HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 2005-37 - Arts & Culture BoardORDINANCE NO. 2005 - 1*7
An Ordinance of the City of Georgetown, Texas amending Title 2 of
the City of Georgetown Code of Ordinances to add new Chapter
2.112, relating to the establishment of the Arts and Culture Board;
establishing the purpose, membership, officers, rules of procedure,
and powers and duties of the Board; providing a severability clause;
and providing an effective date.
Whereas, on May 10, 2005, the City Council of the City of Georgetown resolved to
establish an Arts and Culture Board for the purpose of assisting in the promotion of the arts and
culture for the City of Georgetown and creating opportunities for art in public places; and
Whereas, the Downtown Master Plan, adopted October, 2004 establishes a vision that
.,.it [downtown] should be the cultural center of the city. Museums, galleries and performance
venues should thrive here and a central library should continue to be a key activity center.
Conferences should bring regional residents to downtown and festivals and outdoor markets
should continue to add accent to daily life here."; and
Whereas, the City of Georgetown enjoys many separate visual, performing and cultural
arts organizations, but no coordinating entity; and
Whereas, the interests of each of the various arts and cultural activities may be better
coordinated by a single organization made up of representation from the existing, larger art
organizations in the area and interested individuals from the community; and
Whereas, the organization shall have as its purpose to encourage, stimulate, promote,
and foster programs for the cultural enrichment of the City, thereby contributing to the quality
of life in Georgetown, and to develop an awareness in the business community, in local
government, and in the general public of the value of the arts; and
Whereas, there is not currently a mechanism to identify, develop and review art in and
around public facilities, hence this Board would assist city administration and the City Council
by serving in an advisory capacity such that art is incorporated into the City's comprehensive
plan, and
Whereas, this Board will work to create partnerships and joint projects to link the arts to
the business, industrial, government, school, college, and health and human services sectors to
enhance economic development and to enhance artistic and cultural offerings.
Now, therefore be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas, that:
Section 1, The facts and recitations contained in the preamble of this ordinance are hereby found
and declared to be true and correct, and are incorporated by reference herein and expressly made a
part hereof, as if copied verbatim. The City Council hereby finds that this ordinance implements
the following elements of the Century Plan Policy Plan and that the enactment of this ordinance is
not inconsistent or in conflict with any other Century Plan Policies, as required by Section 2.03 of
the Administrative Chapter of the Policy Plan:
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2.0 Georgetown's natural and physical resources are managed so that citizens enjoy the
benefits of economic and social development.
4.0 Prehistoric and historic resources are preserved, protected and promoted for the
benefit of the citizens of Georgetown.
6,0 City owned, sponsored or managed public information and education services
enhance the quality of life of the citizens of Georgetown.
8.0 Parks, open space, recreation facilities and services, and social and cultural activities
contribute to an enhanced quality of life for the citizens of Georgetown.
10.0 Georgetown's citizens and businesses enjoy an attractive community with a unique
sense of place and a positive, identifiable image, at a cost which is consistent with
other city social and economic priorities.
14.0 A high level of cooperation and involvement exists among Georgetown's citizens
and governmental organizations.
Section 2. Title 2 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Georgetown is hereby amended to add
the following Chapter:
2.112 ARTS AND CULTURE BOARD
2.112.010 Created
A. There is hereby created the Arts and Culture Board of the City,
hereinafter referred to as the "Board".
2.112.020 Purpose
A. The mission of the Board is to enhance the cultural and aesthetic quality
of life in Georgetown by actively pursuing the placement of public art in public
spaces and serving to coordinate, promote and support public access to the arts.
The arts are an important part of the cultural and economic life of the entire
community of Georgetown and enrich the participants in the arts as well as those
who observe them.
B. The Board shall operate in the general public interest serving the
community as a whole. It shall serve no special interests.
C. The Board is responsible to and shall act as an advisory body to the
Council and shall perform such duties and exercise such additional powers as
may be described by ordinances of the Council not inconsistent with the
provisions of the Charter.
2.112.030 Members and Terms
A. The Board shall consist of nine (9) members appointed by the mayor and
confirmed by City Council as follows: Seven (7) of the members should
represent a broad spectrum of citizens including artists and those with a
background in the arts, arts organizations and businesses, education, structural
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and landscape architecture. One (1) member shall be an authorized
representative of the Georgetown Independent School District and one (1)
member shall be an authorized representative of Southwestern University.
