Minutes Cultural Plan Review Committee March 4, 2013 City of Tallahassee Senior Center Auditorium

Transcription

1 Minutes Cultural Plan Review Committee March 4, 2013 City of Tallahassee Senior Center Auditorium Meeting Began: 1:05 PM Meeting Adjourned: 2:52 PM Welcome Committee Chair Kelly Dozier extended a welcome to guests, committee members, and city staff Committee Chair Kelly Dozier asked committee members to approve the minutes from the February 4, 2012 meeting as corrected. The committee accepted the revisions and approved the minutes. There was a brief discussion by committee members regarding their need for an improved process for the timely distribution of subcommittee and committee minutes prior to the next meeting. ECD Director Michael Parker stated that city staff would work to improve the process for more timely distribution of the minutes to committee members to expedite their review and feedback. Introduction of Guests Committee Chair Kelly Dozier introduced guest presenters: Lee Daniels, Tourist Development Council; Robert Bendus State of Florida Historic Preservation Officer; other guests included local media representatives, Tallahassee City Commissioner Gil Ziffer (who made presentation regarding the Northwood Mall as private citizen) and the Irish Heritage group members Presentation from Robert Bendus, State Historic Preservation Officer/Director, Division of Historical Resources Mr. Bendus provided an overview of the State of Florida s historical and cultural programs and projects. Mr. Bendus told the committee that his role as the Director of the Division of Historical Resources was to preserve, protect, and promote the historical archeological and folk life resources of the state. Mr. Bendus indicated that one of the State s primary goals is to identify, document, and record Florida s historical resources. The Florida Preservation master site file contains a listing of 190,000 historical and archeological places in the State of Florida. Mr. Bendus stated that the state agency s focus is to support community enhancement and connecting people with places. Mr. Bendus provided data on the 2007 economic impact of heritage tourism in Florida: 75,528, jobs were created, $ 1.72 billion in revenue was generated. Mr. Bendus told the committee that the state currently offered two grants for historical preservation, restoration and culture. He indicated that the level of grant funding was appropriated by the State s legislature in the budget annually. Mr. Bendus told the committee that the level of grant funds was being reduced each year and only one grant program received funding from the legislature in FY12/13. Mr. Bendus concluded his presentation by stating that he and his staff are currently working with local government officials to explore their options to partner and to create a heritage tourism hub in Tallahassee that is centered around the Grove Heritage House project, Cascade Park project, San Luis Mission, the De Soto Trail and other historical sites and landmarks in the region.

2 Presentation from Lee Daniels, Director of Tourist Development Council Mr. Daniels presented a Power Point presentation to the committee that provided information on the Tourist Development Tax and statutory regulations on the use to those funds, the composition and responsibilities of the Tourist Development Council documented economic impact of local cultural, historical, and entertainment events and tourism in the Leon County and Tallahassee area. Mr. Daniels also provided information on the funding provided to support local arts, heritage and cultural activities that positively impact tourism in the area. Mr. Daniels stated that the Leon County collects 5% Tourist Development Tax (TDT) on short term accommodations of 6 months or less. Current TDT collections equates to approximately $850,000 per penny annually. The Leon Board of County Commissioner recently accepted a recommendation from the Tourist Development Council to continue budgeting 4 out every 5 pennies collected from the Tourist Development Tax to be used for marketing and operations of the Division of Tourism Development for another year. Mr. Daniels reported that $504,500 was appropriated by the Leon County Commission to COCA to be re granted to cultural organizations and events throughout Leon County. Mr. Daniels also stated that an additional $150,000 in general revenue funds are allocated to COCA for administrative support. Mr. Daniels stated that since 2003, when the County partnered with COCA to implement the Cultural Plan; the County has provided COCA with $5.5 million of which $4.13 million has been re granted and awarded to local cultural, arts, and historical groups. Mr. Daniels told the committee that the TDC also offers $60,000 in grant funds to eligible groups to assist with programming for special events & meetings. Mr. Daniels briefed the committee on the TDC s current/new projects: Cascades Park & Capital City Amphitheater with 1,500 permanent seats & capacity for 4,000 seats $1.7 million of TDT funds designated for a Performing Arts Center in the downtown district of the Community Redevelopment Area are being used for amphitheater projects. Partner with COCA to create one special events calendar Trailahassee.com College Town America s Backyard Bass Pro Shop New Dining Options Highwaymen collection at the John G. Riley House Museum Mr. Daniels concluded his presentation by stating the primary goals for the TDC include: building a stronger partnership between tourism and the arts and cultural community; working closer together to build better understanding and marketing programs; developing a mindset of overnight visitation to grow the Tourist Development Tax revenue annually by $190,000 for each 1% increase in hotel occupancy, thus creating more funds available for arts and culture. Sub Committee Reports and Updates Committee Chair Dozier asked for the subcommittee reports following the conclusion of the presentations from Mr. Bendus and Mr. Daniels.

