2008-11-06
CITY OF' ENCI N ITAS
CULTURAL TOURISM COMMITTEE
- ,
<< ACTION MI N UTES
Poinsettia Room, Civic Center
505 $ outh`Vulc~n Avenue
Thursday, November 6, 2008 at 8:00
THE CITY OF ENCINITAS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITYPUBLIC ENTITY AND DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, '
RELIGION, AGE OR DI$ABILITY W EMPLOYMENT OR THE PROVISION OF SERVICE. PLEASE NOTIFY THE COMMITTEE SECRETARY AT LEAST72 HOURS BEFORE
THE MEETING IF DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS ARE NEEDED.
PRESENT:
Council Member Dan Dalager, Council Member Teresa Barth, Arts Administrator Jim Gilliam, Janelle
Vesci, Paula Kirpalani, Joe Koch, Grace Swanson, Peder Norby, Tess Radmill, Laurie Tremor, Diane
Langager, Sally Foster, Julian Duval; Shari Fortmueller, Nan Sterman, Dody Tucker, John McIsaac,
Loralie McGill, Rachel Kupin and Committee Secretary Brandi Lewis
CALL TO ORDER - INTRODUCTIONS
Couricil Member Dan Dalager called the meeting to order at 8:03 A.M. Self Introductions were made.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - OCTOBER 2, 2008 MEETING
Committee consensus to approve the minutes of the October 2, 2008 meeting,
ORAL COMMiTNICATIONS
None.
REGULAR AGENDA
Prior to discussion and presentation of the regular agenda items, one announcement was heard out of
turn. Nan Sterman discussed the Encinitas Garden Festival. She announced that the initial date had to
be changed and the new date for the Encinitas Garden Festival was Saturday, April 25, 2008. The
Garden Festival would take place in Cardiff tfiis year. They were still working on details for the market
place and were hoping that it would be located at the Cardiff Elementary School. For more information
visit the website: www.encinitasgardenfestival.org
11-06-08 Cultural Tonrism Action Minutes.doc
1. PRESENTATION AND OVERVIEW OF THE COMPREHENSIVE GENERAL PLAN
UPDATE TO SOLICIT INITIAL COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS RELATIVE
TO DEVELOPING A SCOPE OF WORK FOR THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
- D. LANGAGER
Senior Planner Diane Langager introduced herself to the committee and discussed the intent of the
agenda item regarding a comprehensive update of the City's General Flan. She discussed the history and
background of the existing General Plan adopted in March, 1989 and defined the current general plan as
in effect being the constitution of the city and a blue-print for growth. She stated that the update was
being done at the Council's direction and would focus on policies of the general plan, which may
ultimately affect some land use changes. This would be the first overhaul of the city's general plan since
it was created. They anticipate the process would take approximately two years with the plan going to
City Council for approval, followed by the Coastal Commission for approval.
Diane stated they were kicking-off the entire process and currently working on developing the scope of
work for the Request for Proposal (RFP) which would be used to hire a consultant. There would be an
extensive community participation element and they hoped to return to council in January with an outline
for what the community participation would be.
Diane reported that the current plan does not address economic development or deal with specialties
with-in the group such as invasive plants and that they hoped to include these elements iri the update.
They were at the meeting to get some feedback from the Cultural Tourism Committee regarding the RFP
for the General Plan,
The committee provided feedback regarding the item and discussed various issues, including open space
acquisition; economic development; sustainability and green growth"issues; cultural and tourism
opportunities; mixed-use and pedestrian friendly elements; community gardens; maintaining an
agricultural element and preserving our historic communities; preserving the lagoons and agricultural
chemicals which affect the health of the lagoons. The group also discussed TOT tax revenue and felt
that Encinitas was underserved in terms of hotels. They talked about land use and zoning relative to the
continued loss of large lots of land on prime arterials, greenhouse areas and open spaces and felt that
these areas should be looked at for best-use opporlunities.
The committee discussed the transit and circulation element and the critical role that transit plays to
facilitate pedestrian orientation. They discussed having public facilities; such as restrooms, available as
well. In addition, they discussed sustainability elements such as becoming a model "green city"; gaining
exposure by implanting solar all along the 101; city sponsored recycling efforts; public composting and
curbside composting programs; as well as supporting re-localization efforts such'as farmers markets
which were difficult to do because of the major use permit requirements. The committee felt that
sustainability should be an overarching framework throughout the updated general plan.
