Audit of TSA Complete

[NickelBack]

No front page stories, no KFYI exposes. I guess that is a good thing:

http://www.auditorgen.state.az.us/R...ourism_and_Sports_Authority/04-01execsumm.htm

http://www.auditorgen.state.az.us/Reports/Other/PAD/Arizona_Tourism_and_Sports_Authority/04-01.pdf

 

[WizardOfAz]

This is all the AZ Republic could muster yesterday:

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0328sportsaudit28.html

 

[AZCB34]

This is all the AZ Republic could muster yesterday:

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0328sportsaudit28.html

That's because, by and large, the TSa is doing a decent job. The only real problem is the money coming out of the General Fund (which I mentioned awhile back) that is above and beyond the Cards employee taxes. I read the report...very well done and very fair. TSA is doing their job it appears pretty well and I had my doubts.

 

[NickelBack]

and I had my doubts.

Clearly unfounded.

 

[AZCB34]

Clearly unfounded.

If you blindly believed they were doing a bang up job after the serious BS that went on for...what...2 years after the vote, by all means have at it. I figured, with good foundation that they would be shredded. They proved me wrong but only unfounded after a huge audit.

 

[pinnacle]

speaking of the TSA...your reminded me of a stadium question I had..

YTD in 2004 - steel prices have skyrocketed...as have fuel prices and to some extent lumber.

In theory the steel price increase should increase the cost of the stadium (unless they somehow locked in prices before the rise in cost)..I cannot remember who pays for cost overruns..was it the Cardinals? Just curious...

 

[AZCB34]

Great question about the steel. I would imagine they locked it in somehow but I am unclear on how a bid works for something like that. Would the bid say something like: "Schiff Steel will provide, fabricate and deliver all the steel needed for X dollar amount." and then it is up to Schiff to stay within that amount????

My understanding is the Cards are responsible for any cost over-runs. The cost, according to the audit has already gone up but I don't know how much above or below budget that amount may be,

 

[WizardOfAz]

YTD in 2004 - steel prices have skyrocketed...as have fuel prices and to some extent lumber.

In theory the steel price increase should increase the cost of the stadium (unless they somehow locked in prices before the rise in cost

I think they have already bought and paid for the huge steel supports that will make up a majority of the roof of the facility. In fact, I remember that they are already in storage somewhere here in the valley.

 

[SECTION 11]

But CB, didn't you vote against the stadium even before the two year site procurement process? So clearly you had some issue with it before.

Incidently, Chicago's Soldier Field rennovation used the most public funds of any facility for a single sports franchise and is drawing scathing reviews so far, in addition of course to the three year battle over funding.
Boy, imagine if they had to find a site for that thing instead of having one "selected" already for all intents and purposes?
I'm wondering what your position is on that stadium vs the Cards stadium? Because to be honest, most people that are adamantly against the Cards getting a new stadium are simply fans of other teams from my perspective.

 

[SECTION 11]

I think they have already bought and paid for the huge steel supports that will make up a majority of the roof of the facility. In fact, I remember that they are already in storage somewhere here in the valley.

Those dumb bastards, buying that steel and storing it like that. Nevermind that it's gone up 60% in the last 4-5 months.

 

[40yearfan]

I guess some people don't remember that the steel for this structure was actually purchased before they knew where the stadium was going to be placed. They had to place the steel order to keep from having a price increase. There was a lot of derisive articles in the papers stating that this was another bone-head move by the TSA. As we can all now see, this was fore-sight on their part and a really good move.

 

[SECTION 11]

I guess some people don't remember that the steel for this structure was actually purchased before they knew where the stadium was going to be placed. They had to place the steel order to keep from having a price increase. There was a lot of derisive articles in the papers stating that this was another bone-head move by the TSA. As we can all now see, this was fore-sight on their part and a really good move.

And a 100% lock solid guarantee that the Republic will mention none of it. Now if they hadn't ordered the steel and were being bent over, it'd probably make a nice little story.

