SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) -- A sudden hitch in the City golf course management plan. The sudden disclosure that the City will need to buy new equipment for the City golf courses. The surprising revelation that Hultgren Construction--part of the Legacy Developments and the just passed ramp/hotel project--is under federal criminal investigation.
To City Councilor Theresa Stehly, these were all avoidable problems had the City and Mayor Mike Huether been transparent.
"I think secrecy is the issue of the day," Stehly said. "Citizens need more information, not less. I think they can handle the truth."
For example, take tonight's scheduled Council vote on whether to formally award Landscapes Unlimited the contract to run the City's three golf courses. Hours before the vote on the contract, the City says they now need new equipment to run the courses. KELO,com News' attempts to find out the amount have gone unanswered.
Stehly doesn't know what that amount is either. She says she'll offer an amendment tonight to the Landscapes Unlimited contract to not allow the City to purchase the equipment or provide the company with the funds to purchase or lease new mowers, golf carts, etc.
Add to this the fact that Dakota Golf, which was portrayed in the City's October award announcement as continuing to be a part of running the courses with Landscapes, now says they want no part of deal.
She says the process has been secret, from who was appointed to the golf management request for proposals review committee, to the offered proposals, to even now, where she still hasn't seen the non-winning bids. Stehly says other South Dakota cities do not do this and their RFP process is transparent.
"I'm faced with, over and over again, a secrecy slap down," Stehly said.
Then there was interim City Attorney Karen Leonard's email to Councilor and the Mayor yesterday advising them not to make any "disparaging" remarks about Hultgren Construction over the Copper Lounge collapse while the U.S. Attorney conducts a criminal investigation.
"I am talking about that as it has a direct impact on our citizens," Stehly said. "Because we're doing business with this company, Legacy Developments, in our parking ramp."
She is not happy with the timing, coming a week after the Council approved the public/private ramp/hotel project that involves Hultgren Construction through Legacy Developments.
Click above to hear the full interview.
