Caution: Contents may contain typographical errors.

Good morning,

I understand many of you received an e-mail this morning that raised questions about the validity of claims the District may have acted inappropriately with regard to recent real estate transactions.

I also understand that you were told typographical errors were being corrected and that a minimally-adjusted report will be released shortly. In defense of public agencies everywhere, how long does it take to correct a few typographical errors? I suspect something else is afoot. I could be mistaken but I am more inclined to think that typos would be rectified in days – not three-and-a-half months. The report posted online is dated March 15, 2007. Quite frankly, I wouldn’t trouble you with old news. Your time is too important.

Perkins did not handle “appraisals”, they handled one appraisal. Perkins handled the single appraisal to protect the results from public disclosure laws. Try to ask your public records agent (Marla Miller) for a copy of the appraisal and you will be told something about ‘Lawyer-Client work product’.

The fact there is a single appraisal is part of the problem. The District invited very few people to bid on a site with a rather nasty building attached. Once the District identified the front runner, they then removed the building from the equation. Just think about all of the developers that would have loved to bid on a vacant piece of dirt bordering Woodway. That would have driven the price considerably higher. That higher price would have gone directly into the Capital Fund.

The corrected auditor’s report is slated for circulation shortly – right after they rally the dozens of public servants together to check and double-check the spelling of names.

I ask you to stay tuned and read the auditor’s report when it comes out. While we all make mistakes from time to time, I have greater faith that upon review of the facts, the questionable conduct will float to the top.

Let’s not lose sight of the other real issue at the New Administration site. Take the time and money (30 cents) and ask for the cover sheet from the NW Valuations appraisal of May 23, 2005 and the Judson Clendaniel appraisal of early June 2005. You will see an escalation of $2,300,000.00 over the span of ten days or so. Worse still, the Clendaniel appraisal was commissioned by the seller and his price is what you paid. If you are afraid to ask, have a friend ask. As long as they are a member of the public, they are entitled to the information.

I care about the District. I live in the District. It is only through challenging poor choices that real improvement can happen. I hope future property issues will be handled with greater care and consideration – to the benefit of the District, that is.

Mark Zandberg, Moderator
Former Planning and Property Management Specialist
March 2001 - June 2007