Minutes Arts & Cult. Comm. 7 25 06
Minutes
ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY
COMMISSION
Regular Session
Tuesday, July 25, 2006, 4:30 p.m.
Board Room, Carnegie Stout Public Library, 2nd Floor
360 W. 11 th Street, Dubuque, IA 52001
Commissioners Present: Sue Riedel, Geri Shafer, Amy Weber, Louise Kames,
Paul Kohl, Mark Wahlert. Excused: Ellen Henkels
Staff: Jerelyn O'Connor, Jessica Kurt
CALL TO ORDER/CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE
Meeting was called to order at 4:36 p.m. following staff assurance of
compliance with the Iowa Open Meeting Law.
REVIEW/APPROVE MINUTES OF JUNE 12, 2006
Motion by Kohl to approve the minutes. Second by Riedel. All approved.
NEW BUSINESS
Welcome new commissioners Henkels and Shafer
Wahlert welcomed new commissioner Shafer and added his appreciation
to previous commissioners Rebecca Fabricious and William Intriligator.
After discussion of a formal thank you, Wahlert offered to draft letters to
both Fabricious and Intriligator to commend their efforts with the
commission.
Election of officers
Motion by Kohl to elect Sue Riedel as Arts and Cultural Affairs
chairperson. Second by Weber. All approved. Motion by Riedelto elect
Weber as vice-chair. Second by Kohl. All approved. Riedel motioned to
elect Kames as secretary. Second by Weber. All approved. Riedel
extended her thanks to Wahlert and praised his term as chairperson.
Review Cultural Arts Goals for Comprehensive Plan
Shafer shared with the commission that in reviewing the city council's
goals, arts and cultural affairs did not seem to take precedence. Weber
suggested sending a letter to council that arts and cultural affairs remains
a top priority.
O'Connor explained that the City's Long Range Planning Commission is in
the process of updating the comprehensive plan and suggested that the
Arts Commission review those goals and provide input on suggested
changes. She also asked the Commission whether there is interest in
updating the Commission's goals. Commission agreed to use the August
meeting to update the Commission's goals. They also discussed whether
a facilitator would be needed for the meeting. Commission agreed to
meet Wednesday, August 30,2006, at 4:00 in the Board Room of
Carnegie-Stout Public Library. O'Connor offered to contact a facilitator.
Commission agreed to an alternate of August 28, 2006.
Riedel asked the commission to consider the action plan to meet goals
and whether or not the commission has followed through on that plan.
Special Projects Grant Program
Commission discussed changes to the program guidelines. On whether
an organization's financial need for the grant dollars be a consideration,
Wahlert felt that it should not. Commission was in agreement except for
Kames who liked the idea of incorporating financial need. Commission
decided that the question needs re-wording so that specific needs are
addressed for that one project: "Is the funding necessary to sustain the
program?"
On the question of whether a grant score a minimum number of points to
be eligible for funding, the commission discussed a clause to say the
commission will have discretionary rights and agreed to not change the
question.
Commission discussed whether or not to cap the amount of funding
received by anyone organization. Wahlert brought up the issue of the
same organizations getting funding year after year. Commission agreed
that there should be a time limit as to when organizations can apply for
funding. Commission agreed that a group may receive funding for two
consecutive years. Weber brought up the issue of whether it should be
retroactive and the commission agreed. The commission discussed when
this would be put into operation and agreed that this be in effect July of
2007. Those receiving funding in July 2006 will be considered year one
and will be notified of the change in order to plan ahead.
On whether a more specific definition of "new or expanded programming"
was needed, the commission agreed that it does not and to leave it as is.
The commission tabled the issue of whether the definition of "eligible
applicants" needs to be broadened. Riedel suggested the commission
research what the ORA uses as criteria and what organizations would
then be eligible.
On whether a list of eligible activities be expanded to include other
activities listed in the city's cultural and arts goals, the commission agreed
that both the terms "cultural" and "historic preservation" need to be
defined. The issue was tabled for further discussion.
On the guideline to review allocation of funds, Riedel stated that this issue
had already been discussed in regards to an organization's eligibility.
Discussion then followed on whether all organizations should be given a
percentage of funding possible. Wahlert shared that he felt worthy
programs should be funded in full instead of all programs receiving a small
portion of their requested grant. The commission agreed that each
applicant deserved the full funding or as close as possible.
O'Connor asked for volunteers to help re-word the guidelines and the
commissioners Shafer, Wahlert, Kames, and Kohl agreed to review edits
via e-mail.
INFORMATION SHARING
Mediacom Grant Program
O'Connor addressed the commission to a press release regarding
Mediacom's inaugural two-year grant program.
Boards and Commissions Picnic July 31
Riedel reminded the commission of the picnic at Eagle Point on July 31,
2006.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved to adjourn by Wahlert. Second by Weber. All in agreement. Meeting
adjourned at 6:10.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jessica Kurt
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These minutes passed, approved and adopted on /t.~ !)' tyl.. . ~) {, ". G
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Louise Kames, Secretary