Taseko Mines Ltd T.TKO

Town of Florence meeting again...today regarding FC

[Spec7777]

https://www.florenceaz.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/March-31-2021-Agenda-E-Session.pdf

TOWN OF FLORENCE SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA Mayor Tara Walter Vice-Mayor Michelle Cordes Councilmember Kristen Rodriguez Councilmember Judy Hughes Councilmember Arthur Neal Councilmember Johnie Mendoza Wednesday, March 31, 2021 Florence Town Hall 775 N. Main Street Florence, AZ 85132 [phone] www.florenceaz.gov Meet 1st and 3rd Mondays 6:00 PM ___________________________________________________________________________ Pursuant to A.R.S. § 38-431.02, notice is hereby given to the Town of Florence Council and to the general public that a Special Meeting of the Florence Town Council will be held on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, at 6:00 p.m., in the Florence Town Council Chambers, located at 775 N. Main Street, Florence, Arizona. SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING PUBLIC MEETINGS Due to the risks to public health caused by the possible spread of the COVID-19 virus at public gatherings, the Town of Florence has authorized attendance through technological means. In reliance on, and in compliance with, the March 13, 2020 Opinion issued by Attorney General Mark Brnovich, and in conjunction with the Emergency Proclamation signed by Mayor Tara Walter, on March 18, 2020. Executive Sessions are not open to the public; therefore, a Zoom link has not been provided. The agenda for this meeting is as follows: 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL: Tara Walter, Michelle Cordes, John Anderson, Kristen Rodriguez, Judy Hughes, Arthur Neal, Johnie Mendoza 3. ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION For the purposes of discussions or consultations with designated representatives of the public body and/or legal counsel pursuant to A.R.S. Sections 38-431.03 (A)(3), (A)(4) to consider its position and instruct its representatives and/or attorneys regarding: 1. Pending litigation in Maricopa County Superior Court: Town of Florence v. Florence Copper, Inc. CV2015-000325, including counterclaims and appeal, Case No. 1 CACV 19-0504. 2. The Towns’ May 5, 2020 Petition to Revoke or Revise the Aquifer Exemption Granted to Florence Copper, Inc. 4. ADJOURNMENT FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION 5. ADJOURNMENT One or more members of Council may appear for part or all of the meeting including Executive Session telephonically. POSTED ON MARCH 30, 2021, BY LISA GARCIA, TOWN CLERK, AT 775 NORTH MAIN STREET, FLORENCE, ARIZONA, AND AT WWW.FLORENCEAZ.GOV. ***PURSUANT TO TITLE II OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA), THE TOWN OF FLORENCE DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY REGARDING ADMISSION TO PUBLIC MEETINGS. PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY MAY REQUEST REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS BY CONTACTING THE TOWN OF FLORENCE ADA COORDINATOR, AT [phone] OR 711 TDD. REQUESTS SHOULD BE MADE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE TO ALLOW TIME TO ARRANGE THE ACCOMMODATION.

[Spec7777]

It is a special meeting with executive closed door session to discuss "pending litigation"...anyone know what that is about?  They state it is a public meeting, but in reality it is not.

[JoeStockIQ]

They are more than likely meeting to try and figure out where they're going to find the money to pay Taseko's legal fees they owe. 

[Spec7777]

@Joe, yes, I thought about that as well....and it makes absolute sense; however, the "pending litigation" was news to me.  Appeals are generally speaking the last word...unless they go for a state Supreme Court-type ruling.  Since they are doing this in "secret squirrel" fashion...i.e. executive session, I guess we won't be finding out unless they issue a press

[nofluff]

I could not decipher with clarity. But I think there is another corp being reviewed. They have to look at there obligations to flor. Woukd they really want to spend more cash fighting judgment. nf

[Spec7777]

@NF, this is just about Florence.  No other corporation was mentioned.  I do believe that they are going to discuss the way forward.  I recently read the history of the subdivision that was built over the area where Taseko proposes to mine.  All comments about the new council being in total favor of Florence aside, from what I can gather the residents of the subdivision are not

[JCSunsfan]

The discussion on the agenda is only about Florence and only about the case where judgment has already been handed down.  My guess is the "pending" litigation is a clerical error in the way it is stated. This thing is done.  They lost.  They now have to figure out where to come up with $1.7 million to pay Taseko.  If they are smart, they will negotiate.  Maybe

[JCSunsfan]

What are you talking about?  There is no subdivision built within 1.5 miles of FC.  There was no subdivision built over the property FC is mining.  SWVP bought land and wanted to build a subdivision, betting on the fact that they could get the mine scrapped--maybe even a council member promised it--but there have been no residences built.  I have driven by the property, toured

[nofluff]

The major potion of flor is on patented land in city limits. But no residential subdivision development on that ground. Flor gas no chance for finding more copper on the property. But when rinsing complete. ground is tge same as always. So a few billion in land value. nf

[JCSunsfan]

Yes.  And all that land is owned outright by Florence Copper.  No leases, or just mineral rights on government land.  The Florence Copper site is half way between the Athem and Merrill Ranch subdivision and the center ot Old Town Florence.  This land is hugely valuable just a development land for industrial, commercial, or residential use.  Because of the lack of invasive

[Spec7777]

@JC - The mineral/mining rights extend into property within the city limits.   "In 2009, Florence Copper acquired 1,200 acres of the planned Merrill Ranch community out of foreclosure, after its previous owner asked the Town to extinguish all mining rights on the land in a 2007 development agreement." https://goldencorridorliving.com/legal-battles-continue-between-town-of

[Spec7777]

Not trying to be argumentative with you guys....full disclosure, I have Taskeo stock in several different accounts.  I could care less whether or not Taseko mines within a planned subdivision as this is not traditional mining and as NF pointed out, it will have no impact on things in years after the mining is complete.  They can build parks, schools, houses, whatever.....it won't be

[JCSunsfan]

Spec.  I know exactly what Merrill Ranch is.  I have toured homes there.  I also know where the Florence Copper property is.  Merrill was a land specualator.  He owned lots of land--vast expanses of desert.  He lost it all in the 2009 banking crisies when the banks came in like vultures and took it all away.  He might have included the Florence property together