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Home My WebLink About1979 CS settles debate on motel tax funds n. Art By JANE MILLS SMITH Staff Writer A request for $19,000 for funding of the Arts Council of Brazos Valley received some resistance Wednes- day from some members of the College Station City Council. The arts council made its request along with requests from the Chamber of Commerce and the Tourist and Information Bureau. The information bureau's request, was really only a tecnhicality, however, because the city has agreed to fund that agency through next year. The three groups are requesting $60,000 from the city's share of the hotel -motel tax. The information bureau will be getting $22,000 and the other two groups each want $19,000. Dr. David Maxwell, dean of the A &M Collage of Liberal Arts, made the opening remarks for the groups. He pointed out that 1 percent of the tax receipts is to go for advertising and solicitation of tourists. t r" e "I can :,ee how the on percent covers Mr. Bell's outfit nd Mrs. Rychlik's Outfit, but I don t see how the arts council comes under that provision," said Mayor Lorence Bravenec. He was referring to Anne Bell, director of the information bureau, abd Judy Rychlik, president of the chair) her. "I differ with you, but you have your finger on the trigger," said Maxwell Wth a smile. "No, no, we don't operate like that here," said Bravenec reassuringly. "Don't worry, we've got enough votes to �� it," added Coun- cilman Horner Adams. "What oncerns me," Bravenec said, "is t at we're going to allocate $19,000 t the arts council for ad- ministrati mn and small expenses as opposed to a drama or music festival or something big like the art contest last year.'; Councilman James Dozier asked how muc4 the three groups were getting fpm Bryan. $30,000," was the answer. sits CS resistance "Both cities share equally in the promotions," said Dozier, "It seegis we've come full circle. Once Bryn paid the lions share and now College Station will. My concern is what the money is going to be used for." Bravenec then brought up tae subject of a proposed civic center for College Station. He said he felt the council should decide what was going to be done about that projfct and decide on the tax receipt ufes with an overall plan — qot "piecemeal." t "The voters of College Station thought three percent of the tax would go to the civic center," he said. "I deny that," said Dozier. "How can you deny that ?" asked Councilwoman Pat Boughton. "I just did," answered Dozier, "Do you want me to explain wh.N ?" He said that the issue carried along with others on the ballot and that the county's center wasn't built at that time. "I bet if you put it on the ballot today, they'd still vote for it," said Mrs. Boughton. "Not a month has gone by since I got on the council that someone hasn't asked me about it." "Not a month has gone by that no one has asked me," answered Dozier. "Maybe that's because they know your opinion on it," she said. Eagle Publisher W.S. "Dub" Pearson was then brought into the discussion because the mayor said Pearson has suggested that a theater center be included in the proposed center. Pearson was at the meeting as an executive of the arts council. He explained that he would like to take the council to Midland to see a theater center there. "I envision our community having the same resources to draw from," Pearson said. "The city's not made of money. -I'm concerned with duplication of facilities," Dozier said. No votes were taken on granting the funding requests, but Bravenec did put the item on the agenda for a workshop session in two weeks. "We ought to decide what we want to do with this money before we start frittering it away," he said. In other action, the council discussed extension of hours for consumption of alcoholic beverages. City Manager North Bardell said a questionnaire had been sent to 20 club owners. Of those questioned, he said, 14 favored later hours and six-did not. Police Chief Marvin Byrd said it would cost from $20,000 to $27,000 more to maintain police coverage in the city if drinking hours are ex- tended. He said police would be spending more time clearing bars and directing traffic in the late hours instead of protecting property. Richard Benning, manager of Duddley's Draw, said he would like 60 days to survey whether extra revenue generated through taxes and late hours permits would defray the extra police costs. reques �h Ea 1 e g 1 Vol. 103, No. 198 ICS settles debate or August 10, 1979 f nda y of more government regulations, page 8A. 20 Cents mot el -- tax funds By JANE MILLS SMITH Staff Writer The debate over what will be done with College Station's hotel -motel tax receipts was resolved Thursday night — at least for the next few years. Council voted to set a policy of giving one - fourth of the tax to direct tourism promotion through the Chamber of Commerce and the Information and Hospitality Center. The stipulation was made that the information center would always get at least $22,000 annually with the remainder going to the chamber. Council also voted to give one- eighth money," said Mayor Lorence Bravenec, "it is our wish that the arts council will actively promote the arts in College Station on a distinctive College Station basis ... For College Station ... right here in College Station. Maybe another Round Top or something similar here in the near future." The council's action will mean that the arts council will get about $18,500 this year from the tax. Total tax for last year was about $148,000. The arts council had requested $19,000. "As to the request (for $100,000) straight Thursday meeting. Council members turned down the lights, opened the doors and later ad- journed to a room in which the air conditioning was working to hold a closed session. Related story on page 8A. of the tax to the Arts Council. Councilman Gary Halter said 37Y2 percent of the tax receipts would be going to the three agencies and the other 62V2 percent would be put in a fund for the proposed community center. "What if we don't build a com- munity center ?" asked Councilman Homer Adams. Halter answered that in that situation, the council would then consider requests from other groups. "In giving the arts council this In other action, the council ap- pointed a committee to meet with school officials on details of a pur- chase or exchange of school property that might be used for a community center. A petition for the annexation of a 59.17 acre tract located on the east side of Texas Avenue, south of Rock Prairie Road was tabled by the council. Halter suggested that if negotiations can be worked out with the school, then a larger, citizens committee should be appointed to look into how the building should be remodeled. Adams said he thought the petition was premature since the highway department soon would be buying some of the land for widening of Highway 6. from Texas World Speedway," said Halter, "After reexamining the law, I question whether it is legal to give money to a private business for promotion of that enterprise." Bravenec said he had been called by a Texas A &M official who said that Ne university wasn't asking for any money from the hotel -motel tax, but ff the council was to re- arrange its priorities and give money to something like the speedway, the university would feel that it should be ahead in line. No money was allocated to the speedway. The council meeting was a heated one, but not because of flaring tempers. The council room air conditioning was out for the second