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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/11/1993 Work Session . . . City of Springfield Work Session Council Meeting MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1993 The City of Springfield Council met in the Springfield City Hall, Library Meeting Room, 225 N. Fifth Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, October 11, 1993, at 6:05 p.m. ATTENDANCE Present Burge. Manager members were Mayor Morrisette and Councilors Maine, Schanz, Walters, Shaver and Councilor Beyer was absent (excused). Also present were Assistant City Gino Grimaldi, City Recorder Eileen Stein, City Attorney Joe Leahy and of staff. 1. Report on the 1993 Filbert Festival 1993 Filbert Festival Committee Chair Jay Zink gave the highlights of the financial report. He told the Council the admission fees and organization fell short, but the festival had a great year and the committee feels it was a community success. Mr. Zink explained the attendance figures were less than the committee expected from 1992 figures, but an accurate number has now been established which will help festivals in the future. Mr. Zink stated the committee has been speaking with Willamalane Parks and Recreation District to ensure the Festival's continuance for years to come. He explained ideas generated by the committee with regards to involving Willamalane in future festivals. Councilor Schanz asked if the committee has discussed changing the date for the Festival, due to vacations and it being held the weekend before school starts. He also asked if not booking Riders in the Sky hurt attendance figures. Mr. Zink replied Riders in the Sky were booked prior to the committee receiving their 1993 "go ahead". Councilor Shaver questioned the higher gate charges for evening attendance. Mr. Zink replied to his knowledge on five or six people left due to the higher evening charges Councilor Burge asked who was on the committee. Mr. Zink replied the committee members were, Bill and Janice Morrisette, Bruce Berg, Steve Moe, Margie Ralph, Mike Moskovitz, Carl Burgdorfer, Pat Coleman (Judy Boles) and himself. Councilor Burge shared his concern over the amount of city funding being spent on the Festival. He said he is troubled that citizen's tax dollars go to fund the Festival and then are charged gate admissions. Councilor Burge stated he does not believe passing the Festival to Willamalane would be beneficial either, as they are also funded by public funds. Councilor Maine asked how the 1993 Festival deficit was funded. Mr. Grimaldi replied through the General Fund. . . . City of Springfield Work Session Council Meeting Page two Mr. Berg told the Council the Festival needed two things to be successful: 1) more time, and 2) accurate information with regards to admissions. He explained that late Council approval in 1993, gave the committee less time to obtain corporate sponsorships. Mr. Berg then read a review of the festival by Fred Crafts from KUGN. Mr. Zink added fundraising began in March of 1993, and the committee would like to begin with fundraising efforts now for the 1994 Festival. He explained the committee would like the opportunity to make the Festival a five year event, as the deficit was reduced in half from the 1992 festival. He explained letters received in support of the festival. Councilor Shaver said the 1993 changes to the festival were great, he had a good time and enjoyed the variety. He stated there are good public relation possibilities through continuing the festival and suggested a broader base of support through expanded corporate sponsorship. Event Coordinator Deb Michaels said the Willamalane Board has been contacted informally regarding the possibility of their participation in upcoming festivals. Willamalane Board Chairman Janice Morrisette told the Council they will be having an emergency board meeting on October 14th. Councilor Burge stated in his opinion, Springfield is not perceived as having a bad image. He questioned staff on the amount of "in-kind" services provided for the $8,200 amount. Councilor Schanz asked if the Filbert Festival and Broiler Festival were competing for Springfield's support. Councilor Walters questioned why Springfield has two festivals each year. Mr. Berg said the Filbert Festival coordinators sat down four years ago with the Broiler Festival and Ukrainian Festival coordinators and it was agreed they would not participate in the Filbert Festival. Ed Bennett - 820 Sunset Drive. Sorinqfield. asked for the actual cost of the festival. He stated he is involved with the Broiler Festival and said they had never asked the city for money (except for security assistance) and they always make a profit. Mr. Bennett stated he is totally opposed to using public funds to support the event and suggested the festival committee look for support from the filbert growers and industry. Councilor Walters asked what type of fraternal organizations assist the Broiler Festival. Current