TITLE:
title
FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE REVISING CHAPTER III OF TITLE 12 REGARDING THE PARKS, ARTS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION TO REMOVE ARTS FUNCTIONS, FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE ADDING CHAPTER IV OF TITLE 12 ESTABLISHING AN ARTS COMMISSION, AND RESULTING DISSOLUTION OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMITTEE
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DEPARTMENT: PARKS & COMMUNITY SERVICES
PRESENTED BY: JASON MINTER, PARKS & COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
CONTACT INFORMATION: JASON MINTER, PARKS & COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR, (714) 754-5009
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends City Council:
1. Read by title only, waive further reading and introduce Ordinance 2022-xx to rename the Parks, Arts and Community Services Commission to Parks and Community Services Commission and remove arts related language (Attachment 1).
2. Read by title only, waive further reading and introduce Ordinance 2022-xx to establish an Arts Commission that would serve as an advisory commission to the City Council in matters related to the City’s Arts and Culture Master Plan (Attachment 2), and dissolve the Cultural Arts Committee accordingly.
3. Authorize a $100.00 per month stipend for the Arts Commissioners.
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BACKGROUND:
The City of Costa Mesa has long supported the development of the arts as a means of enriching the community with a variety of arts opportunities. In 1984, the City Council adopted the motto “City of the Arts” to memorialize the City’s commitment to the development of the arts, including the creation of an Arts Committee (Attachment 3). Subsequently, in recognition of the value and impact of local arts and culture on the community the City Council approved Resolution 99-54 adopting modifications to the City Seal to include the “City of the Arts” motto. In 2019, the Parks and Recreation Commission was renamed the Parks, Arts and Community Services Commission, and both the arts and senior services were added to its purview.
On March 16, 2021, City Council approved and adopted the Arts and Culture Master Plan, a comprehensive plan to enhance arts policies and funding for continued growth in all arts related areas. Goal #3 of the Master Plan is to professionalize and elevate the status of the arts and culture in city government (Attachment 4).
ANALYSIS:
The recently approved Arts and Culture Master Plan included establishing an Arts Commission to reflect the Council’s desire for an ongoing policy focus, along with oversight of the City’s investment in the arts. A new seven (7) member Commission (no alternate) would serve to attract those residents best qualified by virtue of knowledge and experience for the overall development of the arts, supporting City Councils goals as well as the public at large. The general ideology of the Arts Commission shall be to ensure that the City of Costa Mesa is a place where creativity can flourish; imagination, inspiration and innovation are held in high regard; arts education is essential to all; and that arts and culture promotes civic pride and enriches the daily lives of the community.
The current recommendation for the Parks, Arts and Community Services Commission would remove the Arts language and responsibilities that were added in 2019, changing the name to the Parks and Community Services Commission (formally known as the Parks and Recreation Commission). Staff would continue to promote the Arts to the Parks and Community Services Commission, especially for those events that apply to both Commissions.
The following list includes the qualities that would be ideal for Arts Commissioners:
Qualifications of Arts Commission Members:
• Resident of Costa Mesa (candidates are not selected by Council District)
• Background in the arts, either business related or participatory in the following fields: architecture, fine art, interior design, dance, video/film, photography, literary arts, music, theater, graphic design, media arts, visual arts and or arts administration.
• 4 year appointments, with 3-4 Commissioners initially taking 2 year appointments
• Need to apply and be nominated by City Council (see potential application questions below)
Pursuant to the Council-approved Arts and Culture Master Plan, the existing Cultural Arts Committee could serve in a volunteer role on cultural arts projects and events, as needed, moving forward. There are currently eight (8) voting members (one voting member vacant) and two (2) alternates of the Cultural Arts Committee. All members and alternates would be invited to apply for the Commissioner positions. Staff developed a list of questions for use during the recruitment of Arts Commissioners (Attachment 5).
ALTERNATIVES:
The City Council may choose to not revise the existing Parks, Arts and Community Services Commission or to establish a City Arts Commission and continue solely with the Cultural Arts Committee.
FISCAL REVIEW:
The cost to establish an Arts Commission for FY 2022-23 is $8,400. This was added to the Parks and Community Services Department budget during the budget process in 2021-22 utilizing funding from the Measure Q Cannabis Sales Tax.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney‘s Office has reviewed this report, the proposed ordinances and approves them as to form.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES:
Strengthen the Public’s Safety and Improve the Quality of Life.
CONCLUSION:
At this time, it is the staff recommendation that City Council:
1. Read by title only, waive further reading and introduce Ordinance 2022-xx to rename the Parks, Arts and Community Services Commission to Parks and Community Services Commission and remove arts related language (Attachment 1).
2. Read by title only, waive further reading and introduce Ordinance 2022-xx to establish an Arts Commission that would serve as an advisory commission to the City Council in matters related to the City’s Arts and Culture Master Plan (Attachment 2), and dissolve the Cultural Arts Committee accordingly.
3. Authorize a $100.00 per month stipend for the Arts Commissioners.