2003-06-05
CITY OF ENCINITAS
ACTION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE CULTURAL TOURISM CONIlVIITTEE
June 5, 2003
Present: Deputy Mayor Maggie Houlihan, Council Member Dan Dalager, City Manager Kerry Miller, Phil Cotton, Peder Norby, Paul Davis, John Mclssac, Sherry Smoot, Sherry
Hamilton, Jim Clark, Lorna Martin, Edger Engert, Nan Sterman, Joe Koch, Mike Dillon, Davielle Huffman, Irene Kratzer, Ida Lou Coley, Cristina Chacon, Kathryn Gould, Victoria
Hamilton, Felicia Shaw, Robert Opliger, Jim Esposito, Sid Shaw, Wendy Haskett, and Lois Sunrich.
DIRECTION/ACTION
Call to Order and Announcements Council Member Houlihan called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m. Self-introductions were made.
Presentation on Cultural Tourism Marketing and Victoria Hamilton and Felicia Shaw with the City of San Diego Commission for the Arts and
Strate ies Culture gave a presentation on tourism marketing, strategies, and trends. An overview was given
g of what the sta.tistics show about the tourists' wants and expectations when they travel to other
cities. Tourists want to visit places that are unique and authentic. They also want to visit places
that offer cultural activities. The prime age group is 45 to 58 year olds. Other trends include:
people are taking shorter trips, many tourists plan their trips via the internet, and post September
11, 2001 tourists have become more patriotic and are looking for ways to strengthen their values
National Wildlife Federation Backyard Wildlife Davielle Huffinan and Robert Opilger with the National Wildlife Federation gave a presentation on
Habitat Certification Program the Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program, which supports the idea of bringing nature back to the
community. Their goal is two-fold: One, to promote interest in having people certify their yards as
a"Backyard Wildlife Habitat" and two, to get enough interest in the program within the
community to have the city certified as a"Community Wildlife Habitat." There are only 16
communities certified as such in the nation and Julian is the only certified community in California.
The criteria to meet in order to apply for a backyard wildlife habitat include providing food, water,
cover (place to hide from predators), and a place to raise young. For a Community Wildlife
Habitat, the program uses the same principles of a backyard wildlife habitat and extending it to
multiple areas or locations within the community such as schoolyards, parklands, churches, public
spaces, businesses, as well as individual's backyards.
Ms. Huffinan indicated that approximately six volunteers are needed to help with the effort of
having the City of Encinitas certified as a"Community Wildlife Habitat." She also noted that she
will be giving a presentation on becoming a certified habitat in the fall at Quail Botanical Gardens.
,
Piul Cotton, Director of Parks and Recreation, gave an overview on the city parks, focusing on the
Update on the City Parks Cottonwood Creek park. Some of the elements included in the park design are: a half court
basketball court, two children's parks with climbing and water features, a special events venue,
tennis courts, trails, and a Veteran's Memorial. He noted that a caretaker will live permanently on
site. The city estimates that the park will be completed in December. Mr. Cotton also indicated
that a riparian habita.t is being created in the park and the creek is being recreated. This will serve
well the efforts of a"Community Wildlife Habitat."
The sub-committees were reported on as follows:
Reports from the Sub-Committee Chairpersons
Along the EZ Camino Real - There was no official report from the chairperson; however, Council
Member Dan Dalager reported that one of the original mission bells has been located.
Enhancement of the Visitors Center - No report given.
Cultural Tours - No report given.
History without Walls - Deputy Mayor Houlihan reported that the next meeting is August 26`h at
11:00 a.m. She noted that at the last meeting, the committee learned that it is very feasible to create
and maintain a website for historical archival purposes and that additional information on this will
be presented at the next meeting.
Artwork to the Rail BYidge - No report given.
America in Bloom - Sherry Hamilton reported that the competition judges arrive on Monday,
June 9~'. The judges will tour various locations throughout the city. An orientation luncheon for
the judges will be held on June 9th at 1:30 pm at the Community Center. Ms. Hamilton reported
that if this competition is successful and we are involved again next year, the committee would
like to awaken the community to the event and draw attention to the competition by calling the
month of May as "Encinitas in Bloom Month." Additionally, the event can be tied in with the
Flower Tours as well as the Backyard Habitat Program.
Oral Communications Peder Norby with DEMA reported that the Arts Alive Banner Auction takes place tonight, June 5,
20003. 71 banners will be auctioned. The event begins at 6:00 pm at the 101 Artists' Colony.
Mr. Norby also mentioned that the Rods & Woodies starts this month and nuis through September.
It takes place on the third Thursday of the month. Jim Esposito indicated that they would like to
turn this into an event rather than a one-day show. Many of the attendees come from all over the
country and this would be a great tourism opportunity for the city.
Oral Communications (continued) Sherry Smoot with the Encinitas Visitors Center reported that June 19th is Encinitas Day at the San
Diego County Fair. All businesses are invited to participate.
Discussion of Future Agenda Items 1) Sub-committee reports.
2) NEA Grants.
Next Regular Meeting The July 3rd meeting is cancelled. The next meeting is August 7, 2003.
Adjournment Council Member Houlihan adjourned the meeting at 10:08 a.m.
Prepared by Gina Zenns June 12, 2003