Commissioners signal willingness to sell Coliseum
Jul. 26—There was standing room only during Tuesday's Ector County Commissioners Court meeting.
Residents flooded the meeting to relay their thoughts about the county entering a broker contract for the potential sale of the Ector County Coliseum.
After more than 40 minutes, the Ector County Commissioners approved 3-2 to enter into a proposed real estate broker contract between Ector County and J.L. Herriage/Copper Key Realty for the potential sale of the Ector County Coliseum.
The two dissenting votes were Commissioners of Precinct 1 Mike Gardner and Commissioner of Precinct 3 Don Stringer.
Gardner said during Tuesday's meeting that he believes this is a "waste of time." That sentiment continued when Gardner spoke with the Odessa American after Tuesday's meeting.
"I don't know if I want to invest a whole bunch of time doing something that, in my heart, I feel like when we come down to the end of it that it's probably not going to sell anyway," Gardner said.
Greg Simmons, the commissioner for Precinct 2, said after Tuesday's meeting that it doesn't hurt to hear the offers from the national company headquartered out of Florida that has properties across the country.
Previous Odessa American stories have reported the offer for the coliseum is between $20 to $25 million. Simmons agreed with the number that has been reported and he explained to the Odessa American that he doesn't believe an official written offer has been extended.
The Ector County Appraisal District lists the total market value for the coliseum at a little over $28 million.
"This doesn't commit us to anything," Simmons said. "This doesn't cost us anything. It opens a dialogue to a company that has expressed an interest. I don't know they would come to a dollar amount that we would be happy with even selling. If we did like the dollars, I don't know if they would accept some of the restrictions and terms that we would want to put in place to protect some of the groups that have been lifelong users of the coliseum."
Those who spoke before the court included Odessa Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Renee Earls, West Texas Warbirds interim general manager Leif Kertis, Chuck Wagon Gang Boss Richard Cooper and other members of the Chuck Wagon Gang.
The coliseum is home to the Chuck Wagon Gang, Jackalopes, Warbirds, Permian Basin Fair and Expo, and Sandhills Stock Show and Rodeo.
Reactions from the crowd were mixed as some welcomed the idea while others were opposed to even hearing offers.
One Chuck Wagon Gang member, Joe Allbright, said to the commissioners "Once the genie is out of the bottle, you can't get it back in." Many called the coliseum "priceless" as is serves many organizations throughout the county.
Kertis said it would be folly not to explore the idea of the sale. He asked the commissioners to do what's best for the county and he said if they are going to explore this option to be transparent with the public throughout the process.
Earls called the coliseum "a gem" in the community. She said after doing a quick breakdown that events from the coliseum have at least a $16 million economic impact annually to the community.
"My concern is that if a private groups owns (the coliseum), I see the price of rental rates going up," Earls said. "I see the price of everything going up. That is my concern. We want those events there and we want people coming into the community."
Herriage also addressed the commissioners and the public during Tuesday's meeting. He said that he's going to represent Ector County to protect Ector County. Herriage said during the meeting the national company thinks Odessa needs more entertainment.
Armando Rodriguez, the commissioners for Precinct 4, asked Herriage what he's being paid and he replied with nothing. Herriage would only get paid if a sale happened.
"I really don't think that I would do anything that would hurt our community," Herriage said. "It's just something to open up discussion. There hasn't been a decision to sell or not to sell. They just said we will listen and that's where we are at."
With many events already taking place throughout the year, commissioners asked about what could be done to keep those events there without raising the rates.
Ector County Attorney Lee McLendon said the commissioners could put restrictions in the contract that would limit how much contracts could increase and those restrictions would be honored if it was flipped in five years.
The commissioner's court voted on June 28 to extend one year contracts to Odessa Concessions Inc. and Jackalopes Holding LLC.
Simmons said the next step is to receive the interested company's official offer. He said the county doesn't have to accept any offer and he said now that J.L. Herriage/Copper Key Realty is their broker that other companies could submit offers.
"It depends about their response and if there is anyone else out there," Simmons said.
Gardner hopes a by-product of opening discussion about the coliseum and that people see a need for renovations to the facility.
"Maybe this will bring awareness to people because there are a lot of people that don't want to get rid of the coliseum, but if we start talking issuing bonds what reaction is that going to get from people," Gardner said. "... That building is 67 years old. When a building gets that old, it needs some things. We could go through and see some things."
The commissioners also approved the Ector County Library to modify hours, new strategic plan and the implementation of TikTok for library social media.
Ector County Library Director Howard Marks told commissioners library hours would change to 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
The court also:
>> Re-appoinedt Commissioner Mike Gardner to the 911 Emergency Communication District of Ector County to be effective from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2024, and authorize the County Judge to sign.
>> Approved Betenbough Homes regarding a subdivision that they are considering building.
>> Approved the sale by auction of assets and other items on the attached lists and take any further discussion or action deemed necessary.
>> Approved an update SOV (Statement of Values) for submission to Travelers Insurance Group in partnership with USI Insurance Services and authorize the County Judge to sign.
>> Approved the appointment of Judges and Co-Judges for 2021 — 2023 and the appointment of Early Voting Clerks and Ballot Board for 2022 — 2023.
>> Approved a new, enhanced multi-year software subscription purchase agreement for SirsiDynix, and authorize the County Judge to sign.
>> Approved Amendment #8 to the Contract with Vector Fleet Management and to renew the contract for the Fiscal Year 2022 — 2023, and authorize the County Judge to sign.
>> Approved the Amendment to Food Service for the Adult and Juvenile Detention Centers, and authorize the County Judge and other County Officials and employees to sign all documents associated with this agenda item.
>> Approved a request to hire 2 ADA at a Step 5 and a Step 7.
>> Approved vacating TTF Ranch Estates 3rd Filing 21.55 acres located in Section 26, Block 44, T-2-S, T&P RR Co. Survey, Ector County, Texas and approving TTF Ranch Estates, Corrected 2nd Filing 21.55 acres located in Section 26, Block 44, T-2-S, T&P RR Co. Survey, Ector County, Texas (Precinct 4) and authorize the County Judge to sign.
>> Approved proposed Consent Agenda: Approved a line item transfer to General Fund, Library, Educational Travel, 001-690-5161 from Periodicals/Microfilm 001-690-5200 for $1,000.
>> Approved a budget amendment to General Fund, Library, Departmental Furniture & Equipment, 001-690-5199 and to Donated Revenues, 001-4171 for $8,000.
>> Approved a budget amendment to General Fund, Health Department, Motor Vehicle Repairs & Maintenance, 001-470-5251 from Unreserved Fund Balance, 001-3310 for $4,500.
>> Approved the present the County Judge's Proposed 2022- 2023 Budget for public inspection and review.
>> Approved the Accounts Payable Fund Requirements Report for July 26, 2022, to review County financial statements and reports.
