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In response to Vice Mayor Howard's questions, Chairwoman Ball said the CCC has never come to the Council before asking for additional funds. In fact, initially, ten years ago, the CCC had difficulty convincing groups to apply for available funds. She said that has certainly changed, and the need for additional funds sprung from the growth of the school population and Council's direction for assistance to the schools, and the Council's focus on arts in Redwood City. She said this year's expenditures are the same as last year's, except for the additional funds for more school programs, approximately $8,000 to $10,000. Chairwoman Ball said the Commissioners were planning to change the review process so that all the large requests would be considered at one time and they could ensure their funding. Chairwoman Ball described the success of the Performing Arts Center in Walnut Creek, a city the size of Redwood City, which drew 250,000 patrons last year. She said the San Francisco Board of Supervisors gave $16 million to the San Francisco Arts Commission, and the National Endowment for the Arts gave $95 million nationwide. She said Redwood City's Commission budget is $65,000. In response to Councilwoman Buchan's questions, Chairwoman Ball said the Commissioners had not been involved in fund raising and up to now had felt it "was not part of their job." However, she added that if the Council wanted them to do so, they would go out into the community to seek funds and grants to support their programs. Vice Mayor Howard suggested that the Commissioners join other organizations' practices in finding sponsors to fund promotion and advertisement of their activities, saving the City's money for the actual activity itself. She suggested that the CCC redesign and improve the application process to use the available funds the best way possible. Vice Mayor Howard, Council representative to the Housing and Human Concerns Committee, described how an extrernely good application process evolved over the years so that the HHCC has been able to make informed decisions and maximize the use of city funds. She offered to have the HHCC work with the CCC on an improved application process providing better accountability. Chairwoman Ball said, "absolutely," the Civic Cultural Commissioners would welcome any assistance they could get. Councilwoman La Berge said the cultural life of Redwood City was extremely important to her and the Council, and echoed Vice Mayor Howard's comments. She expressed support for the additional funding of the Schools Rescue Program due to the City's support, and for other funding partnerships. Chairwoman Ball said the Commissioners are open to all ideas to increase funding of the arts and cultural activities in Redwood City, including an expanded City budget. Mayor Hartnett called upon those members of the audience who wished to speak to this issue. Matias Varela, Executive Director of the Arts Council of San Mateo County, 1219 Ralston Avenue, Belmont, expressed support for the Civic Cultural Commission and commended REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 55 OCTOBER6,1997 MINUTES Page No. 554 PAGE 7