DEPARTMENT: Department for Culture & Creative Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Felix N. Padron
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-Wide
SUBJECT:
Creating the San Antonio Tricentennial Celebration Local Government Corporation
SUMMARY:
This item approves a resolution considering an application to create, and approves the form of articles of incorporation creating, the San Antonio Tricentennial Celebration Local Government Corporation to aid, assist, and act on behalf of the City in the performance of the City’s governmental functions associated with the planning, developing, identifying potential partners, managing, fundraising, and financing projects involved with all Tricentennial celebration activities.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
San Antonio will celebrate our 300th anniversary on May 5, 2018, a milestone that can be matched by few cities in the United States. From Yanaguana settlement to the Villa de Bejar to the 7th largest city in the United States, our remarkable journey tells the story not just of our people and place but of larger forces that shaped the world we live in today. Our tricentennial year will be an opportunity to discover our roots, commemorate our storied history, recognize our progress and collaborate on our bright future.
On April 15, 2015, the Mayor issued a memo indicating that Father David Garcia, Archdiocese of San Antonio; Kelso Director of the San Antonio Museum of Art, Dr. Katie Luber; and Hilton Palacio del Rio General Manager Robert Thrailkill had been invited to serve as chairs of the San Antonio Tricentennial Commission, as well as the Commission’s composition and its members. Past Mayors will serve as Honorary Chairs. In addition, on May 8, 2015 the Mayor issued a memo updating the membership, which now includes:
• Fiesta San Antonio Commission
• Luminaria
• San Antonio Conservation Society
• Bexar County Historical Society
• San Antonio Genealogical & Historical Society
• San Antonio Historical Association
• Los Compadres de San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
• Joint Base San Antonio
• San Antonio Tourism Council
• San Antonio Parks Foundation
• Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corporation
• Centro San Antonio
• Texas General Land Office
The TriChairs of the San Antonio TriCentennial Commisions and its members elected by each Council member will serve as the Board of the newly formed Local Government Corporation. The San Antonio Tricentennial Celebration Local Government Corporation will coordinate all Tricentennial celebration planning, identify potential partners, approve and disseminate a unique identity for our 300th anniversary, and integrate existing and recurring events into the Tricentennial framework. This Board will report to the City Council through the City Council Governance Committee.
The Tricentennial Celebration Local Government Corporation will be supported by the Tricentennial Organizing Committee, composed of representatives of the organizations mentioned above and staff from the public sector, non-profit and philanthropic communities. The work of the Organizing Committee will build on extensive research conducted by City of San Antonio staff, including efforts by the City Manager’s Office, Department for Culture and Creative Development (DCCD), Office of Historic Preservation, Center City Development and Operations Department, Convention & Visitors Bureau, and International Relations Office. DCCD will serve as the lead coordinator of the San Antonio Tricentennial Celebration Local Government Corporation and all parties involved.
ISSUE:
The action being requested is to approve the creation and of the articles of incorporation and by laws of the San Antonio Tricentennial Celebration Local Government Corporation (and which will facilitate such Corporation’s creation).
ALTERNATIVES:
If the San Antonio Tricentennial Celebration Local Government Corporation is not created, the planning, identifying potential partners, approving and disseminating a unique identity for our 300th anniversary will be delayed.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item has no immediate fiscal impact, however funding for the Tricentennial Celebration may be driven by the Organizing Committee’s fund raising efforts. Additional funding may be reviewed and initiated in other City funds.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this item to support the San Antonio Tricentennial Celebration.