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The Oshkosh Common Council voted Tuesday that Five Rivers must turn in final financial plans to the council by a deadline as a last straw for deliberations on the project.

The vote carried with a four to two outcome since council member Meredith Scheuermann was absent from the meeting, even though she was part of the meeting that initially created the first Term Sheet and brought the issue to Tuesday's agenda.

The Term Sheet is comprised of Common Council-made requirements Five Rivers must follow in order to receive financial aid from the city.

The vote is an amendment of the first Term Sheet and allows for the proposed June 20, 2006 construction start date to be held back until Sept.20, 2006. The compromise is that Doig must turn in complete financial plans to the council by a May 31 deadline.

The compromise came after Doig admitted that original June 20, 2006 construction deadline in the Term Sheet could not be met.

"Development in the central city area would be fantastic, but as we've walked down this road there have been some issues," said mayor Bill Castle. "We'll give him until May 31 to get over these issues or we'll say we're through with you."

The security of benefits to the city over the resorts construction on a TIF district continue to remain unsteady in the eyes of some council members.

Councilor Paul Esslinger , a continuous proponent of TIF districts, expressed dismay over the 27-year payback term for the TIF district thus influencing his 'no' vote for Term Sheet amendment.

Councilor Brian Bain told the meeting that he enthusiastically supported the original Term Sheet but no longer sees support of the project as appropriate.

"I now have serious concerns about this project and the developer , and my confidence is no longer there," he said. "I don't feel like an extra three months will change that."

Though a more leery eye over the future of the project reigned over the council, continued support came from its constant supporters stayed steady.

"We've never had a $60 million dollar plan come to Oshkosh," said council member , Shirley Braubender Mattox. "But I'm willing to give this one more chance."

posted by Oshkosh Music Scene @ 2:08 PM