by:  Diane Benjamin

The pieces are falling into place.  Last year Alderwoman Stearns filed an Open Meetings Act violation against the City of Bloomington for discussions that took place in Executive Session – those secret meetings citizens aren’t suppose to know about.  To be fair, there are some things that must be discussed secretly, but the legal list is short.  Government is supposed to be open and transparent so citizens know how their hard-earned tax money is being spent.

Stearns filed because the Council was told by Mayor Renner that he would not tolerate public criticism of City Manager David Hales.  Under pressure, Renner released the minutes.  Here is the section Stearns had a problem with:

The “Culture Change”  Renner wanted was

• the Council works for Hales
• Hales is perfect
• the Council represents Hales – not their Wards
• he wants nothing but YES votes at Council meetings
• Hales is not subject to public criticism

Evidently the potted plants were fine with Renner’s plan!

Previous stories can be reviewed here:

http://blnnews.com/2013/12/19/bloomington-hit-with-another-open-meetings-act-investigation/

http://blnnews.com/2013/12/20/mayor-formerly-transparent-renner-sinks-himself/

http://blnnews.com/2014/06/04/absolute-proof-judy-stearns-was-right/

Lisa Madigan’s Public Access Office wrapped up their investigation months ago, but they still haven’t issued a final ruling.  It has been almost a year since Stearns filed with them.  I have to think they are covering for the Democrat Mayor Tari Renner.  Maybe Tari used his speed dial button to have Quinn intervene.  Maybe Tari’s friend Dickie Durbin stepped in too.

So, why did Renner demand the Council cover for Hales?  What did Tari know?  Was it only about reorganizing the City?  Or, did Tari know Hales is terrible at his job but Renner wanted to keep him because Hales agreed to do as told?  Did Renner believe he could mold Hales his “Culture Change” advocate?  After all, Hales has no loyalty to Bloomington, as soon as he gets a pension he will be gone.

That brings me to the Coliseum.  If you are a frequent reader, you already know the many problems with the management, CIAM.  What is interesting is that some of the problems have been fixed – behind closed doors.  Renner will not allow public criticism of Hales, so the Hales lack of oversight is being buried.  Renner doesn’t believe the citizens paying the bills have a right to know the truth.

Besides fixing parts of the financial statements, the latest development is the bus company run out of the Coliseum has been sold.  The CIAM contract specifically calls for an on site General Manager with no other duties than to manage the Coliseum.  That part of the contract still hasn’t been complied with, but at least City resources are no longer being used to run a private business.

Bart Rogers used to be listed as the General Manager, but now he is a vice president.  He spends a lot of time in Peoria managing the Rivermen.   Read the sports section of the Peoria newspaper – Rogers is quoted in most of the hockey stories.  Here’s an example.  Rogers planned an event to honor the late Bruce Saurs:  http://www.pjstar.com/article/20140915/SPORTS/140919446/12694.  Meanwhile, the Coliseum has very few events.  Is Rogers still collecting a $100,000+ salary from the Coliseum?  Another question without an answer.

The City is setting up allowing CIAM to extend their management contract.  There are virtually no events booked through the end of the year, there is no General Manager, the naming rights and the money that goes with it are expiring, but Hales wants CIAM back.  I hear he is good friends with John Butler, the other CIAM partner.

Slowly they are trying to fix the contract violations.  Making money isn’t one they can fix, so the City produces Economic Impact numbers instead of financial statements.

The CIAM contract expires in 2016, but negotiations start early next year.   Discussions will take place in their “secret” meetings.  The potted plants don’t want to admit Hales is a failure as City Manager because they voted him big raises.  Will CIAM will be allowed to continue managing a failing arena instead of being held accountable?  If there is sudden Press Release announcing an extension of the contract, it will be obvious Renner only cares about his agenda (downtown), not doing what is best for taxpayers.

CIAM has first right of refusal, but the contract doesn’t say to what.  The City should put management out for bid, there are legitimate companies who manage arenas.  The original management of the Coliseum was never bid.   It’s time the City take the management seriously, not keep covering up problems.  The current contract has been violated so many times it should NEVER be renewed as written.

The City has a fiduciary duty to taxpayers to be fiscally responsible.  They MUST put management out of bid.  CIAM could then have first right of refusal on the best contract offered.  If the City insists they can run a business, it’s time they started acting like the private sector and putting their stockholders (TAXPAYERS) first.

Watch carefully.  Will taxpayers win?  Stay tuned.

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