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decreased. It was also mentioned that funding public art must include an economic development component. One Council Member advocated for a policy that makes the process clear and integrates all stakeholders. Vice Mayor Howard suggested beautifying utility boxes. Commissioners and Council discussed utility boxes and how to involve youth. Some concerns were mentioned about moving ahead without focus or priorities, and possibly having the community react if the beautification is not appealing to some. One Council Member is willing to fund public art but he wants it tied to economic development and he believes that every big project should have a public art component, however not with using a formulaic approach. Another Council Member asked that the Civic Cultural Commission help define the character and image of what attracts people to Redwood City. Another Council Member opposed the developer fee and setting a policy that could add bureaucracy. Mayor Foust summarized that there are divergent views on the Council as the discussion illustrated. There was consensus that fees and amounts need to be further considered and studied. Council consensus was reached on having the Civic Cultural Commission define and discern the vision for the City when it comes to public art, being as inclusive as possible by pulling in the various stakeholders (from faith based to private developers and various commissions) and returning the matter to Council. Mayor Foust and three other Council Members supported considering the beautification of utility boxes, with certain sensitivity to how the community might react. Regarding the proposed strategic art plan Mayor Foust believes this is somewhat ahead of the Council, especially because the City Attorney has not been included. The issue of making public art a Council priority was discussed. One Council Member commented that public art is not a priority but a tool. Mr. Dale reiterated that the goal is to have all stakeholders included and to have clarity and understand the city's "look and feel". There was a divided Council on the issue of extracting a fee for public art. Inclusion of public art in projects is okay but how to get to that is not clear. Mayor Foust would prefer focusing on the process and policy instead of the money. Regarding the birth bath, the Mayor would like the CCC to go through the City Attorney about current projects because there is no policy and then the Council to get a report. There was Council consensus on this last point. Mayor Foust thanked the Civic Cultural Commission. Laurie Fisher explained that art can be a vision and she shared that for her this vision can be like a prism, multifaceted and complex from bird baths to postcards to sculpture. Council took a break at 9:42 p.m. to adjourn to the regular Council Meeting. (Break and Regular City Council Meeting resumes) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C. Appointment to one unexpired seat on the Housing and Human Concerns Committee. JOINT CITY COUNCil/CIVIC CULTURAL COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 13, 2008 PAGE 6