Today, the Idaho State Board of Education tabled the notion of a 99-year lease on the Osprey property in Coeur d’Alene. The contract will not be signed.
The issue might be reconsidered at the July meeting. Historically speaking, however, the State Board has rarely (if ever) brought back an issue that’s been tabled.
June 19, 2008
Board of Education: Do Not Sign the Lease!
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Dan,
The Idaho State Board of Education website talks about the meeting. All it says about this is, “Members of the Board voted to postpone a decision on a proposal by the University of Idaho regarding the Harbor Center in Coeur d’Alene until September 2008.” The next regular meeting of the SBOE in northern Idaho is scheduled for Lewiston in October 2008. There is no meeting scheduled for September 2008. Might the SBOE be planning a special meeting here in September 2008?
Comment by Bill — June 19, 2008 @ 7:02 pm
Ouch, that has to leave a mark. What now for the pretty people?
Comment by Pariah — June 19, 2008 @ 7:21 pm
The lease document mentioned a September 30 deadline. At the City Council meeting, I believe Wendy Gabriel repeated that all this stuff had to be in place by September 30. But, of course, “there is no rush.”
My guess is that the September 30 “deadline” deals with the Education Corridor purchase as the $1.3M for UI was to help NIC offset the $10M cost. (Now how the City of Coeur d’Alene could transfer $1.3M to NIC is another issue, but apparently it’s moot at this point.)
Perhaps the City will take foregone taxes to make up the $1.3M they plan on “donating” to NIC?
Anyone care to Google “University Place Boise” for some serious deja vu?
Comment by Dan — June 19, 2008 @ 7:46 pm
The rush sounds to me like a loan coming due. Somebody needs money. Bad. What local bankers are exposed to this need? What happens on 1 October 2008 when whatever need exists is unmet?
Comment by Pariah — June 19, 2008 @ 8:06 pm
With respect, Pariah just what do you mean by using the term “pretty people”? It appears to be a pejorative. Am I correct? If so, just exactly to what or whom are you refering>
Comment by Diogenes — June 20, 2008 @ 8:17 am
Sounds like the “Coeur d’Alene Community College” is on hold. How interesting to get to see the master p;an on July 10 after the trustees aready voted on the lease. This plan should be taken to every corner of Kootenai County with open meetings, just as the new Kootenai County Master Plan was presented around the whole county. The city could learn something from the Kootenai County government. Oh, I forgot, it is Coeur d’Alene’s college and the rest of the county be damned!
Comment by Mama Bear — June 20, 2008 @ 9:10 am
Dan, I don’t think the question of what will become of the lease money is now moot. I think a demand should made of the Mayor to explain in full detail just what is intended for the windfall to CDA from the lease should it be finalized. We should know NOW if it going to be used to reduce property taxes, spent on a one time CITY expense, and if intended to gift to NIC for the EC, how that will be done legally, considering NIC is not a city enterprise. Furthermore, if it can be done legally, then an explanation of why it should be done morally, ethically and in keeping with sound public policy, without going into generalizations about the value of education. It is not their money for esoteric purposes. It belongs to the citizens of Coeur d’Alene exclusively.
Comment by Gary Ingram — June 20, 2008 @ 9:57 am