New stadium in LA

[Stinky Wizzleteats+]

Fualkners task force is toothless...

The nine-person group advising Mayor Kevin Faulconer on the future of the San Diego Chargers' stadium will not have to hold any public meetings, submit financial disclosure forms, identify potential conflicts of interest or comply with other measures of California's open government laws, according to a statement City Attorney Jan Goldsmith released on Monday.
Goldsmith explained that because the group will operate informally, it does not have to follow rules designed for public bodies.
“This group has no authority to represent the city of San Diego or otherwise speak on behalf of the city or make any decisions for the city," Goldsmith said. "And, specifically, they are not authorized to negotiate on behalf of the city."
By the same token, the group has no authority to ask the city attorney's office for any legal support or representation. "They have no legal significance different than other members of the community," Goldsmith said.

[6025]

Fualkners task force is toothless...

The nine-person group advising Mayor Kevin Faulconer on the future of the San Diego Chargers' stadium will not have to hold any public meetings, submit financial disclosure forms, identify potential conflicts of interest or comply with other measures of California's open government laws, according to a statement City Attorney Jan Goldsmith released on Monday.
Goldsmith explained that because the group will operate informally, it does not have to follow rules designed for public bodies.
“This group has no authority to represent the city of San Diego or otherwise speak on behalf of the city or make any decisions for the city," Goldsmith said. "And, specifically, they are not authorized to negotiate on behalf of the city."
By the same token, the group has no authority to ask the city attorney's office for any legal support or representation. "They have no legal significance different than other members of the community," Goldsmith said.

Good fucking grief, can we just ride them all out on a rail right fucking now, like they used to in the old days? God damn useless pieces of shit.

[Stinky Wizzleteats+]

Even though I called them toothless I think it may be a good thing. Already groups want it all public so they can campaign against anything they do not like, I suspect. Also look hard for the all important "or" in the article...
San Diego Councilmen Want More Public Access To Mayor’s Stadium Group
Monday, February 2, 2015
By City News Service

Two members of the City Council called Monday for more transparency by a task force designed to develop plans for a new Chargers stadium in San Diego, but the City Attorney's Office said the group doesn't need to meet in public.

The nine-member task force announced Friday by Mayor Kevin Faulconer includes business and civic leaders and land-use experts.

In a memo to Faulconer, Councilmen David Alvarez and Todd Gloria said they're troubled by a lack of openness for the group, "especially because you have tasked them with the development of a proposal that is expected to include a commitment of public resources in the form of land and/or tax revenue."

The councilmen requested that the panel hear public input on the stadium issue, that the mayor or task force issue monthly progress reports, and for information on how much public funds the group will spend. A news release Faulconer's office issued Friday said the group will not receive funding from the city, and the group's members will not be compensated.

City Attorney Jan Goldsmith weighed in with his own memo, which said the task force is allowed to meet behind closed doors since it is not an official municipal body and does not represent the city.

He said that, as he understands it, the group will operate informally. "It will not be required to conduct public meetings, submit financial disclosure forms or otherwise publicly identify conflicts of interest," Goldsmith said.

"Our office has been asked whether this group is legally obligated to follow Brown Act requirements that apply to public bodies," Goldsmith said. "The answer is that as long as the group remains an informal advisory group to the mayor and nothing more, it does not have to comply with the rules designed for public bodies. In fact, it is common for politicians to receive informal input from members of the community without demanding such compliance."

He said the task force will not be allowed to make decisions or negotiate on behalf of the city, and will not receive legal advice from the City Attorney's Office.

Faulconer created the task force to determine whether to place a new playing home for the Chargers downtown or the Qualcomm Stadium site in Mission Valley, and develop a funding plan that will pass muster with two-thirds of the city's voters next year. A final report from the panel is due in the fall.

Craig Gustafson of the mayor's office said the task force is just one part of what will be a "very public" process.

[Stinky Wizzleteats+]

Hot off the high spleaf wire.. I mean speed...

Chargers task force criticized
Gloria, Alvarez complain about lack of diversity, plans to meet privately
By David Garrick 06:46p.m. Feb 2, 2015


DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO — Two San Diego City Councilmen criticized Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s new Chargers stadium task force on Monday for planning to hold its meetings behind closed doors and for not being diverse enough ethnically, politically or socio-economically.

“While private meetings can be conducive to deal making and negotiations, we find the complete lack of openness troubling,” Councilmen Todd Gloria and David Alvarez said in a joint memorandum to the mayor.

Gloria and Alvarez also said the lack of diversity means the nine-member task force, which Faulconer unveiled on Friday, doesn’t represent a “true cross section” of San Diego.

“We are concerned critical viewpoints of average San Diegans and Chargers fans will be missed,” their memo said of the task force, which includes primarily local business leaders and lacks a voice representing labor groups. There appears to be only one minority on the panel.

They also said those shortcomings could make it difficult to persuade voters to approve in 2016 whatever stadium proposal the task force — called the Citizens Stadium Advisory Group — submits to the mayor later this year.

