Search for Legal Counsel at Housing Authority To Start Over
The request for proposal process was "legally flawed," according to an earlier ruling from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
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After multiple heated meetings and hours of discussion, the Hoboken Housing Authority now has to restart its search for a permanent counsel to the board and the authority.
While Charlie Daglian was re-appointed in a meeting a few weeks ago, it has since become clear that the process followed was "legally flawed," according to a ruling from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Garcia said that the request for proposal needs revisions, because it didn't follow the exact guidelines as dictated by HUD.
In an email earlier in the week, Chairman Jake Stuiver — who has been vocal in his objections to reappointing Daglian — wrote that "HUD ruled that the attempted appointment of Mr. Daglian was 'legally flawed' because of numerous improprieties in the process followed by the Executive Director, and that 'the general counsel's presence and statement at the 2/7/13 meeting is self-serving and may also violate the attorney's code of ethics,' adding that 'the matter is of great concern to us.'"
Garcia said he inherited the procurement process and the way RFPs are sent out from his predecessor.
Commissioner David Mello, who is also a Hoboken councilman, said that when it comes to sending out these requests, "everybody involved, from the board of commissioners to (Garcia) should be more educated."
Lawyers and firms interested in responding to the RFP have 30 days to do so, which will likely mean that the board will vote on a new lawyer in May.
DaHorsey, SmartyJones of MSV
3:42 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2013
It didn't "follow the exact guidelines by HUD." (Cough, cough) It's a little more than that. It's in the HUD letter. Focusing on the important source of information is very useful, more useful than having second hand comments on the critical document in question.
That would be the HUD document. It's available to the public and part of yesterday's MSV story. It's essential reading to render any context in this story:
http://www.hobokenhorse.com/2013/03/hud-slams-hha-procurement-process-call.html
The follow-up and context to today's meeting:
http://www.hobokenhorse.com/2013/03/hud-slams-hha-procurement-process-call.html
The only added information here is that Garcia claims the problems are "inherited."
Does that include possible bid rigging?
pdq
11:48 am on Friday, March 15, 2013
23 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2013
http://hoboken.patch.com/articles/hostile-atmosphere-controls-meeting-as-hoboken-housing-authority-hires-attorney
"Garcia, in turn, said that the HHA is legally required to follow guidelines and score the bids following directions from the Department of Housing and Urban Development." NOW, "Garcia said that the request for proposal needs revisions, because it didn't follow the exact guidelines as dictated by HUD."
SO which is it? He knew the laws and chose not to follow them? or He said he knew the laws and chose not to follow them?
Regarding HUD's- what was it? bid rigging? bid steering concern?
"lawfirm Florio, Perrucci, Steinhardt & Fader with the yearlong contract for a base of $60,000 a year. Daglian is asking for a base of $45,000, a $15,000 decrease from Daglian's last year's contract.
How about the 350k vinyl elevator floors?
"criminal and unethical", weren't those the words Mr. Garcia used when asked for advisement regarding the option to chose someone other than Daglion?
How can anyone have any faith in the competance of Mr. Garcia's professional knowledge or word?
The Frizzy Avenger
11:03 am on Friday, March 15, 2013
The HUD document also states that Carmelo is the appointing authority which Jake and the "reformers" forget to mention (cough, cough)
demosthenes
3:42 pm on Friday, March 15, 2013
It does? i've been poring through it on MSV where its posted and I can find where it actually says that. It does list lots of illegalities by Carmelo and say that Daglian acted unethically and was illegally appointed, but I can't see where it says Garcia is the appointing authority. Can you provide the quote please? (cough, cough)
QJ201
11:03 am on Friday, March 15, 2013
Rules, dis is hobOken, we don't need yur stinkin rules.