05/27/1975 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e - Councilman Murray asked if the commitment to hotel/motel operators was ever interpreted to provide the funds to tourist related activities to the exclu- sion of any other cultural form. Councilwoman Beal and Mayor Anderson, both members of the Council when the- amendment was adopted, said there was no such commitment to the exclusion of other cultural forms. Mrs. Baal said however that there was the feeling the funds should be used to help thoSQ directly in- volved with the tax. The primary objective at that time, she said, was to help fund the auditorium. Mr. Anderson added that although there was no commitment, there was an understanding in terms of the kind of publicity put out that this money would go back to the hotpl/motel industry. He pointed out that a lot of exclusions could be attached, not only publications, but also other types of activities. Mr. Murray moved seconded by Mrs. Beal to approve the allocation of $1,500 to the Northwest Review. Comm approve 5/14/75 In making the motion, Mr. Murray said that because of previous allocations for various types of cultural and recreational activities he was not uncom- fortable funding this request just because it was not specifically tourist related. Also, he thought that not only was the "written form" a cultural activity and appropriate but that the "written word," the primary depository human culture, was a diminiShing art form. He didn't think things cultural could be measured by numbers, calling attention to funding of a number of activities serving numbers no greater than did the Northwest Review. of all Councilwoman Beal considered the Reveiw an unusual magazine with a high reputation beyond this immediate area that would enhance the picture of Eugene as a place not without culture and things to offer in all the arts. Mayor Anderson had no disagreement with the quality of the magazine, but he found it difficult in looking back at the time of adoption of the tax to con- sider this publication as a logical outlet for the funds. He noted one of the problems of governmental bodies was making statements about programs in attempting to "put them across," then gradually taking a different course after adoption so that the entire original intent eventually is lost. AL- though this was a worthwhile project, he said, he could not conscientiously support funding it from room tax funds in light of statements made when the room tax amendment was adopted. Councilman Keller concurred in the Mayor's remarks and added that the Review appeared to serve a very small portion of "average America," almost a special interest group. He was also concerned that no benefit would be seen in Eugene, other than its being published here. He said he couldn't support the allocation because it was not in line with intent of the room tax amendment. Councilman Murray_disagreed, saying an informal point of persuasion should not forever take priority over other considerations. If that unofficial commit- ment [to return room tax funds to tourist related activities] was going to be law, he said, it should have been written into the law. Mayor Anderson noted the precedent that would be established, pointing out that a number of publications in the community may be identified with cultural activities and in need of subsidy. Councilman Williams shared the concern of precedent, saying it would be a difficult question to address in the future. In a broader sense, he said, he didn't believe every allocation had to be for tourist related activities. But in looking at cultural events he felt there was some obligation to categorize those activities benefiting the citizenry at large because they enjoyed them or at least because they came in contact with culture never before encountered in contrast to this particular program which seemed to serve a very specialized interest group. Councilman Murray countered that many programs not fitting that description had been funded. 2..~~ 5/27/75 11