Clovis experiments with privatization of city services

At the March 21, 2005 Clovis City Council meeting, all five city council members (including Democrat Harry Armstrong and Central Labor Council endorsee Lynne Ashbeck) voted to award a contract to a private company (All Commercial Landscape) for landscaping services. Insisting that this was not a proposal to privatize the Parks Division, the city staff's report to the Council recommending approval of the contract claims this was merely a "need to test the viability of using contracted services to maintain specific areas."

Speaking on the motion, Clovis city council candidate John Crockford read the following statement:

"Good evening.

"I'd like to speak against this particular item on principle.

"In spite of the city staff's insistence that this is not a proposal to privatize the parks division - that this is merely a test of the viability of using contracted services - I sincerely believe that this is indeed the first step in doing exactly what city staff says it does not do.

"Notably absent in the report recommending this action is input from the city's employee associations and any information on 'All Commercial Landscape' company's wage and benefits relationship with its employees.

"I stand opposed to this measure and ask that (1) the city council delay a vote on this matter until input from the city employees associations can be obtained and considered and that (2) 'All Commercial Landscape' provides complete information on the wages, benefits and conditions of employment of its workers. Thank you."

Speaking for approval of the contract, the owner of 'All Commercial Landscape' said that although his company is non-Union and does not pay the prevailing wage he treats his employees well.

In contrast to the eagerness the council displayed in making this significant policy decision, earlier in the meeting it unanimously voted to delay a request by a Clovis woman to name a new city park in memory of her son. Carrying signatures from 200 neighbors and friends, she was rebuffed in her touching attempt to honor Brent Willey, who died approximately six years ago of bone cancer.

Though decisions such as naming parks were previously done on a case by case basis at the discretion of the council, this particular request was tabled until such time as the city administration could develop a policy for the council to follow in the future.