REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Dave Kiff, Interim City Manager
PREPARED BY: Marie Knight, Director of Community Services
Subject:
title
Approve for introduction Ordinance 4185 repealing Huntington Beach Municipal Code Section 2.101 relating to the dissolution of the Allied Arts Board (AAB)
body
Statement of Issue:
Approve for introduction Ordinance 4185 to repeal Section 2.101 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code to dissolve the Allied Arts Board.
Financial Impact:
Not applicable.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Approve for introduction Ordinance 4185, “An Ordinance of the City of Huntington Beach Repealing Huntington Beach Municipal Code Section 2.101 Allied Arts Board.”
end
Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the recommended action and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
The Allied Arts Board (AAB) was established in 1979. Per Municipal Code Chapter 2.101, the purpose of the AAB is to encourage and promote cultural activities in the City and to act as an advisory body to the City Council on matters pertaining to arts and cultural affairs. The AAB currently meets once every other month. Past ongoing programs have included the twice-a-year art contest and awards ceremony recognizing the talents of our local artists and their commitment to the arts.
At the time when the Allied Arts Board (AAB) was established, opportunities and advocacy for arts and culture were limited. However, since then, the number of local arts organizations has grown, as well as these groups’ presence and community involvement. Local artists now find their voice through the advocacy of several new organizations, including the Huntington Beach Art League, the Huntington Harbour Art Association, Las Damas (Sunset Beach), as well as the Huntington Beach Art Center’s Artist Council. Through the active involvement of our local artists in these groups, the prior mission and purpose of the establishment of the AAB has been shared by a variety of organizations whose purpose is to advocate for the arts.
Furthermore, at the April 2, 2018, City Council Meeting, a Council Member Item was approved, which directed the City Manager to prepare a proposal for the creation of a comprehensive public art program and to review and make recommendations regarding the composition and mission of existing boards and commissions, including the AAB.
Consequently, a Public Art Task Force was created, comprised of members from the AAB, Visit Huntington Beach, as well as City staff from Community Services, Community Development, and the City Manager’s Office. The Task Force looked at other cities in the region and how they handled public art, as well as the City’s public art component currently used in our development approval processes. The Task Force compiled several recommendations related to an overall Public Art Master Plan. One of those recommendations was that the Allied Arts Board be transitioned to a new entity with new roles and responsibilities pertaining to public art in Huntington Beach. Director Marie Knight met with the Allied Arts Board on July 30, 2018, to discuss this recommendation and the Board was 100% supportive of this direction. The Board members were excited about the opportunity to help shape this new venture in the city.
At the August 6, 2018, City Council Study Session, Community Services Director Marie Knight and the Public Art Task Force presented a Public Art Master Plan Proposal for discussion. This proposal recommended that the AAB be transitioned to a new entity with new roles and responsibilities pertaining to public art in Huntington Beach. Additionally, a recommendation was made to engage an outside consultant to assist with finalizing the Plan, the creation of public art policies, creation of a “Call for Artist” program, and procedures and a community engagement process for the final plan. A Request for Proposal (RFP) has been conducted and staff is in the final steps of procuring consulting services, anticipating that the project will begin later this month.
As of June 2019, there are currently six vacancies within the AAB due to term expirations and resignations, leaving three active members. Given that the AAB will soon transition into a new entity to work on Public Art, staff recommends that the City Council thank the AAB for its service and then dissolve the AAB at this time. Existing board members, two of whom have been members of the Task Force, would be invited to continue their participation in the existing Public Art Task Force, serving in a technical advisory capacity throughout the master plan and public engagement process. Staff has discussed this direction with members of the Allied Arts Board, and we are confident that there is a consensus of AAB members who agree with this direction.
Environmental Status:
Not applicable.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non-Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. Ordinance 4185 repealing Section 2.101 relating to the Allied Arts Board
2. Huntington Beach Municipal Code Section 2.101 Legislative Draft