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He said that the City could not afford to take on the responsibility of running the planetarium. He <br />reiterated that if the funding was not forthcoming, the facility would close. <br /> <br />Mr. Pap8 commented that the City had already been very supportive in leasing the facility for one <br />dollar a year. He remarked that the break on rent was a considerable benefit. <br /> <br />Mr. Meisner commented that the funding did not feel like it was appropriate for contingency. He <br />said that he understood the need for the funding. He noted that the applicant had asked for a <br />sum of money that was over the limited allowed. He said that he would not support the proposed <br />funding. <br /> <br />Mr. Kelly said that it was unusual for a city the size of Eugene to have a planetarium. He <br />commented that it was a valuable resource to education and recreation. He said that the council <br />could provide a "bridge" to help the planetarium move to its new location. He added that the <br />funding was clearly only a one-time request. <br /> <br /> Mr. Kelly, seconded by Ms. Taylor, moved to amend the motion by reducing <br /> the funding amount to $5,000. <br /> <br />Mr. Lee appreciated the remarks made by Mr. Meisner, but expressed his concern that without <br />the funding requested, the doors to the facility would close. He noted that he had told the <br />applicant the funding would probably be reduced to $5,000 to comply with council ground rules. <br />He stressed that the planetarium was the only one in the southern Willamette Valley and he could <br />not see the council letting it close. <br /> <br />Mr. Pap8 commented that if southern Willamette Valley was using the facility then the residents of <br />southern Willamette Valley should help with its support. <br /> <br /> The amendment passed unanimously, 8:0. <br /> <br />Ms. Nathanson raised concern that the funding would go to ongoing operations instead of helping <br />the planetarium relocate. She questioned how the school districts were participating in the <br />funding. <br /> <br />Mr. Meisner commented that he had seen no evidence that the planetarium staff had gone to <br />other sources for fund-raising purposes. He said that the City could not rescue every facility <br />without help from its intergovernmental partners. He commented that the City would be facing its <br />own financial emergencies very soon. <br /> <br />Mr. Rayor questioned how the funding would benefit the City. He commented that he had not <br />seen any background information on the request. He remarked that he could not see the <br />financial sense in leaving a building that was being supplied rent-free. <br /> <br />Mr. Pap8 said that the planetarium staff knew the move was coming and should have planned for <br />it. He said that he would not support the request. <br /> <br />Ms. Taylor said that the money was going for a worthwhile cause. She said that she would vote <br />in favor of the request. <br /> <br />Mayor Torrey said that, in the event of a tie vote he would support the request. <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 7, 2000 Page 3 <br /> Work Session <br /> <br /> <br />