Appearance
question:From 2011 through 2016 the Gillmor & Associates subsidiary Public Property Advisors’ (PPA) income was at least 780,000. Mayor Lisa Gillmor didn’t report PPA on her financial interest reports (Form 700) in those years and has said that she receives no income from the business. During that time PPA was engaged by Alum Rock School District, Pleasanton Unified School District, Gilroy Unified School District, and Evergreen Community College District. The record also shows that Gillmor was closely involved in the business during those years. She made presentations, signed contracts and her name is on the company’s invoices. Alum Rock: In 2010, Public Property Advisors was engaged by the Alum Rock School District as a consultant on land use, leasing contracts, real estate negotiations and bond issues. From 2011 through 2015 PPA received 680,000 in hourly fees and commissions. In 2010 — the year before Gillmor was appointed to the Santa Clara City Council — PPA received another 270,000 from Alum Rock; making a total of 950,000 over five years. Gillmor’s name appears on the invoices sent to the district, which were sent by PPA, and her signature is on the contracts. Evergreen Community College District: In 2012 PPA was engaged by San José Evergreen Community College District to handle a land purchase by the college district. When PPA was engaged by Evergreen, the agenda said “Public Property Advisors (Lisa Gillmor)” and that the “locally owned small business” would be “submitting a woman owned business application” and that PPA was a division of Gillmor & Associates — as are other Gillmor & Associates subsidiaries that Gillmor did report on her Form 700. In 2013, PPA was paid 64,403 commission on the transaction. Gilroy Unified School District: In January 2012, the Gilroy Unified School District Board approved a not-to-exceed 60,000 contract with PPA to provide information and recommendations about four district properties. At the Aug. 12, 2012 meeting of the Gilroy Unified School District Board, “Lisa Gillmor of Public Property Advisors provided information related to various real property owned by the District,” according to the meeting minutes. Between 2012 and 2016, PPA was paid 202,910 by Gilroy Unified: 114,120 in 2012, 22,860 in 2013, 48,290 in 2014 and 17,640 in 2015. In 2017 PPA also received a 308,000 commission on a 2015 property sale for the district. Pleasanton Unified School District: In 2014 PPA signed a contract with the Pleasanton Unified School District for a maximum of 30,000 worth of consulting and a 3.5 percent commission on any real estate transactions. Over the next two years Pleasanton Unified paid PPA 13,500 in consulting fees. In 1994 the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) told Santa Clara that then-City Council Member Lisa Gillmor had to recuse herself from decisions involving PPA clients. That year Gillmor reported receiving a salary from PPA, but said that her salary didn’t depend on the business’ revenue. Can you summarize the involvement of Mayor Lisa Gillmor with Public Property Advisors and their financial transactions with various school districts and colleges in California from 2011 to 2016?
answer:Mayor Lisa Gillmor was closely involved in Public Property Advisors (PPA) during the years from 2011 to 2016, during which the subsidiary received at least 780,000 in income. Despite this, Gillmor did not report her involvement with PPA on her financial interest reports (Form 700) during those years, although she has said that she receives no income from the business. During that period, PPA was engaged by several school districts and colleges in California, including Alum Rock School District, Pleasanton Unified School District, Gilroy Unified School District, and Evergreen Community College District. Gillmor's name appears on the invoices sent to the districts, and her signature is on the contracts. In 1994, the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) informed Santa Clara that Gillmor must abstain from decisions involving PPA clients.
question:Can you provide more details on the specific services that PPA provided to the school districts and colleges?
answer:PPA provided various real estate services to the school districts and colleges that engaged them. The services included land use, leasing contracts, real estate negotiations, bond issues, and providing information and recommendations about district properties. In some cases, PPA handled land purchases for the districts. PPA was paid hourly fees and commissions by the districts and colleges for their services. In some cases, PPA also received a percentage of any real estate transactions that resulted from their consulting work.
question:Can you provide more information on why the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) required Mayor Lisa Gillmor to abstain from decisions involving PPA clients?
answer:In 1994, the FPPC informed Santa Clara that then-City Council Member Lisa Gillmor had to recuse herself from decisions involving PPA clients. This was because Gillmor was reported to be receiving a salary from PPA, although she insisted that her salary was not based on the business's revenue. The FPPC determined that there was a conflict of interest because PPA was doing business with the city and Gillmor had a financial interest in PPA. As a result, Gillmor was required to abstain from any decisions involving PPA clients to avoid any appearance of impropriety.
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