Tom Bazan forwarded METRO’s contract with Carol Alvarado which he received following a TxPIA request. Here are several excerpts:
Consulting services will be provided as requested and will include consulting on issues such as, but not limited to the following: advice and guidance on working cooperatively with local entities to help facilitate the successful implementation of the METRO Solutions program, to serve as liaison to and develop and maintain relationships with various stakeholders and entities such as The Gulf Coast Freight Rail District, H-GAC, local chambers of commerce and various community organizations, serve as METRO’s representative for the strategic planning of public policy initiatives by working in cooperation with the Texas Transit Association, The Southwest Transit Association and similar organizations, communicate with elected officials at the federal, state and local levels as required to ensure that METRO’s programs and initiatives receive support, work proactively with the community to identify and resolve problems and concerns of stakeholders and provide assistance to METRO in attracting eligible small businesses and employee recruitment. These consulting services consist only of advisory services to METRO and specifically exclude any representation of METRO to or before the Mayor of the City of Houston, Houston City Council, or departments of the City of Houston during this agreement.
[snip]
Consultant shall be compensated at the rate of $150.00 per hour for services performed under this contract.
[snip]
Payment will be made monthly to the Consultant within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of a properly prepared invoice[…]
What follows is Carol Alvarado’s first invoice. Note the extraordinary detail she included:
Consulting work performed January 14-February 14, 2008. 40 hrs @ $150.00 and [sic] hour.
Consulting work covers briefings and staff meetings with METRO representatives. Included during this period includes meetings (in person and phone) with various elected officials and their staff, East Downtown TIRZ representatives and various community representatives. In addition, meeting preparation, phone and email responding.
TOTAL DUE: $6000.00
Forty hours of work, $6,000 due, and METRO says it cannot find a single document related to her consultant work.
Wow.
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