The one-day trip was hastily assembled - city officials are flying on a developer's private jet - and was noticed only in the suburb's community newspaper.
Even so, the city's economic development director insists Mayor Tom Dolan and compnay are going to glean building and financing tips, not to be sneaky with their sojourn south.
"We're getting ready to get into some significant negotiations with Real," Randy Sant said late Tuesday. "This is part of our due diligence."
The day trip to Frisco, 30 miles north of Dallas, will cost taxpayers roughly $10,000 - 11 city officials at a price of $800 to $1,000 apiece will attend, Sant notes - but the city's tab could have been less had the tour been booked further in advance.
Still, Sant said that both Frisco officials and their school superintendent will brief city leaders on the finance model for Pizza Hut Park, home to FC Dallas.
"We're hoping we can learn what the mistakes were," Sant explained. "What to do and what not to do in our negotiations. How did you convince the public it was a good deal? Did you have a marketing strategy? Those types of questions."
Sandy's City Council soon will have to vote on whether to hand RSL $15 million pledged from redevelopment dollars generated by the stadium project. Salt Lake County has agreed to pay $40 million in old and new hotel taxes toward stadium land and infrastructure. The $100 million stadium tab will be covered by the team and its investors.
In Frisco, city leaders kicked in $20 million toward a 21,000-seat stadium. The school district contributed another $15 million in return for prep team access to the stadium.
Last month, RSL officials decided to forgo some $5 million in future taxes slated for the Jordan School District after parents and teachers raised a ruckus.
But Sant said he remains interested in the funding formula.
"I'd like to hear from another school district on why they are participating in economic development," Sant said. "I can't imagine they have different funding issues in Texas than we have in Utah."
Pizza Hut Park, which opened in August 2005, is considered an RSL model for both its public-private financing and multiple uses. Besides MLS games, the venue stages concerts and other sporting events and is seen as a key economic driver.
Besides Dolan, Sant and five council members, a handful of Sandy staffers will make the trip. They will be joined by three RSL officials, including Chief Executive Officer Dean Howes and two representatives from Layton Construction, which, besides flying the group to Texas, has a contract to build the stadium near 9400 S. State St.
Phil Glenn, Sandy's City Council director, said the trip had been planned but not finalized until this week.
"We sent notice to the paper that covers us," he said, referring to the Sandy Journal. "Monday was the soonest it was firmed up."
Glenn confirmed the city, not developers nor the team, will pay for the trip.
djensen@sltrib.com
