Council Pushes Back Talk On Stadium Trust

Tulsa City Councilors pushed back discussion on Tuesday on creating a Tulsa Stadium Trust, which would oversee a new ballpark downtown. 

Tuesday, August 19th 2008, 4:58 pm

By: News On 6

Council Pushes Back Talk On Stadium Trust

Tulsa City Councilors pushed back discussion on Tuesday on creating a Tulsa Stadium Trust, which would oversee a new ballpark downtown. Meanwhile, a Tulsa businessman who says he was pushed aside when the city turned its attention toward the Drillers has filed ethic complaints with the city. News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports that during a morning meeting, city councilors decided to wait another week before discussing creating the Tulsa Stadium Trust.

A trust is needed so that $30 million in donations pledged for the ballpark's construction can be accepted.

"We've got really two things to get done on the ballpark. We need to get the lease agreement finalized and we need to get the trust agreement finalized," said chief of staff Amy Polonchek.

The city and the Drillers have agreed to extend negotiations on a lease agreement to move the minor-league baseball team downtown.

The city says the negotiations aren't exclusive, but are very active.

"I think we're in great shape. I think we've got two things left to do and I look forward to a new ballpark in downtown Tulsa," said chief of staff Amy Polonchek.

Meanwhile, a business owner who had hoped to develop on property near where a new ballpark would be located has filed ethics complaints with the city. The complaint targets two members of the Tulsa Development Authority.

"Mr. Clayman did recuse himself, but after discussions during a board meeting which could have influenced other people's perceptions, and Mr. Shahadi refused to recuse himself even though they do have ties to both the donors as well as investors," said William Wilkins of Novus Homes.

Novus homes proposed a four story retail and residential building on the northwest corner of Elgin and Archer. But, the Tulsa Development Authority voted three to zero to end negotiations with the Wilkinses.

The ethics complaint calls for both men to be removed from the authority's board.

"It's simply a matter of holding two people accountable for their actions and making sure this doesn't happen again," said William Wilkins of Novus Homes.

George Shahadi told The News On 6 he has no reaction to the ethics complaint.

In a written response, John Clayman says in part, "These types of disreputable reprisals by Mr. Wilkins and his mother only serve to discourage the good faith efforts of those willing to volunteer their time and dollars to contribute to the betterment of the City of Tulsa."

Meanwhile, Mayor Kathy Taylor's husband, Bill Lobeck, stepped down from consideration for the trust authority board that will oversee the ballpark.