3 Facilities Subcommittee Karen Wendland, Subcommittee Chair reported that the subcommittee implemented a process for interviewing the organizations that have a facility or a need for a facility. She reported that they have interviewed LeMoyne Center for Visual Arts, Tallahassee Museum, Tallahassee Ballet, Brogan Museum, and the John G. Riley House Museum. Future interviews: Tallahassee Little Theater, Florida Center for Performing Arts, 621 Gallery, State Department of Cultural Affairs, Tallahassee Symphony, Goodwood Plantation Museum, Southside Arts Complex, Challenger Center, and the World Ballet. Committee Chair Kelly Dozier asked the committee to allow Tallahassee City Commissioner Gil Ziffer to make a brief report on the exploration of the Northwood Centre facility s space for performing art groups rehearsals, etc. Exploration of Northwood Centre Space Opportunity Presentation Gil Ziffer made a presentation to the committee as a private citizen and not as a representative of the Tallahassee City Commission. Mr. Ziffer informed that group that he and other concerned residents have partnered together to locate vacant building spaces that may provide an opportunity for some performing arts groups and other local interest groups to partner and to share space for their agency s office, rehearsal and small performance needs. Mr. Ziffer reported that currently the Northwood Centre has 55,000 sq. ft. of space available (formerly Publix Shopping Center). Mr. Ziffer highlighted some of the amenities that the Northwood Centre site had to offer: convenient to bus routes, it is near Raa Middle School, ample parking and it is in the middle of town. Mr. Ziffer indicated that he and others would like to create a public private partnership with interested agencies needing performance and rehearsal space. Mr. Ziffer concluded his presentation by stating that he has contacted several organizations (Tallahassee Ballet, Irish Heritage group and others) and they all have expressed an interest in exploring this opportunity. After Mr. Ziffer concluded his presentation Committee Chair Dozier resumed the presentation of the subcommittee reports. Education Subcommittee Report Subcommittee Chair Betsy Couch reported that they had expanded their committee meeting discussions to include input from other involved citizens. Their process has resulted in the subcommittee receiving a lot of information. Ms. Couch reminded the committee that they recently shared the draft of their assessment of the Education Goals in the 2003 Cultural Plan. Ms. Couch briefly discussed some of the subcommittee proposed recommendations related to possible bylaw changes. Ms. Couch ended her report by stating that the subcommittee has not been successful in scheduling a presentation from Leon County Schools Arts Liaison. A brief discussion occurred between the committee members on the need to hold a special meeting of Sub Committee Chairs to decide on a process and timelines for the presentation of the Assessment Reports from the subcommittees. The committee agreed that a special meeting would be scheduled for March 6, 12:30 at the offices of Mad Dog Construction Company located at 1203 Miccosukee Road. Committee Chair Dozier resumed the presentation of the subcommittees.

