This is amusing. Many of you are being chastised for wanting an explanation from elected officials about a decision made last week, because you obviously did not get the memo that one person got that states that council members do not respond to emails. However, it is OK for that same person to keep asking questions about a council decision from about 5 years ago. That same individual is attempting to make you believe that I am trying to mislead the public and that my vote against the hotel last week is based upon some hidden agenda. Somebody tell me what the hidden agenda might be - please.
I have never supported the proposed hotel, and that goes way back. At every opportunity, I have explained my opposition to the project, including in a televised interview with Channel 3, 5 years ago.
So, speaking of ancient history, I would be the only council member to "state publically" that an RFP was issued - is that because I am the only council member who posts here with any frequency, and the most likely to respond to emails? I guess there has never been an opportunity to ask any other council member about the RFP (that would be the one that the City issued, and to which there were 3 responses - one of which was considered "non-responsive" because it did not provide all the information requested). The 2 remaining were reviewed, based largely on what the developer was proposing to build on the site. An appraisal was obtained, and, after selecting the best conceptual project, negotiations were undertaken with the selected developer. The developer then went through the process to obtain the required approvals for the project. Once those approvals were otained, the firm decided to sell the property to a home builder. I am sure they made money on it and, based upon the project getting started, selling some of the homes, at the top of the market, the housing market taking a dive and the homebuilder going belly up on the project - I would agree they overpaid. Can we finally let this issue go? I have explained this several times already. Do us all a favor, pick up the phone, send an email, call City Hall, do whatever suits you - but get confirmation that the RFP was issued and stop expecting me to go to City Hall and get a copy of a completely irrelevant document that you are more than capable of getting on your own.
Thank you to those who have been supportive in your comments. As always, feel free to contact me any time.
Kerri
There was no memo. One council member has said at a meeting he reads emails but doesn't respond that way.
I was told there wasn't any RFP. There wasn't any advertisement placed in any publication inviting ANYONE who was interested in to submit a proposal, the fact is ONLY 2 potential bidders were invited to bid on the land. IMO, this is very POOR way of trying to maximize the residents of Folsom return on their assets by limiting the bidders.
I'm amazed at your audacity to bring up the subject of an appraisal. Maybe I shouldn't be, given how some on here will go to any length to stick their head in the sand to avoid looking at the truth regarding this? Yes, there was an appraisal done, but you know it was appraised on VACANT land, giving it a lesser value and lower price to the middleman. Who then bought the land and ENTITLEMENTS and resold them to the home builder for fastest and most profitable land flip deal in the history of Sac County
The City had every right to negotiate directly with a Home Builder thereby maximizing the return for its residents getting the $21 milion for the land, instead of $7 million. Coincidently shortly after this deal the former City Manager and negotiator for the City on this deal announced they were leaving to spend more time with their children. Yet amazingly, they secured a no bid contract to become bridge consultant and also secured another contract trying to help pass the Arena Tax. They then went on to start their own " consultant company, possibly representing land owners.
I'll let the openminded people from their own opinions about the smell about all this on their own. I did hear the rumors and innuendos about all kinds of things, but of course nothing can be proven, so I won't share these.
The one thing that so troubles me about all this regarding you, is your letter claiming the former City Manager was the best City Manager the city ever had. Here is someone who just negotiated a potential $21 million piece of land for its residents, down to $7 million and you are making the claim they were the best? If this your defintion of being the best, I'd hate to see what the worst would be.
Something here doesn't make any sense. The only 2 things I can think of is you clearly don't know what the hell you are talking about or you do know and are attempting to mislead the public. The fact that no one at the city or yourself can produce this RFP and/or show where the invitation to bid was published, leads me to believe there is something being covered up.
The Residents of Folsom lost out on $14 million over this deal and I'm NOT going to let it go away, until ALL of those who were serving on the council are off the council or come clean as to what really happened and who was responsible.
