City Government
Library Architect Fined By State
Timing is everything. The architectural firm awarded the $11 million contract to build the Boise Library was not licensed in Idaho at the time they solicited the job. A partner in the architectural firm Safdie and Associates has paid a $500 civil fine and $600 in legal fees to the Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses […]
More Than Money Needed For Buses
By Jimmy D. Bus Guardian Transportation Correspondent On Tuesday night the Boise City Council heard testimony from citizens about the crappy Valley wide bus system as the Council considers adding even more funds to the ever declining system. Crappy. That adjective was used at a recent Valley Regional Transit (VRT) Board meeting by none other […]
“Independent Body Corporate And Politic”
Urban renewal agencies were originally created to insulate federal finances from municipal finances. It was mandated by the Feds so cities didn’t commingle funds intended to fight blight with tax revenues intended to cover expenses like libraries, fire stations, and other municipal structures. Under Idaho law urban renewal agency membership prohibits the city council from […]
City Sells Booze To Minor, Gets Busted
When it comes to the business side of Boise City’s Ice World, it has been far from a slick venue. The most recent slip on the ice came when the City-owned booze license was suspended for selling drinks to a minor. Parks director Doug Holloway confirmed the incident to the GUARDIAN when asked about it. […]
No Need For Urban Renewal On Vista
With the increasing push to expand the reach of Boise’s Capital City Development Corp. (CCDC) to include the “Vista corridor,” we took a closer look at the commercial properties which are targeted for urban renewal designation. One of the deciding factors to include an area into the urban renewal fold is BLIGHT. It appears to […]
GUARDIAN Takes A Victory Lap
A HUMBLE MESSAGE FROM DAVE FRAZIER Now that Gov. Brad Little has signed HB 217 into law, urban renewal abuse SHOULD be restrained. Projects that use urban renewal funds in Idaho would require a vote of the public if more than 51% of the total dollars come from public funds of any type – except […]
More Baseball For Franklin School Playground
The GUARDIAN has learned Boise City’s aggressive urban renewal expansion will include the site of the former Franklin School Playground. City spokesman Mike Journee claimed the purchase using CCDC urban renewal funds will be a “win-win” for citizens and business alike with condos, cultural events, and affordable housing. Final cost has yet to be determined, […]
“Boise Kind” Is Brilliant Campaign Theme For Bieter
The GUARDIAN has often noted Boise Mayor Dave Bieter and his “Team Dave” to be the most adept politicos in Idaho. Not to disappoint, he has launched Boise Kind, which a city press release claims, “is a community-wide initiative that highlights, protects and promotes the community’s core values and helps to ensure Boise remains kind […]
Is Our System Of Government Broken?
By DAVID R. FRAZIER, editor Whenever I see or hear comments from citizens saying, “They are going to do whatever they want no matter what we say,” I cringe. Throughout my years in school and while serving in the military the mantra was, “we have a government of the people, for the people, by the […]
Urban Renewal Battle Continues…
Guardian reader “Chicago Sam” offers this news bulletin on the progress of House Bill 217, the measure to force urban renewal agencies to gain citizen permission to go into debt for construction of public buildings. HB 217 just forwarded to House of Representatives with a DO PASS. I believe the vote was 14-2. A packed […]
Urban Renewal Under Attack By Legislators
UPDATE–Nampa city council endorsed the bill during Monday night’s meeting. Two bills before the Idaho Legislature, clearly aimed to restrain Boise City councilors and the mayor, are worthy of support from voters. In a nutshell they seek to require citizen approval before urban renewal funds can be used for construction of either a library or […]
Mayor Muffs Election Dates
“SHELL GAME”–CREDIT: GUARDIAN READER UPDATE 2/21/19–ADVISORY VOTE AUTHORITY UNCLEAR Ada County Clerk Phil McGrane spent much of Thursday researching the Idaho Code and consulting with the Idaho Secretary of State’s office. His conclusion is, “There just isn’t any clear authority for cities to conduct advisory votes, despite what the Association of Cities guide says.” McGrane […]
Boise Snubs Vista Over Potential Park
Vista neighborhood residents were dismayed two years ago when plans were announced to build a massive apartment complex along Victory road east of the Vista hill leading to the airport. Now the Vista neighborhood president is justifiably upset to learn Boise officials failed to share the news with the VNA when the owners of the […]
Trust, But Verify Library Vote
With pressure mounting from the GUARDIAN, former BSU Prez Bob Kustra, Vanishing Boise, and Rep John Gannon, Boise City councilors say they will discuss a possible public vote on the proposed library and stadium. See IDAHO PRESS story for details. There is a petition drive underway to obtain 5,000 signatures that would put the question […]
Ludwig Drops Out Of Council Race
Boise City Councilor (and counselor) Scot Ludwig announced Wednesday his decision to leave the Boise City Council at the end of his current term. The move leaves an unexpected opening in the council and to his credit, it looks like the election process will prevail rather than the common practice of resigning and allowing the […]
Boise Tries To Curb Petitioners
“The initiative process is a mandate, significant enough to be embodied in the Idaho Constitution, that enables voters to address issues of concern. Sometimes it compels authorities to listen when nothing else will….Just as the Court would not interrupt the legislature in the consideration of a bill prior to enactment, the Court will not interrupt […]
Boise Schools, CCDC Collusion Over Tax
In a move that can be described only as a “conspiracy,” Capital City Development Corp. (CCDC) has agreed to payoff Boise Schools in exchange for support (non-intervention) in a pair of new urban renewal districts. Hush money? The pay off is couched deep within a resolution: “WHEREAS the District, the Agency and the City desire […]
Boise Faces Urban Renewal Challenge
Boise City and the urbanrenewal agency are facing a lawsuit over the practice of subverting the Idaho Constitution’s requirement to seek citizen approval of debt exceeding a single year revenue. The IDAHO PRESS posted a story with the details. Two new urban renewal districts were created in December which divert taxes on improvements and appreciated […]
Everything Old Is New Again
Boise’s fire department gave away a fire engine this week to the Ada County Sheriff’s Department. The move is allowed under state law and it should save taxpayers a few dollars. Chief Dennis Doan told the GUARDIAN he wanted the former fire rig to be decorated in any color but red and not have it […]
More Library Concerns
One of our GUARDIAN researchers combed through the contract for the architecture services on the library and some items raise red flags just as the first class travel expenses did prior to obtaining permission and funding from Boise citizens for the project. Of particular concern to the GUARDIAN is a clause that allows Moshe Safdie […]
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