CP Mayor David Uran has to defend himself
By Carrie Napoleon Post-Tribune correspondent August 6, 2012 9:36PM
Updated: September 8, 2012 6:14AM
CROWN POINT — One councilman’s repeated inquiries about how the administration is spending money put the mayor on the offensive Monday.
The backlash erupted after Councilman Bill Feder, D-1, questioned the bidding process for a water utility refinancing effort that would save the city $100,000 over the life of the bond..
Feder said the new amount to be financed was $200,000 over the original $1.85 million amount, implying it would result in substantial fees for the city’s financial planner.
Mayor David Uran said that amount was the interest on the bond to be paid over the life of the loan not fees to be paid to Greg Guerrettaz of Financial Services. Uran said a certain degree of trust should be allowed the professionals hired by the city.
Guerrettaz has been the city’s financial planner for 20 years through multiple administrations. Clerk Treasurer Patti Olson said the council approved a truncated version of the document at the last council meeting, and the current version simply spelled out the details. Feder conceded he misunderstood the document.
Uran accused Feder of raising monetary issues at every council meeting in an effort to create the appearance of an “I gottcha moment.”
“Feder consistently has questions at the council meetings,” Uran said, adding the councilman does not contact his office with questions instead waiting until the meetings to allude to impropriety.
“It’s becoming tiresome,” Uran said.
Councilwoman Laura Sauerman, R-4, came to Feder’s defense saying council members only received the document Friday night after business hours and did not have the time to ask questions before the council meeting, which also riled the mayor, who said he was available to council members off hours if they would just reach out.
“There is no 8 (a.m.) to 4 (p.m.) Make the effort (to reach me). That’s all I ask,” Uran said.
