Osby Welches on Promise

City Manager Performance Review Criteria M.I.A.

2/24/09

By Marc Garman

As of today at 12 PM the criteria for the performance evaluation of Vallejo City Manager Joe Tanner remain a mystery. City Council is expected to vote on renewing Tanner's contract at tonight's City Council Meeting. Councilmember Joanne Schivley indicated that “At this point in time, aside from what it says on the agenda there is no evaluation. No forms have been provided. There is no criteria. No list of accomplishments has been requested or received from the City Manager.”

VIB contributor Robert Schussel has been at City Hall (today) requesting copies of the paperwork pertaining to Tanner's review. Assistant City Attorney John Nagel indicated that neither he nor staff were able to find the paperwork for the review, and are uncertain if such paperwork even exists. In two consecutive City Council meetings, Schussel has requested that the review criteria be released to the public in order to allow public input and provide transparency in the process of evaluating the City Manager. Mayor Osby Davis gave assurances on both occasions that the information would be made available. As of this time, it would seem that neither the public nor the City Council have seen any sign that there is an actual review process.

The Mayor has made a promise to the people of Vallejo and he has not kept it.

Absent a performance evaluation of some sort for Tanner, one can only conclude that the status of his employ will be decided based on some other agenda not being made officially public. Can we afford to allow decisions to be made in this manner any longer in The City of Vallejo? I urge you to be present at tonight's City Council meeting and demand transparency and due process in decision making. Only your involvement will shine light into the shadows. Be there.