B. The Board members representing the Georgetown Independent School
District or Southwestern University may appoint an alternate to attend the
Board meetings and to vote in his or her place, provided that (i) the Board
member prepares a written letter or statement to the Board designating the name
of their alternate before the meeting(s) at which the alternate will be representing
the Board member; and (ii) the alternate is also an employee or authorized
representative of the same entity that the Board member represents and is
otherwise qualified to serve.
C. All Board members shall reside inside the Georgetown city limits or its
extra -territorial jurisdiction.
D. The term of office for members shall be two (2) years, with all members
initially appointed for two full years. The second appointments shall be
staggered, so that five (5) members shall be appointed for two-year terms, and
the remaining four (4) members appointed for one (1) year terms. Thereafter, all
terms shall be for two (2) years.
E. Any Board member who is absent from four or more meetings in a one-
year period without being excused, shall be considered no longer active and the
position vacant, and a new Board member shall be appointed to fill the vacancy.
2.112.040 Officers
A. A Chairperson shall be appointed by the Mayor and approved by the
City Council.
B. At its first meeting the Board shall elect a vice -chair and secretary who
shall hold office for one year, except that the first chair, vice -chair and secretary
shall serve until the end of the calendar year.
C. At the first meeting of each calendar year, the chair or vice -chair from the
previous year shall preside over elections for chair, vice -chair and secretary.
D. The officers shall not serve as an officer for more than two consecutive
terms.
2.112.050 Meetings, Quorum and Voting
A. The Board shall hold an official meeting at least monthly and may hold
special meetings upon request of the Chair, or the request of two (2) or more
Board members.
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B. A majority of the total members of the Board constitutes a quorum for
meetings.
C. Provided a quorum is present, an item must be approved by a simple
majority of the Board members present at the meeting at which the item is posted
for action and discussed.
2.112.060 Rules and Regulations
A. The Board shall establish such bylaws for its government and procedures
consistent with the laws of this State and the ordinances of the City.
2.112.070 Powers and Duties
The Arts and Culture Board shall be specifically responsible for, but not limited
to, the following:
A. The Board shall ensure the arts continue to be of value as an integral part
of Georgetown.
B. The Board in its first year will propose to City Council a set of guidelines
and standards by which it will review all future art projects, staying
consistent with all existing codes, guidelines and policies.
C. The Board will seek to improve communication and organization of the
activities in the arts community of Georgetown
D. The Board shall promote the arts in Georgetown to enrich the lives of its
citizens through education and demonstration.
E. The Board may assist the City Council, the Georgetown Parks and
Recreation Board, Historic and Architectural Review Commission and the
Planning and Zoning Commission in using public art to enhance existing
development in public parks and other public lands and in public
structures.
F. The Board shall advise other City commissions and committees and City
departments regarding artistic components of all municipal projects
under consideration by the City. The Board may also serve as a resource
for artistic components of private developments.
G. The Board shall develop and recommend to the City Council policies and
programs that would enhance and encourage the planning, placement
and maintenance of public displays of art in locations open to the public
within the community.
H. The Board shall encourage connections with other local, regional and
national organizations working for the benefit of art and preservation of
artistic values, and other similar activities.
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I. The Board shall recognize and encourage groups and organizations that
enrich Georgetown life by bringing cultural and artistic values and
artifacts to the city.
J. The Board shall pursue funding, including gifts and grants for support of
arts programs and activities and the procurement of public art.
2.112.080 Compensation
Voting members of the Board shall receive no compensation for services
rendered. The Board may receive gifts, bequests or devises of property on behalf
of the City to carry out any of the purposes of this Chapter.
Section 3. This ordinance shall be and is hereby declared to be cumulative of all other
ordinances of the City of Georgetown, and this ordinance shall not operate to repeal or affect
any of such other ordinances, except insofar as the provisions thereof might be inconsistent or
in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance, in which event such conflicting provisions, if
any in such other ordinance or ordinances are hereby superseded.
Section 4. If any provision of this ordinance or application thereof to any person or circumstance,
shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions, or application thereof, of
this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this
end the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared to be severable.
Section 5. The Mayor is hereby authorized to sign this ordinance and the City Secretary to attest.
This Ordinance shall become effective and be in full force and effect in accordance with the
provisions of the Charter of the City of Georgetown.
Passed and Approved on First Reading on the / day of %JUAJ 2005
Passed and Approved on Second Reading on the day of T14 A18 2005.
Attest: City of Georgetown, Texas
064"� By: ----rl..
Sandra D. Lee, City Secretary G Nelon, Mayor
as to form:
Patricia E. Carls
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