09-13-04 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 13, 2004 among one of them. The problem we seem to have with the College Football Hall of Fame is despite that there are all these fans there just aren't enough of them that are willing to travel to the College Football Hall of Fame or to spend dollars in support of it. Probably the most distressing item of all that I have watched over the last ten (10) years of the events of the College Football Hall of Fame is that the parent organization the National Football Foundation has not been willing to make any financial support to the hall, since approximately 1998. Because of this, the City now provides the College Football Hall of Fame with approximately 2.2 million dollars, which is the request for fiscal year 2005. The breakdown of that fiscal request is 1.4 million dollars for building which clearly sits on the property, which we have to find a way to pay for. The second is part of that is .83 or 1 million dollars to support the College Football Hall of Fame. Councilmember Varner noted that the National Football Foundation uses that building, our building, rent-free; it pays no taxes and keeps all the revenues that are generated in the building. It even keeps the revenue from events that have nothing to do with football, such as the rent provided from the restaurant, which occupies space in the hall. The reality of the Hall of Fame to date in my opinion is that it represents thirteen years of fund raising failures without question it represents 10 years of operational shortfalls. The crown jewel as it was referred to as it came on board, has turned to fools gold. Councilmember Varner stated that the time is at hand, for the Council to begin to act more in the interest of the citizens of this community rather than in the interest of an organization in New York, who seeks all the benefits and provides none of the resources. Councilmember Varner stated that he believes that it is in the Council's statutory rights as well as statutory responsibilities, to exercise restraint in budgeting and appropriations. If fact our City Controller has talked tonight a lot about using restraint in appropriations and expenditures. It is now time to fund the College Football Hall of Fame relative to its documented performance rather than its illusive promises of the past. Councilmember Varner made a motion that in fiscal year 2005 to reduce the request of the appropriation from Fund#377 to the College Football Hall of Fame from $829,320.00 to $629,320.00. Additionally, Councilmember Varner stated that he would like to reduce this fund on an annual basis until such time as the College Football Hall of Fame is operating and functional on its own without support from the City of South Bend. Councilmember Dieter seconded the motion. Councilmember Kelly stated that he has a problem with this motion. He stated that he is not exactly sure what kind of agreements that the City has with the National Football Foundation. He would like to review those agreements very carefully before the Council makes any reduction in that account. Councilmember Kelly further noted that he believes that the City is committed to a certain amount of funding and would obviously like to study that before the Council proceeds with any kind of reduction in funding. Councilmember Puzzello stated that she agreed and disagreed with some of the comments from Councilmember Varner. Councilmember Puzzello stated that she likes the College Football Hall of Fame, she enjoys going there and she doesn't even like football. Councilmember Puzzello stated that she read part of the agreement that mentions the $500,000.00 coming from the two taxing units, but the rest of the money is not mentioned and that maybe money that should not be donated to the College Football Hall of Fame. Councilmember Puzzello stated that she would be supporting Councilmember Varner's motion. Councilmember Pfeifer stated that she agreed with everything that has been said. The Council for years has been concerned about the College Football Hall of Fame. Councilmember Pfeifer stated that she is not a fan of the Hall and she does not go there. However, she does not mind the existence of the Hall, and that the City has certain obligations. Councilmember Pfeifer indicated that her concern is that we are considering making a motion at the last minute without enough background. She advised that as in the past, this Council has researched information before making a decision like this, and she feels uncomfortable making a decision on this, not knowing that this amendment was being introduced tonight. Therefore, she feels that the Council should get together with the Mayor and discuss getting the expenditure reduced and will not support the amendment. 12