But when it came to spending nearly $10 million in Boise citizen’s money the city council meeting was held at 10 a.m. –when most citizens are at work. The council voted to fund about 15 projects with end of year “windfall profits.” The proposals all came from Mayor Dave Bieter and his Team Dave.

Councilor Jim Tibbs was figuratively told to “sit down and shut up” when he suggested a similar town meeting for ideas on how to spend the $10 million surplus. He is the only councilor to vote against the Bieter spending spree.

The council should be ashamed of the way they disposed of the public’s money. Some of the projects make sense, but several are the result of what can only be termed as mismanagement and bungling. Before spending more funds, they should fix their flawed system.

For instance:
–$350,000 for software licensing to ORACLE because someone signed an agreement indebting Boise citizens to pay additional fees based on the size of the city budget. Any way you look at it, Oracle software gets a percentage of our tax dollars based on growth. The software company gives us nothing in return for the third of a million cash.

–The council earlier approved construction of a new fire station without having a written agreement for $372,000 of funding needed to complete the construction. The fire chief told them the deal was in place to include Ada EMS as a paying partner. The council believed him. They never saw any documents and the legal department apparently was either out of the loop or asleep at the wheel. EMS pulled out and it was finally disclosed no deal was ever concluded. The council based their approval on “facts” that were simply untrue and now Boise and Whitney Fire District taxpayers are on the hook for $372,000.

–They want to spend $15,000 to pay for more legal fees to clean up previous legal errors that cost us $60,000 in property taxes on a couple of LEASED fire stations. This should go to the voters for approval because it constitutes a purchase.

–$535,000 for “strategic planning projects.” Need we say more in questioning this expense?
–There is $7 million item for detox, libraries, cop shop, and parks. While it sounds good, there is no way these projects can all be funded. We fear they will end up just like the fire station–started and in need of more funds next year.

For those who don’t remember–and that may be half of you–the big flat building with a parking lot at Americana and Shoreline was formerly an office, US Post Office facility, and K-Mart.

Three years ago at the end of Carolyn Terteling-Payne’s administration the Council voted to pay “up to $80,000” to a real estate agent (who still does work for the parks department) to acquire the property using revenues from sale city-owned land at 25th and Fairview and 2900 Fairview. He was paid something, but no deals ever resulted. We haven’t heard who is involved in the current undercover sting.

The GUARDIAN has been critical of the city’s handling of land speculation deals all in the name of a new police station. Editor David R. Frazier even went to court and won a land mark decision which resulted in a court order to have an election for long term debt. Despite the court ruling, voters are still out of the loop as the mayor and council have been taxing citizens and creating a slush fund for a future police facility.

We posted an item about COUNCIL INDECISION on November 25–perhaps that has caused the latest rumors about renewed interest in the Americana property. We don’t question the need for police facilities, but if Team Dave and the Councilors ever want support of the taxpayers it would be smart to ASK before spending their money.

Today she jumped on a story about all those bus stop benches that aren’t necessarily at bus stops. While there are only a few specific bus stops around the city–like the mall and downtown–the advertising benches seemed to have just blossomed through the cracks like weeds.

The GUARDIAN remembers when the ad scam got started in about 1973. The Ada County Highway District got a piece of the action–which was something like 10% of the gross. Apparently some 700 benches have been dumped all over the city. At one time the city got federal grants to build bus stops at Vista/Overland and Capitol/University among other spots.

Both Boise City and the ACHD want to control access to the public right-of-way and eliminate the benches. If they are like the EMS folks they will go into business and do their own advertising signs.

Kreller’s other no nonsense story was a routine report on the Boise Police Department’s “annual report.” She jabbed the chief about forgetting some of the unsavory aspects of the look back at the previous year’s activities.

He said “no corporation” puts that stuff in an annual report. TILT! Chief Mike Masterson is the COP–not the CEO. Good job Katie.

Boise’s airport Commission and City Council had a joint meeting Thursday to plan their next move following the Idaho Supreme Court decision earlier this month which declared their financing to be unconstitutional. That suit was brought by GUARDIAN editor David R. Frazier who has worked for nearly three years to get the city to follow the law and have an election.

Councilor Alan Shealy grudgingly conceded defeat at the public meeting when he said, “I hate the idea of a local photographer’s hat size going up anymore, but I think (a bond election) is the most feasible option.”

They concluded the best course of action is to hold an election in November.

Councilors had been adamant about not allowing voters a voice at the original public hearing and continued spending tax money for the legal battle they ultimately lost. They will also have to pay the legal fees for Frazier’s winning attorney.

Had the councilors allowed the citizens a vote for the much needed parking garage, they could have been parking cars today. Now, they say it will be completed sometime in 2008.

The sticky point was a provision in the Idaho Constitution which mandates bond elections for long term debt “unless it is ordinary and necessary.” The Supremes cleared that issue up when they pretty much said “ordinary and necessary” would apply to emergencies, but a construction job didn’t apply.

