SaveECPACMeetingReport09Apr2012

AGENDA / Report

• Introductions / Attendees:
• Ray Lutz
• John Gibson
• Daryl Priest
• Councilmember Bill Wells (Came a bit late)
• Duane Swainston
• Bob Jasak
• Art Ballantyne
• Wendy Hutson
• Former Mayor Joan Shoemaker
• Miriam Raftery
• Ivars Bezdechi
• Shirley Stowers
• Allan Goetz
• Scott Alvey, CEO East County Chamber of Commerce
• Emmalea Moorman
• Paul Russell
• Lisa Saneda
• Bette Pegas
• Tom & Glenda Comeau

• Background
• Originally, Arthur E. Neal et al wanted to use Rea St. property for a hotel.
• CA Supreme court ruling, Redev. Dist. is dissolved in Jan Ruling.
• Deal Jumped from Rea St. to This other deal involving ECPAC
  • City would be on the hook for $20M in general obligation bonds

* Theater Status * "Roof leaking along the bricks" * New one to last > 10 years would be \~ $100K

• How much will this cost?
• Tour of theater -- not set up yet, have called Ron Turner, Dir Public Works to see if we could walk through it.
• Review changes proposed by Kurt Swanson
• Tour scheduled for Monday, April 23, 3pm. -- Meet at ECPAC.
• Who is Included:
• Economic Cluster -- Need to reach out to Taylor Guitar and Deering Banjo.
• Downtown Merchants Assoc. -- Daryl Priest
• How?
• Theater District -- perhaps est. special district that could provide tax dollars for the theater.
• Direct Funding
• Can't accept donations?
  • National Center for the Arts?

• Components of a plan
• Cost to Fix Theater -- task force
• Mission -- decide what it is supposed to do.
  • Public use facility / not just arts center.
• Who / How will it be run
• Operating Funds
  • Grants, Donations, Subsidy
  • Cluster Economic Bus community
• Prop H. School funds
  • Councilmember Bill Wells presented this idea, and has already broached it with GUHSD Superintendent.
  • Funds from Prop H have been earmarked for performance facilities in high schools. Some local high schools, say 5-6 of them that are close by, may be able to use ECPAC for high school performances, special events, theater training, etc.
  • Will need to explore whether this meets vision to have community performing arts center that will stimulate economic growth.
  • Letter from group to H.S. Superintendent would be an appropriate next step.
  • Mr. Jasak said he is good with that sort of thing and will take a crack at a draft.

• Review of Kurt Swanson's Plan
• Moved to main project page: SaveECPAC

• Meeting Place
• Chamber of Commerce says we can use the meeting room whenever we need to. Will meet again at this location on Monday, April 23, 5pm to 7pm.

• Admin
• Under COPS 501c3 for now