Power Exchange at the CRA

In an effort to stall a City Council takeover of the troubled Community Redevelopment Agency, Mayor Bradley is willing to expand the council’s authority over the independent agency.

A council committee has approved most of his proposals and fashioned a compromise that should result in more oversight over the CRA and its billions of dollars.

In response to the continuing controversy over the CRA board’s outrageous buyout of its administrator, Bradley proposed allowing the council to review and approve decisions made by the CRA board. That is an important safeguard over an independent board.

The council would also confirm the appointment of the CRA administrator, approve the salary and other benefits--as well as any personnel settlement. That authority could make hiring a capable administrator more difficult, but it would prevent huge payoffs and other abuses.

The council had absolutely no say in the buyout of John Tuite. He pocketed more than $765,000 as an incentive to leave his post 18 months early. His generous contract required much of the payment, but the CRA board enhanced the deal. Why?

Who wanted Tuite out at any cost? Why did Chairman Jim Wood and the CRA board sweeten Tuite’s original deal? Unanswered questions may have cost one board member--Dollie Chapman--her post. Somebody other than Chapman and taxpayers should pay.

To prevent further waste of public money, both the mayor and the council must exercise greater control over the CRA.