“Clarify the Authority” Means Transfering Authority

The May 8th Lakewood City Council meeting included an item to repeal and reenact Lakewood Municipal Code governing Parks and Recreation. The staff presentation delineates several updates. In the “other” items category, the voiceover includes “clarify the authority” of the Community Resources Director. In fact, the proposed language will transfer all authority from the City Manager to the Director of Community Resources.

The City Charter gives the City Manager responsibility “to the City Council for the proper administration of all affairs of the City.” Under the proposed revision, the City Manager will no longer be responsible for Community Resources, per the Municipal Code. All decisions will be made by the Director of Community Resources.

The Community Resources Director does not report to Lakewood City Council. Council can only talk to the City Manager, setting up a disconnect, now that the City Manager is no longer involved in Community Resources.

The language used in the staff presentation, ie “clarify the authority”, seems to suggest that the City Manager has not been playing an authoritative role for some time.