Letter to the Editor: Transparency needed on land, cash deal
Letter to the Editor: Transparency needed on land, cash deal
State law *permits* but does not *require* public agencies to negotiate real estate deals, like this Alameda Unified School District/City of Alameda land swap announced yesterday, in closed session.
Negotiating in closed session is arguably a necessity when dealing with an arms-length entity, like a Catellus or SunCal, etc.
However, it is far less defensible that two local public agencies (the Alameda Housing Authority is just an extension of the City of Alameda) - who are presenting themselves as working together for a common good - should negotiate such a land deal behind closed doors and refuse to release specifics or answer questions.
Many of you campaigned on, or continue to preach, "transparency." AUSD states "transparency" as one of its guiding principles. Let's have some of it.
I'm calling on the governing bodies of AUSD and City of Alameda to jointly pass resolutions - before the final votes on this deal - to release specifics on the negotiations that have led up to this grand bargain.
Allowing public participation on a deal that has already been presented as fait accompli without any context is meaningless.
Alameda parents, taxpayers and voters deserve answers to questions such as these, and more:
1) What exactly is the nature of the conflicting claims over the so-called "contested" Tidelands Trust property?
2) Was the City of Alameda threatening or planning to sue AUSD to get title to the Tidelands Trust property?
3) If the Tidelands Trust property is worthless to the school district, why did AUSD accept it in trade for the Mastick property back in 2000?
4) What use does the City of Alameda envision for this Tidelands Trust property?
5) Why couldn't AUSD simply release restrictions on the $4.6 million of low-income housing fund dollars in straight exchange for $4.6 million in cash to fix and maintain the swimming pools?
6) Beyond the limited cash provided in this deal, how does AUSD fund swimming pool repairs and maintenance on an ongoing basis now?
David Howard
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