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CC - (1) Consideration of Recommendations by the Fiesta La Ballona Committee Regarding the Future of the Committee and the 2021 Fiesta La Ballona Dates; (2) If Desired, Adoption of a Resolution Temporarily Setting Aside the Term Limits of the Committee Members Holding Seats 2 and 4 and Extending the Terms of Seats 2, 3 and 4 for One Additional Year, with an Option for a Second Year in the Event the Fiesta La Ballona is Cancelled in 2021; and (3) Direction to City Manager.
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Meeting Date: October 26, 2020
Contact Person/Dept: Jeremy Green/City Clerk, Administrative Services
Phone Number: (310) 253-5851
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] 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 (10/21/2020)
Department Approval: Serena Wright-Black, Assistant City Manager (10/21/2020)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) consider the recommendations of the Fiesta La Ballona Committee regarding the future of the Committee and the 2021 Fiesta La Ballona dates; (2) if desired, adopt a Resolution temporarily setting aside the term limits of the Committee Members holding Seats 2 and 4 and extending the terms of Seats 2, 3 and 4 for one additional year, with the option of a second year in the event Fiesta La Ballona is cancelled in 2021; and (3) provide direction to City Manager.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The purpose of the Culver City Fiesta La Ballona Committee (“Committee”) is to advise and make recommendations to the City Council and the Director of the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services (PRCS) Department on policies and issues related to the City’s annual Fiesta La Ballona (“FLB”) Event, which typically occurs annually in August at Veteran’s Memorial Park.
This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Fiesta la Ballona live event was cancelled and a smaller version was held virtually.
FLB Committee Recommendation Regarding the Proposed Future of the Committee
During the annual appointment process, the public was notified about the opportunity to apply for the four Committee positions with terms that were ending: two for members who were termed out and who couldn’t reapply (Ronnie Jayne and Marcus Tiggs) and two other positions for which the current members could have reapplied but did not (Lizet Alvarez and Lila Swensen). The Fiesta La Ballona Committee roster is provided as Attachment 1.
At the meeting of June 8, 2020, with the knowledge that the terms for this particular body end on October 31, 2020, City Council directed staff to gain feedback from the body’s staff liaisons and the Committee members and to return with a report prior to the end of members’ terms.
To determine how to move forward, the Committee held a special meeting on October 7, 2020, to consider the following agenda item: “Discussion Regarding Proposed Direction for the Future of the Fiesta La Ballona Committee and Motion for a Recommendation to City Council.”
At that meeting, the Committee, absent member Lizet Alvarez, voted unanimously to recommend to City Council an “extension of current members for one more year due to COVID-19 event cancellation, with an option for an additional year if the event is canceled again.” All present members also confirmed their willingness to continue in their position as determined by City Council. Please note that Member Alvarez will not be reapplying and stated that she does not want to continue as a member.
The body consists of seven members. According to the bylaws of the Committee (Attachment 2), members shall serve a maximum of two terms and a full term consists of four years. Without Member Alvarez and the two termed out members, the body could continue to work but would need all four members to attend each meeting to have a quorum.
Should the City Council determine to approve the Committee’s recommendation, the City Council should adopt a Resolution setting aside the term limits as set forth in the bylaws (Attachment 3) to allow the termed out members holding Seats 2 and 4 to continue in their role for at least one more year and possibly two more years with a membership of six years for their current term. The Resolution would also extend the term of Seat 3 in this same manner.
Staff is also seeking guidance regarding recruitment for new member(s).
FLB Committee Recommendation Regarding the 2021 Fiesta La Ballona Dates
Also, at their October 7th meeting, the Fiesta La Ballona Committee approved a motion to recommend to City Council that the 2021 Fiesta La Ballona to be moved to the weekend of October 29, 30 and 31 (Halloween weekend). PRCS Department staff supports this proposed date change for the 2021 Fiesta La Ballona. The Committee and staff believe that there is a higher likelihood that the City will be able to hold the event if it comes later in the year. Since the PRCS Department does not typically offer a large community Halloween event, holding the Fiesta La Ballona on Halloween weekend will not conflict with any traditional programming. This would not be a permanent date change and is for one year only. However, the Committee plans to discuss the best dates for the Fiesta in future years and may come back with a recommendation on this at another time.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
None.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2020-10-26 - Roster of the Fiesta La Ballona Committee
2. 2020-10-26 - Fiesta La Ballona Committee Bylaws
3. Proposed Resolution
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. If desired, adopt a Resolution temporarily setting aside the term limits of the Committee Members holding Seats 2 and 4 and extending the terms for Seats 2, 3 and 4 for one additional year, with the option of a second year in the event Fiesta La Ballona is cancelled in 2021; and
2. Provide direction to the City Clerk as to whether to do a special recruitment for members or wait until the annual process; and
3. Provide other direction to the City Clerk related to the current membership of the Fiesta La Ballona Committee; and
4. Provide direction to as to whether the date of the 2021 Fiesta La Ballona may be moved from August to October 29, 30 and 31, 2021 (Halloween weekend); and
5. Provide other direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.