You could say they have the endurance of a soccer player.
Dogging City Hall for months, a passionate clan of conservationists scolded the Salt Lake City Council and Mayor Ralph Becker this week for the imminent release of a voter-approved $15.3 million bond toward a $40 million sports complex planned in a flood zone alongside the Jordan River near Rose Park.
During the final public hearing on the controversial complex, residents argued the public was "misled" on the 2200 North venture since it now costs twice as much for half as many soccer and baseball fields. Neither the language on the 2003 bond, they note, nor Real Salt Lake's $7.5 million letter of credit was site specific. And the complex, they say, will be a "pay to play" tournament destination, not a haven for city youths.
"It just seems that in this administration and mayor's office," resident Amy O'Connor said, "political expediency trumps democracy."
Becker maintains he is honoring the will of the electorate to provide much-needed sports fields on the city's west side. Having inherited the issue from the previous administration, he notes the complex has been scrupulously studied and repeatedly presented to the public for feedback. What's more, the mayor has set aside several million for a river buffer that includes a 23-acre natural area to preserve the riparian habitat and satisfy federal flood-plain rules.
Although the council has unanimously approved the 20-field project, planned over two phases, it has yet to release the bond money. That vote could come later this month.
"It's never too late to reconsider," Glendale resident Ray Wheeler said before quoting Becker's "Blueprint for a Green City" campaign language vowing to protect open space.
Another city resident, Michael Budig, said he voted for the bond but now feels duped and increasingly cynical. He says spending public dollars to build a regional sports complex in a designated flood zone is "irresponsible and fraudulent."
The criticism was offset somewhat by a gaggle of kids and soccer coaches, who presented the city with an oversized $5,000 check intended to boost the complex goal.
But that good will was overshadowed by a testy exchange between visibly angry Council Chairman J.T. Martin and former Councilwoman Nancy Saxton.
Speaking at the hearing, Saxton told council members that they "continue to acquiesce to misinformation from the administration. It's disappointing to say the least."
That prompted Martin to call a point of order as Saxton walked back to the dais.
"Are you saying the administration is purposely deceiving this council?" Martin repeated, voice rising.
In that Becker's department heads "plucked numbers out of the air," Saxton said, and failed to fully consider alternate sites, "that's deception."
New Councilman Stan Penfold tried to end the spat by reminding those in the chamber it was a public hearing, "not a debate."
Moments later, acting meeting Chairman Van Turner sternly intervened, asking Martin if he was through.
"You're clear?" Turner barked.
"I am, sir," Martin replied before leaning back in his chair.
Councilman Luke Garrott then called on Becker's lieutenants to publicly release any and all information on the complex as soon as it is available.
Looking surprised, mayoral chief of staff David Everitt said "we've gone over a lot of these issues time and again." People are often not willing to listen, he said.
The complex critics, loosely known as the Jordan River Restoration Network, would like to see the bond money redirected to rehab the 21-field soccer complex in West Jordan. Short of that, they are threatening a little sudden death -- an appeal to 3rd District Court.
