- November 23, 2024
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Developers could soon be the source of funding for Palm Coast’s arts and culture programs.
During a workshop on Tuesday, Aug. 13, the City Council discussed alternative funding opportunities to expand arts, culture and history events and initiatives. City staff presented the council members with options such a bond referendum similar to Volusia County’s ECHO (Environmental, Cultural, Historical and Outdoor Recreation) program, and, funds generated via solar project savings dollars.
But it was a “percentage-for-art” ordinance that council members thought should be implemented in Palm Coast. Particularly, an ordinance similar to that of the city of Sarasota, which require property owners or developers who apply for a building permit for construction or improvements exceeding $1 million.
In Sarasota, developers are then required to contribute 0.5% of the construction cost to the public art fund, provide public art on the development site, or provide public art somewhere else.
“If we were to go this route, just from commercial buildings only in the last 12 months, with a 0.5%, we could look at 978,000 [dollars] contributing to an art fund, just in our city ourselves,” said James Hirst, city director of Parks and Recreation.
Councilwoman Theresa Pontieri said she believed Sarasota had a good structure to its ordinance, as the small percentage in large developments generates significant dollars. But, she wanted to make sure the city tailored the ordinance to Palm Coast’s needs, creating exceptions so that issues like affordable housing are not impacted.
“We’re really behind the eight ball on this, so I think that it’s good that we’re doing it,” she said. “I think we should move expeditiously on it.”
Mayor David Alfin agreed that development should help fund local arts and culture.
“The more we invest in the arts and culture and history piece, the more valuable our city becomes, not just for residents, but for the future,” Alfin said. “No question about it.”
Councilman Nick Klufas said the ordinance should also include language that mandates a percentage of the contribution be money instead of contributions made onsite.
“So that we can allocate the dollars how we see fit and not necessarily because they have one piece of art that they value at half-a-million dollars, that it absolves them from this obligation,” Klufas said.
City staff was also looking for direction regarding separating arts and culture from Parks and Rec. Pontieri said she would rather have Parks and Rec manage the arts fund for at least two years until the city had enough dollars generated that would help to either create a new department or recategorize as a separate division under Parks and Rec.
“At this time, we’re scraping for dollars right now, specifically to fund public safety, which I think has to be prioritized over arts and culture,” Pontieri said.
The city is also planning to reintroduce its Art in Public Places committee, which was established in 2011 and was composed of seven members. It was a subcommittee under the Beautification and Environmental Advisory Committee, and would evaluate art and coordinate with the artist before bringing it before the BEAC.
The city of Palm Coast will host a 25th anniversary celebration on Oct. 26 in Central Park in Town Center.
“Incorporated in 1999, Palm Coast is one of Florida’s youngest cities, and we are excited to celebrate 25 years of being Florida’s city on the rise,” a city news release states. “We invite all Palm Coast residents to commemorate this milestone through a series of special events highlighting our community’s vibrant spirit and history.”
The anniversary celebration will feature live music. food and activities. It will be free and open to the public.
“Celebrating our 25th anniversary is not just about looking back at the wonderful progress we’ve made but also about looking forward to a bright future together,” said Mayor David Alfin.
The city will also be adding “special touches” to its annual end-of-year-events, including the Senior Games, the annual tree lighting ceremony and the Starlight Parade.
Visit palmcoast25.com for more details.
Palm Coast’s upcoming Food Truck Tuesday — to take place from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 20 at Central Park — will benefit the Matanzas High School Band of Pirates and Color Guard Booster Club.
According to a city news release, this will mark the first Food Truck Tuesday event where proceeds will go toward the organization, which fundraise year-round to help with the cost of band events, travel, materials and program scholarships. The MHS band will also perform at Food Truck Tuesday.
“Being a member of the band helps our students enjoy a sense of fellowship, while allowing them to learn life skills that can have a tremendous impact far beyond the years that they are in the program,” Booster Club President Staci Palmer Barra said. “We are thankful that we are able to take part in events like Food Truck Tuesday, involving our community and bolstering the efforts to make every student’s experience special.”
The 2024 Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches Senior Games, presented in partnership with AdventHealth, will begin on Sept. 13, and registration is now open.
The games will run through Oct. 6, and will include the new Southern Recreation Center as one of the host venues, according to a news release. The games are open to participants 50 and up.
Participating sports include golf, pickleball, tennis, horseshoes and basketball.
Visit www.palmcoast.gov/seniorgames.
