Minutes 4-5-01 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

� Civic Cultural Commission Page 2 Minutes of April 5, 2001 ' preceded the 'Tis the Season events downtown. He stated the group obtained and paid for the insurance for the parade and would like to have control of the entire �Tis the Season program. He stated there have not been regular`Tis the Season meetings and that turnout at the meetings has been low. He feels there needs to be a chairperson in charge of the committee and that the Downtown Group is willing to take on the responsibility. G. H. Armour of the Miss America organization spoke regarding Virginia Ball's request to the Downtown Group for assistance with last year's parade and she felt that Commissioner Ball wanted to relinquish responsibility to another group. Ms. Armour said the Downtown Group wants to take a leadership role and has the resources to handle all facets of the program. Dave Redfern, member of the Downtown Business Group, explained his involvement in last year's parade and spoke about an incident that happened at the parade which was upsetting to the Downtown Group volunteers. Fred Ganjei clarified that the Downtown Group wants to take responsibility for every aspect of the �Tis the Season event including the parade, fireworks, sing-a-long, tree lighting, and working with the Cultural Commission and the �Tis the Season Committee. Bob Slusser, member of the `Tis the Season Committee, explained that five years ago, the �Tis the Season program was developed by the Cultural Commission to promote holiday activities happening in Redwood City. Core groups from Redwood City organizations came together to form an ad-hoc committee and each group took on different duties; the Optimist Club was responsible for the parade. Mr. Slusser reported that last year, the Optimist Club decided not to do the parade and the Downtown Group picked up that responsibility. He felt that communication broke down and agreed that the committee needs to undergo a change. Mr. Slusser felt that the committee needs to look to the Cultural Commission for guidance and felt that the collage of different groups would be lost as well as community participation if responsibility was given to one specific group. He also felt that an active Commission liaison is needed for the ad-hoc committee. He stated that at the end of every year, the Commission has an evaluation meeting where the event is discussed and critiqued, and the planning cycle starts again for the following year's program. Mr. Slusser explained that last year the 'Tis the Season group became its own entity and separate from the Civic Cultural Commission; the committee was never part of the Peninsula Celebration Association (PCA). Ms. Armour spoke about the Downtown Group stepping forward to assume responsibility in response to what Commissioner Ball requested. Chairperson Britschgi expressed her desire to see both groups work together on the �Tis the Season program. Mr. Slusser stated that the group can use PCA's equipment has as long as a PCA volunteer goes along with the equipment. Bill Anderson of the 'Tis the Season group stated that meeting attendance