Loading...
Minutes Arts & Cultural Affairs 4 25 06 MINUTES ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION Tuesday, April 25, 2006, 4:30 p.m. Board Room, Carnegie Stout Public Library 360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa Meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. following staff assurance of compliance with the Iowa Open Meeting Law. Commissioners Present: Rebecca Fabricius, William Intriligator, Louise Kames, Paul Kohl, Amy Weber, Susan Riedel, Mark Wahlert. Staff Present: Jerelyn O'Connor, Kevin Firnstahl Citizens present: John Sutter, Dubuque County Historical Society. Chairperson Wahlert introduced new Commissioner Louise Kames. Review/Approve Minutes of February 23, 2006. Motion by Riedel, Second by Fabricius. Motion passed 7-0 NEW BUSINESS: Review applications for Operating Support Funding and Formulate Recommendations for City Council. Chairperson Wahlert recommended a brief review of each application to determine applicant organization eligibility and any concerns about an application followed by a determination of award amounts. Dubuque Museum of Art Applicant organization determined eligible Dubuque Symphony Orchestra Applicant organization determined eligible Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens Applicant organization determined eligible. Legionnaires Drum and Bugle Corps, Inc. Wahlert raised the issue of the large amount of the Colts operating expenses for travel expenses outside Dubuque. There was also discussion about the number of Colts members who are from outside of Dubuque. O'Connor suggested that the Commission use the established selection criteria to guide their review of the applicant organization (Le., impact of organization on broader Dubuque Community, support is provided to organizations whose programs/services benefit Dubuque residents, etc.) The Commission discussed funding the portion of the operation that impacts the Dubuque community. It was noted that it's difficult to determine the specific portion of operating expenses related to local events. However, there was consensus that the organization provides benefit to the Dubuque community and should receive partial funding. Applicant organization determined as eligible for partial funding. Northeast Iowa School of Music Intriligator asked if approving funding for NISOM would open up funding for other schools and universities. O'Connor noted that the program guidelines state that educational institutions are ineligible. Riedel noted that NISOM provided it's long- range plan and its narrative addresses how the organization meets the selection criteria. The facility provides entertainment in addition to education and many free programs. Applicant organization determined eligible. Dubuque Co. Historical Society Riedel felt it was a well-written funding request and the organization has a big impact on community that created new jobs and volunteers. John Sutter responded to the question on the decrease in revenue from the prior year. Applicant organization determined eligible. Dubuque Arts Council Applicant organization determined eligible. Bell Tower Productions Applicant organization determined eligible. Dubuque County Fine Arts Society Weber noted that she is not a board member as noted in the grant. Kohl stated that the list of board members is not current. The staff report stated that the application did not include the required current detailed operating budget or the previous two years financial statements. The consensus of the commission is that although it is a worthwhile, eligible organization, there are critical deficiencies in this funding request. There was a suggestion that the organization needs to explore partnerships and establish a definitive direction. Grand Opera House Applicant organization determined eligible. Four Mounds Foundation The consensus of the Commission is that the funding request is ineligible because the application was not received by the due date. Intriligator questioned the overall mission of the organization as it related to arts and culture and expressed concern that it is primarily a social service organization. O'Connor reminded the commission there was extensive discussion about this issue last year and the commission determined at that time the organization was eligible since its mission is to preserve, restore, and maintain a cultural and historic resource in the community. She suggested that if there are concerns about the portions of its operating budget which are "social services", the commission needs to clarify those issues in the program guidelines before the next funding competition. Vote on Award Amounts The Commission reviewed the funding formula of 6% of organization's previous year's operating expenditures or $50,000 maximum as well as other scenarios, i.e. funding at 5% of previous year's operating expenditures. The consensus was to provide funding to the organizations determined eligible at 6% of previous year's operating expenditure with the balance to be awarded to the Colts. Dubuque Museum of Art Motion by Weber to fund at $22,848, second by Intriligator Passed 6-0, 1 abstention (Wahlert) Dubuque Symphony Orchestra Motion by Riedel to fund at $38,780, second by Kohl Passed 6-0, 1 abstention (Intriligator) Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens Motion by Riedel to fund at $9,407, second by lntriligator Passed 7-0. Colts Drum and Bugle Corps. Motion by Weber to partially fund due to 2.87% of $644,580 (or $18,497) estimation of reduced impact on local community. Second by Kohl. Passed 7-0 Northeast Iowa School of Music Motion by Riedel to fund at $13,047. Second by Intriligator Passed 7-0. Dubuque County Historical Society Motion by lntriligator to fund at $50,000. Second by Riedel Passed 6-0, 1 abstention (Wahlert) Dubuque Arts Council Motion by Kames to fund at $3,666. Second by Weber Passed 7-0 Bell Tower Productions Motion by Kohl to fund at $15,850. Second by lntriligator Passed 6-0, 1 abstention (Riedel) Dubuque County Fine Arts Society Motion by Riedel to not fund as application was critically incomplete. Second by Intriligator. Passed 5-0, 2 abstentions (Wahlert & Kohl) Grand Opera House Motion by Intriligator to fund at $27,905. Second by Kohl. Passed 7-0. Four Mounds Foundation Motion by Intriligator to not fund as applicant missed submission deadline. Second by Kohl. Passed 7-0. Intriligator was excused from the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Training opportunities O'Connor noted that there are funds budgeted for training opportunities for commissioners. The Americans for the Arts Conference is June 3-6 in Milwaukee and there is a Public Art/Iowa Conference in Waterloo and Cedar Falls June 6-7. Riedel is interested in attending the Public Art Iowa. Kames and Fabricius are interested in Americans for the Arts and will check calendars. Discuss procedures for commission review of Special projects Grant applications. Wahlert reminded commissioners of point rating system. O'Connor asked whether the commission wants her to contact the applicants prior to the Commission meeting is she has noticed an issue needing clarification. The Commission concurred. Applicants will be notified of meeting. OLD BUSINESS Update on Art on the River Program Applications are due May 1. There has been considerable interest from artists. Motion to adjourn by Weber. Second by Fabricius. Passed 7-0 at 6:45 p.m. Next Meeting: May 23, 4:30 p.m. in the Library Board Room. Respectfully Submitted, Kevin Firnstahl, Staff Secretary These minutes passed, approved and adopted on May 23, 2006. Amy Weber, Secretary City Clerk City Council: City Manager: FHe: