HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/11/1993 Work Session
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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