All contractors working on projects for the city’s economic development corporation face a payment hold until the city approves a new board for the corporation. This includes work for almost a dozen projects valued at approximately $15.7 million. Board member terms recently expired, leaving the EDC unable to function.
Mayor Johnny Isbell deferred presenting nominations to city council until after two-year terms for all board members had expired. In an email, the mayor’s office stated that he mistakenly thought the terms expired later in March.
The EDC, known as Pasadena Second Century, has been a contentious issue for Pasadena City Council. The corporation was accused of violating the Texas Open Meetings Act after a series of back-to-back meetings with contractors in November. The EDC reportedly did not give public notice about the meetings and is currently under review by the Harris County District Attorney’s office.
Pasadena City Council also had to recently approve an emergency $1 million loan to stave off the near-collapse of the Pasadena Second Century. High-profile project failures and reported disappointment from City Council about the corporation’s work have led council members to accuse the board of mismanagement.
Source: MySanAntonio.com, “Work halts on Pasadena EDC projects after board loses its members,” by Kristi Nix, March 15, 2017.