Minutes_Arts and Cultural Affairs 1 26 21 Copyrig hted
March 15, 2021
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 1.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUM MARY: City Council Proceedings of 3/1;Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission of
11/24, 1/5 and 1/26; Cable TV Commission of 1/8; Community
Development Advisory Commission of 2/22; Housing Commission of
2/23; Human Rights Commission of 2/8; Library Board of Trustees of
1/28; Library Board of Trustees Council Update #207 of 2/25; Zoning
Advisory Commission of 3/3; Proof of Publication for City Council
Proceedings of 2/1 and 2/15; Proof of Publication for List of Claims and
Summary of Revenues for Month Ending 1/31.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
City Council Proceedings of 3/1/21 Supporting Documentation
Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission of 11/24/21 Supporting Documentation
Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission of 1/5/21 Supporting Documentation
Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission of 1/26 Supporting Documentation
Cable TV Commission Minutes of 1/8/21 Supporting Documentation
Community Development Advisory Commission Supporting Documentation
Minutes of 2/22/21
Housing Commission Minutes of 2/23/21 Supporting Documentation
Human Rights Commission Minutes of 2/8/21 Supporting Documentation
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 1/28/21 Supporting Documentation
Library Board of Trustees Council Update#207 Supporting Documentation
Zoning Advisory Commission Minutes of 3/3/21 Supporting Documentation
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of Supporting Documentation
2/1/21
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of Supporting Documentation
2/15/21
Proof of Publication for List of Claims/ Summary of Supporting Documentation
Revenues for Month Ending 1/31/21
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MINUTES — REGULAR MEETING
DATE: Tuesday, January 26, 2021
TIME: 3:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Via GoToMeeting
1
Regular Meeting
Commissioners Present: Nicholas Halder, Ryan Decker, Gina Siegert, Tyler Daugherty,
Paula Neuhaus, Ali Levasseur, Susan Riedel
Staff Present: Jennifer Petersen-Brant, Arts & Cultural Affairs Coordinator
Public Present: Tom Robbins with University of Dubuque Heritage Center, Jean Tucker with
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, Gail Chavenelle, Ann Ernst
The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Levasseur at 3:33 PM following staff
assurance of compliance with lowa Open Meeting Law.
Addition to Agenda: Introduction of Commissioners for public benefit
Review of Minutes: Motioned to approve minutes of January 5, 2020 with corrections by
Commissioner Halder, seconded by Commissioner Siegert. Commissioners Halder, Decker,
Siegert, Daugherty, Neuhaus, Levasseur, Riedel voted to approve motion; Motion passed.
Status Updates from Staff
City Council Work Session Presentation: On January 19 a Work Session with City
Council was held virtually in which Staff provided an update on the implementation of the
City's Arts & Culture Master Plan including recommendations that City Council should
consider supporting to propel the work forward. The presentation included brief
presentations from several Operating Support grantees. Staff reported that the
presentation was well received with supportive comments from the Mayor regarding growth
in the presence and impact of arts and culture in Dubuque. Councilmen Cavannagh
inquired specifically about recommendation of City/ Non-profit partnership during the work
session. Commissioner Riedel suggested turning presentation into feature for on City
Channel; Staff reported that PIO is open to idea and Staff will pursue as workload allows.
President Levasseur complimented and thanked Staff for an outstanding job on the
presentation.
Master Plan Working Groups: Branding and Communications WG is focused on
developing an RFP/project brief to initiate an overall marketing campaign for Dubuque's
arts and culture sector. A short-term committee has been recruited to shape project brief
including Commissioner Levasseur, Jordan Degree (Innovation Lab / Creative Adventure
Lab), Tasha Lippold (Premier Bank), Rick Dickenson (GDDC), Lu Gerdemann (Lu Supply
Co.) have confirmed. Others still considering invitation to committee. Dubuque
Renaissance Project canceled January 16 virtual `mixer' and has tentatively rescheduled
February 20. Public Art to meet February 15. Creative Economy to meet February 9.
Larger Task Force tentatively scheduled for February 25. Staff reported that many working
groups seem to be in a transition and all are looking for new volunteers to join them;
Commission can aid in recruitment by connecting potential volunteers with Staff for follow
up.
Winter Arts: The Winter Arts Snow Sculpting will take place February 10-13 in
Washington Park in partnership with the Dubuque Museum of Art. Due to COVID-19
concerns, the usual Saturday in-person community event will not be held. Staff in
collaboration with Kay Schroeder at DuMA is shifting activities to more virtual engagement
with at home snow sculpting activity suggestions, online voting for the People's Choice
award, and short "how to" videos with sculptors being produced and released.
