Sam officially resigned as Vera's Chief of Staff on August 15, 2003.

Two days earlier, on August 13, 2003 the below Agenda Items came before City Council:

*953-1 Adopt findings to approve an alternative contracting process and create an exemption to the competitive bidding of ORS Chapter 279 for the Marquam Hill Aerial Tram Project General Construction and Tramway Equipment Procurement (Ordinance 177795)

*958 Authorize agreement with Portland Aerial Transportation, Inc. for design, project management and expert tram advisory services for the Marquam Hill Aerial Tram (Ordinance 177797).

A cynic might argue THE FIX was already in, and that Sam was an integral part of creating the multi-party quasi-governmental quagmire that he's now sinking into.