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Title:
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Consideration of a Culver City Arts District Organization and Sponsorship of Cooperative Economic Development and Marketing Programs.
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City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: 8/12/2013 Item Number: A-2
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of a Culver City Arts District
Organization and Sponsorship of Cooperative Economic Development and
Marketing Programs.
Contact Person/Dept.:
Elaine Warner/CDD
Todd Tipton/CDD
Phone Number:
(310) 253-5777
(310) 253-5783
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date: _______________
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas – City Council (08/06/13)
Department Approval:
Sol Blumenfeld (07/31/13)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (08/06/13)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (08/06/13)
City Manager Approval:
John M. Nachbar (08/06/13)
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council recognize the organization of property and
business owners in the Culver City Arts District and approve sponsorship of
cooperative economic development and marketing activities for the area through in
kind services in the form of staff time.
BACKGROUND
The area known informally as the Culver City Arts District is comprised of numerous
art galleries, architecture firms, and artisanal restaurants and has received both
national and international attention as a center for fine art with one of the highest
concentrations of fine arts galleries in Southern California. While the informal district
is located within both the City of Los Angeles and Culver City, it is primarily located
along Washington Boulevard between Helms Avenue and Fairfax Avenue in Culver
City.
In 2005, the former Culver City Redevelopment Agency (former CCRA) co-
sponsored and produced Art Walk Culver City which promoted the various galleries
and businesses in the area. The annual event included a promotional art gallery
map listing participating businesses and exhibitions. In 2012, Artwalk Culver City
was discontinued largely due to the dissolution of redevelopment agencies
throughout the state (including the former CCRA) and the associated loss of funding.
Since that time, the City has received numerous inquiries from area business and
property owners requesting assistance in organizing promotional programs including City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
the installation of street banners that can help support, define and promote, in a
more formal way, the Culver City Arts District (District) as a unique cultural
destination.
DISCUSSION
Economic Development staff and the Culver City Chamber of Commerce have meet
with several area property and business owners to discuss street banners, monthly
events, marketing materials, and other efforts that area stakeholders believe will
best brand and promote the proposed District. Staff has also discussed the eventual
creation of a more formal business improvement association that can fund capital
improvements and maintenance in the area. Two meetings have been held with
stakeholders to discuss both short and long term strategies, and there has been
significant interest in implementing a District street banner program as the first short-
term project. The banner program would be located long Washington Boulevard.
Staff has worked with the organizations to develop conceptual banner designs,
identify pole locations, provide cost estimates for banner installation, and organize
the area to encourage participation in the program. The proposed District
stakeholders have suggested installing the banners by mid-September to coincide
with the galleries busiest time of the year.
Other marketing activities that were discussed included the development of a District
map that not only highlights the galleries but also the other unique shops and
restaurants in the area. In addition, several members of the organization have
discussed the development of a monthly,” 2
nd
Saturday” event that would be a
recurring, but less formal type of “Artwalk” to draw visitors to the area on a regular
basis for shopping, dining and entertainment.
City Sponsorship
To be categorized as a “sponsored” event by the City, an event or activity must meet
the criteria set forth in Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) Section
17.330.040.B.7.b.ii., confirming that the City is (a) participating in an official capacity
in the planning, preparation or promotion of the event or activity; and (b) contributing
25% of the total estimated costs of the civic event or activity or at least $1,000,
whichever is less. This contribution may take the form of funds, labor, staff time,
materials, a waiver of fees, or any combination thereof. The CCMC requires both (a)
AND (b) conditions be satisfied. Additionally, in order for an event to be considered
City-sponsored, the City Council must determine, by specific action, that the above
criteria have been met.
If approved by the City Council, the City would be participating in an official capacity
in the planning, preparation or promotion of the economic development and
marketing activities for the area; and (b) contributing at least $1,000 or 25% of the
total estimated costs in the form of staff time. City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact in recognizing the organization of property and business
owners in the proposed District. The organization would work in partnership with
Economic Development staff to implement marketing efforts and activities to
enhance the proposed District. Work in the District is shown as part of the Economic
Development Work Plan approved in the City Council Adopted Budget for Fiscal
Year 2013/2014. These programs will be funded voluntarily by the members of the
proposed District, and the City will provide in kind support staff on an as-needed
basis. Eventually a more formal District organization may be created eliminating the
need for in kind staffing.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Petition/Letters from Property and Business Owners in the proposed Culver
City Arts District;
2. Preliminary Banner locations.
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Recognize the organization of property and business owners as the Culver
City Arts District; and
2. Direct the City Manager to sponsor future cooperative economic development
and marketing activities for the area through in kind services in the form of
staff time subject to availability of such time.
MEETING DATE: 08.12.13
AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of a Culver City Arts District Organization and
Sponsorship of Cooperative Economic Development and
Marketing Programs.
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
1. Petition/Letters from Property and Business Owners
in the Culver City Arts District 1 - 4
2. Preliminary Banner locations 5 ATTACHMENT 1
1ATTACHMENT 1
2ATTACHMENT 1
3ATTACHMENT 1
4- 35 Banner Poles
ATTACHMENT 2|1013|