HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/03/1966SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
November 3, 1966 - 8:00 P.M.
CITY HALL
Roll Call:
Pre_sent:. Emmons. Blake, Frank. Gallagher, Arthur F. Spring,
Donald Q. Miller, Clell W. Whelchel
City Staff:
' Present;.- Harold Johnson,.City Attorney; Richard D. Miller, Administrative
Officer.
Also Present: Members of the Board of. Directors of the Civic and Fine Arts
Association
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1. Mayor Whelchel opened the meeting by asking Mr. E. J. Fabbri to review the
current status of the proposed Convention Center and Civic and Fine Arts Project.
Mr. Fabbri said that the idea was initiated seven years ago to have a multi- purpose
Center. The Civic and Fine Arts Association had raised certain funds for background
studies, and the City aided by asking the State Recreation Department to make a
feasibility study. He went on to review the fact that the Civic and Fine Arts
Association had retained Stone and Youngberg, Financial Consultants, to prepare a
feasibility report and had cleared a district formation with the Local Agency
Formation Commission.
The Project had been relatively dormant since the election defeat which would have
set up the District to administer and develop the project.
Mr. Fabbri pointed out, however, that the City of Dallas had gone through three
elections before finally reaching success in a similar project. He said that
' perhaps the basic approach should be reviewed.
Mr. Fabbri then read the objectives of his organization and passed out copies of a
recap sheet which reviewed various work done by the Association over the years in
attempting to encourage the Project. He also referred to another organization
which is currently making a study on the feasibility of such a project.
Mr. Fabbri felt that this study would probably show that a Center is needed which
would accommodate groups of 50 to 450 delegates. It would probably be suggested
that a multi- purpose facility be constructed especially since the convention area
would not be used on a year -round basis.
Mr. Fabbri felt that the first step to be taken would be the acquisition of a site
or, at least, obtaining an option on a suitable piece of property. He then reviewed
the possible methods of financing.
Mayor Whelchel asked whether or not the Civic and Fine Arts Association were
insistent that the site be in the downtown area.
Mr. Fabbri felt that this was not necessarily so; the site could be as much as a
mile or a mile and a half away. He felt that the very minimum would be a five acre
site and with off - street parking at ground level, probably seven - ten acres would
be needed.
I Councilman Gallagher said it would be difficult for the City to bond itself with
all the current requirements for expenditure of City funds. He felt that perhaps
the District approach would be better.
There was also a great deal of discussion to the effect that a downtown site would
probably cost too much.
Ronald Dunin, Chairman of the Visitors and Convention Bureau of the Chamber of
Commerce, said that he felt that San Luis Obispo was too small for a Convention
Center.
It was agreed that the City Clerk, J. H. Fitzpatrick, should contact Mr. Fran
Wallace and find out any information he had on cities of similar size to San Luis
Obispo which had successfully built and operated Convention Centers. Another point
of discussion was the possibility of enlarging the present Veteran's Memorial Hall.
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City Council Minutes
November 3, 1966
Page 2
Mr. Harold Hayes said that there were many interesting points brought out"Itt. the�--"-
meeting which deserved further study. He felt that the next step should probably
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be for the Civic .az�dkhe Krt's-,Associatioii tb• -make � some 'tYpe-, of definite- proposal
to the City Council, after du1ie`-de_1fb_.er1Atio'n''.
Mayor Whelchel thanked those present for their attendance and contribution.'o ea's.
"The meeting "itdjouirne4 at aooroxima-t'-6-1*y-"1'6-3'0'P"M,.'-o'ii-i-�-o-tion'-"'o.-i"Councilm"a'n Gallagher,
seconded by Councilman Blake. Motion carried.
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APPROVED: November 21, 1966
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CITY CLERK
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