Portland Action Plan. the Budget for the coordinator position is $125,000. What percentage is salary I don't know.
The coordinator is Lore Wintergreen.
Posted by Lawrence | March 10, 2010 7:25 AM
Has anyone asked why the city is giving out money to people so they can lobby the city council in return? Isn't that what "community organizers" ultimately are doing? What do you think "avenue of communication" means here? Does not this city give money to the BTA who in turn then lobbies Mayor Creepy for a $600 million dollar bike nirvana? This is just more of the same, IMHO.
If you out there who want to whine about the condo bunker set lobbying the city and PDC for their share of our tax dollars aren't up in arms over this seemingly small turnips heist, then you're not really paying attention.
Posted by LexusLibertarian | March 10, 2010 7:27 AM
Just one more of many signs this city is corrupt.
The entire $570,000 is a waste of tax money by a council oblivious to the notion of fiduciary and fiscal responsibility, especially at a time when a deep recession is hurting basic services.
So what is this about?
Paying off supporters in an election year.
Posted by Ben | March 10, 2010 7:36 AM
The proposal above will surely violate the city's own rules banning racial discrimination. Americans need not apply.
When Maria Lisa Johnson and Amalia Alarcon de Morris direct such funds to someone other than themselves (as in the recent past), likely their anti-American leadership trainees, they can put on a face of being almost not-racially-disciminatory, at least facially.
But: My race is "American" -- not tribe A B or Z.
http://hotair.com/headlines/?p=74725
http://michellemalkin.com/2010/03/09/my-race-is-american/
The City of Portland is instead an official hate group. Tom Metzger did not directly kill Mulugeta Seraw with a baseball. He just had a big mouth, much like Portland's own contemporary official paid big mouths. The hate is palpable, and the tax dollars are being used to fuel it until it becomes a conflagration (. . . like at some Max station, resembling the attack in Gresham, but by a mob with multiple victims.)
Posted by pdxnag | March 10, 2010 7:53 AM
Jack, it sounds to me like you've misread the numbers a bit (emphasis mine):
Unless I'm missing something (I didn't see the $570K quoted anywhere in the bid solicitation) it sounds like the city's giving out about $40K, and the "fiscal agent" gets 7% of whatever is actually disbursed (i.e., up to $2,800).
Or am I missing something?
Posted by David Wright | March 10, 2010 9:43 AM
The bid solicitation says that the fiscal agent contract is for $40,000. If it was for only $2,800, I doubt they'd even put it out for bid. But who knows? Let's hope that's right.
Posted by Jack Bog | March 10, 2010 11:33 AM
What is even more absurd about this is probably CoP had another outside consultant to advise them on how to solicit a "fiscal agent", and went through similar procedures of solicitation to do so.
Solicitations on top of solicitations. The next step for CoP is a third level of solicitations.
Posted by lw | March 10, 2010 1:47 PM
So if I am understanding this right, someone gets hired to hand out taxpayer money, and gets a percentage of the money they give away? Pardon me, but WTF?
And this...
By involving neighborhood associations and community organizations, the City builds a positive partnership within the communities
Sounds to me like they are paying hush money to get the community on board with their nutty ideas...
Posted by Jon | March 10, 2010 9:55 PM
I just get goose bumps all over when Portland is in trouble.I have a VOODOO Witch working on a sunomi or an earthquake next.
Posted by Tom Metzger | March 11, 2010 3:17 PM