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Vice Mayor Ruskin further described Council's dependence on the Commission for cultural decisions, and encouraged the Commissioners to take on the controversial issues and "put up with the fireworks" to achieve their desirable goals. He said he hoped they weren't disappointed that the Council didn't want to directly guide them in their decisions, but again expressed confidence in their decision making ability and said he believed more communication would be helpful for both groups. Vice Mayor Ruskin said Council read the Minutes of the Commission's meeting and he would welcome a monthly Report at Council Meetings if it were about issues and events which were not in the Minutes. Mayor Howard said she would welcome a brief overview of the June 4 Commission meeting where applications for grants will be considered, and perhaps the August meeting where recommendations will be considered. She said that what transpires at those meetings could provide insight "on how you weight the different types of activities and the quality of activities that you receive." Mayor Howard said the Commissioners could share with the Council the difficulties they had in the process and "how you think you could make it better, or if it worked just fine." Council Member Leipzig said he felt there were two main issues. He said the first was communications, and "that's what we are doing here tonight. Opening up that communication process" as we are with all Council-appointed board, committee and commission. Council Member Leipzig said the second was money. He suggested that the Commission engage in fund raising activities. He said, "I will pledge my support for that kind of effort if you choose as a Commission to do that. I think that that is a reasonable, attainable goal if we all work together... That's the kind of thing I would like the Commission to try to achieve as opposed to just coming with hat in hand, saying we need more money - because you probably do.... But we have, as you look at our agendas, many, many more issues on our table that are pressing needs, police, fire, roads. We will be talking about sewers later tonight.... not a very sexy issue, but it is critical to the functioning of the City." Commissioner Ball said volunteers to boards, committees and commissions spend a lot of time and put a lot of effort into the work they do, and "I do not feel that it should be their position to do fund raisers." She said a fundraiser once a year would be fine, but fund raising shouldn't be required of volunteers to Council appointed boards, committees and commissions. Facilitator Reeves restated the outcomes; . the idea of a liaison has merit . the Commission wants to establish priorities and make sure they are within the framework of the Council's goals and objectives; . you are the Council's brain trust, they rely upon you and trust your judgment and respect you; . the Council has said the Commission should negotiate a better deal with Fox and hold them accountable - true for everyone who receives a Commission grant; Study Session MINUTE BOOK NO. 56 May4,I998 Minutes Page No. 438 Page 7