Changes to the contract:
--$800K->$1.5mil rent increase confirmed - believed to be the highest "fixed rent" in MLB for a spring training ballpark
--County handles security costs
--$3 surcharge goes to county
--10% local subs - both total percent and bid range
--Allow zoning for a firearms manufacturer and improvements for existing structures for neighboring lots
--Added signs behind home plate at Nats Park for certain innings - including playoffs
20-30 speakers - 3 minutes each - probably got most of the names wrong
--Andres - represents Americans for Prosperity - opposed - no real argument, just against corporate welfare
--Peggy - Civilla Inn - opposed - represents Rt. 192 small hotel owners - they pay the tax that is being used for the stadium - they want the TDT money to help promote and grow their own businesses
--Rabin - Paradise Inn - opposed - small hotel owner - business is really hurting right now - wants TDT funds
--Patel - Record Hotel - original hotel owner - changes in the county are hurting them, expect this to hurt too, wants growth for existing businesses
--Wong - Celebration Suites - opposed - prayed for right decision
--Chin - opposed - low return on investment, used quotes from economists who contradict county economists numbers, greatly inflated multipliers - most of the benefits won't stay in Osceola
--Suell - opposed - county is struggling, why spend money on luxury item, Astros did not pay off, why make the same investment again - spend the money as originally intended on a visitors bureau.
--Karen - in favor - "Sports equals tourism in Osceola", supports the practice fields, "the Nationals would be a bonus"
--Chris Titus - opposed - prefers to wait, would prefer using existing stadium, want more info on other projects, what's the rush
--Bill - Radisson Hotel - in favor - wants Nats and for USSSA to stay
--Jeff - Villa Direct Vacation Homes - opposed - why spend bed taxes on a project that does not benefit hotels, he's never seen a single Astros fan rent a room in Osceola
--Sonny - in favor - Amateur sports is the biggest tourism driver in Osceola
--Teffini, same crazy guy from the last meeting --- holy crap that dude is funny, told a story about the Declaration of Independance and slavery and who stinks the most, then his phone went off and he blamed the bill collectors. Said the Nats stink for using injured soldiers in their promotion for the ballpark. Said the slum lords stink for crying about the poor people in the county. Said the Nats stink worst.
Moore - Westgate Resorts - no idea what he supports, boring compared to the last guy
Nigel - local HOA - opposed
Mark - ORAC - opposed - also wants to wait for other projects to be decided
Mark - Chair of the board of the chamber of commerce - asking for a delay - wants to upgrade existing stadium
Mark - must wait until February 15th to find out if Gaylord project is moving forward
Art again - this is not "an incredible deal for the Nationals", it will draw the ire of the other MLB owners. Nats cannot wait until February, they need to move forward. If we leave the Braves might follow as they would have no one else close to play against.
Time to vote...