http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/14259114p-15073381c.html
'Good vibe' on arena plan
Backers of sales-tax measure meet with staffers from 5 cities to get feedback
By Mary Lynne Vellinga and Ed Fletcher -- Bee Staff Writers
Published 12:01 am PDT Tuesday, May 23, 2006
High-level staff members from five of Sacramento County's cities met Monday to discuss a rapidly forming plan to pay for a replacement to aging Arco Arena.
Sacramento city and county leaders had initiated the latest idea for building a new arena -- a plan that relies, at least in part, on voters approving a new quarter-cent sales tax -- and are seeking support of the other cities in the county.
As the plan moves closer to a public unveiling, its crafters say the sales tax measure could fund other projects throughout the county.
Monday's meeting "was an opportunity to begin a dialogue on what the involvement of the cities could look like, and what benefits could accrue to the other cities in the county," said Chris Holben, a spokesman for the new-arena effort.
Holben's services are on loan from Art Savage, chief executive officer of the River Cats baseball team. Savage and River Cats Executive Vice President Warren Smith have been donating their time to try to forge a deal for a new arena.
"There's a lot of very positive momentum and feeling on the part of the participants," Holben said. "I can't say that anything is about to happen, but at least there's a good vibe."
Elected officials from throughout the county have met at least once already, at a gathering last Thursday hosted by Smith at the exclusive Sutter Club. Gavin Maloof, whose family owns the Kings, attended that event, which Holben described as "purely social."
"It was almost a dream come true," Maloof said, speaking of the mood inside the Sutter Club. "There was so much positive energy. Everybody's goal is to get this done."
Maloof said Monday that he thinks involving cities beyond Sacramento makes financial sense. He said he was "cautiously optimistic" that this arena replacement effort will succeed.
Unlike last week's event, the Monday meeting did not involve elected officials -- just staff members from the various cities. Those who attended were tight-lipped about what was discussed.
The 90-minute session was held at Rancho Cordova's City Hall. Staff members from Sacramento city and county met with representatives from Elk Grove, Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Citrus Heights and Galt. No one from the city of Isleton was able to come.
Sacramento County Economic Development Director Paul Hahn said he expected the city staff members in attendance would now brief elected officials, who will eventually be asked to support the plan.
"Basically we presented the conceptual idea. It was really just a lot of questions and answers," Hahn said. "What we wanted is to get their feedback."
Officials said they hoped to work out as many potential snags as possible before sharing details of the plan. But there won't be long to mull over the plan. If a tax is part of the funding plan, voter approval is necessary.
To get a tax measure on the November ballot, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors must approve it by early August.
Sacramento County Supervisor Roger Dickinson said Monday he expects it will be three weeks "at the outside" before the details of the nascent arena finance plan are made public. Key components remain to be worked out, including the contribution from the Maloofs.
"I personally see that as the driving factor," he said.
About the writer: The Bee's Mary Lynne Vellinga can be reached at (916) 321-1094 or mlvellinga@sacbee.com.
'Good vibe' on arena plan
Backers of sales-tax measure meet with staffers from 5 cities to get feedback
By Mary Lynne Vellinga and Ed Fletcher -- Bee Staff Writers
Published 12:01 am PDT Tuesday, May 23, 2006
High-level staff members from five of Sacramento County's cities met Monday to discuss a rapidly forming plan to pay for a replacement to aging Arco Arena.
Sacramento city and county leaders had initiated the latest idea for building a new arena -- a plan that relies, at least in part, on voters approving a new quarter-cent sales tax -- and are seeking support of the other cities in the county.
As the plan moves closer to a public unveiling, its crafters say the sales tax measure could fund other projects throughout the county.
Monday's meeting "was an opportunity to begin a dialogue on what the involvement of the cities could look like, and what benefits could accrue to the other cities in the county," said Chris Holben, a spokesman for the new-arena effort.
Holben's services are on loan from Art Savage, chief executive officer of the River Cats baseball team. Savage and River Cats Executive Vice President Warren Smith have been donating their time to try to forge a deal for a new arena.
"There's a lot of very positive momentum and feeling on the part of the participants," Holben said. "I can't say that anything is about to happen, but at least there's a good vibe."
Elected officials from throughout the county have met at least once already, at a gathering last Thursday hosted by Smith at the exclusive Sutter Club. Gavin Maloof, whose family owns the Kings, attended that event, which Holben described as "purely social."
"It was almost a dream come true," Maloof said, speaking of the mood inside the Sutter Club. "There was so much positive energy. Everybody's goal is to get this done."
Maloof said Monday that he thinks involving cities beyond Sacramento makes financial sense. He said he was "cautiously optimistic" that this arena replacement effort will succeed.
Unlike last week's event, the Monday meeting did not involve elected officials -- just staff members from the various cities. Those who attended were tight-lipped about what was discussed.
The 90-minute session was held at Rancho Cordova's City Hall. Staff members from Sacramento city and county met with representatives from Elk Grove, Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Citrus Heights and Galt. No one from the city of Isleton was able to come.
Sacramento County Economic Development Director Paul Hahn said he expected the city staff members in attendance would now brief elected officials, who will eventually be asked to support the plan.
"Basically we presented the conceptual idea. It was really just a lot of questions and answers," Hahn said. "What we wanted is to get their feedback."
Officials said they hoped to work out as many potential snags as possible before sharing details of the plan. But there won't be long to mull over the plan. If a tax is part of the funding plan, voter approval is necessary.
To get a tax measure on the November ballot, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors must approve it by early August.
Sacramento County Supervisor Roger Dickinson said Monday he expects it will be three weeks "at the outside" before the details of the nascent arena finance plan are made public. Key components remain to be worked out, including the contribution from the Maloofs.
"I personally see that as the driving factor," he said.
About the writer: The Bee's Mary Lynne Vellinga can be reached at (916) 321-1094 or mlvellinga@sacbee.com.
