In an email dated 11-20-09, an officer of Propeller explained to then-Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Charles Bannister, how to complete the application to the FAA for the privatization of Briscoe Field, and expressed concern about meeting deadlines. It is understandable that taxpayers feel uncomfortable that an officer of Propeller was so intimately involved in the county’s application that he took the lead in explaining how to complete the paperwork and personally followed the application through the FAA, meeting with and making numerous telephone calls to the FAA about the county’s application.
In the application to the FAA, it stated:
“Understanding the impact privatization could have on the community, Gwinnett County instated a public information and citizen involvement program for the airport privatization process.”
We have been unable to ascertain that any such public information and citizen involvement program actually took place before, or even in the months following, the application submittal.
Do average citizens feel comfortable knowing that Airport Privatization Task Force meetings that were held at the Chamber of Commerce included the registered agent for Propeller and county employees, but not one single representative of an HOA was invited to attend? HOA’s were only to be additions at a later date, but were never added. The meetings of the Airport Privatization Task Force Committee were not subject to the Open Meetings Law, but were subject to the Open Records Law because of the participation of county employees, and most citizens of Gwinnett were not aware that they were taking place.
Can our elected officials assure us that Propeller, who is now the sole bidder on this project, did not have an advantage that was not afforded to other bidders?
The County continues not to fulfill its commitments. In the preliminary FAA application the County said there appears to be a high level of consensus in the community & among County officials. Really? Is that why the BoC vote to issue the RFP was 3-2 or why the expansion proponents on the CRC carried a 5-4 vote to disband the CRC? Is that why at the Jan 24 BoC meeting there were 30 citizens who spoke against expansion and zero who spoke in favor? The County also said that it will continue to expand and develop a formal public education and public involvement program - to include additional subject matter experts - and that a tool box of educational and communication materials - will be developed. The noise expert lined up for the CRC never happened. I’m still looking for the toolbox. Thank you Sabrina for continuing to bring this information to light.
Several years ago, the Gwinnett County Government eliminated any requirement for a "bid and proposal process" in its trash program, even though competitive bids were verbally promised by our commissioners to its residents repeatedly during official meetings as the franchise "update" project began. Then in 2010, the county attorney stood before the superior court judge requesting the injunction be lifted and the settlement be approved, clearly stated for the record that the bidding process was eliminated and "that under Essential Government Services state provision, no competitive bid is required." This concept is based on a Hall County case where a private service was contracted for a 36 to 48 month period to provide EMS services to it's residents bypassing the normal procurement process. Should the Commissioners decide to press forward, this would be a viable pathway, simply by attempting to define the airport as an "Essential Government Service". Perhaps now would be the time to press each commissioner as to whether they would include the airport as an "Essential Government Service" that should be unfettered by competitive bidding.
Sabrina Smith listed as Chairman, Gwinnett Citizens for Responsible Government has been around for quite awhile, at least since the last county millage increase postponement under Charles Bannister. (increased later) She's been quite active in attempts to evaluate budgeting, fiscal responsibility and some zoning issues thrown in too. If you have attended the monthly County Commission meetings, you know she's no stranger to the citizen podium or it's microphone. She comes down on the side of resident's interests and for such has a great deal of respect. Her group is certainty legitimate and based in Gwinnett..
As to this question "out of work architect right?" no response.