11-26-01 Parks, Recreation, Cultural Arts & Entertainmnet

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M (Commitea port: rk , Zurtatiort, (Cultural arts anb enttrtaituntra VCommitta The November 26, 2001 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson Council Member Sean Coleman at 5:10 pm in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Pfeifer, Kirsits, Ujdak, Varner, Coleman, White, Kelly, Aranowski, and King; Citizen Member Khadijah Muhammad, Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, Executive Director of the Morris Performing Arts Center Dennis J. Andres, Margaret King, Ruth Miles. Mrs. Butts, Bureau of Water Works Director John Stancati, Terry Bland of the gout) Veub Cributtt, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council. Member Coleman noted that the first item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 111-01 which would appropriate private donations totaling $ 1,832,930.87 which were deposited in the County Option Tax Fund(Fund#404) for purposes of the Palais Royale capital improvements. Mayor Luecke made the presentation. Mayor Luecke noted that the private donations were deposited into the County Option Income Tax Fund for convenience and in anticipation of commencing work on the Palais Royale. He commended the work of Dale Jones and Margaret King who spearheaded the private donation campaign. He noted that as additional private donations are received that the public monies would be replaced. Margaret King spoke in favor of the Bill. She noted that private donations have been very supportive and that approximately $ 8 million had been raised to date. Bids would be let in the near future. Mr. Dennis J. Andres, Executive Director of the Morris Performing Arts Center, stated that he is very excited about the Palais Royale project. He sees this phase as the next "piece of the pie" which is needed to complete developments in the downtown. Council Member Varner inquired whether there would be a bond issue needed to complete the project. Mayor Luecke stated that the city is fronting the money which is necessary while the pledges continue to come in and that no bond issue is anticipated. Following discussion, Council Member King made a motion, seconded by Council Member Aranowski that Bill No. 111-01 be recommended favorably. The motion passed. Under miscellaneous business, Council Member Coleman called upon Mrs. Ruth Miles and Mrs. Butts to address the Committee. Mrs. Miles and Mrs. Butts noted that they are members of LINKS who are promoting the Harlem Boys Choir who will perform at the Morris Performing Arts Center on February 17, 2002. They noted that LINKS is a national organization of 11,000 women worldwide. This project is being promoted to bring cultural events to high risk children to elevate their thinking with regard to the cultural and entertainment arts. Publicity for the event will cost over $ 10,000. There will be a total of 67 individuals coming of which 40 will be the boys in the choir who must be housed in one location. Tickets for the event are now on sale at$ 19.50, $ 22.50 or$ 29.50. Council Member White inquired how the Council could help. Mrs. Butts stated that they would like someone to underwrite the publicity which is being aimed at a 100 mile radius. LINKS is a tax deductible organization.