HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 01-17-1995 - V-A 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Action Agenda
Item No V_A
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: January 17, 1995
SUBJECT: ArtsCenter Funding Resolution
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT County Manager PUBLIC HEARING YES NO x
-------------------------------- -------------------------------
ATTACHMENT(S) INFORMATION CONTACT
12/15/94 ArtsCenter Letter John Link, ext 2300
Fact Sheet TELEPHONE NUMBER
Resolution Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Mebane 227-2031
Durham 688-7331
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
PURPOSE: To consider a request from the ArtsCenter for a pledge of
continued County funding.
BACKGROUND: Last year, the ArtsCenter in Carrboro launched a $900,000
capital campaign associated with the purchase of the facility in which
they now rent space. The ArtsCenter has requested that the Board of
Commissioners consider adopting a non-binding resolution indicating the
Board's good faith intent to appropriate to the ArtsCenter the sum of
$15,000 each year for the next ten years, beginning with 1994-95. The
Board has already approved $15,000 in appropriations to the ArtsCenter
for this year - $5,000 in the Non-Departmental section of the 1994-95
operating budget, and $10,000 in an ArtsCenter capital project in the
1994-95 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) .
RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends that the Board adopt the
attached resolution, and provide direction to staff to include annual
$15,000 appropriations for the ArtsCenter in the 1995-2000 CIP.
2
300-G East Main St.
enter Carrboro, NC 27510
GM•PEL HILL/CA RRBORO (919)929-2787
A N D O RANOECO LINTY
15 December 1994
Mr. John Link
Orange County Manager
Orange County Manager's Office
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Dear John:
Orange County has been a crucial element in the revitalization of The ArtsCenter. Without the
County's support, it would have been impossible for the center to have leveraged the many
grants it has received during the past few years. It is these grants and the support from Orange
County that has made the award winning programs of The ArtsCenter possible.
We are very grateful to the County,the Commissioners and to the citizens of Orange County for
their continued advocacy, participation and financial backing. We hope you are proud of our
achievements and that your faith in us has been rewarded.
As you know, The ArtsCenter has launched a campaign to purchase its facility. For that purpose,
Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County have all increased their contributions. Because of this
increase, other donors understand the importance of The ArtsCenter to this community and
many have pledged their support.
Potential donors consistently look to Orange County's commitment level of giving as a sign of
public pride and recognition of the services The ArtsCenter provides in the community. If we can
count on your continued support, The ArtsCenter will be able to purchase its facility and begin
improving and strengthening its programs.
Ida Friday and Phil Nelson, Co-Chairs of our Capital Campaign, have worked tirelessly to bring
us to the point where both negotiations with the owners and a stable financial future have led to a
timetable for purchase. The ArtsCenter has been able to secure grant funds for part of the
purchase. However, because of the time constraints involved with the purchase and sale
agreement,the center must have the remaining funds in hand by March of 1995. The-
ArtsCenter can secure a long-term loan from a local lending institution for the balance of the
purchase price, if we can show a good faith promise on behalf of the County.
We ask that the County commit to$15,000 each year for the next 10 years. We understand that
there are legal limitations to the type of commitment the County can make. Therefore,we have
asked an attorney to prepare a resolution that uses wording acceptable under these legal limits.
Please consider the enclosed resolution and make our dream a reality. Thank you.
Sin rely, /
Eileen M. Helton
General Manager
3
ArtsCenter Fact Sheet
Progress from 1990-1994
Operations in the black
Same Number of programs as 1990 with half the expense
Debt reduction of over$600,000
Increased public support
35% increase in revenues from 1992-1994
Achievements
Lila Wallace Reader's Digest National Jazz Network award
Governor's award for Family Programs
Approval of capital campaign by the Triangle's Major Campaign Review
Board
Named on "the best of & "top ten" lists in jazz, theater, and families
programs in the Herald/Sun, News & Observer, Spectator,
Independent, and Chapel Hill News.
Supported by major arts funders including: the National Endowment for
the Arts, the Southern Arts Federation, the North Carolina Arts
Council, and the Orange County Arts Commission
Programmed educational shows for over 101 different schools, pre-
schools, and children's groups in Chatham, Durham, Orange,
Wake and other counties
Drew attendees from 50 of North Carolina's 100 counties, plus folks from
Virginia, South Carolina, and Tennessee
392 Events and Classes offered annually
Total attendance on site --41,750
Additional number involved through outreach residencies
(primarily schoolchildren) --27,000
Why we need to purchase
Current lease is month to month
ArtsCenter pays property taxes
Renovations belong to landlord
Option to purchase secured through April 1, 1995
Monies currently used for rent can not be used for programming
YOU CAN HELP THE ARTSCENTER SECURE ITS LONG-TERM SUCCESS
WITH A GIFT TO THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TODAY1
4
A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE INTENT
OF THE COUNTY COMMISSION TO MAKE ANNUAL
APPROPRIATIONS TO THE ARTSCENTER
FOR SERVICES RENDERED
IN THE AMOUNT OF$15,000
WHEREAS,the County has, every fiscal year since 1991-95, made an appropriation to
The ArtsCenter in return for cultural activities and other services performed for or offered to
Orange County residents; and
WHEREAS, the amount of such annual appropriation has ranged from a low of$5,000 to
a high of$15,000; and
WHEREAS, The ArtsCenter now seeks to purchase the leased building where it currently
conducts its programs and activities; and
WHEREAS,to assist it in obtaining the financing necessary to acquire this building, The
ArtsCenter has requested the County Commission to express its current intent to continue to
make annual appropriations to The ArtsCenter in the amount of$15,000 for a period of ten
years.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ORANGE COUNTY
RESOLVE:
Section 1. The County Commission hereby expresses its intent that the County will
continue for a period of ten years, beginning with fiscal year 1994-95,to appropriate to The
ArtsCenter, in return for services rendered, the sum of$15,000.
Section 2. While this resolution expresses the good faith present intent of the current
County Commission, The Commission acknowledges that it cannot bind future County
Commission members in the exercise of their governmental discretion, including discretionary
appropriations. Thus,the Commission recognizes that this resolution is not intended to and does
not constitute a legally binding commitment on the part of Orange County to appropriate funds to
The ArtsCenter.
Section 3. This resolution shall become effective upon adoption.
po pt