Minutes_Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission 7 21 2020 Copyrighted
November 2, 2020
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 1.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUM MARY: Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission Minutes of 7/21, 8/25,
9/22 and Master Plan Task Force and Group Minutes of 9/22; City
Council Proceedings of 9/28, 10/19; Community DevelopmentAdvisory
Commission of 10/21; Housing Commission of 9/22,
Housing Commission of 10/27; Zoning Board of Adjustment of 9/24;
Library Board of Trustees Council Update #203 of 10/22.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission Minutes Supporting Documentation
of 7/21/20
Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission Minutes Supporting Documentation
of 8/25/20
Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commisison Minutes Supporting Documentation
of 9/22/20
Arts and Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission Master Supporting Documentation
Plan Task Force/ Work Group Minutes of 9/22/20
City Council Proceedings of 9/28/20 Supporting Documentation
City Council Proceedings of 10/19/20 Supporting Documentation
Community Development Advisory Commission Minutes Supporting Documentation
of 10/21/20
Housing Commission Minutes of 9/22/20 Supporting Documentation
Housing Commission Minutes of 10/27/20 Supporting Documentation
Library Board of Trustees Council Update#203 of Supporting Documentation
10/22/20
Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes of 9/24/20 Supporting Documentation
�uhuque
THE CITY OF �
ql-�reHp Catr
DUB E �I��Ip'
20074012•2413
Masterpiece nr� tlze Mississip�i zoi�+zoig
ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION
MINUTES
DATE: Tuesday, July 21 , 2020
TIME: 3:30 p.m. +
LOCATION: Via GoToMeeting +
Regular Meeting �
Commissioners Present: Ali Levasseur, Nicholas Halder, Susan Riedel, Ryan Decker,
Gina Siegert, Susan Riedel, Tyler Daugherty, Paula Neuhaus.
Staff Present: Jennifer Petersen-Brant
The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Levasseur at 3:33 PM. following staff
assurance of compliance with lowa Open Meeting Law.
Review of Minutes: Motion to accept minutes of June 23, 2020 with corrections by
Commissioner Neuhaus, seconded by Commissioner Daugherty. Commissioners
Levasseur, Halder, Riedel, Decker, Siegert, Daugherty, and Neuhaus voted to approve
motion; Motion passed.
FY21 Operating Support Grant Scoring Review: Staff presented scoring of the 19
Operating Support grant applicants ranked according to combined scores. Four (4) tiers
of applicants were identified based on a traditional grading scaling (A- to A+ = 90-100%,
B- to B+ = 80-89%, C- to C+ = 70-79%, D- to D+ = 60-69%, F = 0-59%) of combined
juror's scores. Three (3) funding scenarios were provided by Staff for Commissioners to
consider:
• Option 1 offers potential awards if all applicants could receive 6% of their
previous year's operating budget or a maximum of$30,000 as noted in grant
guidelines. This option not possible as $314,744 would be needed to fulfill all
maximum requests.
• Option 2 offers potential awards at four (4) tiers based on funding ranging from
4.25% to 3% of previous year's operating budget or a maximum of$30,000. This
scenario offers funding tiers that are less competitive while arriving at total line
item expenditure within the FY2021 allotment of$250,000.
• Option 3 offers a more competitive four (4) tier funding structure with funding
ranging from 5% to 2.75% or a maximum of$30,000 to arrive at total line item
expenditure within the FY2021 allotment of$250,000.
Discussion followed highlighting that option 3 awards applicants receiving the highest
marks with the most significant percentage of funding allowed within the $250,000
overall FY2021 line item allocation while providing all eligible applicants with some
funding. Commission voiced appreciation for work done by Staff in calculating funding
tiers and sharing in advance of ineeting; approach of letter-grade rankings appreciated.
Motion by Commissioner Daugherty to recommend funding as outlined in Option 3 to
City Council for FY21 Operating Support grant awards, seconded by Commissioner
Halder. Commissioners Levasseur, Halder, Riedel, Decker, Siegert, Daugherty, and
Neuhaus voted to approve motion; Motion passed.
Commission directed Staff to draft the required memo to the City Manager outlining their
recommendation of Option 3 funding levels in advance of August 3 City Council
meeting. Commission requested Staff to share the memo back to the Commission and
include reviewer comments with award letters to applicants. Request to share reviewer
comments with Commission as well.
Additional discussion on use of unawarded funds ($4,718) followed. Motion to request
that if unallocated funds remain available after any COVID-19 budget reductions, these
funds be reassigned to Arts Mean Business activities by Commissioner Halder,
seconded by Commissioner Neuhaus. Commissioners Levasseur, Halder, Riedel,
Decker, Siegert, Daugherty, and Neuhaus voted to approve motion; Motion passed.
Status Updates from Staff
FY21 Special Projects Grant funding / applications: Staff provided brief overview of
8 applications totaling requests of$48,618. One organization has withdrawn application
due to impacts of COVID-19 on their season reducing total requests to $40,618.
