HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - April 7, 1997LODI CITY COUNCIL
JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND
THE LODI ARTS COMMISSION
HUTCHINS STREET SQUARE, 125 SOUTH HUTCHINS
MONDAY, APRIL 7, 1997
6:30 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Council Members - Land, Mann, Sieglock, Warner and Pennino (Mayor)
Absent: Council Members - None
Present: Arts Commissioners - Crabtree, Dillon, Handel, Heinitz, Kerner, Kundert, Maley,
Mattheis, Reynolds, Smith and Vandenberg
Absent: Arts Commissioners - None
Also Present: City Manager Flynn, Deputy City Manager Keeter, Community Center Director
Lange, Arts Coordinator Olagaray, City Attorney Hays and City Clerk Perrin
2. DISCUSSION OF ITEMS OF MUTUAL CONCERN
The evening began with an "interactive art experience" involving three teams, the Lodi Arts
Commission, the City Council Members and City staff, painting timed, theme paintings.
Following dinner, the Arts Commission presented the following information to the City Council:
• Arts Commission Mission Statement;
• The following goals and objects for the next five years:
* To initiate, sponsor, produce major City-wide quality festivals/events for the music,
drama, dance and visual arts;
• To increase access to the arts through direct participation and individual experience;
• To actively support the growth and stability of arts groups in Lodi;
* To motivate and connect the diversity of groups in Lodi to participate together around
the arts; and
To continue to build and create an atmosphere of community for the whole City at
Hutchins Street Square through the arts.
• Arts Commission Programs for 1996-97 which, over the past five years, has increased from 4
programs to 19. The Commission was proud to announce that it accomplished over 80% of
what it wanted to do in the last five-year plan with the help of the additional staff approved by
the City Council;
• One of the Commission's most successful goals is the Children's Arts Programs. A video
presentation regarding children participation in arts programs was shown to stress the
importance arts plays in early development of children;
• In February 1996 specialty classes were transferred from Parks and Recreation to Hutchins
Street Square. Since then the classes, which were mostly dance classes, have increased
tremendously to include Children's Theater Workshops, watercolor and mixed media painting,
wire sculpture, ceramics, cartooning and caricature drawing, and creative writing. These
programs enroll approximately 172 children every month. In addition, the Commission
partners with Kids Can't Wait and the Lodi Unified School District for additional classes.
These programs generate revenue and are paying for themselves; and
Continued April 7,1997
• Proposed Lodi Arts Commission Performing Arts Theater Programming Schedule that would
set each month aside for a different artistic medium, such as theater (e.g. Drama Fest), music
(e.g. Lodi Community Concert Association), dance (e.g. local talent show sponsored by the
Youth Commission), and literary (e.g. lectures or workshops);
Each of the Council Members expressed their appreciation to the Lodi Arts Commission for this
dinner meeting and for all that they do to make their programs successful in this community.
Council Member Sieglock suggested that the Arts Commission meet with the business community
to build a relationship and better inform them of what the Commission stands for and explain their
programs and funding. Then the business community may want to contribute to the arts more.
Ms. Olagary agreed with Mr. Sieglock and further informed the Council that there currently is a
good relationship formed within the business community; however, they will continue to enhance
it. Mayor Pennino reiterated that the City needs to leverage the schools more and share facilities.
Further, he suggested that the Commission provide more detail on where their other funding is
coming from (e.g. donations or grants). Council Member Warner reminded the Commission not to
spread their programs too thin, and provide ample opportunity for the current programs to grow
before adding a lot more. Council Member Land stressed that he would like to see the Lodi
Community Band premiered more, that Drama Fest become a yearly event and suggested an
outdoor skating rink.
The evening ended with a song written and sung by Commissioner Crabtree thanking Council for
its support of the arts.
3. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Pennino adjourned the
meeting at approximately 10:00 p.m.
ATTEST:
errin?n'ifeM
Cierk
2