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Session 1234, Minutes Page 2 December 17, 1979 Mayor said the firm of Kohn, Shands, Elbert, Gianoulakis and Giljum had been re- tained by the Council to furnish the legal opinion for which Ms Miller asked. The Mayor recounted briefly the history of the utility tax, which is levied on utility companies which do business in University City and has been in effect here since 1959. It is the same kind of tax which is levied on businesses. The utility com- panies have passed this tax on to consumers, and about a year ago lobbied the Public Service Commission successfully to be allowed to show the tax as a separate item on the customer's bill. The Mayor said the Council reduced the tax from 10% to 9% dur- ing the budget hearings in June of this year, and is constantly striving to find ways of reducing the tax further without eliminating services which the City now provides. Ile said if this tax were eliminated completely, it would cut the City's budget by about 22%, and would mean that a great many services would have to be elim- inated and many people would be dismissed from their jobs. He and the Council do not want that to happen. He added that the recently formed Tax Revenue Study Com- mittee is studying revenue sources of the City in depth, and it is hoped that this study will provide the basis for an equitable means of levying taxes in University City. He also mentioned the dispute between St. Louis County and HUD, which could result in a loss of more than $600,000 to University City which may never be recouped The Mayor said inflation affects the City the same as it does individual citizens, and the Council feels very strongly that the City must be protected from those who want to eliminate nearly one-fourth of the budget. The Mayor then asked the Acting City Clerk to read the statement with the legal opinion which was rendered by coun- sel, a copy of which is attached hereto. TRIBUTE TO ROGER DAVENPORT FROM MUNICIPAL COT'NISSION ON ARTS AND LETTERS Mr. Larry Brown, Co-chairman of the Municipal Commission on Arts and Letters, said the Commission just completed an excellent exhibit at the University City Library during November. He introduced Mr. Roger Davenport, who was responsible for coordi- nating the exhibit. Mr. Davenport said he thought the exhibit was well received, and complimented the Commission for its foresight in sponsoring it, and thanked them for their cooperation. Mr. Brown then said Mr. Davenport was asked to come to the meeting under false pretenses, since the Commission wished to present him with a gift for the inordinate amount of work he did in putting the exhibit together. The gift was a lovely whatnot box with a quote from E. G. Lewis, founder of University City, on its top, and inside was an inscription from the Arts and Letters Commission. There was a round of applause for Mr. Davenport. Mayor rlooney said the Council and the City are very appreciative of Pir. Davenport's efforts. REAPPOINTMENT TO MUNICIPAL CO*aiISSION ON ARTS AND LETTEP.S Councilman Sabol moved that Mr. Larry A. Brown, 7344 Stanford, whose term of office to the Municipal Commission on Arts and Letters expires January 2, 1980, be reap- pointed to that commission for a new term expiring January 2, 1984. Councilman Glickert seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. RESOLUTION - HUGH J. 14HITE Mayor Mooney said he had a very sad duty to perform this evening. He read a resolu- tion paying tribute to lir. Hugh J. White, who died December 14. Mr. White had been involved in many activities in University City, most recently on the Citizens Chart- er Review Committee and the Traffic Commission. The Mayor said Mr. White was a very positive person, much -loved, and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.