City Violates Confidentiality Agrmt in Jail Talks

[DowntownNow]

This was posted by the TW late this evening...

County Commissioner Accuses City of Violating Agreement
The city of Tulsa violated a confidentiality agreement when it made public what was discussed in mediation talks with the county over a new jail agreement, County Commissioner John Smaligo said Wednesday.

Smaligo made his remarks on the same day the Tulsa World published an editorial that included details of the talks.

"Obviously the mayor now believes that since the mediation was not successful that she can break the very essence and spirit of the mediation," Smaligo said in a news release. "This will certainly make it gravely more difficult in the future to take the city on its word. At this point, I can't see how moving forward with negotiations with the mayor's office can be of any benefit."

Instead, Smaligo called on the city council to join him in agreeing to enter binding arbitration.

"According to news accounts, Councilor Rick Westcott wisely stated that in his opinion 'a lawsuit is a big mistake.' I agree with Councilor Westcott and ask that he lead the city to this reasonable opportunity to resolve this issue."

The city and county have been negotiating a new city/county jail agreement since March. Two months of mediation ended Sunday without an agreement.

The city has not ruled out legal action.
By KEVIN CANFIELD World Staff Writer

Perhaps its just me but doesnt anyone abide by the meaning of an agreement anymore?  Of course this now makes it more difficult to negotiate...I hope the Council rallies and does what's right to actually negotiate this for the benefit of all parties involved.

[inteller]

hmm...sounds like the city abides by agreements sorta like the TDA.  Now I'm expecting a tearful KKT to show up and say "can't we all just get along?"

[RecycleMichael]

The Tulsa World published details of the discussions they heard from one party. Then the other party went to the Tulsa World and complained that details were in the Tulsa World.

Am I missing something? Both parties are using the Tulsa World to advance their case.

My real question is...how can these discussions not be public from the beginning? How can either party not tell the Tulsa World what is happening when they ask?

[DowntownNow]

Whatever the reasoning why this is being negotiated confidentially, there was still an agreement in place and it was broken.  So what you're saying Michael is its okay for anyone to go against an agreement?  And because Mayor Taylor made details of the negotiations available to the World, Smaligo is wrong for airing his frustrations and disappointment in her doing so against the confidentiality agreement?  The only one responsible for breaking an agreement is the first one who does it...seems pretty clear to me who that is.

[RecycleMichael]

I am not saying that.

One party says it was a confidential agreement to not discuss. I am asking why.

Did a judge order this to be away from public airing? Was this legal to be done away from the press? I have real respect for public negotiations to be done in a transparent manner.

I don't know any more than I have read here and on the Tulsa World. I just think it is
interesting that the Tulsa World is involved in the statements from both sides and are reporting about something that they were not allowed to cover.

I don't have a side in this. I like John Smaligo and Kathy Taylor. I have never set foot in the jail. I do remember that the county wanted the city's support to get into the sales tax business for jail operation and I didn't agree. I like the city to use sales tax and the county to use property tax whenever possible. Call me old-fashioned.