[Vision2020] Hawkins Mall and Moscow

[Saundra Lund]

In part, Gary Crabtree wrote:
"Not only that, we should be able to charge them for services at a price
significantly higher than what a Moscow business would be paying."

Have you read the agreement?  I think maybe you've not or else you'd be
aware that the following is part of the Settlement Agreement:

"Cost of Service.  The City agrees that the cost for delivery of water
utility service provided to the Stateline Project under this Settlement
Agreement shall be fair and reasonable and consistent with rates and charges
set for similarly situated customers of the City.  This paragraph is not
intended to constrain the City's authority to establish appropriate fee
categories."

Thus, it doesn't sound to me like Hawkins Mall will be paying significantly
higher prices for water (or sewer) than Moscow businesses.

I'm sure there are lots of people who know a lot more about this than I, but
it seems to me a reasonable case could be made for charging Hawkins
significantly more than Moscow businesses because the Hawkins development is
unique in many respects and thus the City doesn't have any "similarly
situated customers."

Is that something our Council will insist on?  What if Hawkins balks?  Given
the ease with which our council gave away the store and any leverage it had,
I'm afraid I don't have much confidence they will Do the Right Thing.

You're more optimistic than I can be, particularly given the choice the City
made to allow this dirty little piece of business to be done out of public
scrutiny, and I really do hope your optimism isn't misplaced.

After reading the Agreement and finding that Hawkins will pay no more than
"similarly situated customers," what's your opinion on the "deal" our
Council negotiated?  Or, do you (or other Visionaries) have a different
understanding/interpretation of the language in the Agreement?


Saundra Lund
Moscow, ID

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do
nothing.
~ Edmund Burke

***** Original material contained herein is Copyright 2008 through life plus
70 years, Saundra Lund.  Do not copy, forward, excerpt, or reproduce outside
the Vision 2020 forum without the express written permission of the
author.*****


-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
On Behalf Of g. crabtree
Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2008 5:39 PM
To: london at moscow.com; rhayes at turbonet.com; vision2020 at moscow.com; Tom
Hansen
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Hawkins Mall and Moscow

I'm not sure what all the whining is about. What is the benefit of the City 
of Moscow forking out thousands of dollars to fight a losing battle with 
Hawkins only to have them acquire a water right that gives Moscow absolutely

no control or potential revenue? Without the signing of this agreement 
Hawkins would have been able to drill a well and draw that water out of the 
same aquifer we get ours out of without the City  having any say.  This way,

we have some control since we are the provider.  Not only that, we should be

able to charge them for services at a price significantly higher than what a

Moscow business would be paying. The silly assertion that "we Moscow 
taxpayers are financing sprawl in Whitman County" is without merit. Whitman 
county will be financing the infrastructure improvements with 9.1 million 
dollars worth of bonds and fire protection will come via a new rural fire 
station provided by Hawkins. Instead of grumbling about recalls I think we 
should be saying thanks guys, job well done!

g

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Hansen" <thansen at moscow.com>
To: <london at moscow.com>; <rhayes at turbonet.com>; <vision2020 at moscow.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2008 12:18 PM
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Hawkins Mall and Moscow


> Visionaires -
>
> Crank up your speakers and watch/listen to Wayne Krauss . . .
>
> "Behind Closed Doors"
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uziWdh9MfjI
>
> Tom Hansen
> Moscow, Idaho
>> R-
>> I agree with your concern and your indignation.
>> I thought these GMA council candidates were supposed to bring "common
> sense"
>> to Moscow.
>> Now we Moscow taxpayers are financing sprawl in Whitman County.
>> Disgusting
>> BL
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "roger hayes" <rhayes at turbonet.com>
>> To: <vision2020 at moscow.com>
>> Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2008 7:25 AM
>> Subject: [Vision2020] Hawkins Mall and Moscow
>>
>>
>> > Dear Moscow taxpayers and business owners,
>> >
>> > It appears the city of Moscow will provide water, sewer, and most
>> > likely police and fire services to the proposed Hawkins development
>> > which is slated to be built just across the border in Washington. Who
>> > will benefit by this? Hawkins, regional developers and Whitman county.
>> > The losers will be Moscow businesses and Moscow taxpayers.
>> > If this plan comes to fruition, we will be exporting our tax dollars to
>> > Whitman county, shipping the profits of local business to another
>> > state, while reducing Moscow's tax base, AND increasing the demand on
>> > our city's infrastructure. How much money will Hawkins agree to pay
>> > Moscow to mitigate the destructive consequences this megamall will have
>> > on our city?
>> > With the exception of Tom Lamar, the city council voted against the
>> > best interests of our city and its citizens. Walter Steed said he could
>> > not comment on the negotiations because they were held in "secret." Why
>> > the secrecy? Steed also said "this will not make some people happy."
>> > Well, when you make a deal which is destructive to the people who
>> > elected you, it is bound to make them unhappy.
>> > We need to consider a RECALL!
>> >
>> > Roger Hayes
>> > Moscow!