01/31/1990 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e charge fees for a building permit is regulated by the State; the City is currently at this ceiling. There is a process to go above this ceiling which requires a public hearing in Salem. Responding to a question, Mr. Eveleth said that in order for an inspector to do more than one type of inspection, he or she would need additional certification; such a certification plan is currently being instituted and many of the field inspectors can perform more than one specialty code inspection. IV. CULTURAL SERVICES FUNDING Ms. Bascom reminded councilors that at their January 22 discussion of funding for cultural services, unanimous agreement was not obtained on the source of funding increase. She emphasized the importance of addressing this issue today. This new proposal submitted by the Ad Hoc Arts Funding Committee is attempting to address Mr. Rutan's concern for networking with other groups in proposing a room tax increase, Mr. Boles's concern for broader support for a variety of quality of life issues, and Mr. Bennett's concern for a broad framework under which arts fund monies will be spent. Mr. Holmer noted that the proposal in the packet neglected to provide for a 9:1 division of support to include the Cultural Arts program which is administered by the commission through the Lane Regional Arts Council (LRAC) as well as the performing arts. He underscored the importance of this type of visible, direct City support for the arts groups. Mr. Holmer moved, seconded by Ms. Bascom, that the council urge the City Manager to include in his budget for FY91 recommendations for allocation to the major local performing arts organizations of approximately 90 percent of the amount by which the transient room tax revenues for FY90 exceed the estimates in the original budget for FY90, and that 10 percent of that amount be allocated to increased support of the Cultural Arts program; and that the sums approved in the FY91 budget be allocated in accord with criteria developed by the Cultural Affairs Commission and approved by the City Council. Mr. Rutan commended the committee on submitting an excellent proposal that he can support. He pointed out that that the transient room tax revenues are currently running approximately 13.8 percent ahead of last year, and although it is likely that this pattern will continue, there is no guarantee. He underscored the importance of arts to our community. Mr. Boles said that although he will support this proposal, this type of allocation to the arts does a disservice to non-performing arts groups as well as to Eugene as a whole. He said that the best program for economic diversification must include support for cultural, leisure, arts, sports, and science programs as a package. He also suggested a 10-year sunset, 5-percent restaurant tax which will raise a minimum of $40,000. MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 31, 1990 Page 5