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.. . e fees for movie theaters and it was felt that would be very unpopular. Ms. Wooten said she was concerned about adding fees to ticket prices for use of the small hall in the Performing Arts Center by local groups. She said she had also proposed to the task force that a ticket user fee be placed on all events in the city with attendances of over 2,000, including events at the University. She said she agreed the Eugene/Springfield Convention Bureau needed additional funding; however, she was concerned whether the funding would support conferences in the City Center or if it would also involve those at the Convention Center at the Fairgrounds. Ms. Smith said support for the City's Conference Center would be a separate proposal, and that the room tax money from the Hilton Hotel would be designated specifically for the City's Conference Center. Mr. Obie said the goal was not to build a conference center but to provide jobs and funding for local cultural activities. Ms. Wooten agreed but poi nted out the projected operating deficit of the Conference Center and said the more that deficit could be reduced, the more funds would be available for other cultural activities. Mr. Gleason said further discussions with Lane County regarding alternatives for support of both conference centers would be appropriate. Ms. Schue asked if there were any current admission taxes at the State or Federal level. She felt the task force should explore the possibility of such a tax for the City. Mayor Keller asked if Portland had an amusement tax. Ms. Smith said Portland charged a patron fee for their performing arts center but she didn't know if it applied to any other facility. Ms. Miller said she felt all the proposals were feasible and it was important to e keep the focus on economic diversification. She said for the most part she did not favor earmarked taxes and believed they had disadvantages as a system of taxation; however, this may be what is needed to support these activities. She suggested the task force consider some form of sliding scale on the restaurant tax for smaller restaurants or an exemption for those which do not sell liquor. Mr. Gleason commented that one-half of one percent on a $30 meal was only 15 cents, so the impact on smaller restaurants may not be great. Mr. Lindberg was concerned about accounting costs for the smaller restaurants. Ms. Smith said information provided indicated this would not be an unmanagable task. She said for purposes of simplicity, a one percent tax might be better. Mr. Hamel asked about the legal ramifications of earmarking the room tax from the Hilton Hotel for the Conference Center. Ms. Smith said the City's portion of the room tax was already so designated as part of the contract agreement. Mayor Keller said an increase in the room tax was a viable alternative; however, the hotels and motels were tired of being singled out for support of these activities. He agreed it was time to make a decision on the alternatives. He asked about discussions with the Convention Bureau. Ms. Smith said the Convention Bureau wished the cities of Eugene and Springfield to establish tourism as a high priority in an economic development program. Mayor Ke 11 er also asked about discussions with Lane County. Ms. Smith said the task force had not met with the County although Dick Reynolds had met with George Morgan, Lane County General Administrator. Mr. Gleason said Mr. Reynolds had been working with the Convention Bureau, the Fair Board, the County Commissioners, -- and hotel-motel owners in promoting Eugene as a destination point. MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 13, 1981 Page 4