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.' . . I . . - Commissioner Saye said that as a downtown merchant, as well as personally, he supported the subsidy to the Fox Theater. He said, "It is, beyond a doubt, the one thing that makes Redwood City known on the Peninsula." Commissioner Saye described other local - performing art centers, and said his feeling about the $30,000 subsidy was "Hands om" He described his plans to seek corporate sponsorship, and said he believed the community deserves the City's efforts to further the performing arts in Redwood City. Commissioner Ball, member of the Fox Theater Task Force, provided the background of the $30,000 subsidy to the Fox Theater. She said the Commission's budget was $65,000. Deducting $30,000 to the Fox and $25,000 to the Schools so they could leverage it for the Music in the Schools Program, only left $10,000 for all the other cultural activities the Commission wanted to support. She said, "In all fairness to the Culture Commission, I don't feel we should put out that $30,000 to the people at Fox.... If we are going to fund it, then I want some restrictions, some demands on them to get some cooperation. If they want to have more performances to bring downtown, if they want to have some type of school for young people to learn how to become artists, stage performers, fine. But the idea of just handing them $30,000 a year and no questions asked - I do not agree with it.... We have asked them repeatedly what performances they were going to have the following year before we fund them the money, and they refused to tell us. They said they didn't want anyone to know..... That is not right. You don't hand out money to somebody unless you know what you are getting for your money.... We need to have a stricter agreement with them, and get something in return. If we don't... then we should not fund it" Commissioner Saye said he had already requested to speak at the Fox Theater's Board of - Directors meeting next week, and said he would bring a report back to the Commission. Facilitator Reeves described the themes he had heard expressed and the outcomes desired: . The Commission establish its priorities in a manner that is consistent with the overall objectives of the City; . There is a need to attract more business downtown and that cultural aspect would be an advantage; . There is the feeling that once the priorities are established the Commission will be empowered, will have discretion in terms of choices, budget and what to support; . The Fox Theater is a recurring issue and there is a need to negotiate a better deal, to establish concrete commitments with some accountability; . Possibly augmenting the Commission's budget; . More communication than just the brief discussion at budget time, more throughout the year; . The Council really depends upon the Commission to trigger ideas, the Commission is the "brain trust"; the Council will give feedback, but relies on you and values that role; - Study Session MINUTE BOOK NO. 56 May 4, 1998 Minutes Page No. 437 Page 6