Coliseum Authority made a nice third quarter profit

Lawsuit maintains county's 50% sale of Coliseum to A's violated Surplus Lands Act; More Bonta for guv whispers, plus Bonta's U.S. Senate dual endorsement

COUNTY NEWS

COLISEUM JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY

—COLISEUM IN THE BLACK—The Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Joint Powers Authority (JPA), the government body that oversees the stadium and arena complex, is projecting a tidy $4 million budget surplus for the third quarter ending in March.

—The end of the pandemic has been a boon for the Authority as many musical artists clamor to get back on stage in front of packed arenas.

—The surplus comes despite what Coliseum JPA Executive Director Henry Gardner describes as “soaring increases in utility costs,” among other expenses. A $1.25 million rent check from the Oakland Athletics is expected before the end of the current fiscal year on June 30, Gardner said.

—ROOTS IN OAKLAND—The Coliseum Authority will discuss the future of the Oakland Roots and Oakland Soul soccer clubs at the adjoining Malibu site at their May meeting this Friday morning. In Gardner’s executive report he reiterates the Roots’ proposed temporary stadium has operational, management, and security issues still to be worked out.

—One issue is a belief a soccer match cannot run concurrently with an A’s game or other Coliseum/Arena event. Another issue: “Any agreement must not result in any loss of revenues to the [Coliseum Joint Powers Authority],” Gardner wrote.

—If all the issues are resolved in a timely fashion, Roots and Soul soccer could begin play at the Malibu lot starting with the 2024 season, he added.

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

—COLISEUM SURPLUS ACT LAWSUIT—Alameda County and the Oakland Athletics issued responses earlier this month to a lawsuit asserting the county’s sale of its portion of the Coliseum is a violation of the state Surplus Lands Act.

—The lawsuit was filed by Oakland resident Esther Goolsby and Communities for a Better Environment in November 2021.

—The Alameda County Board of Supervisors discussed the lawsuit in closed session on Tuesday, but no action was reported out. Goolsby recently filed an intent to challenge the re-election of Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley…

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