05/27/1975 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Art Fairchild, chairman of the Allocation Committee, explained that the Musibians Association had been funded through room tax funds in the past but their program was similar to that proposed by the parks department which seemed to offer more for the money allocated. The Committee, he said, had suggested the Association work out some program in conjunction with the parks department or reduce the number of concerts. However, because the musicians were pro- fessional people they hesitated committing their groups to only one or two concerts during the summer. -- Assistant Manager said staff felt individual requests should stand on their own merits, and since no one was present to speak for the Musicians, he sug- gested the Council might want to hear from them at the May 27 formal meeting. Mr. Murray moved seconded by Mr. Keller to wi thhold action on this request until the May 27 Council meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Comm approve 5/14/75 Mr. Jim Akin, 1500 Norkenzie, president of Musicians Association in Lane and Benton Counties, requested favorable consideration for a series of concerts. "It is a family activity - and it's free", he added. Eugene has a successful concert in the park series. If funded, Parks and Recreation will work with the Musicians Association in sponsoring these concerts within the neighborhood communities. The program under consideration, he added, is not a duplication of any existing program in the city of Eugene. It differs in the makeup of the body, kinds of music and location. The money provided by the city would be matched dollar for dollar by the New York Musical Performers Trust Fund and it falls within room tax guidelines. He further noted they are trying to create an environment for the artist and this is a rather inexpensive way. Mr. Murray moved seconded by Mr. Keller to approve funding the request. Motion carried unanimously. G. Noz.thwest Review, a Ii terary magazine, requested $1,500 to help meet expenses .of publishing its third quarterly issue. Allocation Committee recommended denial on the basis that the publication would reach too few readers locally. e Mike Strelow, managing editor of the Review, explained the magazine reached about 200 to 300 readers locally, more probably, but it was difficult to determine because they 'were placed in schools, libraries, bookstores. He thought the important thing was that the Review brought interviews with prominent authors and their work to the local area. Councilman Keller expressed concern about allocation of local room tax funds for something that reached so few local people. Art Fairchild, Allocation Committee chairman, thought the publication excellent but the Committee doubted that its local value was' high enough to justify funding. Stan Long, assistant city attorney, expressed his view with regard to the bearing this type request had on the scope of what was meant by "cultural" as covered by the charter amendment providing for the transient room tax funds - to be used for cultural, recreational, or tourist oriented activities. In the broadest sense, he said, it could .include a number of ideas~ Or it could be interpreted in light of the source of funds - a tax on transient rooms - and the unofficial commitment to hotel-motel operators at the time of adoption of the amendment that the funds would be used to attract people to Eugene, thereby benefiting the hotel/motel industry. ~ suggested it would be helpful to speak to the intent of the amendment at time of its adoption. MayoI;' Anderson said that although there was no official commitment, it was true that part of the program used in selling the adoption of the room tax was that the funds would be used to attract visitors to the city. Mr.Fairchild noted a number of requests recently from various pUblications as the result of allocating funds to one, and that the issue did need to be more clearly defined. It 22,4: 5/27/75 10