MLB: Oakland City Council approves own term sheet for Howard Terminal stadium after testy exchange with A’s president

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) — The Oakland City Council has voted to pass their own term sheet to continue negotiations with the A’s for a new stadium at Howard Terminal.

Now, it’s up to team officials to decide if they would like to move forward with the city’s plan.

Mayor Libby Schaaf, Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas and Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan released the joint statement below after the council’s vote:

“Today’s vote by the City Council marks a milestone in our mission to keep the A’s rooted in Oakland and build a world-class waterfront ballpark district that will benefit the community for generations to come.

Based on our extensive negotiations, shared values and shared vision, we believe the A’s can and should agree to the terms approved by the City Council today. This is the path to keeping the A’s Rooted in Oakland in a way that protects our Port and tax payers and will produce the benefits our community demands and deserves.

We look forward to continue working with the A’s to address their remaining concerns and to focus now on developing a final Environmental Report and binding Development Agreement that address the complex details of this visionary project.”

VIDEO: A’s president Dave Kaval says July 20 vote is ‘last at-bat’ for team in Oakland

If the Athletics were to depart the city of Oakland, it would leave the town as a professional sports desert, once a thriving symbol of passionate neighborhood fandom.

“I grew up, I have gone to games at this stadium since I was a little girl,” said longtime A’s fan Rhonda Morris. “It hurts my heart deeply. I was in high school when the Raiders left and I was here when they came back. Envisioning Oakland without a sports team is not even something I can imagine.”

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One key sticking point in the negotiating process has been who fronts the bill. The A’s have called for the city to pay $855 million using taxes generated from the project, which city leaders have stood against.

Another proposed idea is to rebuild at the current site of the Oakland Coliseum. It would be a cheaper alternative and would help avoid using taxpayer money, which the city has said it does not want to do. Conversely, the Oakland A’s leadership has said they much prefer the Howard Terminal ballpark site.

VIDEO: ‘Where they belong’: Bay Area sports fans make it known, they want A’s to stay in Oakland