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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-10-30 Minutes261 MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS A special meeting of the Fayetteville City Board of Directors was held on Tuesday, October 30, 1984 at 7:30 P.M. in the Board Room of the City Administration Building, 113 West Mountain Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas. PRESENT: Mayor Noland; Directors Bumpass, Johnson, Lancaster Orton and Sharp; City Manager Grimes, Assistant City Manager McWethy, City Clerk Kennedy; members of the press and audience ABSENT: Director Martin CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Noland, with six Directors 260.1 present. The Mayor asked for a moment of respectful silence. PROPOSED COUNTY JAIL CONCEPT The Mayor introduced consideration of a resolution endorsing the concept of the proposed County Jail. The Mayor read the resolution. Director Orton, seconded by Rampage, made a notion to pass the resolution. Upon roll call, the motion passed, 6-0, with Director Martin absent. RESOLUTION NO. 126-84 APPEARS ON PAGE Lop OF ORDINANCE & RESOLUTION BOOK . X ( x PROPOSED AMENDMENT 62/G.O..BONDS The Mayor introduced consideration of a resolution supporting proposed Amendment No. 62 to the Arkansas Constitution to authorize local gov- ernments to issue General Obligation bonds bearing interest at a rate not to exceed 2% per annum above the Federal Reserve Rate to finance capital improvements and to secure industry. Director Orton read the resolution. • 260.2 260.3 260.4 261 261.1 October 30, 1984 Director Johnson, seconded by Sharp, made a notion to pass the resolution. Upon roll call, the notion passed, 6-0. RESOLUTION NO. 127-84 APPEARS ON PAGE Li!f OF ORDINANCE & RESOLUTION BOOK X J A PROPOSED COMMUNITY THEATER 261.2 Mayor Noland introduced a public discussion concerning a proposed community theater and commented that Director Sharp had done a commendable job on a study which he prepared and which has been submitted to the Board. 261.3 Director Sharp explained that in 1977 a Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Tax was passed, which paid for the Continuing Education Center; that excess funds from this tax are slated for a performing arts center. Sharp noted that, in 1981, the 1% City Sales Tax was approved and 4% of it is being accumulated to fund a performing arts center. 261.4 Sharp stated that the Board, in 1982, asked questions about needs, financing, location and etc.; that his report is an attempt to answer those questions as well as questions about operations and maintenance of a theater. Sharp stated the question of location will have to be answered later when there is an architect and a real building program. Sharp noted that the report also addresses the idea of a regional center with the cities of Springdale, Rogers, Fayetteville and the University working together. Addressing the question of whether a new center should be built, Director Sharp stated the nearest new center, in Fort Smith, cost about $1 1/2 million to construct, but did not include all that the City of Fayetteville would need. Sharp estimated a new center for Fayetteville would cost about $2 1/2 million, in addition to obtaining land and parking facilities. 261.5 Sharp stated that, in 1982, when this concept was discussed with University officials, it was noted then that the University wanted a permanent home for their museum, a 1500 to 1600 -seat concert hall, one or two theaters and art galleries. Sharp stated this is a needed complex but that the community theater concept is for a facility with 600-800 seats which would also be available to the University when it needs a smaller facility; that the University facility would hopefully be available to the city when a larger facility is needed. Sharp commented that the cooperation between the City and the University has gone on for years and needs to continue. 261.6 Addressing funding, Sharp pointed out there are two facets: raising money to build the facility and raising money to operate the facility. 1 October 30, 1984 Sharp estimated the 4% of the 1% Sales Tax to be about $100,000 per year; that after construction is completed, that money could be used for operations and maintenance. Director Sharp stated his recommendation to use the old Ozark Opera House was made for several reasons, one of which includes the fact that the parking deck is located across the street. Sharp stated that Carolyn Newbern had done research on the Ozark Opera House which was built in 1895 and is owned by Dr. J. B. Hays. Sharp stated that a Little Rock expert on restorations had suggested contacting the Mott, Mobley, McGown & Griffin architectural firm in Ft. Smith (who worked on the Perot Theater) and Dr. Roger Gross of the University of Arkansas. Sharp stated, if the Board wishes, a formal study