A disclaimer: I have not made a decision on the Renaissance Sports and Entertainment bid to manage the city’s arena. It is not possible until I have read the document. To date it is not available to the public.
I don’t usually post 3 blogs in one day but this appears to be one of those days that demands it.
On June 25, 2013, Paul Giblin, a reporter for the Arizona Republic issued the following story online, Glendale still unsure about Phoenix Coyotes deal. Here is the link: http://www.azcentral.com/community/glendale/articles/20130625glendale-unsure-phoenix-coyotes-deal.html . Several aspects of his story are troubling. One issue is that a vote is still scheduled for 
Tuesday, July 2, 2013. It is my understanding that the council has requested another Executive Session for Thursday, June 27, 2013. The city had better made sure that notice of another Esession on June 27th is properly posted 24 hours in advance. Which means that the meeting notice has to be posted on Wednesday, June 26th…today. However, even more worrisome is that with an Esession scheduled for June 27 the very earliest the deal points could be posted publicly would be on Friday, June 28th or even as late as on Monday, July 1st. Could the city post as late as 24 hours before a scheduled vote? Yes, they could but would they? I hope not as suspicions will shoot through the roof if the public is given one day to review and understand any deal between Renaissance Sports and Entertainment (RSE) and the city.
Glendale City Hall Complex
Now, about that second $25M the NHL has offered (at the 11th hour) to take payments on of $5M over each of the next 5 years. Great…too little, too late and it doesn’t solve the city’s problems. The $30M leaseback of City Hall was designed to replenish the city’s Enterprise Funds, Vehicle Replacement Fund and Technology Replacement Fund. Glendale staff crafted a brilliant strategy. Now that strategy has been tabled by council until after the scheduled Coyotes vote on July 2nd… Hmmmm…The $20M the city has held in an escrow account for the NHL payment simply isn’t enough to cover all of the city’s needs. It will pay back some of the loans leaving $5M still outstanding. While a generous offer on the part of the NHL, it could have been done a long time ago and in fact, I and several former councilmembers called for just such an arrangement. Why now? I suspect it is in reaction to what they perceive as a very negative story about the city planning to enter a leaseback of City Hall to pay back loans directly related to the $50M partially paid and partially still owed to the NHL.
To discover that councilmembers are not on top of the revenues derived from either the Westgate area (remember those revenues are already being used to pay off the original construction debt on the arena and are NOT new found money) or the arena is disturbing to say the least. At least one of them has touted himself as an expert on the entire RSE deal.
Norma Alvarez
Lastly, good old Councilmember Alvarez and her statements have got to have you snapping your heads in double-take mode. Alvarez said, “I called them knuckleheads, because they don’t get it. They don’t get it. They don’t get it. They’re going to continue discussions. Discussions of what? We’re selling City Hall because of paying $50 million. C’mon. C’mon.” Factually she is incorrect. The city is proposing a leaseback arrangement not an outright sale of City Hall with visions of employees moving out after a sale. As for continuing discussions, they should continue but they don’t have to result in acceptance of the deal…not if RSE cannot or will not guarantee “enhanced revenue streams” for the city.
http://www.glendaleaz.com/clerk/agendasandminutes/Workshops/Agendas/062713.pdf They got the workshop scheduled for 06/27
Yes, they did. When I checked at 9am this morning it was not posted. It was when I checked at 1:30 this afternoon. All I know is that state law requires 24 hours posting notice of meeting. The meeting is scheduled for 9am so should be posted by 9am today to meet the law. If posted later, I would think that they would have to adjust the meeting time.
I got the whole artical until we got to.RSE has to guarantee Glendale more revenue streams why? You have to pay someone to run the arena correct..You have 2 events in the arena before the first of the year….Thats not going to cut with having to give up 20mil from the nhl..Could force creditors to force glendale into a involtary bk..That has happened many of times to other business in the country.I am surprised it has not happened to glendale yet.Just my opinion glrndale has no stooll to stand on..
Darrold, I hope you have noted that even though we may not agree on everything I still post all of your comments. Why? Because you have been respectful, not attacked me personally and simply share your views on the subject. Thank you.
Thank You I have always respected your opinion and all you have done for the coyotes.
Wow! I must say Joyce, for years I was in disbelief at how your opinions were actually “in the best interest of Glendale”. Your opinions gave me the impression you were a “new fan” who just discovered hockey, and you did not want to lose the Coyotes…AT ALL COSTS!!! However, you have clearly demonstrated in your recent blogs that you actually WILL consider a loss of an NHL team if it does not benefit the city you love! For this, I have a new found respect for you(I am aware this may not mean much..lol!) While I may be considered a “troll” to some, I do offer my sincerest apologies for my unfair opinions I held about you! I too, believe it or not, hope everything works out for the best for Glendale! 🙂
Very good blog post Joyce. It is interesting that Jerry Weiers was elected with promises of transparency. The closer this gets to July 2 without any public disclosure the last transparent the process becomes.
It’ll be horrible if Renaissance stays in Glendale and collects another $75 million in tax payer money only to pick up and leave after five years due to an “out clause” in the agreement.
I agree with everything here BUT there is nothing to “smiley face” about.
This team (maybe all professional teams) was asked to come here and this city may FAIL to keep the team..
If that is so, this city and the entire metropilan area known as PHOENIX will join the ranks of just a few cities who were failures in the world of professional sports.
Sports teams are a matter of community pride..
This team apparently was aquired by non-sporting people with the intent to just use them as a business toy.
Insincere reason to be sure and deserving of failure.
Nothing to be smiley face about.
FAILURE NEVER IS…..
Joyce, you still believe Jerry doesn’t have aspirations beyond being mayor of Glendale?