Development Corporation Deals with Chamber Agreement Yet Again

 

The City of San Angelo Development Corporation eventually gave City Council its desired term for the scope of services amendment portion of the Chamber of Commerce agreement.  It took a trip to Closed Session for the item to be approved.  

The rationale for moving the amendment to closed session was to get the advice of the Assistant City Attorney.  Prior to entering closed session the city attorney spoke numerous times about aspects of the proposal.  

COSADC Board President Max Puello  recalled pushing through the agreement at the 11th hour in December and the up and down process since then which included "good feedback" from City Council.  Puello wanted to flush out a few little details with the city attorney.

City attorneys have been involved at both the COSADC and City Council level for six months.  Issues raised by Mayor Gunter and members of City Council had little to do with city legal advice.  They linger from last year's resignation of Economic Development Director Guy Andrews and concerns shared by Board First Vice President John Bariou.  

Council tried to admonish Bariou in closed session but removed the item after he asked that it be held during open session for the public to hear.  They dropped the item but later replaced Bariou on the COSADC board.  

New Second Vice President Rick Mantooth tried to speak to the conflict by saying the Chamber's relationship with the Development Corporation had never been in danger.  He didn't say the Chamber agreement became one method for City Council to share its irritation over Andrews and Bariou publicly raising concerns.

The Development Corporation has been headed by Assistant City Manager Michael Dane since August 2022.  The first round of four candidates from a recruiter failed to produce any candidates qualified or willing to go forward.  Two candidates are currently in process from the recruiter and visits could be scheduled in the next week or two.

It remains to be seen how settled the situation has become.  I thought City Council would return to a more collaborative stance once it surprise replaced First Vice President John Bariou.  That is yet to happen.  This may or may not have been discussed in Closed Session.

Flashback:  Michael Dane texted on July 14, 2022 that the city would quickly begin the process for filling Guy Andrews position.  

Update 6-1-23:  The Chamber of Commerce agreement is back on City Council's agenda for June 6, 2023.  Amendment 1 has ping-ponged between COSADC board and Council for seven months.