Minutes Arts & Cultural Affairs 8 23 05
MINUTES
ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY
COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
August 23, 2005, 4:30 p.m.
Board Room, Carnegie Stout Public Library
360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa
Meeting was called to order at 4:37 p.m. following staff assurance of compliance
with the Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners Present: Rebecca Fabricius, William Intriligator, Jane
Kenworthy, Paul Kohl, Susan Riedel, Mark Wahlert. Excused: Amy Weber
Staff Present: Jerelyn O'Connor, Kevin Firnstahl
Citizens Present: Jerry Enzler (4:47 p.m.)
New Business
FY 2006 Arts and Culture Funding Program for Operating Support; Review
funding requests and formulate recommendation to City Council.
Wahlert asked for discussion about applications that commissioners might have
concerns with before beginning the review process. O'Connor explained
Corporation Counsel Barry Lindahl's comments regarding conflict of interest. He
suggested that individual commissioners recuse themselves from any
applications they feel they have conflict with and vote on them individually rather
than on the whole.
MOTION by Wahlert, the Commission should discuss and vote on applications
individually. Second by Riedel. Motion passed 6-0.
Kohl was in favor of granting 5% of operating expenses to applicants, but had
some questions on the Four Mounds application. He questioned whether or not
the organization is cultural or educational in nature. Some questions exist on the
financial side of the NISOM application. The Arboretum's application is possibly
more a special projects grant and is similar to some other applications.
Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
MOTION by Intriligator, The Commission should accept the Arboretum as
qualified applicant. Second by Wahlert. Motion passed 6-0.
Dubuque Main Street Ltd.
Riedel felt that Dubuque Main St. Ltd. is a project-based application but does
meet the commission's goals and would like to see it approved for funding.
O'Connor shared the explanation Dan LoBianco provided as to why Main Street
submitted this under the operating support program and how it relates to the
Cultural Corridor. Riedel said it would be a good application from the State's
perspective. Kenworthy suggested DMSL re-submit it as a project grant and
questioned the application's eligibility. Intriligator suggested the commission fund
the request due to the year-round function and cultural service mission of DMSL.
Wahlert said this was unquestionably an appropriate project grant as described
in the narrative. Riedel felt it could be funded based on their narrative. Fabricius
asked if money should be set aside for such a program that speaks to the
Commission's mission. Riedel felt it is an important application that falls to both
program and operating and should be funded because of the role DMSL plays in
the cultural corridor.
MOTION by Riedel, the Commission should accept the DMSL application as
eligible and fund at the requested amount of $2,000. Second by Kohl. Motion
passed with the following vote 3-2: YEAS Riedel, Fabricius, Kohl, NAYS
Kenworthy, Wahlert. Intriligator recused himself from vote.
Four Mounds Application
Wahlert felt this application was less arts and cultural based and more historical
preservation. Intriligator concurred. Kenworthy questioned Four Mounds
eligibility as a cultural organization. O'Connor suggested that the commission
review Four Mounds' Articles of Incorporation and how their purpose relates to
the City's cultural arts goals. There was discussion on whether Four Mounds
was primarily a social service organization and whether that portion of their
operating expenses should be deducted before calculating the amount of
operating support. It was noted that capital expenses were included in the budget
figures. Riedel said that this facility was founded for preservation that involves
many activities that include cultural events similar to other facilities that host
multiple events.
MOTION by Intriligator, Commission should accept the application as eligible
although the capital expenses should be deducted prior to calculation of
operating support. Second by Kenworthy. Motion passed 6-0.
Kenworthy discussed concerns regarding applicant organizations which have
standing deficits. The Commission should make note of these organizations and
how they apply the criteria to decisions regarding funding. She suggested the
Commission use gentle persuasion through the funding process to strengthen
these organizations. Riedel said that there might be logical business reasons for
showing a loss. Fabricius said that managing loss can show fiscal responsibility,
which is one of the Commission's criteria. Kenworthy mentioned making a future
footnote for organizations that show a pattern of deficit. The Commission agreed
that this should not make a difference in eligibility for this round and would be
addressed in the next round of applications.
