Residents Push For St. Paul's Proposal Information
By Stephanie Mariel Petrellese

It was evident at the November 2nd Board of Trustees meeting that the frustration level is rising among some residents as the Board refuses to disclose names and information contained in St. Paul's Request For Proposal (RFP) responses.

In June, following the recommendation of Karen Backus, the Village's consultant and principal of the real estate consulting firm K. Backus & Associates, Inc., the Village issued a RFP to be due last month. The Village required that respondents submit proposals for development of the Historic Main Building at St. Paul's within the existing building envelope, but provide for a flexible framework to allow for developer creativity and other options.

Trustee John Mauk, second deputy mayor and chairman of a mayor-appointed committee focusing on the St. Paul's issue, said that the committee has completed its initial review of the six responses. He said all proposals include a combination of public and private uses.

Backus submitted questions to some respondents looking for clarification on certain issues and was looking forward to receiving responses by Nov. 3rd. Mauk said, for example, that some respondents were asked to explain why their cost estimate differed substantially from the consultant's professional estimate.

The committee was planning to interview some respondents on Nov. 8th. Mauk hopes that by the end of the year the committee will be finished comparing elements found in the remaining proposals and make its recommendation to the Board of Trustees and public. He said the committee will release more proposal information and the Board will look forward to hearing public comment.

To some residents' dismay, Mauk refused to provide respondents' names. He said the Village is currently involved in a "competitive process" to come up with a proposal that's in its best interest. He said revealing names would cause the Village to lose leverage during negotiations. Mauk also said that revealing too much information would allow other respondents to possibly modify their proposals. Village Counsel Gerard Fishberg said the Village has a legal right to withhold the information.

"We're looking for a team or group that is going to be the most accomplished and capable of undertaking this project if we decide to move forward on it and who understands what they are getting in to," Mauk said. "Until we get the responses on that and know who they are, we don't want to do that publicly." He said the committee will release as much information as they can as soon as possible.

Resident Michael Ciaffa said the interview process should be open to the public. Mauk responded that the Board was within its rights to maintain some level of secrecy.

Resident Kathy Wood said that the public has a right to the information and was concerned that the public was being forced to trust the Board. She asked if any Board member would benefit from selecting a certain proposal. Mayor Lundquist responded that trustees would have to legally disclose any possible conflict of interest.