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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem B: City Council Priority Issue - Strengthen and Promote Community's Arts and Outdoors Assets ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: City Council Priority Issue – Strengthen and Promote Community Arts and Outdoors Assets Meeting Date: November 8, 2006 Agenda Item Number: B Department: City Manager’s Office Staff Contact: Jan Bohman www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5587 ISSUE STATEMENT The purpose of the work session is to update the council on progress on the action plan for this priority issue. The goal of this City Council priority is to strengthen and promote Eugene’s arts and outdoors assets together to advance the community’s celebrated livability as a sustainable economic development strategy. BACKGROUND Eugene’s arts and outdoor resources are major contributors to the city’s overall quality of life and represent the best of the community’s unique assets. The purpose of this priority issue is to strengthen and promote these assets together as part of a community-wide sustainable economic development strategy. By focusing on these resources and presenting a cohesive “arts and outdoors” theme, the community has the potential to realize two significant benefits: 1) enhanced sustainable economic activity through increased tourism and commerce; and 2) increased community livability through improved access to arts and outdoors amenities and events for area residents. In February 2005, the City Council identified promoting Eugene’s arts and outdoor assets as one of eight priority issues. The action plan was approved in July 2005 and in September 2005, the City Council approved the slogan, “World’s Greatest City of the Arts and Outdoors,” to be used in promoting the Eugene as a center for arts and outdoors activities. Following approval of the action plan, the interdepartmental staff team began implementation of the plan and work progressed on the five elements of the action plan simultaneously. The updates in the attached report (see Attachment A) are organized within the five elements outlined in the original action plan. RELATED CITY POLICIES The Parks, Recreation and Open Space Comprehensive Plan and the Cultural Policy Review both incorporate significant work items included in the priority issue action plan. The priority issue also relates directly to Eugene Downtown Plan and the 1% for Arts policy, and to the goals of the Sustainable Business Initiative. L:\CMO\2006 Council Agendas\M061108\S061108B.doc COUNCIL OPTIONS This item is informational only. The council may provide feedback on any aspect of current or projected work related to the priority issue action plan. CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION The City Manager has no recommendation on this item. SUGGESTED MOTION None. ATTACHMENTS A. Arts and Outdoors City Council Priority Issue – Action Plan Update B. Arts and Outdoors staff team roster C. Public Art Committee roster FOR MORE INFORMATION Staff Contacts: Jan Bohman Telephone: 682-5587 Staff E-Mail: Jan.L.Bohman@ci.eugene.or.us L:\CMO\2006 Council Agendas\M061108\S061108B.doc ATTACHMENT A Strengthen and Promote Community Arts and Outdoors Assets City Council Priority Issue – Action Plan Update November 2006 This goal of this priority issue, identified by the City Council in February 2005, is to strengthen and promote Eugene’s arts and outdoors assets together as a community-wide sustainable economic development strategy, both increasing tourism and commerce, and enhancing community livability through expanded access to arts and outdoors amenities and events. The Council approved the action plan to address the issue in July 2005. The following updates are organized within the five elements outlined in that action plan. ELEMENT I – Project Initiation The staff team was formed, determined roles and responsibilities, and established the City as a key partner in the local and regional discussion by providing leadership in the efforts outlined in the other action plan elements. ELEMENT II – Resource Assessment The resource inventory is currently underway through activities in existing LRCS, POS and PDD work plans. ELEMENT III – Arts and Outdoors Identity This component is to develop and implement a marketing plan, in cooperation with community partners, which strongly aligns Eugene’s identity with arts and outdoors. ? Marketing Plan The City hired a marketing consultant, Funk/Levis & Associates, to lead development of a collaborative marketing plan to further develop arts and outdoors offerings and to effectively market the community identity locally and to external audiences. One hundred fifty arts and outdoors stakeholders, including key partners identified in the action plan, were invited to one of two community forums held in March 2006; approximately 50 participated. Based on the input, the consultant developed a draft of the marketing plan, which was reviewed and refined by the staff team and participants. The marketing plan recommends first focusing on organizational steps necessary to increase the likelihood of success and ensure the longevity of the endeavor. The five main strategies recommended in the plan are: 1) secure funding for the effort; 2) create a steering committee of key partners to spearhead collaborative implementation of the plan; 3) build alliances between arts and outdoors organizations; 4) develop an inventory of community arts and outdoor resources; and, 5) implement coordinated use of a “World’s Greatest City of the Arts and Outdoors” logo and other marketing techniques. Copies of the marketing plan have been placed in the Council office, and on the Council Priority Issue web page. The next major step is to convene the steering committee consisting of representatives of key community partners. The steering committee will consider funding options, direction for branding efforts and strategies for building alliances. The first meeting of this group is anticipated by the end of this calendar year. Meanwhile, use of the “World’s Greatest City” slogan has been incorporated into the City’s website and is increasingly used in collateral promotional materials. This branding process was the subject of a panel discussion in which Mayor Piercy participated at the League of Oregon Cities conference in September; the DVD produced for that occasion will be presented at the Council work session on November 8. ELEMENT IV – Opportunity Identification The Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Comprehensive Plan and the Cultural Policy Review (CPR) process have been the main mechanisms for identifying gaps and opportunities related to meeting arts and outdoors economic development objectives, as called for in the action plan. Additional analysis is needed regarding gaps and opportunities in facilities and community development programs. Associated identification of potential funding for arts and outdoors efforts will be necessary in order to implement prioritized programs and projects. Meanwhile opportunities are utilized as they arise, a significant one being the 2008 Olympic Track and Field Trials. ? Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Comprehensive Plan In May, the City Council approved the PROS project and priority plan and adopted a resolution to place a bond measure on the November 2006 ballot for up to $27.5 million for park land and natural area acquisition, development of all-season athletic fields in partnership with school districts, and partial funds for the West Eugene Wetlands Environmental Education Center and development of Golden Gardens Park. The outcome of that election will be known by the work session on November 8. ? Cultural Policy Review In April, Mayor Piercy announced the 21 members of the Mayor’s Cultural Policy Review (CPR) Committee, including Chair Tina Rinaldi and Vice-Chair David Kelly. An arts consultant team, Wolf, Keens & Company, was hired to support the CPR, the City’s first arts planning process in more than 20 years. More than 300 constituents participated in six open Arts and Culture Dialogue sessions held in September. The consultants produced their first Situation Paper, based on two dozen individual interviews with community members, as background for discussions in the sessions. Work on a facilities survey and an attendance survey has begun. The next consultant visit and public forum is scheduled for November. The CPR web page - www.eugene- or.gov/CulturalPolicyReview - and email are used for ongoing communication with constituents and key partner organizations. The CPR process is helping to build partnerships in the arts and culture sector, and the outcomes and projects identified will directly contribute to the enhancement and promotion of Eugene’s arts and cultural assets. ? 2008 Olympic Track and Field Trials Preparation Securing the 2008 Olympic Trials for Eugene has already had a significant impact on development of the arts and outdoors identity and has the potential for even greater benefit. This event provides a unique opportunity to showcase Eugene’s arts and outdoors assets on a national and international stage. Athletic, educational and cultural offerings will be expanded leading up to and during the event, and opportunities to leverage the “World’s Greatest” branding by teaming it up with the Eugene’08 branding are under discussion. ELEMENT V – Project List Development Some of the projects originally identified in this element include: ? Public Art Plan/Public Art Committee An interim Public Art Committee is now serving until a permanent committee is in place. (Attachment B) After making a recommendation regarding the public art proposal for a Eugene Japanese American Memorial, the committee is beginning work to evaluate additional public art proposals, review the City's catalogue of sites for future public art projects, and provide recommendations on donations and general acquisitions for the City's public art collection. This committee represents the first phase in developing the framework for the City’s public art master plan. ? Community Celebrations of 100 Years of Parks and Hendricks Park Centennial The Parks and Open Space Division held a number of activities through out the year to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Eugene parks. The first annual Children's Nature Film Festival in April was attended by more than 650 people. Over 150 past and present employees, volunteers, and community members gathered on September to celebrate Hendricks Park’s 100th Birthday. This historic event included a look back at the changes over the last 100 years, and a toast to the next 100. th ? Community Celebration of the Hult Center’s 25 Anniversary in 2007 In August, the Cultural Services Advisory Committee (CSAC) presented their recommendation for a series of community events in September 2007 to celebrate the th Hult Center’s 25 birthday. Celebrating Hult 25 will consist of a weekend of 25 hours of entertainment showcasing the artistic excellence of the Hult Center’s eight resident companies, as well as a special, yet-to-be-named entertainer. A formal recognition dinner will celebrate individuals who made the Hult Center a reality through their support for construction of a world-class entertainment facility. ? Additional Projects Additional City projects and initiatives not specified in the original action plan have served to strengthen and promote Eugene as a world-class center for arts and outdoors. These include the completion and grand opening of RiverPlay Discovery Village, a regional destination playground, grand reopening of neighborhood parks throughout the community, and a number of new and expanded recreation programs including Eugene’s first “Out in the Artdoors” urban adventure race. For more information, please refer to the quarterly report for July-September, 2006. ? Cuthbert Amphitheatre The Cuthbert Amphitheatre embodies in one major City venue the dual aspects of the arts and outdoors identity. The City entered into a controversial concession contract in January 2006 with entertainment promoters Kesey Enterprises of Eugene and Double Tee of Portland, with the goal of increasing use and attendance at the amphitheater. The 2005-06 Cuthbert season activity and attendance doubled the preceding three year average. These results exceeded staff expectations and generated a net return to the city. ATTACHMENT B Strengthen and Promote Community Arts and Outdoors Assets City Council Priority Issue Staff Team Susan Muir - Planning and Development, Executive Manager lead Jan Bohman - City Manager’s Office, staff lead Kelly Darnell - Public Works, Parks and Open Space Justin Grishkin - Public Works, Parks and Open Space Kathy Madison - Library, Recreation and Cultural Services, Administration Johnny Medlin - Public Works, Parks and Open Space Billie Rathbun-Moser - Library, Recreation and Cultural Services, Cultural Services Craig Smith - Library, Recreation and Cultural Services, Recreation Mike Sullivan - Planning and Development, Community Development Glen Svendsen - Central Services, Facility Management ATTACHMENT C City of Eugene Public Art Committee Membership: Bill Blix, artist, retired educator Craig Spilman, artist, retired educator Rick Williams, LCC Arts Chair Yvonne Stubbs, artist, Cultural Services Advisory Committee Mary Unruh, Executive Director, DIVA Larry Fong, UO Schnitzer Museum One vacancy Staff: Angel Jones, Executive Director LRCS Department Laura Niles, Interim Cultural Services Division Manager Glen Svendsen, Facilities Division Manager