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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCultural Resources Board - Minutes - 01/31/1979' CULTURAL RFSO(R BOARD rD=V Summary Minutes January 31, 1979 700 p.m. Ludlow Room Present; Cultural Resources Board-- Jack Curftran, Pauline Bixky/Kreutzer, Martha Trimble, Colleen Cassell Absent: Ross Loomis, Ray Dixon Staff-, Ellen Thexton, Brian Moroney, Edwina Echevarria Guests.- Dick Hayes, Joyce Everitt, Mims Harris, Mr, and Mrs, Ted Will The meeting was called to order by Jack Curfman. 1. The minutes of January 3, 1979, were approved as written. 2. There were a few additions to the agenda: 3a. Dance program controversy 3b. Museum update and problems 4a. Introduction of Mr, and Mrs. Ted Will, of Mister Pawn Shop 4b. Introduction of Joyce ELeritt of the LCC Guild Executive Committee. 4c. Mr. Richard Hayes, of the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra Executive Board 3a. Dance program controversy Mrs. Thexton reported on the philosophical differences that have risen in the community over the proposed dance residency at IOC to be conducted by Harold Canode. She said that a particular element in the community objected to the Program and threatened the City with injunctions and lawsuits. She said that the program was viewed as a threat to private existing dance studios and there was an objection to LCC supporting this kind of program. As a result of the objections and threats, Mr. Canode withdrew. In support of the class, 20 persons had registered for the class before it was withdrawn, plus we received numerous phone calls stating the need for the advanced class; and, further, a letter was sent to the Coloradoan (and our office) by a private citizen in support of the class. Mrs. Thexton stated that she wants the CM to make a recommendation on this issue, because every time a program introduced to LCC is challenged, we need to know where we stand. Mrs. Birky/%reutzer suggested that the Board needs some time to discuss this issue in order to formulate a policy. The rest of the Board concurred. 3b. Museum update and problems (1) Mr. Moroney reported on attendance figures for the Museum for 1978: There were aver 19,000 visitors to the Museum in 1978, 13,036 of those being walk-in visitors. 143 tours were given. (2) Mr. Moroney unfolded to the Board the serious roof/water_drainage Problem at the Museum. The problem is felt to be oontractor-oriented, dating back to the remodeling of the building to convert it to the Museum. Mr. Moroney has so far been unable to get anyone to take the responsibility to have the basic Problem corrected. The Board felt that the problem is urgent and needs imme3 ate e Cultural Resources Board Meeting, January 31, 1979. Page ? attention. The March thaw of the 4 inches of ice on the Museum roof will be disastrous if the problem isn't solved right now. Discussion followed regarding all of the Museum items brought up and then Martha Trimble made the motion that a memo be addressed to the City Manager, with a copy to the City legal department, urging that the proper authoritative person take the list of problems ccupiled by Brian Moroney in hand item -by -item and report back to the CRB within one month. The motion was seconded by Pauline Birky/Kreutzer. VCTE: Ayes, Unanimous. (3) Museum courtyard project- Mr. Moroney related to the Board the plans and estimated costs of the courtyard project (handing out a list of these items). Mrs. Trimble requested that we not go ahead with any work on the schoolhouse until we let the Questers know our plans. (4) Future Capital Improvements Projects- Mr. Moroney handed out a list of future possible Capital Improvement Projects, stating that Mr. Loomis had requested this information. 4a. Introduction of Mr. and Mrs. Ted Will, owners of Mister Pawn S Appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. Will was extended by Ellen Thexton for their renovation efforts. Jack Curfman extended his and the Board's appreciation also. Mr. Will commented how helpful the Office of Cultural Affairs has been in his efforts to renovate his building and that bids are to go out tamorrow, now that the plans have been shown to and approved by the CRB. Mr. and Mrs. Will said that they hope that what they do to the store front will set an example for other merchants in the old town district. It was agreed that renovation keeping in mind historic guidelines need not cost a fortune and maybe even less than a modern facade would cost. 4b. Introduction of Joyce Everitt of the LCC Gild Executive Committee Mrs. Everitt stated her concern that the LCC Gild does not as yet know just what its duties and responsibilities are.and will ask the City to define then. "We need a definition of our responsibilities so that we can help prevent 'roof" and other problems", which the Museum is experiencing. She further camented that the City should be made aware that LCC is one of the biggest businesses they have going and that its maintenance and other problems have to be addressed. 