Exh 5AAGENDA ITEM #5A
MARCH 12, 2001
March 6, 2001
Hon. John Meserve, Mayor
City of Atlantic Beach
800 Seminole Road
Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233
Dear Mr. Meserve:
The members of the Cultural Arts Board have several items to discuss which aze related. For this
reason, I will include in this letter Board membership (directed to you) and First Night concerns
(to the Commissioners).
The Cultural Arts Boazd was scheduled to meet last week to take action concerning First Night
and several community projects needing our immediate attention. We were unable to address the
issues because we did not have a quarum. While six of the Boazd members are faithful to our
meetings, the seventh, Tyler Greenwell, has only attended two meetings since he was appointed.
We have had to call an emergency meeting for this Wednesday, Ivlazch 7, in order to take care of
business. The Cultural Arts Boazd has many projects and we need a full Boazd so as not to waste
members time coming to meetings which aze then canceIled: Please consider this issue.
The Cultural Arts Boazd would like to ask that the Commission consider extending First Night
Executive Director Kim Armstrong's contract for 30 days. We originally asked for a six month
contract which was to have ended when the 501 C3 came through. It has not come yet. A
reorganizationalrneeting was held by First Night on 2/21, and there is serious concern among the
officers and Executive Director as to whether there are enough volunteers and or/interest to hold
the event this year. A decision will be made at our 3/8 meeting as to the future of First Night.
An extension of the contract will enable Kim Armstrong to do one of two things: continue until
receiving the SOlc3 and continue planning for First Night 2002; or announce the cancellation and
wind up loose ends.
In the event that the Cultural Arts Boazd decides not to have First Night, we have been asked by
many in the community to consider having the Fundraiser as scheduled (5/12} and putting
proceeds into Cultural Arts activities. If that is allowed, may we give funds to schools which our
Atlantic Beach children attend, such as Jacksonville Beach Elementary School?
Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
~Y=E~~:d~A~v~
Nancy E. DeC dis
Chair, Cultural Arts Board
Note: Tyler Greenwell was appointed to the Cultural Arts Board October 25, 1999.