HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/15/1994 Special Meeting 1 486
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
NOVEMBER 15, 1994
SPECIAL MEETING WITH CAPITOL THEATRE BOARD MEMBERS
The City Council met in session on this date at 7:00 a.m., at the
Capitol Theatre. Mayor Pat Berndt, presiding, Council Members Lynn
Buchanan (present after 7:20 a.m.), Ernie Berger, and Bernard Sims
present. Council Members Clarence Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, and
Bill Brado absent and excused. City Manager Zais, Assistant City
Manager Rice, Glenn Valenzuela, Director of Community and Economic
Development, and Deputy City Clerk Skovald also present. Also in
attendance were the following members of the Capitol Theatre Board
of Trustees: Royal Keith, President; Pat Temple, Vice President;
Dr. John Harrington, Donald Moen, Connie Bloxom, and Wayne Baldwin.
Capitol Theatre Staff Members present were Steve Caffery, Executive
Director; and Judy Write, Technical Director.
Before the Capitol Theatre presentation, Council members informally
discussed possible CRF projects, the remote radar tower issue,
along with other airport issues.
Royal Keith welcomed everyone and provided a brief history of the
Theatre. He recognized those who developed the concept to begin a
creative partnership to renovate the Capitol Theatre with primarily
private funds, only under public sector ownership.
After everyone in attendance introduced themselves, Steve Caffery
began his video presentation and invited questions about his
report. The Capitol Theatre was built in 1920 and was originally a
vaudeville house owned by the Mercy family. It transitioned until
it was sold to the City of Yakima, and a nonprofit organization was
set up to raise money to renovate the building. After total
destruction by a fire, the building was completely restored; today
the Capital Theatre is a focal point and is community driven with
increasing attendance and volunteer participation. Mr. Caffery's
presentation continued with a brief history of the Capitol Theatre
Committee, which is uniquely diverse therefore bridging the gap
within the community. The Committee's mission is to provide
performing arts and entertainment. Their goals include recognizing
quality of life and presenting the city a support base and
financial stability.
Mr. Caffery outlined the three programming formats of the Capitol
Theatre. The Mainstage Series includes Broadway stage, major
concerts and recital hall -type performances. The Stage Door format
includes contemporary type performances, targeted toward the 25 -45
year age group, with avant -garde programming which has been scaled
down with a more relaxed atmosphere. El Teatro Capitol Series,
targeted for the Hispanic market, provides service and
accessibility, and is a working partnership with area cultural
organizations. He described some of the performances and planned
programming, as well as its funding.
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SPECIAL MEETING -- NOVEMBER 15, 1994
Mr. Caffery emphasized accessibility and availability of the
Theatre to everyone. The ticket prices are low (through donations
and contributions) and the fund is a balance of earned revenue and
community support. He reviewed the expenses, including
programming, operations, overhead, administration, and fund
raising, all of which have increased. He explained the budget
margin depends on current activity and described how they plan to
manage the budget in the future to deal with increased programming,
expenses, and facility use. He emphasized the importance of
maintaining the building after its 16 years of continuous use.,
Because current resources are getting saturated and the costs keep
increasing to bring in performers, other cost effective resources
need to be generated to support programming. Although community
services is not a cost effective way to go, it is important to
continue accessibility which enhances community prosperity.
Mayor Berndt acknowledged this partnership that works and thanked
the volunteers for their services. The City is proud of this very
important economic tool.
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 a.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: . 6 /3
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CITY CLERK MAYOR V 2
MINUTES PREPARED BY DEPUTY CITY CLERK SKOVALD; AN AUDIO TAPE OF THIS MEETING IS AVAILABLE IN THE CITY CLERK'S
OFFICE.
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