Rodgers appeals ruling on complaint

Activist Brian Rodgers is appealing a ruling by the city against his complaint that Decker Lake Golf LLC violated the city’s anti-lobbying ordinance. Rodgers filed the complaint last week, pointing to emails discovered when he filed a public information request with the city. Acting Purchasing Officer Urcha Dunbar-Crespo ruled Tuesday that the emails and phone calls from Decker Lake Golf officials to city staff after an RFQS was issued April 14 did not break the no-contact rule. That rule was designed to prevent vendors from lobbying staff or City Council members while the city is in the bidding process on a project. The appeal, filed by Rodger’s attorney, Bill Aleshire of Riggs Aleshire and Ray, pointed out that Dunbar-Crespo’s ruling ignored evidence that there was direct communication between Decker Lake Golf and city staff that did not go through an authorized contact person. In a memo to Mayor Lee Leffingwell and Council members, Dunbar-Crespo said she found that all communications went through proper channels and that no violation had occurred. Council members will likely postpone the matter today until after Jan. 1.