Councilors Question Casino Host City Agreement

It's a safe bet casino talks will continue for months in New Bedford.

The City Council is concerned with the Host Community Agreement between the city and developers KG Urban Enterprises.

Ward Six Councilor Joe Lopes filed a motion Thursday asking the mayor's negotiating team meet with the Committee on Finance to go over the details of the agreement.

Lopes wants to ensure transparency when it comes to payments to the city.

Lopes says the current agreement has KG Urban paying Mayor Jon Mitchell's office over $4 million up front, which could be spent in any way the mayor chooses.

Councilor at Large David Alves would like to know how the deal was reached, but isn't too concerned with the details just yet.

Alves says the terms aren't even close to being set in stone yet and has full confidence in the state Gaming Commission to weed out any issues.

He also noted that he doesn't even believe Mitchell will be mayor if and when a casino is built.

Lopes is the chairman of the Committee on Finance and plans to set aside a special meeting for discussions.

Also during the meeting, the Council took the first steps on a future citywide referendum on the future waterfront casino. They essentially gave Mayor Mitchell the go-ahead to plan a ballot question once the Gaming Commission sets a time frame for the vote.