Minutes_Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission 12.16.25THE C
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Dubuque
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2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Multicultural Family Center, 1157 Central Ave, Dubuque, IA 52001
Regular Meeting
Commissioners Present: David BARBA; Gail CHAVENELLE; Shirley DAVIS-ORWOLL;
Doug DONALD; Nick HALDER (chair)
Commissioners Absent: Jessica OCHOA
Staff Present: Bonnie SPURLING (Arts & Cultural Affairs Manager)
Public Present: Matt KALCEVICH (Parks & Recreation Director)
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 3:32 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 November 18, 2025.
DONALD motions to accept minutes, CHAVENELLE seconds. No further
discussion. Vote unanimously passed.
4. Status Reports from Staff for Review and Acceptance
SPURLING reported that the proposed Commission ordinance changes have
been approved by the City Council at the December 1, 2025, meeting.
City Council approved the FY'27 grant programs at the December 1, 2025,
meeting. Information has been posted to the City's website.
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SPURLING shared that she has drafted a memo to restructure the Creative's
Cafe to better align with the current need for these events, as well as the funds
allocated by the City for these events.
Currently, Art on the River has 5 completed applications and 6 in process. The
deadline to apply is January 16, 2026.
Addison Aronson was appointed to fill the empty Commissioner seat by the City
Council at their December 15, 2025, meeting.
5. Updates from Master Plan Working Groups
Nothing new to report currently.
6. Old Business
Nothing new to report currently.
7. New Business
a. Parks & Rec Master Plan Presentation
City of Dubuque's Parks & Recreation Director, Matt KALCEVICH shared the
process that the department went through in developing their new
comprehensive plan.
b. Commission Goals
Further discussion will take place at the January meeting.
8. Events and Engagement Reporting from Commissioners
Nothing new to report currently.
9. Public Comment
Nothing new to report currently.
10.Adjourn
Adjournment motioned by BARBA seconded by DAVIS-ORWOLL at 5:08PM.
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Next meeting(s): Regular Meeting — January 27, 2026.
Respectfully submitted:
Bonnie Spurling
Arts & Cultural Affairs Manager, City of Dubuque
These minutes were passed and approved on January 27 , 2026
Witnessed By ltl)"'g /Y//a" Z (signature)
Nick Halder (printed)
Char (officer position)
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