03/17/1986 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e Mr. McKinley said projected, available revenue is available for projects in the first three years of the CIP if the strategy to increase user fees and to incrementally transfer delinquent property taxes to the CIP fund is imple- mented. Funds have not been identified for projects in the last seven years of the CIP. Mayor Obie opened the public hearing. John Bauguess, 364 East Broadway #11, said he was amazed to see that the CIP indicates that $721,000 from the General Fund will be used for capital projects at the Hult Center. He said $500,000 will probably be spent from the General Fund for operational costs of the Hult Center. He said the campaign which promoted the bond levy for the Hult Center claimed that private donations and the room tax would pay for its operation, but the Hult Center now competes with other City services for funds. He wondered where the City will find the money for Hult Center CIP projects such as the construction of permanent concession stands. e Mr. Bauguess referred to a February 20, 1984, memo to Dick Reynolds from David Pelletier. Mr. Bauguess said the memo indicated that the Hult Center is shifting to the east, an elevator is not flush with the floor, there is movement in the lobby roof supports, there are cracks in the junctions of steel inserts, there is bowing and torqueing near the roof, and new leaks appear in the building. He said a dangerous and life-threatening condition may exist if the building continues to deteriorate. Mr. Bauguess urged the council to consider the public's safety in the Hult Center. Mary Bentsen, 950 West 16th, said the Hult Center has become a City department called the Performing Arts Department. She said this is a time of declining revenues, and Eugeneans have suffered. They are struggling to pay taxes. She said locally generated revenues are decreasing and revenues from the Federal government will end. She said, liThe pie is getting smaller," but another slice is being cut which competes with established departments. Ms. Bentsen said it would not be wise to approve the CIP projects for the Hult Center. She said the promotion for the bond levy assured citizens that the operating expenses would be financed by the Performing Arts Commission and the Performing Arts Foundation, but money in the General Fund was used for some of the Hult Center operating expenses last year. She said her fears are coming true because the General Fund will be used again this year for the operating expenses and the CIP indicates capital improvements in the Hult Center will also be funded by the City. She said, "0nce the nose of the camel is under the tent, it wi 11 soon take over. II Ms. Bentsen said including Hult Center expenses in the Cityls budget will disrupt all City services. She said questions about financing the Hult Center have not been included in questionnaires the council has sent to citizens. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 17, 1986 Page 2