Tomorrow’s (Tuesday, June 3, 2014) city council meeting promises to be interesting.
A city representative added this item to the agenda after it was first published:
Discussion and action to review the policies related to the use of the baseball luxury box, with discussion to include list of past attendees and schedule of departments using the luxury box.
Luxury Box?
Should the city have it’s own reserved luxury box at the ball park? My vote is no.
Some might say that the city could use the box effectively when trying to recruit out of town businesses. Then again some of the civic minded people that have the other luxury boxes could be asked to donate the space when the city needs to impress people from out of town.
Who’s who
Having the box sends the wrong signal to all of us. If the city representative is successful in learning who has been using the box then we will have further insight into who the privileged ones are in the city.
Appearances
There was a time when government employees considered themselves to be public servants.
Impressions
If the city takes the position tomorrow that the box is used as a reward for the employees then we know what city management thinks of us lowly citizens. If they say that it is important when trying to recruit businesses, then I have an alternative proposal for them:
Stop the lawsuits. Do what the city web site asks us to do and “Hire El Paso First”. Stop hiring out of town lawyers and firms when the talent exists locally. Become business friendly.
We deserve better
Brutus
elpasospeak 
Questions: Is “the box” the same thing as the small room that the city leased for five years on the third floor?
How much did the city pay for it?
After five years what will the renewal price be?
Who gets to use it?
Who decides who gets to use it?
How many people are allowed at one time?
Is there some kind of calendar or reservation list of those signed/signing up to use it?
Is there a limit on how many times a certain individual can use the box or is there some kind of “first come,first served” policy, or maybe a “let everyone have an equal chance” policy?
If the city paid to lease it, and they use it schmooze a potential business, does the city use city funds to purchase the game tickets and then write them off as a business expense?
If the city uses the box to “reward” employees,what exactly does the reward entail?
Is the city giving away free tickets or free use of the box at city taxpayers expense?
How does this relate to the city’s policy on employees or city council receiving gifts?
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The privileged ones? They’re members of city council, naturally.
Per the original terms of the ballpark lease agreement, when members of council voted for the ballpark contract, they knew they were receiving the use of a luxury box. They were voting for more perks for themselves and their friends. There was an inherent conflict of interest. That box should be rented out with the proceeds going back into the city treasury.
Some city council members also have special field access for themselves and members of their family. More of the same.
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I am glad the subject of the Woody suites has come up. The city should require compensation from anyone who uses it, employees included.
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It is open to anyone who presents a reciept for property or HOT taxes or proof of voting in the latest election.
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Surely, you jest. Nobody gets a receipt for voting and property taxes are supposedly not tied to the ballpark financing, and even much less related to any luxury box use.
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Excuse me? The city has a luxury box in the ball park THEY voted on? At best, this is a conflict of interest; at worst, it’s bribing the whole city council! And, if they’re paying for the box, who gave them the RIGHT to use tax money for that purpose. This whole deal stinks almost as much as the original shenanigans for this.whole deal
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Discussion postponed allegedly due to the absence of some official who could comment on the issue. How convenient.
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No doubt the discussion will take place behind closed doors and what the public is allowed to know will be thoroughly filtered down by next time.
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Speaking of fireworks at the ballpark, it will a nice little perk for the Chihuahuas owners if fireworks are banned throughout the entire county, but allowed at the ballpark, despite the ballpark’s proximity to old buildings that are tinder boxes. That would be convenient and profitable for Mountainstar since fireworks at the ballpark would be the only game in town, forcing families to go downtown.
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According to the last line of a story in the Times about fireworks today, fireworks are banned within city limits regardless of what the county does.
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They have special dispensation of course. Courtesy of a compliant city council.
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