REI

[Conan71]

Sales taxes, bro.  That's all that matters to them.  At least until we hear that they got some sales tax abatement to thank them for blessing us with their riverside box.

This administration shows an utter lack of economic sophistication to the point of it appearing like retardation.

[PonderInc]

Can anyone find approved minutes from any of the Tulsa Public Facilities Authority meetings?

I can find agendas, and I can find minutes from the Tulsa COUNTY authority, but no luck on the TPFA approved minutes.  Don't approved minutes from public boards and commissions have to be made available to the public?  Or do I have to call some mysterious person and ask for them, like it was 1990?

[cannon_fodder]

Can anyone find approved minutes from any of the Tulsa Public Facilities Authority meetings?

I found minutes for DCC, Human Rights Commission, Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission, Greater Tulsa Area Hispanic Affairs Commission, Mayor's Commission on the Status of Women, Transportation Advisory Board, City Council, etc.

It is super easy to find the agenda for a group:
https://www.cityoftulsa.org/our-city/meeting-agendas/agendas-by-board,-trust-and-authority.aspx

But I could not find the meeting minutes for the TPFA.

[Townsend]

This administration shows an utter lack of economic sophistication to the point of it appearing like retardation Underhanded.

[Red Arrow]

This administration shows an utter lack of economic sophistication to the point of it appearing like retardation mentally challenged.

You are not allowed to call anyone "retarded". 

[Townsend]

You are not allowed to call anyone "retarded". 

Robert Frost asks October to "Retard the sun with gentle mist"

[PonderInc]

How 'bout...

This administration acts as a retardant, preventing and slowing Tulsa's ability to reach its potential.

[cannon_fodder]

(not lecturing Conan, just an interesting side discussion)

I'm not overly PC, and it doesnt bother me when others describe a mentally handicapped person as "mentally retarded." But, I understand why mentally handicapped people and their guardians don't like the word to be used as an insult. In this instance, the persons responsible for the public trust are not acting because of a genetic issue, a brain injury, or other mental handicap. So don't insult those people! 

Also not sure if "mentally handicapped" is the preferred nomenclature. I know "special" went out the window when it started to be used as a pejorative. Idiot, imbecile, and moron were medical terms - that were subsumed as pure insults and dropped as descriptive terms. For a while it was developmentally delayed, but "DD" was already taken by MADD so it didn't stick. "Intellectually and developmentally disabled" was too long. "Challenged" is thrown around as a stand in, but that gets confusing - "My son is intellectually challenged."  And I leave thinking the kid got in to a really tough engineering program. The Down syndrome society wants it to be "differently-abled," which is a tortured euphemism waiting to be turned into the next "special."

I guess its all about usage and intent.

/tangent

[Conan71]

My total lack of tact is one of my more charming assets. 

[Townsend]

"differently-abled," which is a tortured euphemism waiting to be turned into the next "special."

Challenge accepted

[Red Arrow]

I guess its all about usage and intent.
/tangent

I think that eventually most terms used to replace undesirable terms become undesirable.  No net gain.

[heironymouspasparagus]

(not lecturing Conan, just an interesting side discussion)

I'm not overly PC, and it doesnt bother me when others describe a mentally handicapped person as "mentally retarded." But, I understand why mentally handicapped people and their guardians don't like the word to be used as an insult. In this instance, the persons responsible for the public trust are not acting because of a genetic issue, a brain injury, or other mental handicap. So don't insult those people! 

Also not sure if "mentally handicapped" is the preferred nomenclature. I know "special" went out the window when it started to be used as a pejorative. Idiot, imbecile, and moron were medical terms - that were subsumed as pure insults and dropped as descriptive terms. For a while it was developmentally delayed, but "DD" was already taken by MADD so it didn't stick. "Intellectually and developmentally disabled" was too long. "Challenged" is thrown around as a stand in, but that gets confusing - "My son is intellectually challenged."  And I leave thinking the kid got in to a really tough engineering program. The Down syndrome society wants it to be "differently-abled," which is a tortured euphemism waiting to be turned into the next "special."

I guess its all about usage and intent.

/tangent

Have family members that are Aspberger's - or were for a few years until that was blended back into autism.  One of the terms I hear is 'neuro-typical', with the corresponding, 'neuro-nontypical'.

[PonderInc]

Well, I was able to request the approved minutes from TPFA related to REI, going back to March of 2013  Dozens of meetings were held over the past 2 years, but except for a couple meetings, everything was discussed in "executive session" where it was closed to the public.

Public process, indeed.

[cannon_fodder]

Well, I was able to request the approved minutes from TPFA related to REI, going back to March of 2013  Dozens of meetings were held over the past 2 years, but except for a couple meetings, everything was discussed in "executive session" where it was closed to the public.

Public process, indeed.

Can you publish/share the meetings online?  I'd be interested to see what was discussed, what was open to the public, and why so many executive sessions were needed.

[patric]

"I will say, there was one person that was in opposition with it," Bird said

"I have talked to the developer. They do have — they've got a secondary site in mind, because they really like that market," Bird said.

Unlike the Tulsa Development Authority, TPFA owns land and may sell it without council approval.

http://publicradiotulsa.org/post/councilors-ask-questions-about-potential-rei-deal