4 Economic Development Subcommittee Report Subcommittee Chair Berneice Cox reported that their subcommittee invited directors from: COCA, Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Council, Red Hills Trials, Seven Days of Opening Nights, and Springtime Tallahassee to share their assessment on the success and/or failure of the economic development goals in the Cultural Plan. Ms. Cox concluded her presentation by briefly discussing the subcommittee s process for developing their assessments and then making their recommendations. Public and Private Funding Sustainability Subcommittee Subcommittee Chair Jan Sheffield reported that their last two meetings had been productive in their efforts to fact find based on question and answer presentations from vested groups/agencies (Red Hills Trials, Tallahassee Museum of History). Ms. Sheffield indicated that the subcommittee was analyzing what worked well in the Cultural Plan and what opportunities are available going forward. Ms. Sheffield concluded her report by indicating that the subcommittee Assessment report was on schedule for completion in April. Marketing Subcommittee Subcommittee Chair Marc Bauer reported that they had the opportunity to have Peggy Brady and Erica Thaler attend subcommittee meetings to make presentations and answer questions related to the successes and failures of the Marketing Goals for the 2003 Cultural Plan. Mr. Bauer indicated that he liked the Assessment Reporting format utilized by the Education subcommittee. Mr. Bauer concluded his report by stating that the subcommittee is satisfied with their progress and the process used to identify marketing challenges related to the implementation of the 2003 Cultural Plan goals. CRC to COCA Subcommittee Subcommittee Chair Chris Heacox reported that the subcommittee was still gathering data and analyzing the information they have in hand. Subcommittee member Anne Mackenzie addressed the Cultural Plan Review Committee (CPRC) and requested that COCA be invited to make a presentation at the April meeting. The CPRC through consensus agreed to invite COCA to present at their April meeting. At the conclusion of the subcommittee reports Karen Wendland addressed the CPRC to inform the group that the last formal presentation by the Florida Center for the Performing Arts and Education to the Sales Tax Extension Committee meeting is at the Downtown Leon County Library, March 14, 4:00 pm. CRPC Chair Kelly Dozier adjourned the meeting of the CPRC and invited subcommittees to have a brief discussion with other subcommittees on their findings, challenges and other matters related to the entire process for reviewing the 2003 Cultural Plan. Breakout Session for Sub Committees Facilities Subcommittee

5 1. Reviewed the schedule of Interviews for March 12 th : 1:30 to 2:00 Kerri Post, Dept. of Cultural Affairs (Chucha Barber will contact Kerri Post) 2:00 2:15 Bob Inzer is confirmed with The Florida Center for Performing Arts 2:15 2:30 Theresa Davis is confirmed with Tallahassee Little Theatre 2. At Chucha Barber s request: add COCA s Report on Goal #4 to the Agenda of a future Subcommittee Meeting. (possibly March 26 if Kerri Post isn t available for March 12) Ms. Brady distributed COCA s Report to the committee at our last meeting. 3. At Peggy Brady s request: add The Arts Exchange to the list of organizations that the Subcommittee plans to interview. Education Subcommittee Report Betsy Couch, Audra Pittman, and Jill Sandler agreed to next meeting date in March 27 1:00 at the Senior Center 3A. Subcommittee briefly discussed who they want to invite to their next meeting. Betsy Couch asked Michael Parker to reach out to Leon County Schools again. Public and Private Funding Subcommittee and Economic Development Subcommittee Subcommittee joint meeting (Bernice Cox, Bart Wells, Jan Sheffield and Russell Dawes) focused on the Economic Development subcommittee s earlier meeting with Sue Dick, Tallahassee Area & Big Bend Chamber of Commerce. Private & Public Finance Sustainability subcommittee wanted to know if the information presented by Sue Dick was helpful to providing insight on the process used by the Chamber and the EDC in the recruitment of companies relative to their discussion of the local arts, culture, and heritage as a resource. The Economic Development subcommittee answered affirmatively. Marketing Subcommittee Marketing Subcommittee did not meet. CRC to COCA Subcommittee Chris Heacox and Mayda Williams set the schedule for their next meeting. They briefly discussed who should be invited to their next subcommittee meeting. Subcommittee indicated that they want to have a discussion with representative currently serving on the Cultural Arts Grants Selection Committee of COCA. Gil Ziffer joined the meeting and provided input regarding Tourist Development Tax money that is being collected for the Performing Arts Center is being deferred. Gil Ziffer gave more details on the Northwood Centre initiative. Peggy Brady also joined the discussion of the subcommittee. Ms. Brady expressed her views regarding the lack of involvement from COCA regarding the Northwood Centre initiative. As a result of this discussion Ms. Brady stated that COCA will not be willing to share any information related to the Performing Arts Center. The meeting was adjourned.