Carefree Truth

Issue #382, March 9 , 2015

 

 

 

Councilman Glenn Miller descended from the dias to speak at the podium.  He said he feels a fiduciary responsibility as an elected official to protect the Town from potential lawsuits.  He reported that some citizens had noticed real estate signs west of Town Hall along Cave Creek Road with Councilman Mike Farrar as the listing broker.  Mr. Miller pointed out that the Town had discussed the possibility of buying those lots, and Mr. Farrar had met with Gary Neiss.

 

 

 

Mr. Miller said the Town needs a cultural draw in order for the downtown core to thrive.  He thought it was inappropriate for Mr. Farrar to speak in favor of placing a building to house that draw near the sundial rather than on Ed Lewis' south parcel, as it could render the parcels for sale more valuable, thus creating a conflict of interest.  He quoted a state statute dealing with public officials and conflicts of interest/disclosure/recusal policies.    

 

 

 

Mr. Miller said he discussed it with lawyer friends of his who felt a conflict did exist.  He believed Mr. Farrar should recuse himself from discussions or votes on any subject related to a cultural center, zoning case, or abandonment that could add value to the properties for which he is a broker, thus avoiding even the appearance of a conflict of interest.  Mr. Miller also felt Mr. Farrar should not vote when choosing candidates to fill the empty Council seats.  Mr. Miller requested a written opinion from Town Attorney Mike Wright ASAP about whether Mr. Farrar should recuse himself from all discussions about economic development in Carefree.  He was concerned that contracts were voidable and court ordered payments to injured parties might be imposed if a conflict of interest was established.

 

 

 

Jerry Wetta produced an article from a newspaper in Charlotte, N.C. about a NASCAR Museum.  NASCAR left town and the museum went bankrupt, leaving Charlotte with a $5-10 million dollar debt.  He felt that Carefree should insist on a minimum 50 year land lease agreement if a Town owned cultural center were built on Ed Lewis' property in case Mr. Lewis declared bankruptcy or sold the project.  He expressed concern that Carefree, like Charlotte, would be stuck with an empty building if ASU leaves in 5 years.  Mr. Wetta said the Ed Lewis project needs to stand on its own, pointing out that even Mr. Lewis is unwilling to commit to the second phase before establishing that the first phase is successful.  He said if Mr. Lewis needs Carefree to put up the money for the building, it seems that he needs Carefree more than Carefree needs him.  If a cultural center on his property is viable, Mr. Lewis should be able to build one.  Mr. Wetta felt the Town should look at building a cultural center adjacent to Town Hall on Town property, which would be "easier to digest" than building it on someone else's property.

 

 

 

Aaron Grenley believed the citizens should vote on the subject of a cultural center during the next General Election in 2016. Many he had talked to didn't see a need for a cultural center.  He also suggested that the best way to encourage economic development is to lower the sales tax rate to be competitive with Scottsdale.

 

 

 

Jim Van Allen asked the Town to reopen the candidate applications since there were now 2 seats to fill, which would allow others to apply who had been concerned about being caught in the middle of a 3 to 3 divided Council.  He would like the opportunity to apply.  

 

 

 

John Traynor wished to speak on procedural issues.  He said the microphones were either inoperative, or people didn't speak into them at the last meeting.  Being hard of hearing, he was unable to understand some of what was discussed.   He also sought improved sound quality in the audio link provided by the Town, which he also couldn't understand even using headphones, so he can listen to the "official" version, rather than "something that's unofficial and can be altered".   Jim Van Allen had brought up an issue of emails not being distributed to all Council members if sent to council@carefree.org.  He understood from Mr. Van Allen that the situation had been corrected.  Mr. Neiss confirmed that it had.  He concluded by saying that at the last meeting it had been said citizens should not address agenda items at Call to the Public. Mr. Traynor contended that Call to the Public comments could be made on any subject.

https://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/121439671/a209d9cd4c

 

 

Lyn Hitchon

 

 

 

Prepared by Carefree Truth

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