8/22/1989 - Laserfiche WebLink

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their legal people that they really need to cover their tax exempt status and be very careful about how they present the question to the public in terms of what their intent is for the Gardens. Otherwise, they would have to register as a political lobbyist group. Commissioner Bird felt that somehow between now and November 7th, we need to paint in the minds of the voters an approximate picture of what we hope these gardens will be restored to and what that cost will be, and what the maintenance costs will be. He believed that if we do that, it has every chance of succeeding. Mr. Fletcher invited the Commissioners to come down and see the full-scale model of the Gardens at their headquarters in Luria's Plaza. Two hundred people attended their grand opening last week and donated $600. Administrator Chandler agreed that we should develop some sense of direction well in advance of the referendum in terms of whether the Gardens would be operated by the County or the Society. Commissioner Eggert asked if we can enter into a 2 or 3 year operating agreement with the Society with an option to renew and see how it goes. Administrator Chandler felt that could be done, but he didn't know if it needed to be done prior to the referendum. Quite frankly, if we are looking at it in terms of what the Commission has expressed, he felt the Society has a better ability to do it than the County has. His whole question has been from day one as he has gotten into it with them, is their ability to generate and to sustain those funds. That is why he did the simple calculation that if they can achieve 200 of what they initially presented to him, he would feel comfortable that they can do it. Commissioner Bird stated that it certainly would.be his preference at this point that the County somehow lease this 33 "7 E� AUG 22 1989 BOOK /f'A �'"