ROLL CALL

Present:

Tom Dalton
Warren Bowen
Kerry Carlson
Dr. George Giokaris
Owen Holmes
Kathy Ikola
Bill Klinghoffer
Jim Ranii
Mike Ritto
Sam Schauerman
Nancy Spencer
Hilda Sugarman

Staff present:

Joe Felz, Community Services Manager/Fullerton Museum Center
Dannielle Mauk, Special Events Specialist
Sylvia Palmer Mudrick, Public Information Coordinator

The meeting was called to order at 4:05 p.m. by Interim Chairman Tom Dalton, who then asked the Committee Members to introduce themselves and tell what groups they represent.

DISCUSSION

Interim Chairman Dalton began the meeting by explaining the origin of the Incorporation Centennial Committee. He said Fullerton Heritage expressed interest in doing something to commemorate the centennial of the City's incorporation. In behalf of Fullerton Heritage, he met with City Manager Chris Meyer and proposed that a committee composed of community representatives be formed to plan a centennial observance. The City's role on the Committee would be as coordinator. City Manager Meyer agreed to take the proposal to the City Council for consideration, and the Council voted at its Oct. 7, 2003, meeting to form such a committee.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Interim Chairman Dalton called for nominations for the permanent positions of Committee Chair and Vice Chair.

Member Bowen nominated Mr. Dalton as Chairman. There were no further nominations. A voice vote was taken, and the results were unanimous to approve Mr. Dalton as Chairman.

Mr. Dalton then called for nominations for Vice Chair, and nominated Committee Member Spencer. There were no further nominations. A voice vote was taken, and the results were unanimous to approve Committee Member Spencer as Vice Chair.

SETTING OF NEXT MEETING

Following discussion, Committee Members set the next meeting date at 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24.

DISCUSSION OF CURRENT CITY EVENTS

Community Services Manager Felz detailed the events sponsored annually by the City, and how they might relate to incorporation centennial activities:

Fourth of July Fireworks Festival: Manager Felz said that in the 14 years the City has held the festival, whenever the City has attempted to pair another event with it, it has not been successful. He said citizens seem interested only in celebrating the Fourth of July and watching the fireworks show.

First Night Fullerton: Manager Felz said the annual New Year's Eve party has also been difficult to tie in another event. As with the Fourth of July, citizens are just focused on welcoming in the New Year.

Fullerton Market: Manager Felz said the City has experienced much success in pairing other events with the weekly outdoor Fullerton Market. He said the market has more local appeal, and the people who come are Fullerton citizens. He said the City routinely conducts special monthly events in conjunction with the market, such as the popular Dog Days of Summer in August.

Night in Fullerton: Manager Felz said a special centennial observance could possibly be tied in with Night in Fullerton, but pointed out that the event is not under the City's control. It is produced by a volunteer committee representing various schools and art organizations, with the City providing logistical support.

Concerts in the Park: Manager Felz said the summer concert series has been very successful, and he anticipates the event will continue to grow. He said the facility where the concerts are held - the new Sports Complex - is large and can accommodate a good crowd.

During discussion following Manager Felz' comments, Chairman Dalton said his inclination would be to avoid the New Year's Eve and Fourth of July events. Vice Chair Spencer added she agreed with Manager Felz' comments about First Night and the Fireworks Festival.

Committee Member Sugarman said that before the Committee discusses planning specific events, it should develop a mission statement. "We need a vision of what we want to do and then decide if various events fit it," she said.

Committee Member Bowen said it would be a "serious mistake" to limit the observance to one event. He distributed a list of suggestions of possible observance events for consideration.

Committee Member Sugarman suggested a Fullerton song be commissioned to serve as a signature piece for the event year round.

Chairman Dalton told the Committee the City Council agreed to provide seed money for manufacture of 5,000 commemorative pins that can be sold to raise funds for centennial activities. The City would be reimbursed the seed money, with the balance going to Committee activities.

After discussion, it was decided the design of the commemorative pin would be based on the current City pin, with the addition of the dates 1904-2004. Staff was directed to work with the City's Purchasing Manager to order the pins. The goal is to have the pins available for sale for First Night.

Committee Member Bowen suggested another fund-raising possibility would be to ask groups and organizations to donate tickets the Committee could sell.

Committee Member Ranii suggested checking into having a poster and/or t-shirt commissioned, possibly incorporating a historic orange crate label in design.

Committee Member Schauerman suggested a program in which citizens who have had an impact on the City in its 100 years of incorporation be designated "Citizens of Distinction."

Committee Member Holmes suggested combining the centennial observances with existing programs, such as CSUF's Concert of the Stars.

Several Committee Members expressed interest in having a centennial banner hung from one of the two poles on Harbor. Staff was directed to check on availability and report back.

Committee Member Klinghoffer said the observance also needed banners that could be changed for different events. It was suggested that businesses be approached to see if they would be interested in helping sponsor the banners. Committee Member Ritto said he would bring some banner design possibilities for consideration at the next meeting.

Several Committee Members recommended creation of a centennial calendar that could be distributed to the public, and which would list centennial-related activities through the year. The goal would be to distribute the calendar at First Night. Chairman Dalton asked all members to bring a list of dates of their organization's activities to the next meeting to see what ones might tie in with the observance.

Chairman Dalton noted Fullerton Heritage is trying to get Hillcrest Park listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and added it is hoped this can be accomplished in 2004 to tie in with the centennial.

Manager Felz said the Museum Center's education program for students could include a centennial component. He added the Museum could serve as a retail outlet for commemorative items.

Other suggestions offered: Committee Member Klinghoffer - a photo collage of 100 years of Fullerton history; Chairman Dalton - planting of a 100th anniversary tree; Committee Member Sugarman - a 1904 dress-up day for school children; Committee Member Bowen - invite PBS reporter Huell Houser to do a piece on Fullerton, The Education Community; and Committee Member Ranii - send a letter to organizations advising them of the centennial and asking if they would be willing to sponsor an event.

Discussion also focused on how to advertise the event. Staff advised the Committee that in addition to press releases, articles could be placed in the Community Services Department's class newsletter, in the "Focus on Fullerton" water bill newsletter, in the City employee newsletter, and on the City's website and cable channel. Committee Member Holmes suggested submitting an article to the new "Fullerton" magazine, and Committee Member Giokaris also suggested using school PTA newsletters.

The meeting was adjourned by Chairman Dalton at 5:28 p.m. The next meeting is set for 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, in the Redevelopment Conference Room on the 3rd Floor of City Hall.