The HQ knew it was a matter of time...
The Goldwater Institute has sent their warning shot across the City of Glendale's collective bow in the Greg Jamison/Jamison Entertainment Group purchase of the Phoenix Coyotes...
They have more questions than warnings at present (especially having to do with the lack of Indian nation involvement, possible violations of the Gift Clause, parking values, and putting everything up to a referendum vote) and finish up with the following paragraph...
We hope that these inquiries will assist the Council in its deliberations over the proposed deal. We further urge you to not to rush to a vote. The terms of the 100-page proposal were released to the public for the first time on Monday, and not all the exhibits and associated documents have been released yet. There should be an adequate public comment period after all the documents have been released, particularly when they commit substantial public resources over many years.
Lisa Halverstadt and Craig Harris put out an article for the Arizona Republic today. They also came up with the notion that no other Phoenix-based franchise gets any kind of subsidy like the Coyotes would get if Jamison takes over.
"We believe the average of $15 million over the course of the term is a fair price," Glendale spokeswoman Julie Frisoni said.
ABC15's Eric English covers the idea of the sales tax increase...
Councilwoman Joyce Clark posted an op-ed piece in the Republic trying to justify her anticipated "yes" vote:
Allowing the team to leave will hurt Glendale financially. The debt on arena bond construction and its operating and management costs still must be paid. The Coyotes pay monthly rent. A surcharge on every arena event ticket sold goes to Glendale. The team generates revenue for 42 games and more when there are playoff games. Hotels and restaurants are full. If the team leaves, there will be fewer nights when Westgate will produce substantial revenue for the city.
Although, the HQ doesn't see her logic, we'll let her say her peace here...
Phoenix Business Journal reporter Mike Sunnucks sits down for AZPBS to discuss the situation...
2210 UPDATE: Cecilia Chan reports from the Republic that Goldwater is going to seek a court order at 8:30AM Friday to prevent the Glendale City Council from voting on the Jamison deal.
The Glendale vote is scheduled for two hours later...
Not a shock...
The statement from Goldwater President Darcy Olsen:
Tomorrow morning the City of Glendale plans to consider what is estimated to be a $425 million arena management deal for Jobing.com Arena. Arizona’s Open Meetings Law and multiple court orders require the city to make public all documents related to the proposed contract at least 24 hours before a Council vote is taken, which it has not done. The 100-page deal released on Monday refers to a number of exhibits that are central to analyzing the impact of the deal on Glendale’s finances, which the city must make public. Per respecting Open Meetings Law requirements, the Goldwater Institute will be requesting a temporary restraining order to prevent the Glendale City Council from voting on the contract Friday morning.
Glendale city attorney Craig Tindall told the Republic's Lisa Halverstadt that their deadline for a deal was supposed to be five days after the last Coyotes game (May 22), but the team got a 30-day extension...
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