Minutes_Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission 09.30.25City of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS
#1.
Copyrighted
January 20, 2026
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of January 5, 2026; Airport
Commission of October 28, 2025; Arts and Cultural Affairs
Advisory Commission of September 30, October 28, and
November 18, 2025; Library Board of Trustees of August 28,
September 25, and November 20, 2025; Proof of Publication
for City Council Proceedings of December 15, 2025; Proof of
Publication for Expenditure Reports presented at the
December 15, 2025 City Council meeting.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 1 5 26 City Council Minutes
2. Airport Commission Minutes of October 28 2025
3. Arts Commission Minutes October
4. Arts Commission Minutes September
5. Arts Commission Minutes November
6. August-28—Library Board Minutes
7. September —Library Board Minutes
8. November-20—Library Board Minutes
9. City Council Proceedings of December 15, 2025
10. Proof of Publication for Expenditure Reports
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THE CITY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
All -America C14
2007.2012.2013
2017*2019
ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Multicultural Family Center, 1157 Central Ave, Dubuque, IA 52001
Regular Meeting
Commissioners Present: Gail CHAVENELLE; Doug DONALD; Nick HALDER (chair);
Jessica OCHOA
Commissioners Absent: David BARBA; Mary LONEY BICHELL; Shirley DAVIS-
ORWOLL
Staff Present: Bonnie SPURLING (Arts & Cultural Affairs Manager)
Public Present: None
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 3:41 PM.
2. Roll Call
Roll call was skipped due to no public being present at the start of the meeting.
3. Review and Approve Minutes from July 29, 2025.
CHAVENELLE motions to accept minutes, OCHOA seconds. No further
discussion. Vote 3 in favor (CHAVENELLE; HALDER; OCHOA), 1 abstain
(DONALD)
4. 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.
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SPURLING suggested that the deadline for the call for submissions for Art on
the River 2026-2027 be moved up to November. This proposed change will
allow selected artists more time to fabricate their work prior to instillation. The
Art on the River Committee will discuss this prospect further and bring a full
proposal to the Commission at the October meeting.
SPURLING provided an update on the Bloomberg Asphalt Art Initiative grant
and the refinishing of the original sidewalk murals. Only one mural remains to
be refinished and should be completed in the coming weeks. She also reported
that the remaining GARE Grant funds will be used towards the upcoming
Creative's Cafes.
The next Creative's Cafe is scheduled to take place on November 13 at The
Lift. It will have a trivia night format, which will allow participants to network and
play trivia simultaneously.
5. Updates from Master Plan Working Groups
Nothing new to report currently.
6. Old Business
Nothing new to report currently.
7. New Business
a. Five Flags Art Collection
SPURLING reported that she is working with the management company at Five
Flags, Oak View Group, on the art collection that is housed at the Five Flags
Center. There is a desire by the management company to display more of the
items that are currently in storage.
b. Other
Commissioners requested that Commission goal setting for the upcoming fiscal
year begin at the January meeting.
8. Events and Engagement Reporting from Commissioners
DONALD shared that Fly -By -Night Productions will present "An Evening of
Vanity Theatre" on Saturday, November 1 at 7pm. The event will be held at the
Smokestack.
9. Public Comment
SPURLING shared a letter of appreciation from the Dubuque Symphony
Orchestra for the grant funding they recently received.
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10.Adjourn
Adjournment motioned by OCHOA seconded by CHAVENELLE at 4:36PM.
Next meeting(s): Regular Meeting — October 28, 2025.
Respectfully submitted:
Bonnie Spurling
Arts & Cultural Affairs Manager, City of Dubuque
These minutes were passed and approved on October 28, 2025
Witnessed By
A� �aa,4, (signature)
Nick Halder (printed)
Char (officer position)
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