01/28/1991 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e Mr. Boles said it would be useful to review what proportion of the room tax was generated by independent travelers, and how much by conventions. Mr. Nicholson asked if the original intent of the room tax had been to fi- nance construction of the performing arts center. Mr. Mounts explained the purpose of the tax as stated in the Eugene Code. Mr. Nicholson asked how the public had originally perceived the purpose of the room tax. Ms. Bascom said performing arts groups had been the primary motivators for the room tax. Mr. Gleason said the tax was the foundation upon which the campaign for a new performing arts center was based. He said much of the publicity at the time stated that operating costs not covered by ticket re- ceipts could be covered by the room tax. However, he said that by the time the center was actually built, years later, the room tax Subcommittee had allocated the room tax funds in other ways. Mr. Nicholson asked how good faith would mandate that the tax be spent. Mr. Gleason said all the uses of the tax were legal. Mr. Nicholson said it was possible that good faith would limit the uses of the tax more than the word- ing of the City Code. Mr. Gleason said that, due to legal restrictions, it was not possible for municipalities to be specific about the intent of any given measure. He said campaigners tend to set the tone on issues, which is furthered by the media, and it is sometimes difficult to decipher the original intent. Mr. Mounts explained two spreadsheets on the room tax fund--version A, with- out funding for performing arts groups, and version B, with $67,500 in funds for performing arts groups, and a $7,500 addition to the cultural arts pro- gram. Bob Schutz, Director of the Cultural Services Division, detailed expenditures for the room tax for FY91 and projections for FY92. He said performing and cultural arts allocations are determined by the Cultural Arts Committee. In response to a question from Ms. Bascom, Mr. Rutan said the room tax would allocate $65,000 to Hayward Field for the next 20 years, in conjunction with Eugene, Springfield, and Lane County. In response to a question, Mr. Schutz said the Eugene Celebration had not exceeded its room tax budget, even though security costs are higher for years when the weather is good during the celebration, such as this year. Mr. Green said he questioned why the Community Center for the Performing Arts (the WOW Hall) is projected to receive no allocation in FV92. Mr. Schutz explained that $7,500 has been projected as the allocation for the cultural arts in FY92, and the Cultural Affairs Commission may choose to recommend that the WOW Hall be funded, but has not yet recommended an allocation of funds for cultural arts projects. MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 28, 1991 Page 2