This Thursday the Caddo Commission is scheduled to vote on the proposed $10 million pickleball complex. This decision will be made by the 12 commissioners--7 Democrats and 5 Republicans.
Since June of this year four resolutions have been presented on behalf of the Commission BEFORE any votes were taken: Bernie Sanders, former mayor John Hussey, The Strand, and most recently the Mane Event. The fact that the first three, and inevitably the fourth, resolution were ratified AFTER the presentation is not relevant. In each instance the Democrats approved, and the Republicans voted "NO".
If the pickleball project is approved the Commission will presumably be required to approve three major aspects of the project. "Presumably" is the operative word since the ordinance does not clearly spell out what the Administration can approve with or without Commission approval. And that is, or at least should be, a major factor in this Commission vote.
Here are the major components of this proposal that are not defined:
1. THE SCOPE AND COST OF THE COMPLEX
The Commission can approve up to $10 million for construction costs. There is no requirement that this sum be expended. The total number of courts and number of covered courts, the size and amenities of the pro shop, the number of parking lots and picnic tables, the walking trail distance, etc. are variables that will dictate costs.
2. THE LEASE TERMS WITH THE YMCA
The complex will be constructed on property owned by the Forbing YMCA. The terms of the lease, the options to renew, the lease payments and other lease terms are an unknown. Proponents of the project expect the YMCA to be "uncle sugar" with great lease terms but some critics point to uneven management of the YMCA and its executive director Gary Lash.
3. THE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE YMCA
The pickleball proposal has always named the YMCA to be the complex manager. There has been conflicting information provided as to whether the employees at the complex will be employees of the YMCA or the Parish. There has been no indication on the management fees to be paid to the YMCA. No details on this needed agreement have been released
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Needless to say, these three factors will be critical to the success of the complex. Who is to decide these factors has not been clearly defined. The Commission Administration is go-hung on the project. What factors if any will require the votes of the Commissioner is a big "IF.
Considering the composition of the Commission and the recent actions of the Democrat majority in handing out proclamations without Commission votes create substantial doubt on future actions of this majority, including the complex size , lease and management agreement. The Commission Administration has in the past made very conservative decisions but yet it is paid by the Commission and thus subject to Commission influence.
Caddo voters have NO direct say in these decisions--the approval of the project or the post-approval factors listed above. The only redress will be at the polls next fall when 10 of the 12 will be up for re-election. (One Commissioner is termed out and another has announced plans to seek another political office.) Of course, by that time the proverbial "cow will be out of the barn." But the cow patties can cause considerable messes for years to come.