2. CLASSIC YOUTH THEATER - L. McGILL
Loralie McGill was introduced to the group and discussed the Classic Youth Theater program now
operating in Encinitas. The group was formerly out of Carlsbad and in the process of moving to
. Encinitas with the hope of relocating to Ocean Knall Elementary School. Loralie stated that the Classic
Youth Theater was an afterschool program meeting from 3;00 to 6:00 p.m. and working with the classic
works. All of the performances were done by the sfudents arid currently, their oldest actor was 14 years
old. Loralie announced that this Friday marked their opening weekend. They would be performing
Hamlet at the San Dieguito Academy.
11-06-08 Cultural Tourism Action Minutes.doc
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Shari Fortmueller with San Dieguito Heritage Museum reported that there were no events coming up at
the Heritage Museum. She stated they were focusing on the school fieldtrip programs and waiting for
city approval on the master plan, as well as working on the restoration of the Tatum house.
Julian Duval with Quail Botanical Gardens reported that the temporary urban trees exhibit had come to a
close. He also reported that John McIsaac was able to join him on his 'regular KUSI Garden Segment to
discuss pumpkin carving. Julian announced the traditional Garden of Lights event was coming up at the
gardens, starting December l lth and going though December 23rd and December 26th through
December 30th from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Sally Foster with Mira Costa College announced that Mira Costa would be doing the Holiday Angel
project to help needy children this holiday season. There would be trees with angels located in the
administration building at the San Elijo campus. She also stated that Rhino Art was opening an exhibit
on November 8th and this year the fundraising efforts would go to assist with donations for the families
in need Haliday Angel project.
Arts Administrator Jim Gilliam reported that Moxie Theater was hosting a fundraiser at the library that
would also benefit the Encinitas Library Reader's Theater group. That event would be at 5:00 p.m. on ,
Saturday, November 8th. Tickets were $100 each. Jim also reported that the new Encinitas Now!
quarterly newsletter was out and it featured an item promoting the Encinitas Live website. In addition,
there was a section on the community grant programs. He noted that all of the grant programs listed
were free of charge, save one, the Classic Youth Theater events.
,
Peder Narby discussed the downtown Halloween Safe Trick-or-Treat event and stated that the pumpkin
event was the ultimate green event; they were grown here, displayed here and off to a local pig farmer for
final recycling.
~
Peder also reported on the Encinitas Boathouses, stating that they were able to pay down the mortgage
and establish a reserve fund. They were continuing to fund raise and would have a fundraising booth at
the Fall Festival. Peder also discussed the Historic Preservation Overlay zone, an effort to create value
and extend the life of historical buildings in Encinitas.
Grace Swanson with San Dieguito Artists Colony announced that there would be an artist demo that
afternoon at Quail Botanical Gardens in the Ecke building.
Dody Tucker reported on the Halloween Safe Trick-or-Treat event, stating that the 101 colony did a good
job with the kids and band, DEMA had a haunted house and the pumpkins were amazing. She reported
they were able to donate approximately 60 Encinitas T-shirts to the troops in Iraq. The Fall Festival
would be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 23.
Dody also announced that DEMA was awarded an $85,000 grant to create artistic recycling bins.
DEMA, led by Carris Rhodes, helped to secure the grant along with the help of EDCO and Jacy Bolden,
an environmental consultant working with the City of Encinitas' Public Works Department. This grant
would enable the placement of permanent "artistic" recycling bins next to the trash cans in downtown
Encinitas.
11-06-08 Cultural Tourism Action Minutes.doc
Paula Kirpalani reported on the Beach Shuttle Bus. The committee decided on the bus fares and would
be working to establish the route. The goal was still to have the shuttle bus in place Memorial Weekend
through Labor Day Weekend as a demo pilot program with grant money provided by the City of
Encinitas.
Paula discussed the third North Coast Hwy 101 workshop coming up on November 13th from 6:00 to
8:00 p.m. at the City of Encinitas. She stated they were still in the planning process and that
implementation and approvals would take a few years. She also announced that the light-up Leucadia,
business holiday lighting competition would take place in December.
Teresa Barth discussed the temporary sculptural displays at Quail Gardens. She reported that she met
with April Game with the San Diego Fine Arts Society, who helped to implement the exhibit at the
gardens. They met to discuss the possibility of having temporary art installations throughout Encinitas.
April was working on a proposal and recommendations for implementation. The idea was to have the
temporary art exhibits happen periodically throughout the year which would infuse the community with
artas well as facilitate the "tourism" element for Encinitas.
Janelle Vesci with the Encinitas Chamber and Visitor's center reported that visitor traffic has slowed
down. She also announced that Saturday would be the third annual Winter Rose Classic golf tournament
at Encinitas Ranch golf course.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
None.
NEXT MEETING: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2008 AT 8;00 A.M.
ADJOURNMENT
Council Member Dalager adjourned the meetings at 9:22 a.m. -
By: Brandi L. Lewis, Committee ecre ry
11-06-08 Cultural Tourism Action Minutes.doc