Minutes Arts & Cultural Affairs 2 23 06
MINUTES
ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY
COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
February 23, 2006, 4:30 p.m.
ICN Room, Carnegie Stout Public Library
360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa
Meeting was called to order at 4:35 p.m. following staff assurance of compliance
with the Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners Present: Mark Wahlert, Sue Riedel, Paul Kohl, Rebecca
Fabricius, Amy Weber, William Intriligator.
Staff Present: Jerelyn O'Connor, Kevin Firnstahl
Citizens Present: Dave Rusk, Dan LoBianco
Review/Approve Minutes of January 24, 2006.
Minutes should reflect that Amy Weber is now secretary. Motion to approve as
amended by Fabricius; Second by Riedel; Passed 6-0.
New Business
Update on Cultural Corridor/Cultural District Survey Data - Dan LoBianco
Dan LoBianco presented an overview of the survey that Dubuque Main
Street Ltd. is conducting to gauge the impact of arts and cultural events on
other businesses in the downtown cultural corridor. DMSL is requesting
input from the commission regarding the survey. A copy of the report will
be provided to the Commission. Dan noted that the greatest impact is on
bar/restaurant and convenience stores rather than retail establishments
which are usually closed during cultural events. DMSL will have
discussions with the Cultural Alliance to plan 2007 events to avoid
competing events. DMSL intended to collect data through June and issue
a final report in September. The Commission requested an interim report
and September and then a 12-month report so the impact over the holiday
season could be included.
DMSL is working on amending the Cultural District to include the
warehouse district. Dan stated that there has been little support from the
State to warrant the effort of establishing cultural districts--tax credits are
gone, the marketing piece has been disappointing. Dan asked if the
commission would be willing to write to state or local legislators to request
additional support for the cultural districts. Sue Riedel stated that she is
meeting with the Arts Council next week and would address the issue.
Dan will provide additional material to the Commission for legislative
correspondence.
Review of FY 2007 Special Projects Grant Program Discussion on Rating
System.
The commission discussed the draft timeline provided by staff. It was
agreed to move the grant deadlines to April 10 and May 10 to allow
commissioners additional time for review applications.
The Commission then reviewed the rating sheet and reviewed notes
suggested by staff member O'Connor. The commission had previously
agreed to specify rating points for each of the rating criteria. The
commission agreed on some changes to make the application more
concise, eliminating duplicate questions, and changing the order of the
sections. There was considerable discussion on the point values to be
assigned for the established rating criteria-1) priority funding will be given
to new and expanded programming, 2) degree to which proposed project
furthers the City's cultural arts goals, 3) degree to which proposed project
reflects careful planning and can be implemented in a timely manner, 4)
impact of project on broader Dubuque Community, and 5) organizational
experience and capacity.
MOTION by Wahlert, Second by Riedel to establish rating criteria points
for criteria #1-5 to a maximum of 25, 25, 20, 20, 10.
AMENDED MOTION by Wahlert, Second by Link: rating points for ranking
criteria are 25, 25, 25, 15, 10 respectively. Motion passed 6-0.
Review of FY 2007 Operating Support Funding Program
The Commission reviewed and approved the application.
Old Business
Update on Art at the Port of Dubuque. Mark Wahlert is the commission
representative on the planning committee. The committee is meeting
tomorrow and is working on finalizing the application process for the public
art program.
Information Sharing
The schedule for the 2006 Comprehensive Plan Update was shared with
the commission. Please note that the Long Range Planning Commission
will review goals and objectives for the Cultural Arts element at their
October meeting.
The final Budget Hearing for the City's FY 2007 budget is March 2. Mark
Wahlert will attend to respond if there are questions on the Arts budget.
Items from Commission
O'Connor initiated a general discussion with the Commission on the potential for
controversy with arts grant funding for some art works or productions. There was
discussion about the current required acknowledgement of city funding and/or
logo on all advertising and program materials for organizations receiving city
funding. It was agreed that acknowledgement of city funding should be made in
a reasonable manner in appropriate signage, promotion and program materials.
Loras College's Multicultural Performing Arts Series Community Impact Report
was shared with the Commission. It will be included with budget materials
submitted to City Council at the March 2 meeting.
Commissioner Riedel is meeting with the State and will discuss access to the
arts and requested input from the Commission on arts accessibility in Dubuque.
The Dubuque Cultural Alliance is currently attempting to reinvigorate the Key
Card Program which provides free or reduced price admission to cultural events
to income eligible persons. Suggestions were provided to Riedel regarding other
free access programs such as free admission at Rocco Buda, free admission
Thursdays at the Dubuque Museum of Art, free area festivals, Loras' film series,
DSO Mozart, free lecture series, and Music in the Park.
Wahlert noted that he and Paul Kohl have now joined the Dubuque Fine Arts
Council Board.
O'Connor informed the Commission that Jane Kenworthy resigned. There was a
media release announcing the vacancy. Applications are due March 9. The
appointments of Intriligator and Weber are the next to expire in June of this year.
MOTION to Adjourn by Riedel, Second by Fabricius. Passes 6-0.
Adjournment at 6:50 p.m.
Next Meeting: March 28. (Canceled due to lack of quorum.)
These minutes passed, approved and adopted n April 25, 2006.
City Clerk
City Council:
City Manager:
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