 

[WizardOfAz]

Those dumb bastards, buying that steel and storing it like that. Nevermind that it's gone up 60% in the last 4-5 months.

They should have audited John F. Long, City of Tempe, Scott Bungaard, to see who caused all of those other "problems" early on.

 

[Lex]

...And Alan Kaufman. What's he up to these days?

 

[WizardOfAz]

...And Alan Kaufman. What's he up to these days?

Keeping the SE corner of Scottsdale Rd and McDowell as beautiful as ever!!

 

[SECTION 11]

Keeping the SE corner of Scottsdale Rd and McDowell as beautiful as ever!!

 

[pinnacle]

I recall the pre-order of steel - but I assume that they still will be affected because I doubt it was possible to lock in 100% of the cost for the materials of this project - perhaps on the very large orders you could..not sure...

I was actually going in a slightly different direction..if they are affected by rising cost (mostly in last 3 - 4 months) - I wonder how much the delay caused by John Long's lawsuit cost (in terms of having to build stadium in a higher cost environment)? They should send him a bill.....

 

[NickelBack]

I figured, with good foundation that they would be shredded.

What good foundation?

 

[justAndy]

steel and lumber

steel prices rising because the Chinese are buying scrap like mad, lumber going up for at least the next 90 days because Europe is BUSY and their money is currently kicking our money's azz.
This from the suppliers i purchase from...

 

[AZCB34]

But CB, didn't you vote against the stadium even before the two year site procurement process? So clearly you had some issue with it before.

Incidently, Chicago's Soldier Field rennovation used the most public funds of any facility for a single sports franchise and is drawing scathing reviews so far, in addition of course to the three year battle over funding.
Boy, imagine if they had to find a site for that thing instead of having one "selected" already for all intents and purposes?
I'm wondering what your position is on that stadium vs the Cards stadium? Because to be honest, most people that are adamantly against the Cards getting a new stadium are simply fans of other teams from my perspective.

Actually I voted for the stadium. I didn't want the Valley to lose the NFL, plain and simple. There were certainly issues on the vote I disagreed with but it was an easy decision to vote for it. It probably seems I am against but I am not. In fact, I voted for Rio Salado even though that deal from a pusiness standpoint was a complete farce...but I felt I was justified because more than anything, I want the NFL here.

 

[AZCB34]

What good foundation?

Forget the Long lawsuit even though the stadium would be near completion if they had accepted his offer. The TSA has fouled this up from early on and there was little reason for me to believe they were running a tight ship...which IMO it appears as though they are from a performance standpoint (a financial audit may turn up something different but I doubt that).

Good for them. The last thing anyone needed was some huge controversy. I expected a little more outcry about AZ tax dollars above Cards payroll taxes going to the project but apparently either everyone read their voter handouts or they don't care.

 

[NickelBack]

So, no good foundation then?

 

[AZCB34]

So, no good foundation then?

Fine...OK. You win since that is what you really want me to say. No actual foundation unless you count most of their gaffes the two years following the vote. You don't count them obviously.

 

[WizardOfAz]

Fine...OK. You win since that is what you really want me to say. No actual foundation unless you count most of their gaffes the two years following the vote. You don't count them obviously.

Actually, and far be it from me to speak for NB, but I think the point is most of those "gaffes" as you call them were the result of other parties, but the TSA got the blame - in most case without justification.

 

[AZCB34]

Actually, and far be it from me to speak for NB, but I think the point is most of those "gaffes" as you call them were the result of other parties, but the TSA got the blame - in most case without justification.

I disagree in so much as they kept pursuing sites that wouldn't even work...and they knew that but still pressed the case instead of moving on. Other parties were involved but the TSA acted too slowly to go find the "right" site and wasted more time and whether you want to accept it or not, they wasted money too pursuing these sites that were never going to work.

Again, I apologize for suggesting anything was wrong with the TSA. Besides, I have been proven pretty wrong from a performance audit by the State. I just happen to think the TSA screwed up alot and put the project back further than it had to be.