Dubuque Arts Council
Kenworthy questioned the Certificate of Reinstatement reference. O'Connor
suggested that this was most likely due to a lapse in certification filing with the
Secretary of State. It was also noted that two years' financials were added
together. Motion by Intriligator, second by Riedel. The Commission should accept
this application as eligible. Motion passed 6-0.
MOTION by Intriligator, the Commission should approve all other applicants as
eligible. (Dubuque Museum of Art, Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, Fly-By-Night
Productions, Northeast Iowa School of Music, Dubuque County Historical
Society, Bell Tower Productions, Dubuque County Fine Arts Society, Grand
Opera House,) Second by Kohl. Motion passed 6-0
FUNDING AMOUNTS
The requested funding exceeds the $200,000 available.
MOTION by Kenworthy to fund the applicants at 92.3 percent of funding
requests. Second - None. Motion failed
MOTION by Intriligator to remove the $2,000 (Main Street) and $50,000
(Dubuque County Historical Society) requests out of equation, look at remaining
amounts and recalculate the percentage based on remaining available funds.
Second by Kohl. There was discussion about funding Dubuque County Historical
Society at $50,000 maximum because $50,000 is significantly less than 5-6% of
their operating budget. Intriligator withdrew motion due to a conflict of interest.
MOTION by Fabricius to fund DMSUCultural Corridor at the requested amount of
$2,000 and Dubuque County Historical Society at capped amount of $50,000 and
use the balance to fund the remaining organizations at a slightly reduced
percentage of the remaining amount. Second by Riedel. Motion passed 4-0.
Ayes: Kenworthy, Kohl, Fabricius, Riedel. Intriligator and Wahlert abstained.
MOTION by Fabricius to fund the Dubuque Museum of Art at $25,486. Second
by Intriligator. Vote passed 5-0. Wahlert abstained.
MOTION by Riedel to fund Dubuque Symphony Orchestra at $33,478. Second
by Kohl. Motion passed 4-0. Intriligator and Kenworthy abstained.
MOTION by Kenworthy to fund the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
at $5,857. Second by Fabricius. Motion passes 6-0
MOTION by Kohl to fund Fly-By-Night Productions at $725. Second by
Intriligator. Motion passes 6-0
MOTION by Riedel fund Northeast Iowa School of Music at $11,755
Second by Kenworthy. Motion passes 6-0
MOTION by Fabricius to fund the Dubuque County Historical Society at $50,000.
Second by Riedel. Motion passed 5-0, Wahlert abstained.
MOTION by Intriligator to fund the Dubuque Arts Council at $3,851, second by
Kohl. Motion passes 6-0.
MOTION by Kenworthy to fund Bell Tower Productions at $9,657. Second by
Fabricius. Vote passed 5-0, Riedel abstained.
MOTION by Intriligator to fund the Dubuque Fine Arts Society at $3,598
Second by Riedel. Vote 5-0, Wahlert abstained.
MOTION by Intriligator to fund the Grand Opera House at $28,791. Second by
Fabricius. Motion passed 5-0. Riedel abstained.
MOTION by Kohl to fund Dubuque Cultural Corridor/Dubuque Main St. Ltd. at
$2,000. Second by Riedel. Motion passed 5-0, Intriligator abstained.
MOTION by Intriligator to fund Four Mounds Foundation at $24,796
Second by Kohl. Motion passed 6-0
Items from Staff
O'Connor asked Commission if they had suggestions of specific requirements to
include in the funding agreements. Wahlert asked that credit be given to the City
of Dubuque's operating support program. It was agreed that the final report
would suffice for documentation.
The Commission was reminded that applications for special projects are due
September 1 .
The Commission agreed to take citizen inquiries at the end of meetings. Citizens
may provide input during the course of a meeting if asked by the Commission.
Motion to adjourn by Riedel
Second by Wahlert
Adjournment at 7 p.m.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, September 27 at 4:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kevin Firnstahl, Staff Secretary
These minutes passed, approved and adopted on .
City Clerk
City Council:
City Manager:
File:
Amy Weber, Secretary