Proposals for a new Kings arena continue to divide Sacramento’s mayor and City Council. Before this script gets any uglier, here’s the kind of dialogue we’d love to hear – but probably never will – at a City Council meeting:
Mayor Kevin Johnson: The volunteer task force will offer its recommendations on an arena – er, I mean, sports and entertainment complex – by March 11. Is there any further discussion on the workings of the task force?
Councilwoman Sandy Sheedy: Yes, Mr. Mayor, I want to amend some of my previous statements. We are fortunate to have this volunteer task force soliciting these proposals. Although it will be up to the City Council to make the final review and decision, I see no harm in letting this task force complete its work.
Councilman Rob Fong: I want to second that. Although I’m an unabashed booster of the Kamilos proposal, I see no harm in letting the task force finish its work.
Councilman Kevin McCarty: Let me chime in here. I have also rethought some of my previous comments. I regret that the tone of some of our conversations has gotten so … personal. That is not what the public expects from this council.
Mayor Johnson: Wow, this is a refreshing change. Did someone put something in the water pitcher?
(Genuine laughter.)
Mayor Johnson: Let me just say, we all share responsibility for the tension of recent weeks and months. I take part of the blame. But I hope we can get beyond that and focus on what really matters – the best interests of the city.
Councilwoman Bonnie Pannell: Hear, hear. It is in the city’s best interests to hear from a variety of arena developers and financiers – not just Goldman Sachs. We need to have leverage, and we lose leverage if we lock in early with one or two proposals.
Councilman Steve Cohn: Shouldn’t we go into closed session on this?
Mayor Johnson: No! We must conduct the people’s business in public. There are appropriate times for closed sessions, but this is not one of them.