CC Minutes - 06/13/05 Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilor Kelly said he was a "long way" from being able to support the amendment. He thought it important to look at the panoply of requests and determine which ones deserved funding. He was "dumbfounded" that the proposal had not been brought to the Budget Committee. He agreed that it was an important program in tough financial straits, but he averred one could say this about many youth-oriented programs in the community. Councilor Taylor opposed the amendment. She cited a number of items that were not being funded or funded adequately, such as the Sister Cities Program and various arts programs. She wished to give money to Community Television, which provided opportunities for youth as well, but was not able to do so. In response to a question from Councilor Bettman, Ms. Jones said she received requests for funding from various arts organizations, one of which did receive some money through the budget process, and the YMCA, among others. Councilor Bettman noted that Arts Umbrella did not receive funding though she considered it a worthy endeavor as it provided many scholarships and taught music to young people. She cited the Whiteaker School which contained a school for autistic children and did not have air conditioning, though it taught through the summer. She opined that Kidsports was not a "faltering program" and that there was a certain inequity and unfairness in bringing this amendment forward at this point. She asked how the citizen Budget Committee members would feel knowing that they did not have an opportunity to present one "worthy entity" or another. She felt that '~just because the executive director of the program happened to be well-connected" he was able to circumvent the process. Councilor Solomon could not argue with any councilors about the process. She wished to point out that she did not receive any emails from Mr. Torrey until nearly the end of the budget process and she was not approached with a figure until after the process was over. She noted that there was unanimous agreement that the program was important and that it had been in the community for a long time, provided memorable experiences, and had taught skills to the City's youth. She stressed that Kidsports was in a big transition period. She averred the program had to repackage itself and had a "great core of folks" taking a hard look at the organization to enable it to move forward. She felt the City's partnership in the process was very important. She pointed out that scholarships were a large part of the Kidsports program and that many of those children receiving such scholarships lived in her ward. Councilor Poling observed that the City had been giving $42,000 for years. He underscored that costs had increased over the years and, with the friendly amendment, the additional $36,000 was a one-time expenditure. He thought it was a worthwhile investment and was inclined to support it primarily because of the "overall good" that Kidsports did throughout the community. Roll call vote; the motion passed, 5:3; councilors Kelly, Bettman, and Taylor voting in opposition. Councilor Kelly conveyed his displeasure with the vote. He hoped the supporters of the amendment would be able to explain to the arts programs why they did not receive a share of the funding. Councilor Pap6 expressed appreciation for the deliberation of the Budget Committee. He called it a '~tough one." He felt steps were being taken to improve public safety with the funding to reinstitute full services of Fire Station #9 and funding for EPD foot and bicycle patrols. He acknowledged that Police Chief Lehner MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 13, 2005 Page 15 Regular Session