Throughout the state, banks have made a tidy profit offering “lease-purchase” deals and getting judges to approve “ordinary and necessary” deals. That should pretty much be a thing of the past as lawyers are telling schools, cities, and other entities they need a vote to buy things they can’t pay for in one year.

Our deepest sources tell us a group of bankers, lawyers, and local government types did a conference call in the past day or two in an effort to plan their next move. If they take the lead of Boise, there will be more bond elections and local officials will be asking permission of the citizens to spend their tax money.

Today, after reading that businesses paid 95% of the funds raised to support the library bond, the GUARDIAN warns of the “Boise City-Developer Complex.” These are all folks who benefit from more city employees and growth through approval of annexations, subdivisions, and big building projects. City officials are obviously partners with business over being partners with citizens.

Mayor Bieter told the Statesman, “you go where the money is and that is where it is.” Can’t argue with the good mayor on that. So far, less than $4,000 of the $73,000 raised has come from the “grassroots” individual donors.

The list of big donors includes banks, building contractors, utilities and city councilor campaign funds.

Regence Blue Shield–who would love to have the City’s insurance contract–ponied up nearly three times as much as all of the private donors combined with $10,000.

Chamber of Commerce president Nancy Vannorsdel authored a gushy pro library bond opinion story in the Statesman.

Meanwhile Jim Auld’s “Friends of Ada County Property Owners” have raised $5,676 for mailers and radio ads against the bond.

Based on what we have seen so far it appears there is no broad hue and cry for branch libraries. There seems to be a move on the part of Boise City to pass a bond and they are getting their friends in business to fund the effort.

Next Tuesday’s election will provide the answer. From our perspective we see the political effort on the part of the City as inappropriate. We favor libraries, we favor bond elections, but we oppose attempts on the part of elected officials to influence the election results. Improved library service is a good cause, but this isn’t the way to do it.

Schedule an election and stay out of it! No staffers on leave to push it, no campgain fund donations from mayor and council, no arm twisting of businesses with city ties. The mayor and council’s ovezlealous desire to push an admirable cause has tainted the dignity of their offices.

Seems apparent the developers and fire department union are paying the most and will probably stand the best chance of a good return on their investment. The pro-lifers who paid Brandi Swindell stand to have a young supporter in public office, but there isn’t much she can do to help their cause.

Most interesting expense among the yard signs, advertising, and office rentals is Jerome Mapp’s purchase of an official campaign digital camera.

A close second is Vern Bisterfeldt’s donation from the Golden Star Restaurant. The Chinese food vendor is a favorite of Vern’s for over 30 years. You can afford to leave nice tips when they refund it $1,000 at a time!!

We note City Attorney Carey Colaianni paid incumbent Bisterfeldt $100, but figured Maryanne Jordan was worth only half that at $50. Not to worry, in the spirit of gentlemanly sportsmanship, Bisterfeldt paid $200 to Maryanne.

The Firefighters union PAC paid $1,000 each to former-police union president-former acting chief- council candidate Jim Tibbs and incumbent Maryanne Jordan. A simple council approval of so much as a set of red suspenders for each member will pay back that amount.

Idaho Statesman notes Brandi Swindell got several thousand from out of state supporters. We think they will have a lot less influence than the local developers and contractors like Hubble Homes, Samas LLC Development, Colliers International, DeBest Plumbing, the Chamber of Commerce and anyone else who tossed out $1,000 bills. You buy in for a grand and you own better than 5% of a campaign.

Tibbs is top dollar winner at nearly $27,000.

For our money we like homeless advocate Mark Seeley’s report which consists of a single income and expense of $18.43–not much influence being bought or sold among the homeless.

Boise City Councilors deserve kudos for allowing the public a vote on a proposed $38 million library bond.

This move by the council–just three weeks prior to an election–marks a departure from past policies that went around voters and did not allow them a voice in major building projects. The GUARDIAN applauds the move toward citizen approval of long term debt.

The present council has voted not to allow citizens to vote on a proposed $27 million airport parking garage and they have created a slush fund for a future police station so citizens won’t have to approve it. Those funds are “intended, but not mandated” for a cop shop.

At the Tuesday meeting the council directed staff to prepare ballot language for branch libraries which would include a deal with the Park Department to share space with recreation centers at three locations as well as some sort of police presence.

They plan to “phase in” spending of bond revenues from 2007 to 2009 and pay for 20 years, according to an Idaho Statesman piece. BAD NEWS. Mayor Dave Bieter rightly asserts the increased tax on a median priced home would be less than most books. GOOD NEWS

Here is the simple advice to all you library types: JUST DO IT!

Don’t screw around with a convoluted phase in plan and get eight bucks one year, $15 the next etc. If the people want to buy three libraries for $22 a year, for godsake give them libraries! Do it now, do it right, and do it quickly.

