US GP in Austin Discussion and Speculation...

While everyone has been focused on the math, perhaps someone can explain to me how the following sections of the "Sporting Event Trust Fund" statute (Article 5190.14) do NOT apply:

"(b) If a site selection organization, after considering through a highly competitive process one or more sites that are not located in this state, selects a site for an event in this state pursuant to an application by a local organizing committee, endorsing municipality, or endorsing county, not later than three months before the date of the event, the comptroller shall determine for the 30-day period that ends at the end of the day after the date on which the event will be held or, if the event occurs on more than one day, after the last date on which the event will be held, in accordance with procedures developed by the comptroller: "

and

(o) The comptroller may not undertake any of the responsibilities or duties set forth in this section unless a request is submitted by the municipality or the county in which the event will be located. The request must be accompanied by documentation from a site selection organization selecting the site for the event.



Unless I'm mistaken (and I don't believe I am) Section (b) requires several things the two primary ones being that a "site selection organization" (Hellmund's group is definitely NOT that - ACCUS would be) has independently selected a Texas site AFTER a "highly competitive process" involving alternative sites that are NOT in Texas. The idea seems to be that the trust would would be used to help Texas compete against out-of-state sites. But if there are no out-of-state sites and there has not been a "highly competetive process" one could ask why the trust fund would be available at all. Section (o) would seem to mandate the submission of the site selection committee's documentation before the comptroller can pay anything out.


Should we not consider the possibility that some objectors could file a lawsuit to prevent the entire $25 million trust fund payment as not having been committed in accordance with the statutory process?

Perhaps the statute was amended to eliminate the site selection process. Looking for an explanation.

 

Maybe its just the nature of any project of this size but it seems that the issues keep multiplying.
Good luck Texas. We're all rooting for you.

 

Highly competitive process? What competition....

We know New Jersey told em to take a hike. Then there was something about MMC in upstate New York. But the pres of MMC was as suprised as anyone about the Texas announcement. I don't think there was a competition to bring F1 to the states. Anyone know who was looking to do F1 besides Austin/ Tavo?

Lawsuit, highly unlikely. They'll be voting on it this Thursday.

http://jalopnik.com/5548584/how-new-york-got-screwed-by-formula-1

 

I wasn't suggesting that a council vote had anything to do with the issue. I was suggesting that some private citizen who is not happy with money being used for F1 while teachers are losing there jobs and the state is in a huge financial hole (like everyone else these days) could raise the issue of non-compliance with the statute and stop this thing in its tracks.

 

http://kut.org/2011/06/tovo-unseats-shade/
Tovo is elected to Austin City Council Place Three. She's all about not awarding F1 the dollars and concentrating on the budget.

 

I took a look at the statute. I think you are correct to say the comptroller worked around the law and that they didn't do a competitive process. Can't imagine someone with the nads to take on the State and Bernie. If there is such a person out there, speak now or forever hold you're piece.

 

Somehow I liked the Russian approach a lot better: Putin decided it is a go and they signed the contract. None of the ***** footing around with elected officials, gas line moving permissions and tax payer money considerations.

Russia: Just do it.

 

Either someone's getting a wicked go-kart track or I'll need to buy SPF 75 in 2012..

 

I completely agree but look at the reality of the Sochi race. Sochi is already a major resort city on the Black Sea. They have the 2014 Winter Olympics and are doing tons of infrastructure work for that. Yet without the need to scramble for money, without any approval process to go through, Putin still said there was no way to do it in 2 years. It has to make you think on why Hellmund and crew would ever agree to be built out in 2 years when they didn't have any approvals and (despite Hellmund's claims) they obviously didn't (likely still don't) have the money. If you recall, Bernie went to Sochi for a fancy signing ceremony. All Austin got was an unexpected phone call. Shows you how much confidence Bernie really has in this deal.

 

Keep in mind the METF money is being used to host the GP,not build the facility itself. Don't think a lawsuit would have too much to stand on really.

Yes it is, scheduled for thusrday still: (item 20)

https://austin.siretechnologies.com/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=100&doctype=agenda

If you're really bored that day, I think you can watch it live over the internet

As to your other question, no Perry doesn't have to sign off on this.

 

FYI, the Super Bowl at Cowboy's Stadium used around $30MM from the METF, the site was selected a full four years before the game. The same issues raised by F1TopFan here, about the selection and application process probably apply to that senario as well, and it went through.....

 

Dallas politics are sooo different than "kooky town" austin. 4 years ago was a different ball game. The 2009 metf amendments we'rent in place yet. Super Bowl didn't get the money in advance, that was a new option amended in 2009. The site selection process was less scrutinized becuase of the pie in the sky cowboys stadium. If that would have had the magnifying glass put to it in the process I bet someone could have found something wrong. This F1 shinanigen with the state was a whole different process. There have been people looking at this since the get go.
To hell with all that - who else was lookin to do F1 - MMC? New Jersey rejected, Staten Island rejected. W. Glenn? Throw TopF1 fan a bone!

 

Fascinating reading but does this thread still belong in the F1 Forum?
More business and P&R.

 

Agreed....first F1TopFan brought up the pipes, now he brings up this.......

Just trying to highlight the nonsensicalness of the application process in the law. Would guess the METF had more of an effect on this deal than the Super Bowl....