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Encinitas Project invited into arts commission work plan; commissioners to form ad hoc to work with staff
Summary
The commission agreed to include the Encinitas Project, a nonprofit fundraising and advocacy group, as a line item in its 2025–26 work plan and discussed forming an ad hoc to coordinate with staff and the project.
The Encinitas Commission for the Arts voted unanimously to include the Encinitas Project in its 2025–26 draft work plan and to recommend that commissioners collaborate with staff to support the nonprofit’s planned 2025 launch and fundraising efforts.
Commissioners reviewed a letter from Ross Ritter, who is identified in the meeting as chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission and as a leader of the Encinitas Project. The letter asked the arts commission to add language to the work plan so the commission could “recommend projects and needs that could be met with aid from the Encinitas Project” and “support the Encinitas Project in their efforts to explore grant funding and other fundraising opportunities.”
Commissioners debated the precise wording and whether an ad hoc should be assigned specifically to the project. Staff and commissioners said coordinating through an ad hoc that works with staff would be appropriate so recommendations flow through department channels rather than bypassing staff. The commission read proposed language aloud that would make the ad hoc the primary liaison: “The ad hoc will work with staff to recommend projects and needs that could be met with aid from the Encinitas Project and will support the Encinitas Project in their efforts to explore grant funding and other fundraising opportunities. As ambassadors for city arts and culture initiatives, all commissioners will participate in community outreach events and promote the Encinitas Project’s 2025 launch to the public.”
Commissioners raised questions about potential conflicts of interest from commissioners promoting a nonprofit; staff said the Encinitas Project is a separate 501(c)(3)-style nonprofit and that city staff and council are involved in drafting an MOU the project will present to council (the commission noted the MOU was expected to reach council on March 26). Commissioners also asked how the project would prioritize funding requests; meeting remarks reported the Encinitas Project has solicited lists of department needs and plans to accept donations, grants and business sponsorships with allocations determined by the nonprofit board.
The commission agreed to add the project language to the draft work plan and moved to submit the revised work plan to city council for approval. The motion to submit the work plan (including the Encinitas Project language and other edits discussed at the meeting) passed with all commissioners voting yes.
