An interesting item is on the agenda for the Peoria County Board Rules Committee this coming Thursday evening:
ISSUE:
Establishment of Museum Standing Committee of the County Board and temporary Museum Building CommitteeBACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
In the initial Capital Lease and Operating Agreement (posted on the County website in February 2010) between the County and the Peoria Riverfront Museum (PRM), it was determined that the County would construct the parking deck and the PRM Board would construct the museum and the perimeter improvements. The following changes to the County Board Rules of Order would establish a standing committee of the County Board to oversee construction of the PRM and leasing of the PRM site and create a temporary Museum Construction Committee to oversee construction of the PRM building.The Museum Standing Committee would be comprised of County Board Members. The general duties of the Museum Standing Committee would be to: a) make recommendations to the County Board for awarding contracts for the construction of the PRM; b) approve all change orders for the construction of the PRM of less than $250,000 additional cost; c) exercise general oversight of the PRM building and grounds; d) review and comment upon those items provided in the Lease and Operating Agreement with PRM; e) initiate all actions of the County exercising powers under the Lease and Operating Agreement; and f) review all actions of the Museum Construction Committee.
The Museum Construction Committee would be comprised of individuals selected by the Peoria County Board Chairman from the County Board, the PRM Board of Directors, county staff, and/or other citizens with building and construction experience. The Museum Construction Committee is a temporary committee that shall automatically dissolve upon the opening day of the Peoria Riverfront Museum. The general duties of the temporary Museum Construction Committee include: a) approve all change orders for the construction of the Peoria Riverfront Museum of less than $100,000 additional cost; b) Exercise general oversight of the construction of the Peoria Riverfront Museum Project; and c) report regularly to the Museum Committee regarding the progress of construction.
The advantages of the County managing the construction are numerous: a) for transparency purposes, having the construction of a public building on public property performed by a public body assures that the discussions will be open to the public; b) the PRM Board of Directors can spend more time focusing on operations, exhibit planning, and fundraising; and c) the County can be assured contractually that our capital contribution is a set dollar amount. In addition to memorializing this change in the County Board Rules, the Capital Lease Operating Agreement will have to be modified. The PRM Board of Directors is scheduled to have their organizational meeting on June 8, 2010. Once organized, the PRM Board can take up the Capital Lease and Operating Agreement and Redevelopment Agreement for either a late June or early July approval by the County Board.
At first blush, it looks like a reasonable action given the benefits listed. But look closer. This establishes a new standing committee, and the County Board Chairman is responsible for making appointments to all standing committees. Only those appointed to the Museum Standing Committee could “initiate all actions of the County exercising powers under the Lease and Operating Agreement.” That stipulation effectively freezes out board members who are opposed to the museum. Board members who believe the museum group is not fulfilling the terms of the agreement will have no way of holding them accountable because they can’t initiate any action on it. How is that in the public’s interest?
Furthermore, the County Board Chairman is free to appoint only those who agree with him, and remove anyone who crosses him. Just recently the Chairman removed board member Brian Elsasser from the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission because he (the Chairman) “owed a political favor to a friend.” Just imagine what political favors might be called in for the museum project, especially since this committee will also “make recommendations to the County Board for awarding contracts for the construction of the PRM,” and the County Board promised to have local contractors build the project.
This is a recipe for political corruption.
So it begins…..again……….
The people who [essentially] oppose this project will yell “FOUL!”
People [like Peorifan], who essentially support this project will either ignore the…”spoils system” politics, or simply dismiss these antics as the price we pay for “quality of life” projects in Peoria.
And the saga continues and the story and responsibilities changes. The County was supposed to provide the money via bonding — period, despite citizen’s concerns about the lack of county involvement for construction oversight. The PRM was to have oversight for construction and all the grounds et al.
Now, it appears that the county will be taking on the oversight role via the Museum Standing Committee — c) exercise general oversight of the PRM building and grounds; — any ka-ching — any additional costs to the taxpayers?
Now, it appears that the county will be taking a back seat role via the Museum Construction Committee — how many will be on this committee?; what will be the dilution factor for the number of county board members to other non-accountable to the taxpayer members; regularly reporting — means what frequency?
Still not enough money for the project but the parade goes on. Regrettably, Peoria is a river city and the county board is acting like Professor Hill using the ‘think’ system to get the PRM built.
Since no bonds will be sold prior to the August ‘groundbreaking’ — it would appear that some fund, perhaps, the general fund will have to be tapped to fund the construction upfront and pray that the bonds will be able to be sold perhaps year end or next year. Some financial experts are predicting a muni-bond market collapse — not to worry as it has been publically stated that debt certificates will the bonding instrument of choice. Regardless of the amount, if a fund is tapped, then there will probably be lost interest from borrowing from Peter to pay Paul.
So much for following the County goals to provide core services and to keep their promises to NOT start construction until ALL the money was in hand, including the endowment.
Karrie wrote,
“Now, it appears that the county will be taking a back seat role via the Museum Construction Committee — how many will be on this committee?”
– Maybe its not how many will be on the committee, but WHO!
– Is this another example of CAT strong-arm tactics, or the county ‘pretending’ to take the initiative?
– Wonder how the J Star will report on this…if it does…..