July 2024

Most of the Sioux Falls City Council says golf construction contract bad, but vote for it anyway

l3wis July 26, 2024 7Comments

Councilors Bayse and Barranco voted against the plan after voicing their displeasure. In fact most of the councilors said it was a bad plan, then 6 voted for it anyway.

Do you know how ridiculous you look when you publicly say it is a bad, overpriced plan, then vote for it anyway? You do understand if something is bad, you CAN vote against it and make the administration go back to the drawing board. It really is that simple. You aren’t canceling the project, you are just saying it needs to be different.

You know like $20 million dollar bridges and $26 million dollar bunker ramps, etc.

The golf course contractor should be paying for this anyway, and we can pay them back in revenues. If they claim the new clubhouse will bring in more revenue, that would be a great way to PROVE it.

After the vote last night, Mike Zitterich emailed the council and mayor, he usually CC’s me. If I ever respond it is usually to just him, but last night I did a reply all.

Here is Mike’s initial email (I edited out some stuff about Delbridge, etc. towards the end of the email);

Directed to City Council Leadership,
After listening to, and watching the discussion related to the Elmwood Golf Clubhouse cost overrun, it strikes me as odd as to how we can blow this many project budgets from year to year. I am not pointing fingers, nor am I attempting to pick fights with anyone, as I am trying to in a respectful manner pick my brain as to why this continues to happen in government – whether Federal, State, County, or City.  We had just had this same discussion regarding the 6th Street Bridge, and now this project, and we are told as a community, we cannot afford, nor support spending a million dollars to build a new museum, let alone concept for Delbridge Museum Taxidermy Collection. In fact, I feel, some within the vaults of City Hall, lied to us regarding the Taxidermy, just to push them out, and place a new asset into the building. Come on, please people, we have to become more respectful of the “people’s money”, and pay attention to details, let alone spend tax dollars where the people so desire. I agree with Councilor Barranco’s comments, you had to vote no for the simple reason this is the people’s money, and we should slow the project down, and rebid it. I also agree with Councilor Soehl’s comments that a much deeper dive into project expenses must be done prior to approving any such project during budget cycles, and Councilor Merkouris is also right, we very easily could have utilized the profits of the community asset rather than sales tax dollars the extended costs. As I reach out and speak to residents throughout the community, they are asking to me to continue to raise attention to the manner that city government continues to irresponsibility plan for future projects, whereas they continue to come back a year later to ask for more money, while there are streets to be repaired, or other delayed projects that could use the money sooner than later. It goes back to the same theme” I have stressed for months – this City Council which does in fact include the Mayor as a member, must get a backbone, it must stand its ground, it  must use common sense morals and aptitude, in dealing with the “City Government”. We adopted our charter in 1994, creating that separation of power between the “Governing Board ” and the Departments, Offices, Agencies, Non-Profit Corporate Partners, giving to them more freedom to do things. However, we also placed within that “Charter” Section 2.09 giving powers to the “Governing Board” the ability to Subpoena city officials, managers, agents, employees, corporate partners, thus holding public hearings to dig deeper into city business, holding the ‘government’ accountable. To often than not, the residents are believing we are giving city government a free pass to make mistakes, make judgement errors, let alone, allowing it to roam freely as they so wish, and it is beginning to become a problem, cause the people now see the “Governing Board” lose their effectiveness. I do not mean this in a rude way, but this “governing board” has to grow some balls (pardon my french), get tough on city government, especially where it continues to blow cost estimates. The “City” has a net position of $2,500,000,000 billion dollars, it is managed well, but sometimes we take that for granted, giving the government a free pass. Please, Stop it. It makes it very tough for people like me to defend you, when you continually fail to do your job as elected leaders.  

Sometimes, I feel the City leadership, and government officials are closed minded, and sometimes unwilling to accept positive public input. The People deserve better government. 

Sincerely, and Again, Thank You for Your Time, and Your Commitment to the Residents of Sioux Falls, 
Mike Zitterich Resident
(605) 376-0527zitterich76@gmail.comwww.siouxfallscommunitychronicle.com
Minnehaha County Precinct Committee

Here was my response;

Mike makes some valuable points. At the 3 pm meeting you talked about the lost revenue from the food tax then at 4 pm you blow money on a want not a need. In fact, the city subsidizs pet projects and non profits to the tune of millions each year, how about we cut expenses? As for the golf contract, should have had the golf contractor pay for most it, and pay them back thru revenues. Good for the taxpayers and a good deal for them. But that would require you folks to wear thinking caps.

If they are promising more revenue this is a good way to hold them accountable.

I would also like to thank Miranda and David for voting against this poorly constructed plan as it stands now.

I told Barranco that it is baffling to me when councilors say they are disappointed in the way a project was planned and funded then vote for it anyway. Why not just sit there, vote yes, and shut the heck up, because if you were really AGAINST it, you would vote NO.