It seems none of the Council discussion centered around the most important isuue: the financing of the project and the City's liability if the financing falls short. While I was never clear as to the City's responsibility if the capital funding falls short (City Manager Schwartz said the City bears the responsibility if the capital funding falls short). There is (may be?) about a $5 million difference between the cost of the project and what SVdP has on hand - to be made up from several different potential sources). The shortfall and financial responsibility are still issues that were not addressed Tuesday night. It would have been nice if the Council - specifically the swing vote, Sandra Maurer, had focused on them.
Second, even though one of the new City Manager's concerns seems to have been addressed, at least partially, by the promised hiring of a dedicated new City staffer, the Council's approval still seems to be a slap in the face for our brand new City Manager (@$245,000 per annum) and his first really major recommendation to the Council (to drop the project).
Just to be clear, I am in favor of the project and think that, if the funding falls short, somehow, somewhere, the City won't be stuck with the shortfal.
Fantastic writing Laura, as always. I read your write-up of a recent council I attended and you accurately communicated both the key facts and atmosphere.
Actually, of the three votes for the project, two voted in favor in the first place. One changed her mind and yes, the threat of a lawsuit was part of that, but so was the potential loss of $9.5 million.
And, if the prior reportage has been correct, the reason for the threatened lawsuit was that the council backed out of a previous agreement on which SVdP had relied, leaving them holding the bag.
It seems none of the Council discussion centered around the most important isuue: the financing of the project and the City's liability if the financing falls short. While I was never clear as to the City's responsibility if the capital funding falls short (City Manager Schwartz said the City bears the responsibility if the capital funding falls short). There is (may be?) about a $5 million difference between the cost of the project and what SVdP has on hand - to be made up from several different potential sources). The shortfall and financial responsibility are still issues that were not addressed Tuesday night. It would have been nice if the Council - specifically the swing vote, Sandra Maurer, had focused on them.
Second, even though one of the new City Manager's concerns seems to have been addressed, at least partially, by the promised hiring of a dedicated new City staffer, the Council's approval still seems to be a slap in the face for our brand new City Manager (@$245,000 per annum) and his first really major recommendation to the Council (to drop the project).
Just to be clear, I am in favor of the project and think that, if the funding falls short, somehow, somewhere, the City won't be stuck with the shortfal.
Fantastic writing Laura, as always. I read your write-up of a recent council I attended and you accurately communicated both the key facts and atmosphere.
Thanks! I appreciate that you were at a council meeting and thought I got it right. :)
One threat of lawsuit and the knees buckle.
Actually, of the three votes for the project, two voted in favor in the first place. One changed her mind and yes, the threat of a lawsuit was part of that, but so was the potential loss of $9.5 million.
And, if the prior reportage has been correct, the reason for the threatened lawsuit was that the council backed out of a previous agreement on which SVdP had relied, leaving them holding the bag.