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easier. She acknowledged that it is difficult to say no, "you have to have a good structure around you so that you can make good decisions." Mayor Hartnett said, "I agree with bits and pieces of what almost everybody said, so I won't repeat them all, other than to say that, I can't support the motion as stated. But, I am in support of doing something to make it possible for "Tis the Season" to happen. I commend the Commission for all of its efforts, and has been mentioned, the Commission has made a special effort, not just because education is a Council priority, but because they see that as the right thing to do. They have spent substantial sums toward youth and education, which has been a stated priority of this Council for at least two years, and their request before us tonight, in significant part, relates to that priority, as well. And there are a number of people who hope that "Tis the Season" will go on and flourish as never before. It is tempting to say let's grant up to $5,000 and borrow it from next year's budget, but we can say that, and in fact, it wouldn't be a borrowing. It wouldn't get deducted from next year's budget. I think if we are going to do it, frankly, we ought to just do it." Mayor Hartnett said if the motion on the floor failed, he would support a motion in the range of up to $5,000 to help "Tis the Season." ITERATION OF THE MOTION: MIS: RUSKIN/LA BERGE TO SUPPORT THE REQUEST OF THE CIVIC CULTURAL COMMISSION IN THE AMOUNT REQUESTED, $10,500. MOTION FAILED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE. AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS CLAIRE, LA BERGE AND RUSKIN NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS BUCHAN, HOWARD, LEIPZIG AND MAYOR HARTNETT MINUTE ORDER NO. 97-195 MIS: LA BERGE/HOWARD TO GRANT THE CIVIC CULTURAL COMMISSION AN ADDITIONAL $5,000 FOR THE BUDGET YEAR 1997/98 Councilman Claire said he would not support the motion. He said the requests from the Commission were all good ones, "good for our City and good for our citizens. I can't believe we are squabbling over this.... If we took the contingency out we would have $8,000 to go for the additional programs which are good for this City. We commented on the Police Department. We will find a way to fund that. We have to find a way to fund it, if in fact, we need additional officers. That $3,000 is going to mean diddly to that process. Why are we talking about good programs, but not giving the money that is requested to have these programs go forward? I do not understand that." Councilwoman Buchan said, "I know that $3,000 wouldn't even buy a gun. I understand that. I just get more support for this motion, and yes, all these programs are good. But when it comes down to it, all of us up here have to do what our heart tells us to do, and that's why I am doing what my heart tells me to do." REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 55 OCTOBER6,1997 MINUTES Page No. 558 PAGE II