HomeMy WebLinkAboutSPJT Minutes 1997-10-27SRCC/Cult.Aff.Comm. MINUTES (Spec. Jt.) 10/27/97 Page 1
FALKIRK CULTURAL CENTER, 1408 MISSION AVENUE, MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1997 AT 6:30 PM
Special Joint Meeting
San Rafael City Council/
Cultural Affairs Commission
CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION
Linda Spackman, Chair
Jay Yinger, Member
Carol Levy, Member
Wilma Gibbons, Member
Jonathan Toste, Member
Terese Redinger, Member
Absent: Phyllis Thelen, Member
Others Present: Rod Gould, City Manager
Vaughn Stratford, Library Director
Carol Adney, Falkirk Director
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL
Albert J. Boro, Mayor
Paul M. Cohen, Councilmember
Barbara Heller, Councilmember
Cyr N. Miller, Councilmember
Gary O. Phillips, Councilmember
1. REPORT BY CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION - File 9-2-24
A synopsis of the Cultural Affairs Commission's achievements and ongoing interests
and goals was provided by Linda Spackman, Chair.
ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Highlight the concept of the "Cultural Complex" (City Hall, Library, Boyd Gate
House, Falkirk and Downtown) with Falkirk as the "Cultural Center". This
resulted in increased usage by both public and private groups, including the
City.
• Increase Downtown economic vitality and historic heritage awareness through
support of the Downtown Art Center and the Historic Street Plaques project.
• Collaborate with other groups on projects and events. Achieved with the plaque
project, the Scouts from Scotland Sister City event, and Canal projects.
GOALS AND INTERESTS:
• The Cultural Affairs Commission acknowledged and appreciated the budget
allocation from the City. This will enable the Cultural Affairs Commission
to carry on projects.
• The Cultural Affairs Commission workshop retreat discussed the City as a whole
within the context of Marin County. Geographic, demographic, and cultural
considerations were discussed with related project ideas, such as ways to create
physical and visual connections between all areas of the City while encouraging
the public to see San Rafael as a destination and hub for cultural events.
• Commissioners stated their various interests and proposed projects, such as
developing walkways and alleyways, increasing access with bike and ridge trails,
involvement with business and academic communities, and increasing neighborhood
cultural events, programs and collaboration. The Cultural Affairs Commission
wants to be on-line with the City priorities, and would like to get involved
with the revision of the General Plan. The Cultural Affairs Commission would
like to include a calendar of cultural events in the San Rafael newsletter,
or similar publication.
2. DISCUSSION BETWEEN CITY COUNCIL, CITY MANAGER, AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION
The Mayor and Councilmembers indicated that the City wants to be known as the Festival
City. The City's role is as a facilitator of cultural events, not a creator.
The Cultural Affairs Commission is encouraged to look to things already
germinating and to promote those. Falkirk is a great resource as a specific
site, and an environment where people are able to put on their own events,
and the staff is well used in helping other groups put on their events. The
Cultural Affairs Commission should be "rowing, not steering", and should
remember any activity must be financially supported, which is another reason
to facilitate what the community is already doing. There are opportunities
for involvement with other groups, including the Chamber of Commerce Calendar
of Events, Farmer's Market (this could engender more diversity), the Classic
Car Parade, Hispanic Fiesta, Dominican College, Marin Convention and Visitors
Bureau, and the Marin Community Foundation.
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City Manager Gould offered to attend the next Commission meeting to discuss the
Delphi process, which can help focus the Cultural Affairs Commission's goals. It
was also suggested that the Cultural Affairs Commission line up their mission
and goals with those of the City to see where goals and priorities match.
This would better enable the Commission to help the City achieve its overall
mission.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM.
JEANNE M. LEONCINI, City Clerk
By: Carol Adney, Falkirk Director
APPROVED THIS DAY OF 1997
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
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