[Vision2020] URA independent of City Council

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of today's (March 4, 2015) Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

--------------------------------------
Letter: URA independent of City Council

For the past several days I have been approached or called by citizens of Moscow regarding the then-pending offer to sell and develop the southwest corner of Jackson and Sixth streets (formerly the site of Otto's Produce). These persons wished to comment to a City Council member on the proposals that had been received regarding the future of this property.
I had to inform them that the property is owned by the Moscow Urban Renewal Agency, which had issued the Request for Proposals, and that the City Council had no say in development of the property (other than enforcement of zoning and building permit issues).
The URA is made up of city of Moscow mayoral appointees who are approved by the Council and while two Council members do, by definition, sit on that board, I, although a City Council member, am not one of them.
While writing this I understand the URA has now made its selection, which will probably be reported in this newspaper before this letter might appear. Any citizens who wish to comment or discuss that decision should contact URA board members or staff who can be found on their website at http://moscowura.com.

Walter Steed
Moscow

--------------------------------------

Mr. Steed -
As this item includes a hefty price tag to be paid by the Moscow tax payers . . .
When will this item go before the Moscow City Council?
If so, will the Moscow City Council permit the people of Moscow to publicly air their comments?
Sidebar: Although " . . . the property is owned by the Moscow Urban Renewal Agency, which had issued the Request for Proposals, and that the City Council had no say in development of the property (other than enforcement of zoning and building permit issues)", management of the Moscow Urban Renewal Agency is appointed by the mayor and city council, thus (in my opinion) making it (the MURA), along with the mayor and city council accountable for such action.
I mean . . . this isn't Tammany Hall . . . is it?

Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .

"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)
http://www.MoscowCares.com
  
Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho
 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.fsr.com/pipermail/vision2020/attachments/20150304/37b1d440/attachment.html>