04/02/1984 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e The public hearing was opened. Speaking in favor of the task force recommendations: Janet Johnston, 2555 Central Boulevard, stated that the citizens, having voted in 1978 to build the Hult Center, were now being asked to finish the job. She stated that the City had already committed itself to involvement in cultural activities as a City service; therefore, it was necessary and appropriate that General Funds be used to cover the Hult Center1s current operating deficits. Since the Hult Center has become an important part of the community and has brought the City national acclaim, she felt that it was in the best interests of the City to make a long-term investment in the center. She congratulated the task force, the Eugene Arts Foundation, and the City Council for their efforts in facing the issues. She said the decisions made today will determine the future of Eugene1s cultural heritage. She urged the council to support the recommendations of the task force. Carroll D. Fentress, 3883 Blanton Road, speaking as a retired citizen of Eugene, stated that he appreciated the views of Councilors Obie, Wooten, and Hansen. He said the task force was to be commended for its progress. Speaking as an lIunpaid consultant,1I he felt the majority of the citizens of Eugene were generous in their support of public services and art groups. He viewed the Eugene Arts Foundation as a private organization pooling its resources to make Eugene a more desirable place in which to live and work. He said the foundation must continue to be governed by its own rules, stating that any interference with its charter of independence would negatively impact any future donations. He suggested that the council accept the principle of the task force recommendations rather than endorsing each specific item. In addition, he suggested that the council pass a motion of appreciation for the work of the Eugene Arts Foundation. Michael Gravino, 2193-1/2 Alder Street, stated that he would not IIhear, see, or speakll evil of the task force1s recommendations. Jon Pincus, 291 West 8th Avenue, Co-Coordinator of the Community Center for the Performlng Arts, commended the task force in its efforts to view the Hult Center's financial problems in regard to its impact on other arts organizations and City services. Having read the Grant study, he said he had not found the comprehensive analysis expected and was therefore glad that the task force was completing the study. Mr. Pincus said he was disturbed by the recommendations that the room tax be allocated solely to the Hult Center and the Visitor1s and Convention Bureau and that the Eugene Arts Foundation focus only on the residents of the center. He said these recommendations presumed that the Parks and Recreation cultural activites would be absorbed by the General Fund and neglected the other grantees of the EAF. He said that two issues which have surfaced during the discussion were the City's recognition that the health of the arts community includes more than just the Hult Center and the need to maintain the present level of City services. He said it was important to provide a sound financial base for the Hult Center and its resident compan- ies, but he also felt that the resident companies and the community-at-large would have a diminished chance for a healthy future unless a thriving arts community outside the Hult Center can be maintained. He said the Hult Center MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 2, 1984 Page 5