Mayor Asks Biz Leaders to Call Council

Mayor Richard Berry is only one vote short in his bid to win immediate authorization of $50 million in bonds to help fund the Paseo del Norte rebuild.

But he’s setting his sights a bit higher: a unanimous vote of the City Council.

“You know what? I’m asking for all nine” councilors to support the project, Berry told the audience at a NAIOP luncheon today. “The need is obvious. The public support is there.”

He urged people to call the main council telephone line at 768-3100 and to attend tonight’ 5 p.m. meeting at City Hall.

“Respectfully, let your opinion be heard,” Berry said.

State law requires that at least seven of nine councilors authorize the issuance of revenue bonds, unless the issue is taken to voters. Three councilors so far have been holding out for a public vote, and it’s not clear any will change their mind at tonight’s meeting.

My latest explanation of the debate is here.