Sunday evening, a television story aired that contained inaccurate information. This media advisory is sent to clarify and correct the information that was presented in that story.
April 1 Executive Session meeting where the City Manager’s contract was discussed:
Story’s Statement: “No one knew about the meeting because it wasn’t on the agenda.”
The following information was taken from the City Council minutes from April 1. Copies of the minutes are found on the City web site, www.wichita.gov.
Motion -- Knight moved that the City Council recess and move to executive session at 1:00 p.m. to consider consultation with legal counsel on matters privileged in the attorney-client relationship relating to pending and potential litigation, and legal advice; personnel matters of non-elected personnel; and that --carried the City Council return no earlier than 1:40 p.m. Motion carried 7 to 0.
It was later determined that the location where the meeting was to reconvene was omitted from the motion. The District Attorney reviewed allegations that in the April 1, 2003 regular meeting of the Wichita City Council a member of the Council moved to recess the meeting into executive session and the motion failed to indicate the place at which the public meeting would resume following the executive session as required under K.S.A. 75-4319(a)(3). At the conclusion of the executive session, the members of the Wichita City Council resumed the public meeting in the open public lobby of the Council offices across the hallway from the City Council Chambers. No one was present in the Council Chambers, and the meeting of the Council in its office lobby would have been visible to anyone from the Council Chamber doors. Had any members of the media remained through the executive session on April 1, 2003, they would have found the Council in the accustomed place. The Council voted on August 19 to approve a consent settlement with the District Attorney.
Chris Cherches’ Travel Expenses:
Story statement: “An Eyewitness News investigation showed Cherches spent $28,000 during an 18-month period on travel expenses he said to promote international travel.”
In a memo dated August 21 that was sent to the Mayor and the City Council, Cherches’ actual travel costs were $13,625.59 for 2002 and to present day 2003. The remaining charges were as follows:
| City Manager non-travel expenses |
$3,896.95 |
| All America City Competition expenses |
$6,894.82 (which was raised through donations) |
| National League of Cities travel for Ernie Garcia |
$375.00 |
| NAITCP Expenses of others (Noriega, Russell and Seeber) |
$2,750.20 |
| Park Program Consultant |
$750.00 |
| Total |
$14,666.97 |
An accurate accounting of Cherches total expenses (travel and non-travel combined) is $17,522.54.
This information was known to 2 media organizations.
In addition, Senator Brownback issued a news release last week, announcing the securement of $1 million for the Kansas World Trade Center, an organization that Cherches had been working and traveling to seek support for.
Sister Cities Dinner:
Story Statement: “Another questionable expenditure…a $782 dinner for 18 guests approved by Cherches and charged to the City Council’s budget, which the City Council never knew about or okayed.”
The dinner was requested by the Wichita Jewish Federation for a delegation from the Gezer region who were requesting to become a Sister City of Wichita. The City Council knew about the 2-day visit from the delegation and the events contained where-in, including the aforementioned dinner where the City Manager was making a presentation to the Manager of the delegation. The dinner was attended by members of the Sister Cities board and the Wichita Jewish Federation has offered to reimburse the City for the dinner. The following evening was an event for the elected officials of both governments. Council members Bob Martz and Paul Gray represented the City of Wichita.
Ernie Garcia’s transfer and reassignment:
Story Statement quoted the Mayor: “City ordinances say you can not create a new position, with a new pay scale without the Council approving it.”
In a memo, dated June 21, from the City Manager to Ernie Garcia, Garcia’s reassignment was discussed.
From Cherches’ memo: “With the emphasis on planning for emergencies, etc., we need to make this a higher profile in the organization that we have currently. My plan is to consolidate this effort in our public safety departments and place you in charge of these efforts, together with other duties officed in the Police Department.” The memo goes on to outline what his job responsibilities will be. The Council was notified by memo, August 25. Garcia’s transfer was effective Sept. 2.
Mr. Garcia’s job classification is Senior Safety Coordinator. It is not a new job classification. It has been included in previous salary ordinances of the City. Garcia’s job title is Emergency Planning and Security Coordinator.