The city says it needs more information as it goes forward with a possible sports and entertainment project.
Kathryn Sweeney was in the minority at the council meeting. She opposed paying the consultants and complained that the city is spending its money foolishly.
SWEENEY: "We will be the small town in the Music Man where a snake oils salesman has come to tell us about the think method, that if we just put this money forward, we'll have of these jobs."
But, Councilwoman Bonnie Pannell said the condition of the local economy demands a thorough look at a project that promises to create four thousand jobs.
PANNELL:"Our destiny is in our hands. So, I have to support this next step."
$180,000 will be spent on finding the best way to use the
city's land and parking structures. $375,000 will go to
preparing the city for negotiations with the NBA and with the arena
operator. Mayor Johnson and Anschutz Entertainment Group are
already talking about that partnership. The city says it
hopes to have agreements as early as November.
