>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

At Business and Technology Park (Observer file photo).

Bill Rautenstrauch

The Observer

If it wasn't exactly fireworks, it was something like it.

At a work session on the La Grande Business and Technology Park Tuesday, La Grande Mayor Colleen Johnson blasted three council members for meeting with another party to discuss right of way issues.

"I am concerned about accusations that some quid pro quo has been going on," she said. "The allegations are serious enough that they need to be made public."

Johnson said she was concerned about a meeting Councilors John Bozarth, Todd Richmond and Mary Ann Miesner had with Mark Davidson.

Davidson serves on the Union County Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, and also on the city-appointed Urban Renewal Advisory Committee.

The UCEDC, a private, non-profit corporation, owns 54 acres of the park; the city 15.

Discussion Davidson and the councilors had involved the width of an access road that is to be built through the park.

The final plat, which the council is to consider approving this week, calls for a 47-foot right of way instead of the standard 60 feet.

The property of Nada Smutz abuts the park. Smutz has signed a memorandum of understanding that says when the property is brought into La Grande's urban growth boundary, she will dedicate 23 feet to the city.

In return, the city will construct remaining improvements on the west side of the street.

Those improvements are to include the intersection with curb returns, a sidewalk and planting strip.

But when Smutz — or the person or persons who owns the property at the time — proceeds with development, they will pick up the costs of extension of water, sewer and street systems.

Davidson said Tuesday that the issue of the narrow right of way and improvements left undone caught him and others by surprise. He said he felt the issues should have been brought out sooner.

"It has never been explained at meetings it was going to be 47 feet with no sidewalks or landscaping on that boundary," he said. "We've always thought the park would be fully developed and have the kind of curb appeal that would attract tenants."

As for the meeting with the three councilors, Davidson said he had no qualms.

"I met with them as a citizen with concerns. I have the right to do that," he said. "I take exception with the inference there was anything wrong with it."

Richmond pointed out during the work session that since only three councilors were present, there was no quorum and therefore no violation of public meeting laws.

Johnson agreed with that, but held that there should have been more communication among staff.

"If there was going to be a meeting, the council should have decided who would go to it," she said.

Richmond also said the councilors did not know beforehand what Davidson wanted to talk about.

This morning, Johnson termed meetings like the one between the councilors and Davidson "problematic."

"It's not illegal, but it raises questions," she said. "I think it's problematic to have three get together with a person that is making what I take to be serious charges."

Other discussions Monday centered on the amount of the loan the city plans to get from the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department for development of the park.

Originally the city planned to borrow $1.68 million. But recently, Interim City Manager Eldon Slippy asked the Urban Renewal Advisory Committee to recommend to the council approval for up to $2.5 million.

Slippy said he did not expect to have to borrow that much — citing increased construction costs, he estimated $2 million instead — but he said that having the authorization in place would save costly steps later on.

Howard Perry of Anderson Perry and Associates repeated that assertion Monday.

"Applying for the loan is an expensive and lengthy process," he said.

"This way, you don't have to go and get another approval, which may take a year."