Council Endorses Cultural Arts Plan

A plan intended to guide art and cultural activities here into the 21st century has won the unanimous endorsement of the Laguna Beach City Council.

In backing the Community Cultural Arts Plan, the council on Tuesday also indicated its interest in hiring a cultural arts coordinator to ensure that the goals outlined in the document become a reality. That position probably will be included in the 1997-98 budget.

The proposal, presented to the council by Pat Kolleda, president of the city’s arts commission, offers a list of recommendations that would increase the number and types of cultural activities in Laguna Beach.

“The economic impact of this is absolutely awe-inspiring,” Kolleda said. “Please, we need a paid arts coordinator to implement this plan.”

The recommendations include scheduling more concerts and festivals and finding ways to draw tourists to the city by emphasizing its cultural assets. The proposal calls for cooperation among various segments of the community, including artists, city leaders, educators and merchants.

The council praised the effort.

But with aspects of the plan intended largely to attract tourists to Laguna Beach, Councilman Wayne J. Baglin cautioned that it must be sensitively implemented, keeping in mind the size of the city and the impact on residents.

“We cannot over-commercialize this city,” he said, “whether it’s with arts or anything else.”

The document was created by members of the Community Cultural Arts Plan Task Force.