Elk Grove's misleading statement on fair housing lawsuit settlement - No grace, contrition for breaking the law
The city was fined and must operate under a consent decree-like agreement with the State of California. In an official statement issued after today's news conference, the city offered a misleading narrative.
Notably, the city said "In February, the City settled the dispute with the Oak Rose project applicant that resulted in a relocated project with additional units that better meets the City's affordable housing needs."
Even though the city reached its settlement with the Oak Rose developer, Long Beach, Calif.-based Excelerate Housing Group, it tried to mislead the public that the matter had been fully resolved. Mr. Bonta addressed the city's implication during today's news conference.
"They [the city] settled with the developer and thought they settled with us," Bonta said. "We are not the developer."
The city further said, "The City is pleased that the State has agreed to settle the matter without significant impact to the City."
Taxpayers would disagree.
The total cost to date is over $10 million. This includes, but not limited to legal fees paid to the city's outside counsel and EHG's legal counsel, damages, and the cost of the property the city gave to EHG on Elk Grove-Florin Road.
That is money that could have been used for a variety of purposes.
The last sentence of the official statement was outlandish. It said, "The City is hopeful that in the future, the State will work more collaboratively with cities to partner in the development of affordable housing rather than use precious resources in the pursuit of unnecessary litigation."
What?
The state did not break the law. However, the attorney general's office took the necessary steps to hold Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and her city council accountable for breaking rules that are designed to protect the most economically disadvantaged and disabled individuals.
Unfortunately, as their announcement demonstrated today, City Hall and Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen lacked the grace to admit their failings and showed no contrition for breaking the law.
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"The City is pleased that the State has agreed to settle the matter without significant impact to the City."
That quote says it all! Tone deaf, cowardly leadership using smoke and mirrors to appear larger than life.
Bonta's five year probation period is akin to the City having to walk around with an ankle monitor! Proud Tradition, Bright Future!
Another example of this City's lack of leadership. Mayor Singh-Allen needs to set an example for all of our citizens, but especially our kids. Be responsible for your actions, admit when you make a mistake, ask forgiveness, learn from your mistakes. She does none of these. There are two candidates running against her in November, isn't it time for a change? Time to find some one who will accept accountability for their actions. This press statement is so full of spin and misstatements isn't worth the cost of the paper on which it was written.
If, as the city of Elk Grove states in their official response, did nothing wrong, why is the city on probation? And the Mayor and Council want a raise? The Council needs to put that raise on hold for the length of the probation!
We become the laughing stock of the State... meanwhile our mayor is doing a photoshoot on a yacht in San Diego! Hey BSA - do us a favor and stay there!
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