should be done to pursue this option. The Ritz Theater Director Sharp introduced Mary Gay Shipley and Susan Hubbard from The Ritz Theater in Blytheville, Arkansas. Mary Gay Shipley explained that the Blytheville Mayor appointed a Feasibility Committee, that it was decided to buy and renovate The Ritz Civic Center which was an empty movie theater. Shipley stated the Mayor, with the City Council's approval, appointed a commission which was charged with the responsibility of setting the policy and hiring a manager to manage the facility. Shipley recommended that those persons on a governing board or commission responsible for management not be representatives of user groups. Shipley stated their commission makes quarterly reports to the City Council including the income, expenses, and utilization by groups. Shipley stated they spent $47,500 to purchase their building, including a retail store space which provides revenue. Shipley stated their city spent approximately $300,000 over three years to purchase and renovate the Civic Center, including a 9 -foot grand piano. She estimated their income over the past 1 1/2 years to be about $15,000. Shipley stated a support group, "Friends of The Ritz", raised $18,000 by selling brass plaques (with the donor's name) for the backs of the chairs in the theater (the original seats were renovated and re -installed). Shipley stated also they rent the lobby and art gallery area for $15.00; they rent the auditorium space to non-profit groups for $100 and for $200 to profit groups. Shipley commented that, if Fayetteville were to open a community theater by 1986, it would also be the year Arkansas will celebrate its 150th anniversary. 262 262.1 262.2 262.3 262.4 Susan Hubbard spoke about the groups using their theater, including 262.5 churches, schools, pageants, dance classes, auditions and even the bloodmobile; that both local and travelling artists use the gallery. The Foram Theater October 30, 1984 263.1 Director Sharp introduced Rusty Garner from The Forum Theater in Jones- boro. Garner explained The Forum was originally The Strand Theater and was built in 1926 for $90,000 and designed by E. J. Walter. Garner explained that The Strand was renamed The Forum based on the idea of its being a place for people to gather. Garner stated The Forum functions as a theater, a symphony and opera hall, a place for public hearings, a location for the bloodmobile, pageants, and is the only city -owned facility that is accessible to the handicapped. Garner stated that they began in 1978 with 50 events, a 402 usage rate, 8300 people attending and spending $3200 in admissions and that five years later in 1983, they held 327 events, which was 90% occupancy and 87,000 persons attending and spending $124,000 in admissions. Garner summed up that over a five-year period, they sponsored 1,432 events which was 742 occupancy, 397,729 persons spending $561,231. Addressing the economic impact on their city, Garner noted also that a survey of 12 events showed that 302 of those who attended came from out-of-town, 505 said that intended to dine in a restaurant, 402 intended to shop and 102 intended to spend the night. The Perot Theater 263.2 Director Sharp introduced Bill Harris from The Perot Theater in Texarkana. Harris stated the theater is just across the state line and is located in Texarkana, Texas, serves both Texas and Arkansas, but is operated out of Texarkana, Texas. Harris explained The Perot was The Sanger Theatre when it was built in 1924; was converted to a movie theater in 1931 and operated as such until 1977, became run down and was finally closed. Harris stated the City Manager had been approached by the owner regarding the city's purchasing the building which the city did, for $120,000. 263.3 Harris stated the city passed an ordinance establishing a Hotel/Motel Tax; the city received 42 of the usage rate which was used to restore and operate the facility. Harris stated that the City Council appointed a committee of citizens to start the work on the project and the City Manager's Administrative Aide worked on the project full time. Harris stated they received several grants, including from the National Endowment for the Arts, from the Texas Historical Commission, and from the EPA Economic Development Administration; that they conducted other fund-raising projects. Harris stated that the Texarkana Arts and Human Relations Council started a fund-raising project. Harris stated a Texas citizen, Ross Perot, offered to provide the balance of any moneys needed beyond the $1 million the city had to spend; that the theater was named after this man who donated over $850,000. 