Общински сесии

Municipal administration and the Municipal Council have not yet worked in the expected and necessary synchrony. This is the conclusion of the session on May 31. For the first time, the TSU committee had to meet even twice, yet many of the controversial issues remained so. The councillors insisted that any additional items submitted by the administration be removed from the agenda and that no items be contributed after the agenda has been set by the Bureau of Operations. Vrid Mayor At. Vodev recalled that in May there were only 12 working days and therefore there was a lack of materials when discussing in the committees.
The lack of willingness to make responsible decisions was evident first when discussing the problem around VKTV. The BSP group insisted on a debate on the topic. The councillors had to make a decision to transfer most of the assets to VKTV (buildings, water supply network, treatment plant, sewerage network, etc. to a total of BGN 1 003 183) and to act them as public municipal property (POS). In parallel, however, it was also to be decided how the municipality will manage the water supply network, who will carry out repairs in the accidents and what money will be paid. Councilwoman At. Hrischeva suggested not to hurry and wait for the Council of Ministers to create the regional commissions provided for in the National Strategy for the Development of Water Transmission Facilities. According to the Strategy, these committees will determine how ownership is transferred. The Water Act is above the Strategy, Zavarin Marov resisted. Dr. Tsvetan Dafov accused the BSP advisers of leading VKTV to an inability to work and only thinking about what to spoil from what was done during his term. Mr. Marov did not remain obliged and returned the accusation that a narrow-party group in the previous Municipal Council had concluded the contract with Eurovodkomers and the interests of the municipality were violated (we recall that the decision for this contract was supported by all major party groups in the previous Municipal Council - ed.). Vrid the manager of VKTV N. Deliev insisted that under the Water Act 1999. The municipality could have leased the entire water transmission network to VKTV without a tender and competition, but the interests were different and all deadlines were missed. M. Alexiev asked where the 25 million investments promised by Eurovodkommers were, because of which some advisers supported the contract.
Party passions led to an exchange of personal attacks, so R. Sijim to sober up the spores with a reminder of how they shine backsides when someone climbs higher up the tree. The problem is now technological, N emphasized. Kehayov and B. Belukhova. Because the Municipal Council may deact the water transmission network, but there are many loopholes and traps in the law and it is quite possible that in the presence of a contract for joint activity with Eurovodcommerce the deacted network should be given to them. Or at least Eurovodkommers can attack the decision in court, and while the court procedure lasts it is completely unclear what the municipality will do with the water supply network, and VKTV will be without revenue. "We will make a gift for another 35 years," N. Kehayov and insisted the municipality to make an analysis for future concession and legal consultation in order to make a responsible decision in defense of municipal interests. 18 councillors voted the decision to postpone until an analysis and legal consultation, BSP were against, DPS and Al. Daskalov abstained. The second decision, which clashed with many opinions, was at the request of the Light Hotel (the old Aqua Hotel on ul. "Borislav") to build a parking lot. During the session itself, a draft decision was submitted to Light to grant sidewalk rights for 3 months for a consideration of 400 sq.m. municipal land next to the hotel. The municipality will receive 500 leva per month, argued Mayor At. Vodev. The councillors were unhappy that the previous day they had been given options to hold an auction or concession, as is the case by law when the POS is given. You're offering us something that someone dreamt about in the night, criticising Eve. Puknev. We can give POS without tender only to budget organizations, with this decision we will not help the hotel, but will do bearish service, reminded N. Kehayov. According to him, there are no obstacles around the hotel to park for free, but quite a few of the councillors were of the opinion that this prevents those living on the street. Firmly in position to help the investors were Dr. Dafov, G. Mikhailov, N. Taushanov, Yves. Slavchev and after long disputes 15 councillors supported the decision the municipality to give 400 sq.m. for parking on "Light".
Additional tension at the end of the session gave rise to the absence of the mayor, to whom the councillor R. Sijim had made inquiries. At a press conference a day later, Mr. Vodev explained that he had to leave for Sofia urgently. He was convinced that for the June session, the synchronization between the administration and the Municipal Council would be 100%. A nice forecast, which is good to happen, because the citizens of Velingrad really expect the different levels of the local government to join efforts and solve real problems of the city and the municipality.
Elena Baeva