14-1118_BLENHEIM FACILITY MANAGEMENT_CC_D14_correspondence_511/18/2014
Manny Ruelas
From: Justice 4 L
014
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2014 1:42 PM
To: City Clerk Scanstation
Subject: Nov. 18 council Agenda item-Blenheim lease -distribute to City Manager and Council
members
As you may recall, I cautioned the City attorney, City Council and the Bond Counsel against the purchase of the
RMV Riding Park as I felt the contract provisions were illegal. I believe the Community now likely realizes that
they were duped into this ill advised purchase and I believe that many are upset that they are now stuck
paying for this every year through their property taxes. To add insult to injury with this so called "Open Space"
purchase is the fact that we have so many limitations on the purchase that it is more akin to a lease. The
relevance to the Riding Park purchase and the issue here is that there were promises made to the Community
prior to the purchase which included public use, such as ball fields etc .. However, these promises never came
to fruition and in fact, the public is basically banned from entering the Riding Park. Instead, the City allows
Blenheim (through their new lease) to enjoy the use of our publicly funded park.
I believe that since the residents voted into office two new council members, it is incumbent upon the current
council members not to try to push things through on their last day to vote as a majority. This new lease
appears likely to be contentious, resulting in pitting outside equestrians against the residents of San Juan. I ask
that you continue the vote to the next meeting or reject the lease, especially in light of the fact that I wasn't
able to see the original lease and I believe it may be premature to extend it.
In conclusion, I also would ask ifthe Council has considered other applicants or even announced that others
could apply to lease this property. It is only with full public participation that our Council can responsibly
debate the benefits of this particular company's request for a new lease as there may be other entities or uses
that are more beneficial to the taxpayers of our City. It is incumbent on our Council to explore all possibilities
as this park is paid for with public funds.
Respectfully submitted,
Lennie Decaro
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