Park City purchased a block of the Prospector Square Condos earlier this year and in May notified their tenants they were going to turn the affordable units into housing for their bus drivers. The city gave the tenants until October 31 to move. Melissa Allison reports how one tenant showed up at Thursday’s meeting to tell the city council, on the record, what he thought:
After purchasing the 23 affordable studio apartments in May, the city knew they had a big job ahead of them. The studios had been neglected and everything from plumbing repairs to pest removal was needed.
Unfortunately for the tenants – the city also wanted to clear them out to make room for their transportation employees and gave them notice they had to move out by the end of October.
One of the tenants, 64-year-old Jeff Brueningsen attended Thursday’s meeting and after listening to city staff and council discuss the bond to purchase Treasure Hill for $64 million and pay a social equity convener $100,000, he told council he was running out of time and urged them to make better use of the taxpayers’ money.
“If you can afford to spend $100 million, you certainly could of afforded and can still afford, to make them whole," Brueningsen said. "Maybe put them back, consider compensation and abide by the promises and the rules and the preferences that for the last 10 years, all of the councils wrote, put in the statute - everything - that guaranteed that these people would be safe.”
Brueningsen went on to criticize council when Mayor Andy Beerman told Brueningsen to stay on topic.
“For the last 10 years, all of the councils wrote, put in the statute, everything, that guaranteed that these people would be safe," Brueningsen said. "I think it’s a shameful thing. I think its hateful and heartless…”
“Jeff," Beerman interrupted. "We’re talking about the Treasure Hill bond and you’re really digressing.”
“I’m talking about $100 million that you want to spend," Brueningsen said. "And since you’re bringing it up, it was you who said that I can’t afford $400 in HOA. So if you can afford $100 million…”
“I never said such thing," Beerman denied. "But, I would like you to stay on track and talk about the Treasure bond. You’ll have an opportunity to give more public input if you’d like on other matters.”
“That’s my reference to the Treasure bond," Brueningsen explained. "$100 million and you did say it. I’ll be happy to do whatever kind of lie detector test…it was a Friday after the meeting after you guys cancelled.”
When it was time for public comment as the council considered awarding a $100,000 contract for a social equity convener – Brueningsen addressed council once more telling them the stress he and his neighbors have been subjected to are not indicative of council’s mission for social equity.
“My neighbors, you know, have suffered the most," Brueningsen said. "Sixty-year-old ladies, sick from the stress, just running back and forth to the clinic because of the situation that you put them in and myself, not good for our health. I just think that you’ve expanded inequality and fear and its only gotten worse. And I’d really like to see you save the $100,000 and maybe, if you really want to do social equity – instead of talking about it and spending $100,000 on it. Maybe make these people whole and use $100,000 and give it to the other 22 - I don’t want any but make them whole. Compensate them for the kind of pain and suffering that you’ve put them through.”
He added that he’s been terrified ever since May 10 when the city made their intentions clear.
I’m Melissa Allison, KPCW News.