Council was seeking answers from METRO following recent findings by the Federal Transit Administration that the Houston area’s transportation agency violated federal procurement law and “Buy American” requirements. Council’s request to be briefed by METRO representatives was initiated by Councilmember George Boehme, who asked the city manager to provide the council information.
Council asked to be briefed by small city representatives on METRO’s board of directors Burt Ballafant and Jim Stewart about the recent controversies at METRO.
City Manager Michael Ross told InstantNewsWestU on Sept. 27 that Stewart had responded, saying he was available to attend the Oct. 25 meeting. Ballanfant still had not responded, Ross said.
On Oct. 19, InstantNewsWestU followed up with Ross, asking if the small city representatives would be coming to the Oct. 25 council meeting.
“We have received confirmation from METRO that the two Multi City board members will be attending that meeting, Ross said in his email at 11:33 a.m.
At 4:39 p.m. on Oct. 19, Ballanfant sent an email to Mayor Bob Kelly, saying he and Stewart would not attend the meeting.
Here is what Ballanfant wrote in his email to Kelly:
“Originally council member Boehme wrote several questions to the city manager for Metro which were forwarded through you or directly to Metro by the city manager. The Metro staff responded in writing answering those questions.
Despite this resolution of the topic at one time I thought we were still going to meet with the mayor, city manager and Mr. Boehme to discuss his questions. To my knowledge no council person from any city had ever initiated a direct exchange with Metro until this one occurred. Subsequently you as mayor initiated an agenda item for the council which potentially Metro would want to speak to.
Now I understand that since this topic will be dealt with by the mayors as a body that you have withdrawn that agenda item. I have talked with several of your council members who did not express a desire to hear further from the Metro representatives at this time. In light of the fact that there are significant items pertaining to the budget and flood control issues; speaking on behalf of Jimmy Stewart and myself we will not be planning on speaking to the West U city council next week.
If councilmember Boehme would like to have breakfast or lunch with Mr. Stewart and I he can call me and I will arrange such an opportunity with him to discuss Metro where appropriate.”
Ross sent an email to Ballafant and Stewart on Sept. 16 requesting they appear at an upcoming city council meeting.
“Some on council have been reading the recent press clippings regarding METRO and are concerned,” Ross said in his email. “Additionally, during these economic times when approximately $1 million in sales tax is being diverted to METRO (from West University Place) the concern is understandably amplified.”
In an emailed response to Ross, Stewart appeared to take offense to the city’s request.
“I am somewhat totally taken back by this, ‘behind our back’ method being taken by West U. No one at West U, i.e.; your Mayor Bob Kelly has ever said anything negative to myself or Burt about our positions on this Board representing the ‘14’ Multi-Cities to date,” the e-mail said. “How do you think this looks to Metro to have ‘1’ of our constituents come in like this and ask these type questions that would indicate that West U is apparently unhappy with our services to date.”
Ross responded saying that “these are simply questions regarding these appointments and the Multi-City arrangement with METRO so they (West U City Council) may more clearly understand the process.”
Stewart wrote back, saying that “the correct way to have handled this ‘inquiry by your City Council’ would have been to request this info from or thru your own Mayor. He could of (sic) then contacted Allen Owen who chairs this Multi-City group of Mayors with regard to its representatives and received the needed information to each of your questions without going directly to our Metro staff and giving them the appearance of apparent dissatisfaction within our ranks. This can and does convey some weakness on the part of the Multi-City ranks and a very critical time as we are re-organizing under this new leadership.”
Boehme sent Stewart an email saying it was not his intent to anger him “or anyone else at the Metropolitan Transit Authority” and that he wanted to be “pro-METRO.”
“METRO’s recent performance makes support a challenge, so I seek information and assurances of transparency that have been absent from METRO for several years,” Boehme said in his email to Stewart. “Many residents seek information and assurances from METRO representatives that could help us again become METRO boosters.”
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