263.4 Harris stated that requests for proposals were sent out and the three best firms were presented to the committee for their consideration; 1 October 30, 1984 that Bell, Pine and Hoffman of Austin was finally selected, a firm which had restored The Paramount in Austin. Hill explained that, since the original plans for the building could not be found, it was necessary to have major drawings made. Hill stated that a total of a little over $2 million was spent. Hill stated their yearly operating budget is a little over $100,000, paid out of Hotel/Motel taxes and users fees (they take in about $26,000 annually). Hill explained the city contracts with the Texarkana Arts Council to provide professional management. Hill stated their operating policy is approved by their City Council. Hill stated their fee structure, for a 1600 -seat theater, ranges from $300 to $500, and might be considered a little high. Citizens Board • Director Sharp asked the guest speakers if they would recommend the formation of an independent board and if they thought that board should be under the Parks and Recreation Department. Mary Gay Shipley commented that it was "too massive" of a job for the Board of Directors but yet the independent board should be responsible to the Board of Directors. Rusty Garner concurred in this opinion and explained their independent commission was made up of seven persons with staggered terms. Bill Harris responded that they did not have an independent board but contract with the Texarkana Arts Council for management; but that their policies and fee structure are established by their City Council. University Relationship Director Bumpass asked the speakers about any competition the theaters have with a similar university facility. Rusty Garner stated that their university has three similar facilities. Garner stated the university was very relieved when The Forum was built because their theater had not been large enough. Garner stated some departments of the university rent The Forum. 264 264.1 264.2 264.3 264.4 264.5 264.6 Operating Budgets Director Bumpass asked about the "political" reaction to the operating 264.7 budgets for the theaters. Bill Harris noted that the revenues from the Hotel/ Motel Tax which are applied toward their operations are restricted to the arts and cannot be used to build a City Hall, police station, a street or sewer 264.8 265 October 30, 1984 265.1 lines. Harris stated that, since the money does not come from their General Fund, there have been no negative comments. 265.2 Mary Gay Shipley stated their Hotel/ Motel Tax is not applied to their facility but goes to advertising and promotion. Shipley stated their operating expenses do come from their city budget and no one yet has complained. 265.3 Rusty Garner explained some of their initial expenses came from CETA funds and revenue sharing funds. Garner stated Jonesboro has a Hotel/ Motel Tax which brings in about $27,000 per year; that because of funding problems this year they were able to receive $25,000 of this revenue. Local Endorsement of the Concept 265.4 Following a brief intermission, the following community members each spoke for three minutes, all of them speaking in favor of the concept of having a community theater and speaking for the various groups which are in need of space for their programs. Pat Collier, for the Fayetteville High School Drama Department Sonja Decker, for the North Arkansas Symphony Roger Gross, for the University of Arkansas Drama Department Jack Groh, for the University of Arkansas Choral Activities Bob Wardlow, for the Community Concert Association Russell Joseph, for the Theater Historical Association Pat Ralph, for the University of Arkansas Opera Theater Linda Welch, for the Northwest Arkansas Cultural Center Delores Dillon, for the School Orchestra Society Roy Nastasi, for the Fine Arts Series Margaret Mead, for the Snapdragon Theater Jerry Bird, for the Music Festival of Arkansas John Cowell, for the University of Arkansas Music Department Joyce Stafford and Sarah Burnside, for the "Little Theater" Larry Miller, for Fayetteville Open Channel Linda Marquardt, speaking as a performer in the Orchestra A representative of the Society of Professional Journalists, for The Gridiron Show 265.5 Dean John Guilds, Jr., of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas, commented that "it has been established beyond any doubt" that a performing arts center is needed. Guilds stated that, speaking as an individual, he would suggest the City and the University explore the idea of joining together to build "an outstanding facility" that would make the best use of the State tax dollars and serve all purposes. 1 October 30, 1984 A citizen in the audience addressed the Board, stressing the importance of providing access for the handicapped. • Arts Board Appointment Director Sharp asked that, at the November 6th Board meeting, the Board discuss the idea of appointing an arts board. ADJOURNMENT With no further business being considered by the Board, the meeting was,adjourned at about 10:30 P.M. • • 266 266.1 266.2 266.3