Late in April we noted with approval the cool reception that the "Jeff Lowe Ice Tower Project" had received during the April 22, 2008 council work session. Flush with confidence in the sound judgment and fiscal prudence of our new city council, we made this optimistic editorial comment: "Indeed, it's our strong impression that the idea of dropping $200 thousand in taxpayer money on Boss Godfrey's Ice-tower Obsession has gotten zero traction with our sane and prudent Emerald City Council -- Councilman Stephenson excepted -- of course."
In light of this morning's Standard-Examiner front page story however, we realize that our optimism in this matter may have been a trifle misplaced and premature. Ace Reporter Shwebke's opening paragraphs reveal the latest wrinkle in the icetower saga:
OGDEN — The city council’s initial chilly reception of a $200,000 funding request from the administration for a downtown ice climbing tower may be thawing.There you have it, general readers. According to this morning's Scott Schwebke story, there appear to be at least a few city council members who are willing to pony-up taxpayer money for this risky and questionable venture, provided they can create some kind of "firewall" between a single city-appropriated $200 thousand donation, and continuing serial future expenditures.
The council is considering a provision in a proposed ordinance that would allow the money to be appropriated while restricting when the money could be spent.
According to a draft copy obtained by the Standard-Examiner, the $200,000 could not be used until there are sufficient funds from other sources to complete construction of the ice tower, estimated to cost $1.6 million and planned for the corner of 25th Street and Kiesel Avenue.
In a circumstance where we believe it ought to be facially obvious that the ice tower project is far beyond the scope of reasonable and legitimate municipal expenditure, only Councilwoman Jeske (and Councilwoman Wicks, perhaps) seem to entirely "get" the point that our municipal government shouldn't be subsidizing private ventures:
But Councilwoman Dorrene Jeske said the funding provision hasn’t changed her mind about the project.Notably, each of our two new council members, Johnson and Gochnour, seem to be keen on going forward with a compromise plan, provided other (presumably private) donors can come up with the balance of the projected $1.6 million in construction costs first. From the tone of today's Ace Reporter Schwebke story, councilman Garcia and Stephens appear to be leaning toward variations of a compromise proposal too. Councilman Stephenson is a lost cause of course, on the subject of financial municipal spending discipline and/or prudence. Stephenson, the last remaining holdout from the old 2003-05 "Gang of Six" council (always a reliable Godfrey rubber stamp), never saw a knuckle-headed Godfrey scheme he didn't like.
“I won’t support it,” she said. “I don’t think taxpayer money should go toward it.”
For those who aren't so hot at arithmetic... that's five possible votes for the compromise proposal, folks.
We'll also make special note of a nuance upon which Councilman Garcia seems to have put special focus. In addition to assurances that other private donations will precede the city's $200 thousand contingent contribution. Garcia, (the longest-sitting council veteran during a mayoral administration where Godfrey projects have demonstrated significant financial mission creep,) is apparently seeking additional assurances from Gary Williams, (Boss Godfrey's staff lawyer,) that not only will Ogden City's contribution be the last expenditure -- but also the one and only one.
Although Mr. Schwebke's story suggests that the council will put this matter to a vote "later this month," our information suggests that the council will consider and vote on the matter this coming Tuesday, at its regularly-scheduled June 3 council session.
It's in that connection that we strongly urge all Weber County Forum readers who are concerned about the prospective expenditure of taxpayer funds on this project, to immediately contact the city council with your sentiment. As a convenience to our gentle readers, we link the necessary council contact information below:
Time is running short. Council members are sitting on the edges of their seats, waiting to hear what their constituents think. We sincerely hope none of you will let them down.
The floor is now open for comments.
