Mosaic of Issues Discussed by Arts Committee

By Tom McClimon

“We have a waterfront of issues to take up today, and even literally ‘waterfronts’,” stated Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee Chair and New Orleans Mayor Marc H. Morial as he opened the Committee meeting. A wide variety of topics, ranging from arts, parks, foreign film production and the Army Corps of Engineers dominated the Committee’s agenda.

Lieutenant General Joseph N. Ballard, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers addressed the Committee on the new directions and initiatives the Corps was undertaking. Being the first Commander of the Army Corps to address a Conference of Mayors meeting, the Commander discussed such issues as brownfields, environmental justice, urban waterfronts, and the need for the Corps to become more involved in local projects as well as environmental or “green” efforts. “We are looking to partner with you,” stated Commander Ballard in his remarks. Following the Commander’s comments, many of the mayors praised the new directions being made by the General and offered their assistance to work with the Corps.

The issue of local parks and urban forestry programs were discussed by James Lyons, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment and Jane Danowitz, Executive Director of Americans for Our Heritage and Recreation. Mr. Lyons talked about the Urban and Community Forest program and how cities can take advantage of it. The program can complement activities supported by the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery program (UPARR) and the stateside program of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Ms. Danowitz discussed the current status of the legislation supporting UPARR and LWCF and encouraged the mayors to contact their Congressional Representatives to urge them to become co-sponsors of the Conservation and Reinvestment Act. Following the presentations, the Committee adopted a resolution put forth by Conference President Denver Mayor Wellington E. Webb that supports the creation of a new national park in Colorado which will encompass the Great Sands Dunes National Monument.

The need for cities to become involved in the issue film production outside the United States was addressed by Meryl Marshall, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Ms. Marshall discussed the loss of revenues and indirect benefits cities are losing as a result of films and televisions shows being produced outside the United States. Conference Executive Director J. Thomas Cochran reported on a meeting he had in the Fall with film producers and the Committee adopted his recommendation that a mayors’ task force on this issue be established.

Ms. Beverly Sheppard, Acting Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, discussed with the mayors the four areas in which museums and libraries can work with local governments. They are: economic development, education, services to diverse groups and technology assistance. She encouraged the mayors to reach out and partner with museums and libraries.

The final presentations were from Tom Turk, chairman of the Metro Nashville Arts Commission and chairman of the Urban Arts Federation who spoke on the importance that the arts play in local economies; and Brad Glen, from World T.E.A.M. Sports who discussed a “Face of America” event which will be a three-week multi-sport event which feature two teams, one embarking on the East Coast and one from the West Coast and will meet in St. Louis. These two groups will travel by foot, bicycle, inline skate, handcycle, wheelchair, and even horseback across the country.

The Committee also honored and thanked Scottsdale Mayor Sam Kathryn Campana for her years of service to the Conference of Mayors and the Arts Committee where she served as Vice Chair on Arts. Mayor Campana will be leaving office later this year as she decided not to seek re-election.