Commission split over moving golf-club ITN; owner requested different date

Staff relayed a request from the golf-club proprietor, identified in discussion as Mitch, asking the commission to move the invitation-to-negotiate (ITN) for the golf-club restaurant lease because the scheduled meeting date fell on his anniversary and he planned to be out of town.

Commissioners debated whether moving the agenda item was appropriate. Commissioner Christopher McCoy said a courtesy change would be reasonable so the proprietor could attend; Commissioner Sarah Maliga opposed moving the item, saying the owner had not attended prior discussions and that the city has a fiduciary duty to proceed. Commissioner Anthony Stegrich said he was not in favor of making a discussion a fully public commission meeting and that his town hall would remain a constituent forum. The motion to move the ITN failed and the item remained on the upcoming Tuesday agenda.

Commissioners also contrasted how the city has treated different tenants: some argued the city has applied different approaches to leases, while others said tenant status and lease term lengths explain the difference.