Stan Lockhart, director of government affairs for IM Flash and a state GOP leader, said he's impressed with Broadweave, but he wanted to know what would happen "if things went south" and Broadweave had to abandon its plans.

City Attorney Ryan Wood said the city would get the asset back as well as the $6 million guaranteed by Sorenson Capital.

Clark responded, saying the company should back the guarantee letter for at least $40 million. "Six million is peanuts," he said.

Clark turned to Steve Christensen, CEO of Broadweave, and said: "I don't think that any of us really believe you'll fail ... the question is why aren't you willing to put any money into this deal? I mean, cash to the city."

Christensen said there's a fallacy in that statement. He said the company and the city came up with a model to release the city from financial liability while freeing Broadweave to invest its money in what matters.

"It gives us the ability to invest in what really counts," he said. "And what counts is getting customers."

City Councilman George Stewart said he's less interested in how much cash is going to the city as he's concerned with how successful the company becomes.

"I would rather have them put money into the system and be successful," he said.

Clark said he thinks the city painted itself in a corner because it didn't send out an RFP specifically asking for companies to bid on iProvo.

"Why have we not allowed others to bid on this?" he asked.

Stewart said the city received about six responses from companies offering to privatize iProvo when the city sent out its Requests For Proposals (RFP) in April 2007, and they chose Broadweave. He also said it's not common practice to put a business up for public sale because that impacts the business' value.

"It just isn't done," he said.

City Councilman Steve Turley also asked Christensen about Broadweave's customer base of about 1,100. Christensen did concede the company was going to experience substantial growth when it assumes command of a network with 10,000-plus subscribers, but he said he thinks Broadweave has proven its ability to manage networks.

"What we've done is we've created an amazing platform," he said.

Clark repeatedly asked to know what Broadweave is worth. Christensen declined to answer, but said Sorenson Capital recently announced it would pump $400 million into various enterprises, including Broadweave.

Committee members also asked to find out what will be the fate of Veracity and MStar. The firms reportedly owe the city $950,000.

Christensen said that announcement is forthcoming.

Christensen said he wasn't expecting so many hard questions.

"Now I feel like I'm in an impeachment hearing," he said.

Despite the hardballs, committee members repeatedly expressed confidence in Broadweave.

"We want you to succeed," Lockhart said.

"We're just doing our job," Utah County Commissioner Steve White added.

The City Council will review the proposal to sell iProvo in a study session 5:30 p.m. tonight in the council chambers at 351 W. Center.

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E-mail: jdana@desnews.com