4c. Mr. Richard Haves, Fort Collins Mr. Hayes stated that the Syn#my Board wishes to object to the City's sponsorship of the Colorado Festival orchestra's series of summer converts. He stated that the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra does not object to the City bringing one or two Colorado Festival Orchestra concerts in the summer nor to other symphony orchestras caning to Fort Collins, but does feel that the City should not support a sustaining activity that is canpetitive with an existing local performing group. Mr. Hayes said that he was at the meeting tonight to find out at what stage the Colorado Festival orchestra program is right now (e.g.,Have the City and CSU signed a contract with the Colorado Festival Orchestra?) plus to see what can be done to support our local symphony orchestra. Some of Mr. Hayes other points were: (1) The Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra has four performances planned and/or confirmed at IOC for the summer of 1979 (2 concerts, 1 operetta, 1 dance/ concert). ' y Cultural Resources Board MeeLjI22, January 31, 1979, Page 3 (2) Mr. Hayes conceded that Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra knew that the Colorado Festival orchestra was caning to Fort Collins; in fact, Will Schwartz had suggested Fort Collins to Giora Bernstein, director of the Festival orchestra, but only for one or 2 concerts, not 6. (3) "We think the City should increase its subsidy to the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra, fran $2000. to $6000. or $7000. - the $2000. is an old commitment, which doesn't reflect inflation..." (4) "I would like the City to offer this series to the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra. The City could contract with Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra the same type of summer series as it has with the Festival Orchestra and achieve the same revenues and maybe even pay our orchestra less." (5) "The City is spending more than twice as much (in one sum*x) on the Festival Orchestra as it is on the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra for the whole year. Can the City's agreement with the Festival Orchestra be cancelled?" Mr. Hayes' comrents and questions were interspersed with remarks by Ellen Thexton, Mims Harris, Brian Moroney and members of the CRB. Some of those comments were: (1) Mrs. Thexton, "The City is supportive of the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra. It receives a $2000, yearly subsidy fran the City and we gave then $3000. for LCC's Grand Opening concert." (2) Ms. Harris: "The summer Festival Orchestra series is a joint venture by CSU and the City of Fort Collins and we have a responsibility to CSU students, Poudre R1 and the ccmmmity to bring new artists to Fort Collins." "Same Ft. Collins Symphony Orchestra members are in the Festival orchestra." "Artists learn from other artists." "The Festival orchestra is subsidized mainly by the City of Boulder. It performs only in the simmer-6 concerts here, 6 in Boulder and 3 or 4 in Estes Park." "There is no signed contract between us and the Colo. Festival Orchestra, but there is a binding verbal agreement." (3) Mrs. Thexton: "We wouldn't get any ticket revenue from the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra if we sponsored its performances." (4) Martha Trimble: "As I understand our job, it isn't to favor local gp rfupo lrtming groups, but to bring quality culture to Fort Collins, no matter who the 11 (5) Mr. Moroney: If the (Cultural Resources) Board limits this group to 2 performances, it will be a precedent for subsequent performing groups." (6) Martha Trimble: "The Symphony Board should make its recommendations for the simmer of 1980, not for this caning summer. The discussion then centered on a broader concern: Mrs. Birky/Kreutzer stated that "Now is the time for coordination - we need a clearing house for coordination of all artistic performances in Fort Collins." Ms. Harris replied, "Yes, that can be done now that LCC is b uil and much of the activity is centralized." Mrs. Thexton commented, "We are booking our Fine Arts Series a year or more in advance, so in order to achieve coordination, all groups would need to do the sane." Cultural Resources Boa,. Meeting, January 31, 1979, Pagt 4 Mr. Curfman summed up the Board's consensus that the Colorado Festival Orchestra's programs for the summer of 1979 are already planned and confirmed and that the Board recommends now that more coordination be prorated between the City, CSU and the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra for 1980. Agenda Item #6 interjected here: 6. Discussion of Potential Board Activities in Regard to Historic LarrImarks Mrs. Ted Will, who, with her husband, owns Mister Pawn Shop, reported that the Old Town Merchants Association is just getting organized. That group is beginning to realize that it is not going to be forced into any projects or proposals by anybody. Also, Mrs. Will said that the association would like more cc m anication with Ellen Thexton's office. Mrs. Thexton reported that the Downtown Historic District is in limbo as far as the City is concerned and that if the organization wants a local historic district designation for the area, a letter to that effect should be sent to City Council. Mrs. Will asked if the boundary lines would have to be the same as those defined under state and national designation. Mrs. Thexton replied no, not necessarily; different boundaries could be defined as part of a local designation. Mrs. Cassell asked Mrs. Will if the old Town Merchants Association would like an Historic Landmarks representative to attend its regular meetings. Mrs. Will replied yes, if that person is sameone with real authority and/or input. It was thought that Mr. Moroney's suggestion that panels of early pictures of shops and store fronts (Charlene Tresner's pictures) be displayed and rotated in downtown stores for the purpose of stimulating interest was a very good idea. 5. Discussion and Board Recanmendation on Capital Improvement Fund Program Extension All City boards and commissions have been asked by the City Administration to discuss the two sales tax proposals, A Extension of 14' sales Tax, and B- Inglementation Of a 2C Sales Tax Excl to vote on supporting one or o After scme discussion, Colleen Cassell moved that the CFO support Proposal B. Martha Trimble seconded the motion. Votes Ayes, unaniscus. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Edwina Echevarria Secretary