Jaycees President Robin Hickman responded by listing services groups, including, Elks, Lions, Moose, Boy and Eagle Scouts, Downtown Association, and many churches. The Council discussed the level of support given to both festivals. Councilor Walters said the Broiler Festival is more representive of the community through various organizations and is a family oriented event. c! Mr. Zink told the Council there are also many community organizations involved with the Filbert Festival. Councilor Burge raised the issue of volunteer coordination at the 1993 Festival. . . . City of Springfield Work Session Council Meeting Page three Councilor Shaver suggested continuing with both festivals for 1994, yet contributing to both via the room tax funds, and no General Fund or additional dollars. Councilor Schanz agreed, and said the committee should use information and evaluations when determining the next festival. Councilor Maine stated the city is about many different things with many needs and services to provide to a community. He agreed that the city should no longer give the festival an open ended amount of money, but feels the festival should be underwritten in some form by the city. He suggested the Council let the festival committee begin negotiations with willamalane. Mr. Berg told the Council he agrees that room tax dollars would be an appropriate way to assist the festival, but that the group would need $30,000. Councilor Burge said the city should look at the percentage of the room tax dollars available and distribute among interested festivals. Mayor Morrisette explained how the deficit began after the first year and has continued to grow. He felt the city should give a set amount of money to the committee through the room tax allocations. He also stated the committee should be allowed to explore options with willamalane. MOTION: IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILOR MAINE WITH A SECOND BY COUNCILOR BURGE TO ENCOURAGE THE FILBERT FESTIVAL COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FURTHER FESTIVAL IDEAS AND FINANCING WITH THE WILLAMALANE PARKS AND RECREATION DISTRICT, AS WELL AS OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICE GROUPS AND RETURN TO THE COUNCIL WITH A PROPOSAL FOR THE FESTIVALS FUTURE. THE MOTION PASED WITH A VOTE OF 6 FOR AND 0 AGAINST. 2. State Ballot Measure 1 Discussion Springfield citizens Kathy Wray and Alisa Carillo were present to discuss the ballot measure topic with the Council. Mayor Morrisette gave background information on State Ballot Measure 1, which would establish a statewide sales tax to be dedicated to Oregon schools. Alisa Carillo - 488 W. M Street, Sorinqfield, said she was present because she is concerned about her children, who attend Centennial School and as a member of Concerned Citizens for Education. She explained the lost funding to the area schools and how she is trying to get the community involved. She asked the Council what the community is willing to do for the future of Springfield. Kathv Wrav - 936 Lochaven, Sorinqfield, stated she is involved with the PTA at Hamlin School. She said she fears the impacts of Measure 5 and children being the victims of voters choices. Ms. Ray spoke of specific curriculum and staffing cuts in Springfield and how the area is losing quality educators to other areas. Ms. Ray explained how the sales tax would effect the citizens of Springfield and how Measure 5 would take full effect after the passage of Measure 1. Mayor Morrisette stated he has never been in support of a sales tax before, but will personally support Measure 1. ,. . . . . City of Springfield Work Session Council Meeting Page four Councilor Schanz questioned a sales tax being the proper avenue to recoup money for schools for two reasons: 1) a bureaucracy must be created to implement a sales tax, and 2) a sales tax is not deductible but property tax is. He said too much money will be leaving Oregon and going to the federal government. Ms. Carillo explained the balance between what communities support now and would support under Measure 1. She said tourism currently invests nothing into the community and explained the percentage caps for government. Councilor Shaver stated he had issues with one government asking citizens to vote against another government. Councilor Walters suggested the definition of public schools should be changed to state schools. He told the Council he homeschools his children and the community needs to re-think educating their children in general. Councilor Shaver suggested the Council should not vote to support or not to support Ballot Measure 1, as it may influence others. Councilor Maine agreed with Councilor Shaver, but stated he will personally support the sales tax. The Council agreed by consensus not to take a vote on the upcoming Ballot Measure 1. 3. Council Business There was none. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Minutes Recorder - Shari Higgins May~iffJ/f~t~ ATTEST: ~&Ut)kt~l Ci ty Recorderl - #4331