IN HAEC VERBA: COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT Speculator-Developer Demands to Be Relieved of Contractual Obligation to Pay $560,000 for Drainage Improvements -- City of St. Augustine Beach Never Had Copy of Any Franchise Agreement and Speculator-Developer Refuses to Provide It (If One Exists)--

Alas, dear readers, the St. Augustine Record has not reported on this issue.
Wonder why?


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Dear Mayor Snodgrass:
1. The City of St. Augustine Beach (SAB) has never had any verification that there was ever any franchise agreement with Courtyard by Marriott, Mr. Ashdji and Mr. Bhoola (Please see SAB correspondence below, and attachment.)
2. Why?
3. IF there was ever a franchise agreement with Courtyard by Marriott, and IF there still is one today, the people have a Right to Know. Marriott won't respond to my calls and E-mail correspondence. Both Messrs. Bhoola and Ashdji decline to produce any documentation establishing the existence of any franchise agreement. Mr. Bhoola told me that Mr. Ashdji "would have" a copy of any such agreement, a phrase that is pregnant with the admission that Mr. Bhoola does not have a copy of any such agreement).
4. Do you agree that the people have a Right to Know, and without further flummery on the part of the speculator-developer, which is demanding to be relieved of its contractual obligation to pay $560,000 for drainage improvements (which are ongoing now in reliance on its contractual obligation)?
5. If there is no proof that there ever was (or is) a franchise agreement, do you believe that approval of this Planned Unit Development (PUD) was, at best, negligent?
6. Do you agree that rote routine rubberstamping of speculator-developers' desires must never be permitted to happen again in SAB?
7. Do you agree that the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida and the FBI SAC need to know about this situation? Will you make the referral, or will you ask the City Attorney to do so?
8. Will you promise a higher standard of ethics and disclosure from this day forward, including placing speculator-developers and others under oath during all quasi-judicial hearings?
9. Will you support adding a strong Code of Ethics and Disclosure in the City Charter?
10. I look forward to hearing from you today.
What do you reckon?
With kindest regards, I am,
Sincerely yours,
Ed
Ed Slavin
Clean Up St. Augustine
www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com
Box 3084
St. Augustine, Florida 32085-3084
904-377-4998
-----Original Message-----
From: Cathy Benson
To: easlavin
Cc: Max Royle
Sent: Mon, Aug 12, 2013 11:02 am
Subject: FW: Courtyard by Marriott franchise agreement

Mr. Slavin,
In response to your records request, we have searched our files, but have not
located any agreement between Mr. Bhoola and Marriott Hotels or between Mr.
Ashdji and Mr. Bhoola. The only tie we have it the attached "Owner Permission"
form, which I doubt is what you were hoping to find. The development agreement
does not require any additional documentation that Mr. Ashdji and/or Mr. Bhoola
are associated with Marriott.


Cathy Benson
Deputy City Clerk
City of St. Augustine Beach
2200 A1A South
St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080
904-471-2122

PLEASE NOTE: Under Florida law, most communications to and from the City are
public records. Your e-mails, including your e-mail address, may be subject to
public disclosure.



-----Original Message-----
From: Max Royle
Sent: Friday, August 09, 2013 4:39 PM
To: Ed Slavin
Cc: Cathy Benson
Subject: RE: Courtyard by Marriott franchise agreement

Mr. Slavin, Do you mean Mr. Bhoola's agreement with Marriott? If so, I don't
think the City has it. I'll ask Ms. Benson on Monday to check the files. Max

-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Slavin [mailto:easlavin@aol.com]
Sent: Friday, August 09, 2013 4:32 PM
To: Max Royle
Cc: Cathy Benson
Subject: Re: Courtyard by Marriott franchise agreement

No. The developer/speculator's agreement with Marriott-- do we have a copy?
Please respond today.


On Aug 9, 2013, at 4:33 PM, Max Royle wrote:

> Mr. Slavin, The City doesn't have a franchise agreement with the owner of the
site for the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel. The City has an approved planned unit
development for the Hotel. If this is what you mean, Ms. Benson on Monday will
research the City's records and provide the information to you. Max
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ed Slavin [mailto:easlavin@aol.com]
> Sent: Friday, August 09, 2013 3:41 PM
> To: Max Royle
> Subject: Courtyard by Marriott franchise agreement
>
> Please send. Thank you.