A Faulconer spokesman said the mayor plans to solicit robust public participation after the task force has created a proposal for a new stadium either downtown or in Mission Valley, and recommends how to finance it. The spokesman, Matt Awbrey, said the deliberations of the task force are part one of a two-part process, with public participation being crucial to part two.

City Attorney Jan Goldsmith said Monday the task force has no legal obligation to meet in public or provide opportunities for citizen input because they are an informal advisory group to the mayor.

“As long as the group remains an informal advisory group to the mayor and nothing more, it does not have to comply with the rules designed for public bodies,” Goldsmith said. “In fact, it is common for politicians to receive informal input from members of the community without demanding such compliance.”

Task force members also won’t be required to submit financial disclosure forms or publicly identify conflicts of interest because they are not authorized to speak on behalf of the city or negotiate for the city, Goldsmith said.

In their memo, which they released to the public, Gloria and Alvarez also ask for monthly progress reports from the task force and a cost estimate for its work. They also urge the mayor to ask the Chargers to extend their commitment to staying in San Diego an extra year, from the end of the 2015 season to the end of the 2016 season.

The members of the task force are unpaid volunteers, but the panel may pay consultants or financial analysts.

This is fast developing, I give Faulkner 48 hours to respond...

That said a deal with the NFL needs the behind closed doors inqubation period to get any place.

That said the NFL is in talks for teams to play in Pasadena and at the collosium from 2016-17 season until the stadium is built. I live in Pasadena and nothing is being said locally.

[6025]

Like I said, ride them ALL out on a rail. Chronic fuckups, all of them.

[richpjr]

Jeez, this city can't even form something as simple as a task force without alienating people. Does anyone really think their efforts will actually lead to something useful?

[Panamamike]

You have a group of nine people. WTF do u want? the council persons whining to me is a good thing. They haven't done jack shit in 13 years. The committee is a well balanced group with required backgrounds in various public and private fields to come to a recommendation. give them time and see what they come up with before your grab your frickin' pitchforks and torches. As for the lack of transparency....perfect!!! The less people with their .02 input the better. Progress reports???? City council could submit a stack of blank paper to display their progress on this issue.

[SDFan]

You have a group of nine people. WTF do u want? the council persons whining to me is a good thing. They haven't done jack shit in 13 years. The committee is a well balanced group with required backgrounds in various public and private fields to come to a recommendation. give them time and see what they come up with before your grab your frickin' pitchforks and torches. As for the lack of transparency....perfect!!! The less people with their .02 input the better. Progress reports???? City council could submit a stack of blank paper to display their progress on this issue.

Exactly right! I'm glad somebody else sees this. The task force has 1 purpose only- to find a way to get a stadium done- period. It is not a gov't sanctioned body and most certainly NOT a place for Social Engineering and showcase of Political Correctness. The last thing this process needs is fighting over ethnic make up of the group, NIMBYs, and including OPPONENTS who are against the very mission at hand and Union representation insisting their be expensive PLAs (project labor agreements) that jack up building costs to slow or scuttle the whole process. We already know there is a % of citizens against any new Chargers stadium and they can bitch all their old tired complaints in part 2 of the process. This sour grapes letter by the 2 whiners is an attempt to inject their Union backed agenda where it has no place and you must remember Alvarez lost the election for Mayor to Faulkner and Gloria was replaced as President of City Clowncil and lost his power.

[SDFan]

Can you link a reference to how much San Diego spends on tourism advertising?

I'm sure you can find it yourself researching past SD city budgets. Still would not be an accurate estimate on what the global TV exposure of Chargers games and potential Super Bowls, College Bowls, Final 4, Soccer championships, etc. is worth to the region in resulting tourism spending.

[KNSD]

I'm sure you can find it yourself researching past SD city budgets. Still would not be an accurate estimate on what the global TV exposure of Chargers games and potential Super Bowls, College Bowls, Final 4, Soccer championships, etc. is worth to the region in resulting tourism spending.

You made the assertion that it's financially responsible to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to save on tourism advertising costs. It's your job to find the links.

[Stinky Wizzleteats+]

The Rose Parade and Rose bowl have a known phenomenon that has effected the Pasadena community for decades now. People come out to see the Parade or cheer on their team at the Rose Bowl game and see how great the weather is in January then go home and decide to move here. I good portion of our community came from cold climates once upon a time. This also keeps our real estate values more stable through a downturn. San Diego could benefit from this type of phenomenon...

[6025]

You have a group of nine people. WTF do u want? the council persons whining to me is a good thing. They haven't done jack shit in 13 years. The committee is a well balanced group with required backgrounds in various public and private fields to come to a recommendation. give them time and see what they come up with before your grab your frickin' pitchforks and torches. As for the lack of transparency....perfect!!! The less people with their .02 input the better. Progress reports???? City council could submit a stack of blank paper to display their progress on this issue.

The frickin' problem is the frickin' dysfunction that permeates the whole process, same as before. I'd like the task force to make a difference but how (or better yet, why?) should I be hopeful when you have jerks like Gloria and Alvarez already poisoning the well? And this isn't counting the bomb Fabiani dropped on the eve of the State of the City Address.