Council Postpones Funding Decision On Car Show, Taste of the Nation and IndieCade

The City Council debated for over 30 minutes Monday night about the best way to maintain three of the city’s major cultural events: , and , now that there is no longer a to fund the programs.

Councilmember Andrew Weissman finally summed up the dilemma by stating; “We have to look at the whole picture, and not two or three programs week after week.”

Weissman was referring to the ongoing discussions of the fate of the , which is likely to be decided by the end of this month and all future events previously funded by the RDA.

With another three cultural programs making their way onto the council agenda Monday night, City Manager John Nachbar made it clear before discussions commenced that the City could not afford to fund any of the programs from its General Fund.

Mayor Micheal O’Leary suggested that the City create an innovation fund and borrow money against savings that would be generated down the road by a contract signed last week with American Lighting Supply to bring energy and cost savings to city parking garages. However, he did not receive any support for this idea from other council members. Councilmember Christopher Armenta pointed out that those funds were “not real” and Councilmember Weissman said he could not support “the notion of borrowing against unrealized savings.”

The council eventually decided to postpone a decision on the fate of the three events to allow representatives from each organization to speak with City Staff and also to look into the possibility of fee waivers (around $2,000 each) for each of the programs.

Councilmember Weissman stated if the city planned on doing a fee waiver analysis it should be done across the board for all projects, including the Summer Music Festival.

Dr. Jay Shery assured the council that while the Exchange Club sought the support of the council, it would indeed be holding the 2012 Car Show on May 12, whatever decision the council eventually makes.

The Car Show, however, is in a different position than IndieCade and Taste of the Nation, in that it receives only in-kind services from the City.

IndieCade Founder Stephanie Barish said the organization needs the city’s support, but is “willing to be creative” in order to try and ensure the event continues to be held in Culver City.

No representative from Taste of the Nation appeared to speak at the meeting, but the organization did let the City know in advance that without financial support from Culver City, it would look elsewhere to host the event and that it already had an offer to sign a contract at a location outside Culver City.

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