The Sun City Strategic Planning Advisory Committee (SPAC) had sent requests to companies for proposals for engineering and design services to evaluate the usage of the common areas within Sun City. At the February 22 Sun City board meeting, a motion was on the agenda for the board to approve an agreement with Teska Associates for such services.
The cost of the Teska agreement for their services was quoted at $40,000. When asked where the money was to pay the $40,000, Board Treasurer Jim Sanecki replied, “It’s not in the budget.”
Among the goals assigned to SPAC is the evaluation of the current usage of the community’s common area and ideas for either repurposing existing areas or designing usage for areas that are not in use.
SPAC received two responses to their requests for proposals. The two responses were from Teska and Hitchcock Designs. Hitchcock was involved in the initial Sun City planning with Del Webb. SPAC determined that the Teska proposal was more complete than the one offered by Hitchcock.
My Sun Day News requested a copy of the Teska proposal from board President Russ Howard. He responded by referring the request to Kathy O’Toole, Assistant Executive Director.
She replied, “Information as it pertains to consulting contracts are not available to the community. You may submit a written Records Request, however, this information would not fall under the scope of records that may be requested.”
My Sun Day News asked why the proposal is confidential since it’s not available to the community. O’Toole responded, “Here’s a link to the Records Request Form. It states, ‘upon submitting a specific and particular proper purpose, contracts in effect to which the association is a party or unto which the association or unit owners have obligations.’”
O’Toole responded later, “At the February 22 Board Meeting, the Board approved the motion for the Executive Director to execute the contract with Teska Associates. Teska was approved to provide recommendations based on the Associations vision of the future and the strategic plan. We will provide you a copy of the contract with Teska Associates once it has been executed.”
