5.3. SR 02-08-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ron kept demanding that we set up new accounts for the waterfront East project, something there was no basis to do. There had not been a change in ownership of the properties. we left that Dec. l meeting agreeing that Peter would spell out in a document how the disputed amount would be put into escrow and Ron said he would talk to the bank involved in waterfront East about it. He was given a deadline to have the signed document back into ERMU before the Dec.15t~' meeting}, Eventually an agreement was reached and Ron paid the agreed upon amount. Ron stated to the City Council that we contacted his tenants about the possibility of turning off their power after he had paid the disputed amount. That is not true. At the Dec.15 Commission meeting Tray Adams was directed to talk to the tenants to let them know there was a dispute over a power bill and if it didn't get settled by the end of the week, their power would be going off. That was done as a courtesy in case they had machinery or computers that would be affected. Ron did not pay the disputed amount until well AFTER the tenants were contacted, I received a long voice mail from Ron on Dec. 28, 2009. He also called Jerry Gumphrey with the same message, He went on and on about trying to get new accounts for the waterfront East project since September and that what was wrong with our staff that this hadn't been done, He again tried his bullying tactics, saying that he would spread the word of ERMU's alleged incompetence to others in the city and the press. I did not return his phone call but instead called Theresa that evening and asked her to call Ron the next day and hopefully provide what he was looking for. Theresa did talk to him and told him we were shorthanded because of the Christmas week but that she would get it done by the first week of January, which she did. Ran had no credible facts in this case to back up any of his claims, His basic claim was that he was right because he said so. His intimidating tactics may work with others but I think ERMU was right to stand up to him, In my mind, he owes the City Attorney a sincere apology for the way he belittled and berated him. His actions certainly were not appropriate far anyone, let along someone that is representing the City on the Economic Development Authority.