Here are the 2 parts of the Use Agreement that outline how much The Missoula Osprey are to pay the City each year. I have to ask, if this was never intended to be adhered to, why bother putting it in the contract? Oh well, it's there. That makes it binding, right?
5. Payment in lieu of Taxes. On or before September 30, 2001, and on or before September 30th thereafter, Play Ball shall make a payment of $20,000 to the City in lieu of real and personal property taxes.AND.... $40,000 into a maintenance fund annually!
6. Maintenance Fund. There shall be a Maintenance Fund into which Play Ball will contribute at least $20,000 in 2001, $35,000 in 2002 and 2003 and $40,000 thereafter for the term of this contract. Play Ball will also contribute to the Maintenance Fund any other operations revenues in excess of expenses and allowing for a reserve account of up to 50% of that year's projected expenses. The purpose of the fund is to provide for long-term maintenance and repair of the facility. Expenditures from the fund must be for maintenance of the facility or its grounds and must be approved by the City.
Totals:
Payment In Lieu Of Taxes Maintenance Fund "Gifts" from City 09/30/2001 $20,000 2001 $20,000 $1,000,000 (I'm not sure what year) 09/30/2002 20,000 2002 35,000 09/30/2003 20,000 2003 35,000 09/30/2004 20,000 2004 40,000 09/30/2005 20,000 2005 40,000 1,000,000 (I'm not sure what year) 09/30/2006 20,000 2006 40,000 09/30/2007 20,000 2007 40,000 09/30/2008 20,000 2008 40,000 09/30/2009 20,000 2009 40,000 09/30/2010 20,000 2010 40,000 09/30/2011 20,000 2011 40,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total $220,000 $410,000 $2,000,000 GRAND TOTAL: $2,630,000 !!! MINUS $2,000,000 GIFT MONEY (COLLECTED FROM YOU): $630,000 (plus $6,000,000 from private financial institutions in 2006, and who knows what else)
This shows that the Osprey contribute absolutely zero funds to our city, in violation of the contract they signed. How many other businesses get a free ride?
If any of this information is incorrect, I welcome any feedback and will correct this site.
I'm not making this stuff up. Here is an email from our City Council person Bob Jaffe which explains how the City Of Missoula is doing everything possible to service the Missoula Osprey Management first and foremost.
So... The City thinks that the Missoula Osprey Management is in compliance with the contract. They are somehow able to bend reality and somehow re-interpret the above verbage to mean whatever the Missoula Osprey Management wants it to mean. In fact, rather than adhere to and enforce this contract, the City and the Missoula Osprey Management are working together to rewrite the parts that the Missoula Osprey Management doesn't like. How great is that?
What is the nature of this mystical control that the Missoula Osprey Management has over the City of Missoula? Are they expert hypnotists? Do they compensate city officials somehow for letting things flow their way? I just don't get it.