Art En Route: Community engagement through survey and activity sheet being extended
through end of February. Staff noted that individuals from Green lowa AmeriCorps, Green
Dubuque, City Transit Dept, City Sustainability Coordinator, and Jay Foust of Gigantic
Design are assisting with planning and various aspects of the project. Gigantic Design is
working on project logo and promotional pieces to launch soon.
Calendar: Staff is working on a Google Calendar to share with Commissioners outlining
important dates related to Commission and major activities of the Office of Arts & Cultural
Affairs. Staff intends to send out before February Commission meeting.
Other: Staff in-progress of bringing on Community Work Study student from Loras College
to serve as an intern for Spring semester. City Council budget hearing for Economic
Development Department set for March 8.
Grants Subcommittee Update:
Commissioner Neuhaus reported on areas that may require changes in Operating Support
grant program. Grants Committee members continue research on solutions from other
communities regarding how they have updated their programs due to COVID-19 pandemic.
One area of concern is what budget figures organizations should report to base award % on;
current program protocol requests `last completed fiscal year' and for most organizations this
will be drastically impacted, likely reduced, due to COVID-19 thus potentially reducing award
amounts and hindering recovery and organizational stability. Commissioner Levasseur asked
for a solutions-based 15-minute brainstorming discussion to address concerns. Suggestions
included; Organizations reporting both 2020 and 2019 financials for consideration, Basing
award on planned expenses for 2020 budget, Reporting proposed 2020 and actual 2020;
Reporting and based award on actuals from 2019 as more consistent reflection of where
organizations were at before the pandemic. Noted that prior rounds of funding have always
been based on verifiable actual expenses. Commissioner Halder inquired if there was
guidance on this from other City granting programming; Staff will follow up. Commissioner
Neuhaus stated that grants committee will take all ideas into consideration and present a
formal recommendation at the February Commission meeting; recommendation will also
include changes to activity reporting question in grant narrative to reflect impacts of COVID-
19. Commissioner Halder inquired about status 3�d quarter payments to current Operating
Support grantees. Staff reported that they have inquired on this but not yet received
confirmation; Staff to follow up with Finance Department and Assistant City Manager.
Other: Commissioner Decker requested additional communication, clarity, and easy access
to City's precise DEI goals related to arts and culture activities, and additional clarity on goals
and outcomes of communications strategies related to Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs and
Commission. Commissioner Siegert inquired if there were any updates on progress alternate
funder for Mediacom Arts & Culture foundation style grant program; Commissioner Neuhaus
reported that a lead as been identified and additional follow up needed.
Public Comment: Gail Chavenelle thanked the Commission for their work but noted that
information on all the items discussed were not reaching her, encouraging Commission and
Staff to analyze their outreach strategies. Chavenelle also encouraged Commission and Staff
to continue diversity and equity work in arts and culture. Tom Robbins reported Live @
Heritage Center has ten virtual presentations scheduled and that the live performances will
be only for students and staff due to COVID-19 concerns; he thanked Commissioners for
their work. Jean Tucker reported that the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra is moving forward
with in-person lives concerts in the historic Five Flags Theater on February 20-21 and youth
ensemble on Feb 28.
Current Events Reporting from Commissioners:
• Bell Tower Dangers of Valentine's Day with socially distanced seating
• Trainwreck Productions: "Dick Rodgers: Space Detective" (radio play) -- February 12,
http://Facebook.com, Loras Players: A Midsummer Night's Dream -- April 8-10, Loras
College ARC Lawn
• Fly-by-Night: online content (FBN TV), http://flybyniqhtdubuque.com
• Grand Opera House: a lot of digital events and gatherings,
http://theg randoperahouse.com
• Five Flag Center has a variety of sporting events, DSO, and dance company renting
for private performance.
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Decker, seconded by Commissioner Neuhaus.
Commissioners Levasseur, Halder, Decker, Siegert, Daugherty, Neuhaus, Riedel voted to
approve motion; Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 4:39PM.
Next meeting: Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 3:30PM via GoToMeeting
Respectfully submitted:
Jenni Petersen-Brant
Arts & Cultural Affairs Coordinator, City of Dubuque
These minutes were passed and approved on , 2021.
Witnessed By: (signature)
(printed)
(officer position)