04/26/1976 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e- e'-/ III-A-7 through III-B-1 e -ii:-Zn-ternationa1 Arboretum AssociatTo~-;$i5, 000 requested, $3,000 recommended -Approve Betty Niven wondered about reduction of the request from the Arboretum Association from $12,000 to $3,000. She wondered what was allocated last year, concerned that they are being somewhat slighted. Mr. Fairchild said that this year their allocation was simply for storage. $15,000 was requested but the Commdttee discovered that an Arboretum specialist would be hired but not until late this year, so it was recommended that $3,000 be granted now and another request made at hiring time. 13. Parks and Recreation Department: Senior Citizens Cultural Arts Festival; $3,000 requested, $3,000 recommended Approve Chi1drens Art Festival; $1500 requested, $1500 recommended Approve Summer Entertainment Series; $1,285 requested, $1,285 recommended Approve Summer Youth Music Program; $2,440 requested, $1,000 recommended Approve 14. Chamber of Commerce; $40,446 requested, $40,446 recommended Approve !~r. Haws fel t there was not a proper ratio between the amount donated from outside sources and the amount of the Room Tax request. Mr. Fairchild responded that the Chamber has been a major recipient of room tax funds and the funds are used for convention promotion. Mr. Haws noted that the guidelines stipulate that applicants must prove they have the ability to generate other funds. Mr. FairChild responded that the Chamber did present a budget, that other funds generated in this instance are through the Chamber itself. Mr. Haws felt seeing that budget first would be preferable. Mayor Anderson said the very nature of the guidelines indicates the broad scope that these expenditures would cover. It comes down to a value judgment and, along with making those judgments,a balance is also hopefully achieved. Additional dollars generated by the Chamber will bring back many dollars which can be spent on activities covered by the room tax fund. Mr. Haws moved second by Mr. Bradley to hold this item over to the May 10, 1976 meeting to give the opportunity for review of further information. Mr. Haws expressed concern about allocating $40,000 in this instance when the average allocation to others was about $5,000. Mr. Murray thought this a critical area of funding. The money was used to generate other funds, he said, and such allocation was the basis for providing the room tax initially. Mayor Anderson said the amount of this allocation was fairly consistent and was used for convention and tourist promotion. He doubted that an examination of the Chamber's budget, as requested by Mr. Haws, would make any difference concerning how the money was used. He pointed out the excellent progr~l presented by the Chamber several months back indicating how the money was used to which Council members were invited, and noted that he and Councilwoman Shirey were the only ones attending. He said the Chamber made an honest effort to present the facts. Mr. Haws said he had another meeting that night, but the Mayor countered that the meeting had been held between 5:00 and 6:30 p.m. '-' Councilman Bradley said he would support the motion to hold over only because he would like to see more information. Vote was taken on the motion Haws and Bradley voting aye; Hame~ and Shirey voting no. to hold over. Motion failed - Council members Council members Keller, Beal, Williams, Murray, 4/26/76 - 19 .133