Scoring complete but City leadership has yet to notify Staff how much of the $35,000
FY21 Special Projects Grant allocation is available for awarding out. Commission
should wait to draft recommendation until they know the funding amount they are
working with.
Art on the River: City direct investment in this year's AOTR was limited to $1,200
down from the $32,5000 approved in the FY21 City budget due to COVID-19 impacts
on general tax revenues by the City Manager on June 25, 2020. Staff directed that
AOTR could move forward if funds could be raised through private sources; efforts to
raise minimum of the $18,000 needed to pay artists, juror, and new signage were
unsuccessful and decision made to cancel this year's exhibit. Staff reported that focus
will shift to planning for a 2021-22 exhibit including funding sources. Current artists
have been invited to leave their sculptures in place through up to July 2021 with no
additional stipend; 1 has agreed thus far and waiting for other responses. Staff will
issue a press release on the cancellation. Commissioner Neuhaus will forward IAC Art
Project Grant and Humanities lowa Grants information as possible grant funding
options; idea of walking tours program mentioned to expand programming related to
AOTR to expand funding opportunities.
Solidarity Mural /July 27, 2020 DEI Work Session with City Council: Staff reported
that the project went smoothly. Commissioner Levasseur helped in her role as
president of Dubuque County Fine Arts Society. Over 75 community members
participated with lots of inedia coverage. Lowes Home Improvement assisted with
supplies, Dubuque Rescue Mission and individuals assisted with food, and many
independent donations both cash and in-kind as well. Informal report on Mural provided
to City Manager near end of execution; Staff invited to formally report on project at City
Council DEI Work Session on August 27. Email with survey to be to follow all who
participated to in effort to capitalize on social justice engagement that the mural project
has inspired; participants will also be provided information on getting involved with City
Arts & Culture initiatives. Commissioner Siegert shared feedback on her own positive
involvement in the project. Staff reminded Commission that T-shirts, prints, and other
items are available for purchase through Envision to raise funds for local BLM efforts.
Upcoming Grant Opportunities
MediaCom Arts & Culture Grant: Because of unknown nature of COVID-19's long
term impact on City revenues, and thus the operating budget of the Office of Arts &
Cultural Affairs, Staff discussed with Commission the increased need to stay aware of
grant opportunities that might fund the Office's programs. Staff in conversation with Jill
Connors and Teri Goodman will be researching and writing for more grant as time and
opportunity allows. MediaCom Arts & Culture grant program currently accepting
applications. Based on conversation with Jill Connors, Staff suggested that an
application to support Commission's goal-setting workshop be pursued. Discussion
followed based on Commissioner's awareness with MediaCom Arts & Culture grants
that a specific public event or program may be a better fit. Commission recommended
that Staff apply for funding for Arts Mean Business activities with dates to be
determined due to COVID-19 concerns.
NEA Our Town: Staff discussed the NEA Our Town grant program due August 6, 2020
as a potential funding source for the Dubuque Renaissance Project. Request would
seek to fund the hiring of a community-based artist-in-residence to serve as project
director and for anticipated costs related comprehensive marketing of DRP in
collaboration with Travel Dubuque. Discussion followed regarding need for Staff to
have support in writing this grant; Geri Shafer, Ellen Miller, and contact suggested by
DRP Steering Committee to be engaged by staff. Additional discussion on how much
request might be for; Staff anticipates request of up to $150,000. Commission supports
Staff in pursuing application.
Current Events Reporting from Commissioners:
• Five Flags Dueling Dogs at Five Flags on schedule for end of July.
• DCFAS received grant from IAC for capacity building, website redesign.
• Exit Laughing will be open August 14, running through August 30.
• Train Wreck Productions' Digital Drinks & Dialogue continues on the 1 St Sunday
of the month
� Fly-By-Night Productions hosting virtual presentation of Taming of the Shrew
starting August 13
• Loras Players to present War of the Worlds radio program on October 30.
• Julien's Journal highlighting education in August issue.
• Rising Star Theater Co also received an IAC capacity building grant. RSTC
hosting virtual summer camps.
Public Input
Jean Tucker mentioned DSO season is on hold and Holiday concert is a maybe. DSO
had considered using downtime to hold auditions but fear of travel to lowa voiced by
judges and musicians has canceled those plans. Staff suggested informing Mayor/City
Council that DSO's experience with those living outside the state being unwilling to
travel to Dubuque due to COVID-19.
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Decker and seconded by Commissioner
Siegert. Commissioners Levasseur, Halder, Riedel, Decker, Siegert, Daugherty,
and Neuhaus voted to approve motion; Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at
5:05 PM.
Next meeting: Tuesday, August 25, 2020 �
Respectfully submitted: �
Jenni Petersen-Brant
Arts & Cultural Affairs Coordinator, City of Dubuque
These minutes were passed and approved on , 2020.
Witnessed By: (signature)
(printed)
(officer position)