Minutes - 20070919 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Jacobs said that staff is going to give the Board presentations about the options. He said that he thinks that the first reaction is that the sales tax is more regressive, but it is not an food or medicines. He said that he wants more information before he excludes the sales tax as an option. He also wants to discuss putting both options on the ballot. Commissioner Nelson said that every time people go to the store, they would pay this tax, and the land transfer tax is paid Only when a house is sold. Commissioner Gordon asked for clarification on the decision points. The points on page 2 are labeled differently from those on page 3. She said that, if the Board agrees, then it should also approve the fifth decision point on page 3 and the schedule to November Stn A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Foushee to: - State the intent to seek authority for the local revenue options; - State intent to include local revenue options referendum an the May 6, 2008 ballot; - State intent to appoint a Local Revenue Options Community Advisory Group; and - to approve the schedule to November Stn VOTE: Ayes, 4; Nay, 1(Commissioner Nelson) i. Fee Waiver Request far Tent Revival Event at Fairview Park The Board considered the request for park use fee waiver by Reverend Luther Brooks and the St. James Baptist Church. Laura Blackmon said that this item was added to the agenda at the last minute. She said that when the budget was done in the spring, there was a request to approve some increases and some additional fees for utilization of park facilities. The minutes were approved tonight for the June 21 st minutes in which the additional fees were approved. The current ordinance with the park fees is included in the attachment. The staff is working on a complete County space use policy and procedures. This is a request for use of the entire Fairview Park for the tent revival, and the applicant is requesting a waiver of the fees. She said that she is not comfortable waiving this fee because it is a religious event and it would be difficult to collect the fee from other entities. Recreation and Parks Director Lari Taft introduced Reverend Luther Brooks. Reverend Luther Brooks said that he has been a resident of Orange County for 52 years and the Senior Pastor of St. James Baptist Church in Durham far 20 years. He said that what has happened is that far the last several years they have seen young black men in Fairview losing their lives, and they want to evangelize the community. He said that they feel that $1,500 far six days far the park is expensive because this tent revival will not be making any money and they take up offerings. He said that they have the support of the community and the food bank, and they will be feeding and giving away clothes, etc. He said that they are about community- building and changing lives for the better. Commissioner Foushee asked if this revival could be reduced to fewer days and Rev. BfOOkS 5ald yes. Commissioner Nelson asked for a statement from the Attorney an the legal ramifications. Brian Ferrell said that this item was a late addition to the agenda and the attorneys did not get an opportunity to review it. Commissioner Nelson said that he needs to know the legal implications before making a decision. Chair Carey asked about the payment-in-lieu and what it would mean in this context. Laura Blackmon said that this is the possibility of sharing the sponsorship of an event and any revenue would return to the County, but it would depend on the event. Laura Blackmon answered several clarifying questions about the payment-in-lieu option. Laura Blackmon said that if you start to waive fees, then you might as well not charge them to begin with. If the County is interested in supporting certain types of events, then the fee