PreservePVE: Why can’t the City pass an audit?

PVE Community Newsletter

Serving: Lunada Bay, Malaga Cove, Montemalaga and Valmonte

This Issue:

Financials:
- Why Can’t the City Pass the Financial Audit?
- Council Warned City Lacks Essential Financial Controls
- Council Approves PVE’s First Deficit Budget
Council Election - Are You Interested?
Safety:
- PVE is Spraying Glyphosate (Roundup)
- Q&A: Has PVE restored publication of crime stats?
Density Update:
- RPV Rezones and Denies Builder’s Remedy Applications
Bay Boys Update

—-

Why Can’t PVE Pass the Financial Audit?

A year later … status unknown and audit information withheld. WHY?

Feb 2024: City states they LINK:

are unable to account for cash, investments and capital assets
did not reconcile bank accounts
anticipate completing the audit by March 2024

June 2024: no audit and no update

In an unprecedented decision, the City denied ALL public access to audit info LINK citing legal risks:
1) “the public interest in
withholding those records outweighs the public interest in disclosure”
2) “attorney-client privilege”

—-

Why is the City Attorney Involved in a Routine Audit?

—-

Council Warned City Lacks Essential Financial Controls

May 2021: Auditor reports City has unreconciled differences in bank statements. LINK (151st page)
Sept 2022: Auditor reports 3 pages of “material weaknesses” in handling of finances LINK (3rd page)
Mar 2023: Auditor reports: LINK
- “Repeat of prior year deficiencies” (173rd-182nd pages)
- Five ex-Police employees accessing confidential data after termination (181st page)
- Ex-employees and temps have security admin authority to financial systems allowing them to give anyone else access to the systems (182nd page)
May 2023: Elected Treasurer Greenberg (a CPA) notified Council in writing essential internal controls, including reconciling bank account, are needed LINK (page 15)
Feb 2024: City is still not reconciling the bank accounts LINK

Why did Council neglect to take action?

Why is the City Attorney involved in a routine audit?

—-

Council Approves PVE’s First Deficit Budget LINK

PVE’s most recent finalized balance sheet is two years old LINK. This forced Council to pass two spending budgets (2023 & 2024) using approximations of available funds.

Are residents aware?

Disclosure is Essential

Residents should be trusted partners in the management of our assets (tax dollars and land).

Interested in Running for City Council?

Our community would benefit from new candidates stepping forward to represent Good Governance Practices of: Fiscal Responsibility, Transparency, Safety and Land Management while governing to the will of the people.

Apply by early August: Email: “CityClerk@PVEstates.org”

—-

PVE is Spraying Glyphosate (Roundup)

Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is sprayed under the brand Lasco. LINK

VIDEO: May 14, 2024

CM Lozzi states she has received “a lot of resident concerns” on this issue.
Kerry (City Mgr): confirms herbicides are allowed, but are not administered as required by contract.

LA County prohibits use of Glyphosate on land owned by LA County

CDC Warning: “Do not let kids or pets play on or touch areas where weed killer has been applied until 24 hours have passed.”

To date: the City has NOT informed the community Glyphosate is being sprayed.

Alternatives:

Enforce contractual requirements LINK (100th pg)
"Contractor shall be responsible for posting proper chemical signage and notifications in all treated areas."

Be forthright in responses to residents about the use of Glyphosate/Roundup. Ambiguous messaging LINK leaves residents without essential knowledge to keep our families and pets safe.
PVE can utilize Organics-First policies passed by Tucson and Irvine LINK or goats like RPV.

—-

DENSITY UPDATE:

RPV Denied Builder’s Remedy Applications:

Basis of denials: Silver Spur LINK Via Colinita LINK
4/16/24: RPV certified their Housing Element by passing an urgency measure rezoning concurrently with final submission to the state. This occurred prior to the submission of these Builder’s Remedy applications. Note: The Silver Spur applicants rescinded their January application and resubmitted after RPV’s certification.

Should PVE Expedite Rezoning?

May 2024: PVE approved the Housing Element LINK, but has chosen not to expedite rezoning.

—-

Bay Boys Update: LINK

Two surfers and PVE are defendants in the eight-year-and-counting legal battle. Trial resumes on August 5.

—-

Has PVE Restored Publication of Crime Stats?

No. Last Update: 2022 LINK

PVE is required to collect and report crime stats to the FBI. However, the City chooses to withhold this information from the residents. Residents benefit from facts about crime occurring near their homes family.

The weekly crime reports include an asterisk notation stating some crimes are excluded. Example: the 3 rapes in 2021/22 were excluded and More

Should the City understate crime?

—-

Palos Verdes Estates’ unique charm is reflected in its magnificent trees, ocean vistas, architecture, dedicated open space, protected coastal habitats, and scenic roadways. The PreservePVE Newsletters focus on land, good governance practices, safety and community.

We are residents preserving and supporting our beautiful City.

We love hearing from you

Newsletter subscription requests: Link

Comments: email Info@PreservePVE.org

Prior Newsletter Issues: LINK (bottom of page)

Disclaimer: LINK