Hire Mark Houser of Equity One.
That’s what McHenry County College did for its new baseball stadium and health and fitness center.
It’s old news that Houser’s $70,000 consulting contract study convinced McHenry County College to build a baseball stadium. I’ve asked four times for the study through Freedom of Information requests and been turned down every time.
Apparently, when a junior college wants to spend $35 million the reasons why don’t have to be shared with the public.
People might ask inconvenient questions.
Considering that the MCC Board gave Houser complete control over the project with this paragraph:
At the completion of the feasibility study and independent review, if the College elects to proceed with the project, the College will contract with EquityOne or it’s (sic) assigns to develop the project on the College’s behalf.
The college decided to proceed with the project. We don’t know why, but it did.
And, it gave Houser up to a $470,000 contract to develop it.
It may have had another purpose.
To hide information that otherwise would have been public.
In a Freedom of Information request filed August 10th, I asked for “documents provided to the college by Peter Heitman or his organization, Bill Lee, Frontier League, and Mark Houser or his organization.”
Last Wednesday, September 5th, I got my answer (dated August 30th) in the mail.
Here is what I received:
“With regard to your request for information provide to the College by Peter Heitman or his organization, the College asserts that the documents responsive to your FOIC request are exempt from disclosure under Section 7, paragraph (f) of FOIA (5 ILCS 140/7(f)).”
Although Houser’s $70,000 contract was not signed until September 26, 2006, he sent a a September 18, 2006, to Deb Patrton with a copy to Pete Heitman (the baseball team promoter):
“Hi Deb:
“I’ve attached the charette agenda for your file. Jeff and Mike have already commented that the agenda is way more time than we need so please disregard the agenda for now. I have also canceled the conference call for tomorrow. I will coordinate with Jeff, James, Pete, Mike and Dennis and keep you up to speed on our progress.
“Call or email me if you have any questions.
“Mark”
Houser and Heitman are identified on the attached agenda as both being from EquityOne Sports.
Other participants listed are Dr. Deborah Patton from MCC, James McDonough from Legat, Michael Baumstark from Cornerstone, Larry Ward and Charles Dumlop from RSC, Joe Like from the MCC Foundation
March 13, 2007, an email was sent from Houser to Len Walker:
“Hi Len,
“Here’s the information on myself you requested. Mike Baumstark from Cornerstone Architects will be contacting you regarding site plans and elevations.
“Let me know if you need anything else.
“Mark”
There’s some Houser biographic and work data, plus an 8 by 10 copy of a photograph.
As nearly as I can figure out, Cornerstone did not have a contract until the last part of May, 2006.
May 11, 2007 an email from MCC Fitness Center Director Bill Allerheilligen to Houser is included asking,
”Mark, do you have information on what expenses were allotted for the Fitness Center? By offices, reception, testing and exercise equipment?”
No reply was included in the small packet of information provided.
July 18, 2007, Houser sends an email to Ronald Ally about his “Invoice for HWAC Design Work.”
“Hi Ron,
“I’ve attached an invoice for the design work done on the HWAC in May and June per the agreement between MCC and EquityOne Development.
“Let me know if you have any questions or comments.
“Thanks,
“Mark”
July 24, 2007, Ronald Ally emails Houser the following:
“I tried to call the number you left for me yesterday, but it sounded like a fax machine. I am approving your payment request.
“Ron”
There’s also an invoice to Ronald Alley “for HWAC Design Work,” dated July 18. 2007.
$50,000 for “Work performed during the month of May, 2007” and $120,000 for June’s.
$170,000 in all.
No hours listed.
No rate.
Pay it late and the invoice says there will be “a service charge of 1.5% per month.”
At least there’s a
THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS!
on the bottom
There’s also some Houser biographic and work data, plus an 8 by 10 copy of a photograph.
For Bill Lee and the Frontier League, I was sent a copy of the 2006 handbook. I shall re-cycle it in my computer printer.