2004-12-06 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Regular Session 1941 December 6, 2004 Mr. Sharpe said that perhaps those individuals who are interested in maintaining and improving Ruth Park will form a group to raise money for these purposes. Mr. Sharpe began to say, "Rather than saying that if we do not have a driving range, we cannot have a Master Plan ..." and Mayor Adams interjected "1 never said that." Mr. Sharpe continued, "... a driving range would be one of the ways of raising money for the purpose of improving the park. What Ms. Brungardt has brought forward could be another method of doing so." Mayor Adams continued by saying it was not just the citizens of Saint Louis who generated the funds for Forest Park, it was a much larger pool and to find a larger pool to rebuild Ruth Park cannot be as easily accomplished. He then suggested that Mr. Wagner, Mr. Sharpe and Ms. Brungardt form a committee to see if they can find the revenue to rebuild the park. Mr. Wagner said that he would be glad to do so. Then he mentioned that Saint Louis County has a considerable sum of money available from sales tax for improving parks throughout the County. He suggested that the City Manager have the staff work on a proposal to that commission to improve Ruth Park, and he would be happy to work on a subcommittee for this end. Discussion followed about how to proceed. Ms. Brungardt then said golfers tended to be "forthcoming contributors" and could become a significant source of private funds. Charter Cable Fee Increase for Government Access Channel - from Consent Calendar Mr. Ollendorff said the item removed from the Consent Calendar related to the Government Access Channel Grant Request and then he explained that the City's franchise with Charter Cable includes a provision that upon 90 days notice from the City, they must pay us 10 cents per month, per subscriber, about $950 per month total, to be used to start the government access channel. It is typically a community bulletin board, but could be a great deal more: a full, local government studio. Nothing can be decided tonight because more Council discussion is needed. At this time the proposal is to authorize the City Manager to write to Charter to ask for collection and transfer of the ten cents per month. Mr. Sharpe said he favors the concept but wanted to know if the ten cents would be passed on to the subscribers. Mr. Ollendorff responded that they have the right to do that, and they probably would pass it on. Ms. Brot asked if CALOP would continue to receive its money and Mr. Ollendorff said CALOP is completely separate from this issue; then she asked if the City Council had approved a particular type of bulletin board and Mr. Ollendorff said that would need to be considered at a study session. The need tonight is "to get the money flowing" so there is money available. Ms. Brot asked if the funding system would continue if the business changed hands and was assured that it would, that it applied both to Charter and to its successors. She asked if the City can have a government access channel without having to broadcast sessions right away. Mr. Ollendorff said the City Council can set up any system they deem desirable. Possible uses were mentioned. Ms. Welsch said she has been supportive of this for quite a while, seeing great potential in a public access channel and a government access channel in University City. They are used in a myriad of ways in other cities. To Page 11