Minutes_Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission 07.29.25Copyrighted
September 15, 2025
City of Dubuque CONSENT ITEMS # 1.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of August 27, September 2, and
September 4, 2025; Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory
Commission of July 29, 2025; Community Development
Advisory Commission of July 16, 2025; Civic Center Advisory
Commission of June 2, 2025; Housing Trust Fund Advisory
Committee of September 12, 2024 and August 28, 2025;
Investment and Cash Management Oversight Advisory
Commission of April 25, 2025; Library Board of Trustees of
July 24 and August 20, 2025; Resilient Community Advisory
Commission of August 7, 2025; Zoning Advisory Commission
of August 6, 2025; Zoning Board of Adjustment of July 24,
2025; Proof of Publication of City Council Proceedings of
August 4 and August 18, 2025.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 8 27 25 City Council Minutes
2. 9 2 25 City Council Minutes
3. 9 4 25 City Council Minutes
4. Arts and Cultural Affairs Minutes
5. Community Development Advisory Commission Minutes
6. Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee Minutes
7. Housing Trust Fund Advisory Commission Minutes Minutes 8.28.25
8. Investment and Cash Management Commission Minutes 04.24.25
9. Carnegie -Stout Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes July 24 2025
10. Carnegie -Stout Public Library Board of Trusrees Work Session Minutes August 20
2025
11. Civic Center Advisory Commission Minutes
12. Resilient Community Advisory Commission Minutes
13. Zoning Advisory Commission Minutes
14. Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes
15. Proof_8.4.25 City Council Proceedings
16. Proof City Council Proceedings 8.18.25
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THE C
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
All -America City
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2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Multicultural Family Center, 1157 Central Ave, Dubuque, IA 52001
Regular Meeting
Commissioners Present: David BARBA; Mary LONEY BICHELL; Doug DONALD; Nick
HALDER (chair); Jessica OCHOA; Shirley DAVIS-ORWOLL
Commissioners Absent: Gail CHAVENELLE
Staff Present: Bonnie SPURLING (Arts & Cultural Affairs Manager)
1. Call to Order / Assurance of Iowa Open Meeting Compliance
HALDER called the meeting to order following staff assurance of Iowa Open
Meeting compliance at 3:34 PM.
2. Roll Call
Roll call was skipped due to no public being present at the start of the meeting.
3. Oath of Office
Donald administered the oath of office to the newly appointed Commissioners,
LONEY BICHELL; HALDER; OCHOA; DAVIS-ORWOLL
4. Officer and Committee Appointments
BARBA nominated HALDER for the position of chair, LONEY BICHELL
seconds. HALDER accepts the nomination. No further nominations. Vote
unanimously passed.
DAVIS-ORWOLL nominated DONALD for the position of vice -chair, BARBA
seconds. DONALD accepts the nomination. No further nominations. Vote
unanimously passed.
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The following committee assignments were agreed upon by the
Commissioners:
Art on the River: LONEY BICHELL; CHAVENELLE; DAVIS-ORWOLL
Commission Strategic Initiative 1: BARBA; DONALD; OCHOA
Grants/ Commission Strategic Initiative 2: BARBA; HALDER; OCHOA
5. Review and Approve Minutes from June 24, 2025.
DONALD motions to accept minutes, DAVIS-ORWOLL seconds. No further
discussion. Vote 4 in favor (BARBA; DONALD; HALDER; DAVIS-ORWOLL), 2
abstain (LONEY BICHELL; OCHOA)
6. Status Reports from Staff for Review and Acceptance
SPURLING reported that the proposed Commission ordinance changes are still
with the City's legal department for review.
SPURLING shared that everything is coming together for the Art on the River
opening reception. Deinstalls have taken place of last year's sculptures, with
instillations beginning to take place for the new pieces. The opening reception
takes place on August 1, 2025, beginning at 5pm.
The next Creative's Cafe will take place August 14 at the Dubuque Arboretum
& Botanical Gardens. Several hands-on activities will be provided by Urban
Sketchers, Planted, and Centrally Rooted.
SPURLING provided an update on the Bloomberg Asphalt Art Initiative grant
and the refinishing of the original sidewalk murals. SPURLING also shared that
materials for the City's Arts & Culture grant programs have been updated to
reflect recent changes to legislation.
7. Updates from Master Plan Working Groups
Nothing new to report currently.
8. Old Business
a. Commission Strategic Plan Goals- Reporting and Discussion
Nothing new to report currently.
9. New Business
a. New Commissioner Orientation
A discussion followed between Commissioners to share information with new
members about the major initiatives/programs of the Commission.
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10. Events and Engagement Reporting from Commissioners
Nothing new to report currently.
11. Public Comment
Letters of appreciation from the Dubuque Arts Council and the Dubuque County
Historical Society for recently awarded grants were shared with the
Commission.
12.Adjourn
Adjournment motioned by OCHOA seconded by DAVIS-ORWOLL at 5:18 PM.
Next meeting(s): Regular Meeting — August 26, 2025.
Respectfully submitted:
Bonnie Spurling
Arts & Cultural Affairs Manager, City of Dubuque
These minutes were passed and approved on August 26 , 2025
Witnessed By Yy/=eei2. (signature)
Nick Halder (printed)
Char (officer position)
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