We checked with the library director who tells us the problem with building three libraries at once is paying for the new staff and incidentals needed to run new facilities. In short, they can, “afford the new house payment, but not the gas, electricity, and landscaping.” Their plan is to figuratively get a credit card with a $38 million limit and spend at a pace they can afford over a three year period and then pay it off over the next 20 years.

We suggest the bond would be easier to understand–and pass–if the amount requested matched the project the city is able to handle in a timely fashion. If you can only afford one at a time, just ask voters to approve one at a time.

Tell us up front how much you need and if we think it is a good deal we will give it to you. But, you better get us some libraries pronto!

Show me the ballot.

The only non-incumbent to register as a candidate is former acting police chief Jim Tibbs. He has been attending city council and neighborhood association meetings, the Chamber of Commerce benefit concert starring his old boss, Mayor Dave Bieter, and some festivals. He is a serious contender opposing senior councilor Jerome Mapp and so far we have not seen nor heard any swords crossed in this low interest duel.

With less than two weeks to the filing deadline, councilors Vern Bisterfeldt and Maryanne Jordan are unopposed.

Here are some issues the GUARDIAN offers for anyone wishing to run:

–Ten commandments. Council moved a rock from the park without a public hearing. Some folks say sneaky, others say justified.

–City has not performed audits or oversight on Public Works Dept., resulting in personnel and criminal questions at the Twenty Mile South Farm. Council has been reluctant and slow to act.

–Council continues to endorse annexation against the will of the people–except Bisterfeldt and Shealy who voted against forced annexation in October 2004.

–Council endorsed new parking garage at Airport without vote of the citizens. Supreme court decision pending. Could show they wasted lots of money on lawyers in effort to avoid an election.

–CCDC continues to operate unhindered, forcing taxpayers outside the downtown area to subsidize development that yields no property tax and costs more to protect and service.

–Fire Department continues to respond outside the city on routine basis protecting homes in the desert that pay no taxes.

–Neighborhoods have not gotten much of what they asked for during the past two years.

–City continues to be in the land speculation business with the “railroad to nowhere” east of town in the desert. They also have land at 25th and Fairview for a police station and another parcel at 2900 Fairview for the same police station. We hear there is more land destined for “future parks” than actually being used as parks–prove us wrong please!

–Council approved a 50 year lease to a Rock Climbing gym in the 25th Street area and promptly declared the surrounding land as “excess land not in the public interest.” Voted to sell it a year ago and still haven’t gotten it done.

–Council has created a slush fund “intended” to go toward a badly needed police station, but future councils may spend it in any manner they wish. The idea is to get around a vote of the citizens and MAYBE begin building at a location and size not considered by a public vote in 2007.

Only Councilor Vern Bisterfeldt voted with the throngs of people who were overwhelmingly against the size and height of the project which will be 4 stories high. The vote came after 1 a.m. Friday morning.

All of the councilors praised developer Bill Clark for this project and past projects. Candidates during the upcoming council elections will have a chance to revisit the hearings when the incumbents claim they “favor neighborhoods.” Councilor Elaine Clegg is so close to the developer she had to recuse herself from any of the debate or votes. She is the full-time “Smart Growth” staffer and Bill Clark heads the board of the group.

The bigger issue at hand is the council’s avowed goal of “infill developments” to increase population density. We think infill developments would be best in areas like Foothills East, Warm Springs Ave. and Harrison Boulevard. Those skinny tall houses would fit nicely between the stately homes on those streets.

Boise State University removed several infill houses from the area of the campus to make room for more parking. Interesting to note how the houses were ideal for the neighborhood and now parking lots are just the ticket.

There are three houses currently parked at Protest and Federal Way. Bet the homes could find lots to be placed upon if Bill Clark applied for a variance along Warm Springs Ave. or maybe in the foothills where they could cram them ALL on one of those hillside view lots overlooking “open space” purchased by the foothills levy.

It happened shortly after midnight after about 50 people from the Depot Bench neighborhood had offered testimony against the proposed four story apartment condo project.

At the left of the screen a man in distress could be seen and heard moaning loudly. Mayor Dave Bieter stopped the meeting and left his chair to offer assistance. Other good Samaritans lifted the victim from his seat and administered CPR, just off camera.

Councilman Bisterfeldt showed obvious frustration with 911 dispatch as he attempted to summon help via his cell phone. From one side of the conversation it seemed the dispatcher did not know where the city hall and council chambers were located. He finally hung up after being told help was on the way.

While Bisterfeldt is a former Boise Police captain, he is accustomed to having the dispatcher know who he is and “understand” where the city hall and council chambers are located. Problem is, everything has grown and grown and grown. The dispatcher had no idea if he was talking about MERIDIAN, KUNA, EAGLE, GARDEN CITY, or BOISE city hall. She needed a street address to accurately direct assistance. Turns out someone else had already summoned the paramedics who arrived and stabilized the man.

He was saved by several retired doctors and a trained emergency responder who were at the meeting.

The man was not identified and his condition was unknown as of this writing. Mainstream media will have more details today. Meanwhile the meeting was adjourned until 7:30 pm Thursday.