04/09/1973 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e . . e 'group could decide an issue Would be - undesirible when a major portion of the . voters had already defeated the measure. Also, he felt a special election on I this issue ~uld be inviting a special election on any issue whi.ch" came to' the Council for submission to the voters; it would give the feeling that the voters can decide only one issue at a time. He added that if the measure cannot be delayed until a general election, other issues should be allowed on the same ballot. Councilman Murray was against the concept of a special election for any issue affecting tax monies. He said political consideration was the only jusitifca- tion for treating the auditorium measure separately and that was not adequate. Because of the dissatisfaction of the voters with multi-elections he felt all money issues should be handled at one time. Councilman Hershner advised that his law firm represents the Lane County Auditorium I Association, and for that reason he would abstain from voting. Mrs. Beal moved seconded by Mr. Keller to amend the mption to state that an election would be held on the auditorium issue on May 24, 1973, and if other City matters are ready for submission to the voters at that'time they will also be put on the ballot; if they are not, the auditorium will be the only measure on the ballot. ( Councilwoman Campbell stressed the urgency of gaining a decision'Tn" view_of.."the ~. I V understanding with the Renewal Agency with regard to development of the proposed downtown auditorium site. Bob Thomas of the Renewal Agency said that negotiations on other development and planning for the proposed site in the renewal area are awaiting a decision on location of the auditorium. He said an election on May 24 ~. would give the Agency ample time but it would not be possi'ble to delay beyond about the middle of June. Ed Ragozzino explained LCAA's reasons for requesting a special election. Only by considering it alone and not confusing it with other mo~ey issues can a clear cut anSWer be given as to whether the auditorium is wanted~ He reminded the Council that planning for the project has covered a ten-year period and that no tax monies have been used to this point. He felt the many hours of citizen participation in raising funds for that planning were worth s~ecial qonsideration. Mr. Ragozzino said that LCAA was charged by the Council with the responsibility for making recommendations with regard to an auditorium center, and LCAA's ad- vice from that charge is to allow the issue to be resolved on its own merits at a special election. I " f I , Vote was taken on the amendment. Motion defeated, Councilmen Beal, Williams, and I Keller voting aye; Councilmen Campbell, Murray, and Wood voting no; Councilman , Hershner abstaining. Vote was taken on the main motion as stated. Motion carried, Councilmen Campbell, ** Murray, and Wood and Mayor Anderson voting aye; Councilmen Beal, Williams, and 1 Keller .voting no; Councilman Hershner abstaining. i. __. .,..~ _ ._ ____ _ "~_ Councilman McDanald nated decisians made ta attempt ta~cansalidate' elections and said he felt any bud~et electian shauld be an the ballat the auditarium issue. Dates praposed far halding variaus gavernmental electians were discussed. . Camm 4/4/73 Apprave with agency , *~auncilman Murray asked carrection ,of vote recarded on carmhitteeminutesaf April 4 ta show that he vated "na" an the final illation and that Cauncilman Keller vated"aye". Cauncilwaman Campbell cammented'an the petitian received requesting a special electian an the auditarium'center and the number of people interested in the praject wha have warked on it aver a 10-year periad. She felt the Cauncil wauld have ta take thase facts inta consideratian in cansidering whether ather measures shauld be put an the May 24 ballat.Ed Ragazzina, praject ca-ardinatar far' the auditorium, representing the Lane Caunty Auditorium Associatian' Baard, reparted that a feasibility study ta reflect the audi- tarium"slte impact - dawntawn or Baker Park,-wauld be ready during the , first part ,of May. He presented copies ,of a statement fram the Associatian which he read requesting, a special electian an the auditarium because: The petitiaD requ,esting the election cauld be c0nsidered a ma,ndate ,of the people and nat raised by the LCAA itself; and ,only th~augh ~ vate on.the specific issue ,of the auditorium itself can it be declded wlthaut belng canfused with ather issues whether there is need far such a, facility. Mr. Ragazzino urged the Cauncil to let the auditarium stand alane on the May 24 ballat. . I \O~. " 4/9/7.3 9