Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - Attorney general's opinion on aquatic center project sought

Attorney general's opinion on aquatic center project sought

Apr 19, 2008 - 04:06:15 CDT

By GORDON WEIXEL
Bismarck Tribune

Three Bismarck legislators are requesting an attorney general's opinion on the process being used to build the aquatic and wellness center on the Bismarck State College campus.

Bismarck Parks and Recreation District attorney Pat Ward provided park board members some information on the request at Thursday's meeting.

Local Republican Reps. Dwight Wrangham, Lisa Meier and Mark Dosch are making the request that questions whether the park district's agreement with the Streamline Foundation is appropriate under the state's Century Code.

The attorney general is being asked whether the agreement with Streamline is circumventing state law requiring competitive bidding.

Ward maintains that state law does allow a public authority to enter into private contracts for infrastructure development. In this case, Streamline will build the facility and lease it back to the park district.

"The way the questions are presented, it skews the situation, putting the cart before the horse," Ward said. "Do tenants build the building?"

Ward said he hopes the questions being asked the attorney general can be expedited. He said the attorney general also has to sign off on the joint powers agreement that has been entered into by the park district and Bismarck State College.

"We're hoping it will be done quickly," Ward said. "If we do have to go back through the whole process for public improvement, it could set us back a year."

Expectations were to start work on the indoor aquatic-wellness center immediately after Memorial Day.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)

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Comments

JP wrote on Apr 23, 2008 6:59 PM:

" To: Old Guy- If it is delayed it would be the best. Then the people could vote on the project... even if it is by electing in officials who are against the project (The board is too scared to actually put the issue on the ballot). At least then the people had a voice in the decision. This is not a privately funded project and the taxpayers have a right to say where they want the money to go. "

to old guy wrote on Apr 22, 2008 8:08 PM:

" If it is illegal, will you retract those statements? I commend them for stepping in. Thanks legislators! "

Old Guy wrote on Apr 21, 2008 3:47 PM:

" I'm not surprised to see this happen. "The Negative Boys" and now girl are hoping to delay the project in hopes two new park board members with their same negative backward thinking attitude will be elected and reverse years of hard work. Delays do cost big bucks! Many more and Bismarck will be forever without a facility that fits the city! The bottom line is the people who will suffer the most are the kids growing up without adequate facilities and BSC's student body. I suggest at election time folks come to their senses and vote against every "People for Irresponsible Government" candidates there are. "

the wrong way wrote on Apr 20, 2008 9:24 AM:

" I'm surprised this didn't happen earlier. I've also thought this deal was shady from the beginning. I guess it now caught the eye of our legislators. "If you build it, they will come", in this case should be changed to "If you build it really quick before anyone knows, maybe we can get it done before anyone realizes that it is illegal" Oh, and your answer to the waterslide, I know that at the last meeting, they awarded bids to take down the waterslide, but nothing was said about putting up a new one. I for one recall an open forum where everyone spoke in favor of Hillside about a year ago. I would be contacting your commissioners and reminding them if I was you. "

Edward wrote on Apr 19, 2008 4:41 PM:

" If you don't like the project vote for new park district commissioners. They can then cancel the lease. Like that would ever happen! All politicians what is the votes to leave them alone. They know what is right for the citizens. "

sweet wrote on Apr 19, 2008 3:40 PM:

" next headline, "Aquatic Center Sunk!!" "

Hillside?? wrote on Apr 19, 2008 2:14 PM:

" Off-topic here, but what is happening at Hillside?? They will replace the slide, correct? Some of the Simle kids heard it was not being replaced at all. "

citizen wrote on Apr 19, 2008 1:31 PM:

" There's a reason this project has been railroaded and it's to make it happen before the public can vote and before the elections this summer - that's pretty obvious.
This whole process has stunk from day one and I know I am not alone in these fellings. "

Smooth wrote on Apr 19, 2008 7:52 AM:

" One lesson that has very rarely failed me in business is that if the seller is saying 'hurry, hurry, there's only a little time to get started!' it usually means that there is something they don't want you to find out.

This can be a great project for Bismarck, it will be in place for decades, and it will be expensive. It's worth taking the time at the front-end to make sure it is done right and as well as possible.
"

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