PHOTO CREDIT: Argus Leader subscription advertisement.
Read these two documents. I am no lawyer, but yah gotta wonder what kind of ‘agreement’ is being made with the city.
Now there is two versions, there is the ‘pre-edited’ version that I have already posted, and the ‘final’ one.
1ST DRAFT:Â tennisagreement
FINAL DRAFT: finaltennisagree (love the shady scan job on this, like they couldn’t send the electronic version over to the clerk’s office, maybe the $145,000 computer room A/C wasn’t working yet.)
Besides the fact that there is a lot of ‘legalese’ going on in these two documents, should not matter. It is a massive conflict of interest for the Mayor’s wife to be a part of an organization that is collecting a cool half-million for a ‘Private’ facility (as I understand it, you pretty much have to belong to the tennis association to use this place, but there will be ‘public time’ afforded. Thanks man!)
What is even more frustrating is that our local media hasn’t even called this BS out, in fact they have promoted it on several occasions!
Pickle Ball anyone!
WHEREAS, nobody plays this sport, except for rich amateurs, and steroid fueled professionals.
Both agreements, (CITA/indoor tennis and ISA/hockey etc.), will be presented to the Council at their 4:00 Informational meeting tomorrow. This is where ALL discussion will occur, as both agreements have been placed on the CONSENT AGENDA (NO discussion) for the Council’s regular 7:00 meeting.
Both the SFTA and ISA stated from the beginning of their fundraising efforts that they needed to open these facilities debt-free in order to make the numbers work.
Both groups have fallen short of their fundraising goals by significant amounts. CITA has missed their mark by 1 to 1.5m, and ISA has missed their mark by 1.5 to 2m.
The Park Board operates under a cloak of secrecy, protected by their committee structure. At their October Board meeting, where both agreements were presented, there was NO discussion about what happens if either organization defaults. (Remember, there is a history on this very issue called the Minnehaha Ice and Rec Center, which the taxpayers had to take over).
Let’s hope our “rubber-stamp Council” asks some “hard-ball” questions about this very issue and insures that these are iron-clad agreements to protect Sioux Falls taxpayers if either of these organizations defaults in the future.
Correction: the previous comment should read CITC, not CITA
Though I am not surprised at your rub on this tennis facility is misplaced. This is good for Sioux Falls and if you go to any high school meet you will see that is isn’t just
If someone in the audience wants CITC or any item for that matter taken off the consent agenda its as easy as asking for it to be moved to the regular agenda. Simple, no conspiracy here.
Secondly, you don’t need to be a member of the SFTA to play at any of the city courts now and they are run by the SFTA so to assume that you will need to be a member is a big leap. Additionally, SFTA offers $1000’s of dollars in scholorships for kids to take lessons in SF annually, guessing that will be the same for CITC. Always looking for a conspiracy real or imagined.
No I don’t play tennis or work for CITC or SFTA, just an informed citizen.
SD Sue, as an informed citizen, you will want to view today’s Council Informational meeting.
The Council informed both the SFTA and ISA they will NOT be on the consent agenda at next week’s Council meeting, they will be on the regular agenda so that there will be open discussion.
In addition, both organizations told the Council they have not met their fundraising goals, and in fact, Bill Townsend of SFTA made the mistake of actually asking the Council for additional tax dollars to supplement the $500,000 they have already been gifted. Very bad political move, Mr. Townsend!
There were extensive questions from the Council regarding what happens if either organization defaults,
how will public usage be defined and annual financial reports. Which, BTW, neither ISA or SFTA want to provide to the Council.
So, you see SD Sue, no conspiracy here, just legitimate questions from both elected representatives and citizens alike!!
Had this guy from the back press room say to me today at work, “This town is geared towards the rich getting what they want from city hall and the taxpayers funding it.(sic)” And, this is a prime example of a special interest getting what they want because one of the main proponents sleeps with the mayor (well, when he isn’t on the couch). Like I have said in the past, this would be no different then me becoming mayor and asking for a Boston Terrier ONLY dog park to be built by the city.
And while I am at it, what F’ing percentage of SF residents play tennis anyway?
The mayor should be pitifully ashamed over this. Hopefully people will be praying for him over his selfishness and greed.
I tried to watch yesterday’s council informational meeting on the city’s website.
It is barely audible!
So once again the city is entering into a contract with Sanford, dumping money into a project / building which will be owned by Sanford in 30 years or less. So this is another attempt to make this Sanford Falls.
Lionel Barrymore would be proud.