The mayor introduced the panel yesterday (THURSDAY) in Old Sacramento … and charged them with reviewing and recommending proposals to build a new basketball arena. Co-chair Chris Lehane is a Democratic strategist who worked in Bill Clinton’s White House. He says the task force will examine any arena proposals through a Sacramento lens.
Lehane: “Probably the end of December, applications will come in. And then at that point, we’ll begin a process of rigorous review of those various proposals. I think we anticipate at least a couple coming in – anywhere from two to potentially even more.” (0:13)
The task force plans to release some details on the proposals and hold public meetings … then recommend any strong ones to the mayor and city council.
The task force also includes one of the mayor’s top political advisors, Adam Mendelsohn.
Task Force Members:
Chris Lehane, partner in the California based public relations firm Fabiani & Lehane, former Special Assistant Council to President Clinton and press secretary to Vice President Al Gore
Lina Fat, of Fat Family Restaurants in Sacramento
Dorene Dominguez, president and chair of Vanir Group, a construction group specializing in real estate development
Tom Friery, former Treasurer for the City of Sacramento
Mark T. Harris, Principal and Managing Partner for the Pineapple Group in Sacramento, and former Deputy Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Commerce
Dea Spanos Berberian, Vice President for A.G. Spanos Companies, a Stockton-based construction and land development firm
Ron Tom, a lobbyist for Governmental Advocates in Sacramento
Larry Kelley, President of McClellan Park, the group that converted McClellan Air Force Base
Matt Kelly, Executive Secretary for the Sacramento-Sierra Building and Construction Trades Council
Mike Kvarme, attorney and senior shareholder with the Sacramento law firm Weintraub Genshlea Chediak
Adam Mendelsohn, Partner at Mercury Public Affairs and former Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Schwarzenegger
Dan Meis, Managing Partner with the architectural firm Aedas Sport of Los Angeles