06/25/1984 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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While he recognized that the Hult Center provided many cultural events, he . stated that other events were available at less cost. He stressed that many residents can not affort the ticket costs of the Hult Center; he added that the City should not subsidize those individuals who could afford the tickets. There being no further te~timony, the public hearing was closed. Responding to questions raised during the testimony, Councilor Wooten stated that the Hult Center Task Force had developed a list of issues to be addressed by the Performing Arts Commission and that the commission had already taken steps in the area of management and ticket prices. She said the task force met with the commission to develop a more cooperative relationship in support of the center and local performing arts groups. She added that Ed Smith, the Acting Director of the Performing Arts Center, was negotiating an expeditied payment schedule with the local performing arts groups to repay past debts; she said she understood that all debts had been paid. In response to a comment regarding the loans to the performing arts groups, Councilor Obie stated that the only loans written off were interfund transfers between City departments. He said Mr. Smith was pursuing the collection of the receivables from prior years. He added that the current policy was that groups will not use the center without paying the current portion of their rent. Regarding the room tax issue, Mr. Obie said that the task force had recommended to the City Council that the room tax recommendation of the Grant study be phased in over five years, the task force hoping that the fund would increase over that period to cover any deficit. Responding to the issue of other revenue sources to support the Hult Center, e Councilor Wooten agreed that the council may wish to consider another revenue source in the future to offset any further deficit. She said that she had suggested that the council propose a restaurant tax for voter approval. In response to a question, Mr. Obie stated that the task force did not endorse that program. Mayor Keller stated that the council will take final action on the FY85 Budget on June 27. He thanked those testifying for their input. He hoped that concerns about the Hult Center will diminish in time. He said he did not understand how individuals could not support the center due to the benefits derived by the community. He felt that the $500,000 used to support the center was incidental to the overall operation of the City. He said that the community should be compassionate to the process. He said he was offended with comments regarding the library and the Eugene Celebration. He felt that individuals believing in the community were responsible for the current progress being made. At 8:16 p.m. the meeting of the Eugene City Council was adjourned to a meeting of the Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Eugene. Mayor Keller opened the meeting. B. Urban Renewal Agency--FY85 Tax Allocation Budget (memo, resolution distributed) Assistant City Manager David Whitlow introduced the agenda item. Financial ~irector Warren Wong presented the staff report, explaining that the budget e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 25, 1984 Page 4