Opting out of the Tri-Agency Joint Powers Authority, the City narrowly passed a motion to negotiate a dissolution agreement with the County and Harbor, including an equal share of the costs of existing litigation, dissolution and any other outstanding debts of the Tri-Agency.
The motion to terminate was made by Councilor Isaiah Wright, who apologized for not being in attendance at the joint meeting, seconded by Councilor Ray Altman. Council Members Jason Greenough and Kelley Schellong voted NO. Mayor Blake Inscore broke the deadlock, voting YES.
There really wasn’t much choice here. Tuesday, June 11, a joint meeting of the City, County and Harbor District was held to discuss the future of the Tri-Agency Economic Development Authority.
Following a discussion and failure of all agencies to agree to a common version of the revised joint Powers agreement, Mayor Inscore made a motion to mutually terminate the JPA, pursuant to a mutual termination clause contained in section 8.03 of the Agreement. Inscore’s motion died for a lack of a second. The Harbor and County then passed motions to mutually terminate and equally share the dissolution costs.
The City was left with no option but to disband.
Schellong expressed her disappointment in the inability for members to work together. She shared constituents’ disappointment, “ …the three groups just didn’t get it. What we’re letting go, we just don’t understand, is a very powerful that could have been used (for economic development) I represent those who shared their comments with me.”
Greenough defended the necessity to have one voice for economic development. “ I think it is a shame that the three largest agencies could not work together for economic development. We got caught in the weeds, we must come together,” said Greenough.
The door is now closed on the Tri-Agency Joint Powers Authority.
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