Austin’s Finance and Personnel Committee has agreed to table the request of a $50,000 appropriation by the Paramount Theatre.

Tuesday, March 05, 2002

Austin’s Finance and Personnel Committee has agreed to table the request of a $50,000 appropriation by the Paramount Theatre.

At Monday’s committee meeting, held prior to the City Council meeting, committee members agreed it would be more financially sound to table the matter until the next Finance and Personnel meeting in two weeks. By that time, committee members hope they will have a better idea of how state budget cuts will affect the city.

Scott Anderson, director of the Paramount Theatre, told the committee the money was needed to finish the restoration of the Theatre. "We have no air-conditioning, which could be a challenge on a hot day in July. We’re open for business and have been for three years … but these projects need to be done."

Committee member Gloria Nordin agreed, and stressed she believed "this is the time that we need to help them. The arts are a very important part of our lives. I know there are all these cuts, but I also know the money is there and we need to invest this," into something worthwhile for the community.

Committee member Dick Lang said "we have to be very, very protective of what the taxpayer will have to pay," adding he thought it would be in the taxpayers’ best interests if the committee waited to allocate this money.

"There is no question that we are in favor of the arts … but we need to prioritize what we’re doing and when we’re doing it as things come up," committee chairman Dick Chaffee said.

At Monday night’s City Council meeting, council members passed resolutions approving plans and ordering advertisement for bids for street improvement projects on Eighth Street SW from First Avenue SW to Ninth Avenue SW, Third Avenue SW from Seventh Street SW to 12th Street SW, Sixth Avenue SE from Fourth Street SE to Ninth Street SE and Ninth Street SE from 10th Drive SE to Eighth Avenue SE. The council also passed a resolution approving plans and ordering advertisement of bids for street maintenance projects on Fourth Street SW from Oakland Avenue to First Avenue SW.

Motions approving a $5,000 allocation from the 2002 contingency fund for start-up costs of the Blazing Star Trail and approving a budget adjustment of the Wastewater Treatment Plant were carried.

At the council meeting, council member Mickey Jorgenson announced the Community Relations Committee was sponsoring a smoking ban community forum at 6:30 p.m. Apr. 11 at Ellis Middle School. Jorgenson explained the committee was holding the forum because "if we didn’t take it on, it would be taken on by some group with a cause and opinion."

"We’ll be having people coming in to speak on both sides of the issue and there will be an opportunity for people to ask questions, though it won’t turn into a marathon question and answer session," she said.

Council member Dick Lang formally announced his candidacy for Fourth District Mower County Commissioner.

Call Amanda L. Rohde at 434-2214 or e-mail her at amanda.rohde@austindailyherald.com