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<br />;56 <br /> <br />TUESDAY <br /> <br />MARCH 22, 1977 <br /> <br />in which was cited the valuable services being rendered the City government <br /> <br /> <br />by the Chamber of Commerce, Vice-Mayor Cole asked that the method by which the <br /> <br /> <br />amount of the City's annual membership dues is determined should be explained, <br /> <br /> <br />with CofC President Gardner indicating that such would be "looked into"; <br /> <br />whereupon motion by Councilman Oakes, seconded by Councilman Greene, Council <br /> <br />authorized the contributing of the sum of $4,500.00 to the Chamber of Commerce <br /> <br />for the aforesaid purpose, payable in equal installments over the next three <br /> <br />years. All members of Council, with the exception of Vice-Mayor Cole (who voted <br /> <br />against the motion), voted in the affirmative on this motion. <br /> <br />In considering further the Mass Transit Technical Study report recently prepared <br /> <br />for the City by Wilbur Smith & Associates and presented to Council at its March 8th <br /> <br />meeting, Council received from City Manager Noland the recommendation that, unless <br /> <br />Council is disposed "to get out of the public transit business", the City should <br /> <br />apply for the capital grants (i.e., Federal Mass Transit funds) to implement the <br /> <br />study report but, prior thereto, should conduct a public hearing on the question <br /> <br />of whether the City should or should not continue operating the local public transit <br /> <br />system. Councilman West, in offering the motion (seconded by Councilman Greene) to <br /> <br />conduct such a public hearing, cited the fact that the City's financial loss in <br /> <br />operating the total local transit system was approximately $100,000.00 during fiscal <br /> <br />1975-76 and, also, recommended that certain financial data (such as the financial <br /> <br />impact upon the City, should the City School System operate a complete "free busing" <br /> <br />system for local public students) be compiled for presentation as such public hearing, <br /> <br />the date of such hearing "left open" pending the compiling of such information. <br /> <br />Councilman Greene listed two basic questions to be answered and decided upon on <br /> <br />this matter, viz., (l) whether the City shou.1d "get out of the public transit business"; <br /> <br />and, (2) if the City is to continue its present role (of operating the system), shall <br />