City Staff Over-Stepping Bounds?

The big story, other than Marquez, is the city's apparent decision to turn down a grant for the downtown area. If you have Facebook you have no doubt seen the post floating around from the Historical Commission regarding the matter.

I know what you're thinking, what is up with the city lately? First they lose a grip of money to the tune of $20 million and now they are going to turn down free money. 

I'm afraid it's likely worse than that.

It appears that the decision to not go forward with the grant never made it to policy makers and instead was made at the staff level. 

In an email from Jessica Herrera, the Redevelopment Manager from the City of El Paso, it was staff that clearly made the choice to not go forward with the grant.

My question is why?

It makes no sense at all that the elected leadership wasn't left to make a decision involving money. I've included the operative part of the email but the justification for the decision was basically not enough buy-in from the property owners downtown.

No shit.

Of course the property owners don't want the historical designation, it means they have to jump through a few more hoops. God forbid.

But that debate really isn't my point. My point is that we elect policy makers to set policy. Staff making policy decisions circumvents the voters and is a dangerous precedent.

This should have been up for a vote before council, not decided by staff.

The city manager is clearly aware that this transpired but it's unclear if he was okay with it.

This is likely to be an issue that will end up at council, as it should. 

Another real important question for the community is this...

How often has this happened in the past and the people never knew about it?