2002-02-04 - Laserfiche WebLink

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257 Mr. Cox said he thinks the sister city idea is fantastic, and asked why Besancon already has 13 sister city relationships. Mr. Caravati said that many of their sister cities are a result of World War II and former colonial states. Mr, Cox said he is interested in the possibility of an economic exchange and he hopes that is part of the reason to pursue the relationship. Mr. Caravati said that is the intent of the trip planned in September to Besancon. Mr. Toscano said he thinks it is a great idea and he feels that these relationships are best when others in the community are involved rather than just government. Ms. Richards said that the visit from Charlottesville's sister city of Long Beach, Washington has been rescheduled to May. Ms. Richards said this relationship was established to promote the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial, and when it was agreed to by Council, she proposed that there would be no additional staff obligation. Ms. Richards said there is a lot of staff time spent on the Italian sister city relationship and she is concerned about additional obligations for staff. Mr. Caravati said the idea is to form a self-supporting committee to plan and fund activities. Ms. Richards said she will support the relationship if being a self-supporting committee is a condition. Mr. Lynch said he is all for cultural and economic exchanges if there is no tax payer expenses. Mr. Lynch said he is also concerned about staff time, but is okay with establishing the relationship on the condition that the committee be self-supporting. REPORT: ART IN PLACE Mr. Satyendra Huja, Director of Strategic Planning, explained that the Art in Place program was adopted in 2001 with six sites. Mr. Huja asked that Council make a similar financial commitment for next year of $10,000. Mr. Blake Hurt, who was involved in the original idea of the Art in Place program, said that the program has had a good response from the community and he feels it has been a success and hopeS it will continue. Mr. Hurt said he would also like to explore the idea of neighborhood art where any community members can pay $10 per work and have their art displayed. Mr. Huja asked that Council approve the program for another year, additional sites, and funding for another year. Mr. Cox asked that Mr. Hurt and Mr. Huja shared with Council lessons leamed and what might be adjusted to make the program better. Mr. Cox made a motion to approve the program for another year, approve the additional sites, and funding for another year. Mr. Toscano seconded the motion. Ms. Richards said she thinks it has been a great program. Mr. Lynch said he thinks it was a ~Mse decision years ago to set aside funds for the Percent for Art program and feels Art in Place is a great program. The motion was approved by the following vote. Ayes: Mr. Caravati, Mr. Cox, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Richards, Mr. Toscano. Noes: None.