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- . . . . - out... but be a catalyst to reestablish programs that have long since passed." Council Member Hartnett asked that the Commission not duplicate what the City's Park and Recreation programs offer. - Council Member Ira described the current recruitment process that has begun for boards, committees and commissions, and asked the Commissioners to be involved in that process. He said the Civic Cultural Commission has been honored and recognized for its accomplishments over the years, and he encouraged the Commissioners to build upon that history, and to discuss that success with former Commissioners. He agreed that a strong focus should be on cultural activities for youth. Council Member Ira said the Council had many, many projects "on their plates" and depended on the Commission to come up with new ideas and to be creative addressing the cultural activities of the City. Mayor Howard said the Civic Cultural Commissions over the years have created "sparks in the community for the arts." She described the many programs the Commission started and how the commission has motivated people to get involved in art and culture in the City. Mayor Howard said that when the Council approves the budget every year, that is "almost the last time we really talk about the different programs and events that (the Commission sponsors.) We try to go to them, and we read the Minutes. But we don't really have much communication, as to what we are looking for together." Mayor Howard thanked the Commissioners for asking for more guidance and said she was sure that the Council and the Commission could devise a way to satisfy both their needs. She said a liaison and/or a monthly report from the Commission would be very beneficial. Mayor Howard said a list of the Commission sponsored programs shows activities for all ages. - Facilitator Reeves asked the groups to discuss the Work Plan. Council Member Hartnett said he saw the work plan (in the Report) as a process where values are established by the size of grants, historical review is considered, and criteria established. He asked the Commissioners if they had other goals they wished to share that weren't apparent in their guidelines. Vice Mayor Ruskin said the Commission's work plan was a process describing how the Commission "was going to approach things." He said this allocation process was a great improvement and had been badly needed. He suggested that the Commission establish priorities and somehow let it be known that those programs would be given more weight. He said, "I'm concerned about the lack of teaching of the arts in the schools... If we are going to have cultural activities from adults, it is very difficult to do that if they don't begin as young kids, no matter what that activity is, whether it is appreciating literature or going to the theater, or music." He commended the Commissioners for their efforts in bringing music back to Redwood City schools and their support for the Education Foundation. Vice Mayor Ruskin said the Education Foundation supported programs that "jump started" programs that would eventually continue on their own. He said would like to see support for jump starting a program for fine arts instruction in the schools. Vice Mayor Ruskin described the art exhibit - at Saint Ignatius High in San Francisco that he saw, and commented that the obvious art instruction that went into the student's artwork was evident and much appreciated. Study Session MINUTE BOOK NO. 56 May 4, 1998 Minutes Page No. 435 Page 4