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Authority appoints Don Burnett as baseball stadium community benefits director after public comment
Summary
The board appointed Don Burnett as the community benefits director for the baseball stadium oversight committee; a public speaker said she had been disqualified from consideration because of involvement during SB1 legislative sessions and staff responded on the record.
The Las Vegas Stadium Authority on May 22 appointed Don Burnett as the community benefits director to advise the baseball stadium community oversight committee and monitor compliance with the board‑approved community benefits agreement.
Staff said it posted an application of interest on March 18 and accepted applications through April 5. After consulting with the oversight committee chair, staff recommended Burnett, a former Clark County manager. Dr. DeRionne Pollard, chair of the oversight committee, interviewed Burnett and provided an endorsement through staff, the presentation said.
During the meeting’s public comment period, Yolanda King Branch told the board she wished to address agenda item 9 and said she was informed she was not considered for the director role because of her involvement in the special legislative session on Senate Bill 1. King Branch said she met the eligibility requirements described in SB 1 and in the stadium authority’s solicitation of interest, that she is a lifelong Clark County resident, is not and was not employed by Major League Baseball or affiliates, and does not provide goods or services to the stadium project. She said she had recently been appointed as a compliance monitor for the Clark County School District and that her appearances during the legislative session were limited to educating legislators about community benefits agreements and examples nationwide.
Director Rose McKinney James asked staff for comments after the public remarks. Mr. Finger said he had a direct conversation with King Branch and acknowledged she was legally capable; he added staff and the board had considered factors beyond strict legal eligibility. Finger said staff had concerns about a potential conflict of interest based on information it had received and that staff stood by its recommendation of Don Burnett.
The board then voted to appoint Burnett. The motion carried and the appointment was recorded in the minutes.
