Largent to lead Hawkins talks

Despite his objection to Whitman County’s $15 million development agreement with commercial developer Hawkins Companies of Boise, County Commissioner Michael Largent was named Monday to head a committee to negotiate an amendment to the contract.

Commissioners unanimously formed a new committee Monday to talk with Hawkins about amending the Jan. 3 development agreement that is the subject of an injunction suit filed in superior court by the Organization to Void Illegal Conduct.

The “special purpose” committee is led by Largent, with Public Works Director Mark Storey overseeing the work done under the contract, Prosecutor Denis Tracy providing legal review with Administrator Gary Petrovich in charge of financial agreements.

Largent said Tuesday he still feels that agreement, signed with a 2 to 1 majority vote by county commissioners, was a poor decision.

“I still don’t think we as a county should act as a venture capital bank,” said Largent. “But this group gives us an opportunity to talk with Hawkins directly.”

Hawkins proposed changes to the January deal after the lawsuit was filed last spring. The January agreement increased the county’s obligation to pay for infrastructure construction at the 714,000-square-foot shopping center site at the stateline in the Pullman-Moscow corridor to $15 million. The county and Hawkins agreed to a $9 million infrastructure contract in 2008.

Negotiations continued through the summer between Hawkins and special attorneys hired by the county. The county’s side of negotiations was handled by Petrovich, who asked to be removed from that role last month.

“Gary wasn’t a commissioner,” said Commissioner Greg Partch. “So he felt he had no real authority in the negotiations, because everything had to come back to us.”

Partch said Largent was selected to lead talks because he was the only commissioner certain to be in office after Tuesday’s election.

“I’ve been here since the very beginning. I’ve been meeting with Hawkins all along. But, obviously, I’m not going to be here,” said Partch who was ousted from office after losing the three-way primary for the District 1 commissioner seat.

Commissioner Pat O’Neill’s future on the commission was in the hands of the voters Tuesday.

Partch noted Largent’s objection to the January deal, but said he felt that made him an effective choice to work with Hawkins on a contract amendment.

“All three of us are of the same opinion in terms of doing what’s best for the county. We just have different opinions of how to get there,” said Partch.

Part of the drive behind the amendment was alleviating the concerns brought by OVIC in the injunction suit. Commissioners also have previously said they would like the amendment to provide the county more protection from legal recourse if it cannot acquire an acceptable funding source.

Largent noted he would not be making decisions in the negotiations, but would instead be a relay between Hawkins and the whole board of commissioners.

“We’re going to be bringing back the possibilities - or a lack thereof,” said Largent.