Minutes Arts Commission 1 23 07MINUTES
ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
Tuesday, January 23, 2007, 4:30 p.m.
Board Room, Carnegie Stout Public Library
360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa
Meeting was called to order at 4:40 p.m. following staff assurance of compliance
with the Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Commissioners present: Sue Riedel, Ellen Henkels, Louise Kames, Geri Shafer
Absent: Amy Weber, Paul Kohl, Mark Wahlert
Staff Present: Jerelyn O'Connor, Kevin Firnstahl
Approval of Minutes of November 28, 2006
Motion by Shafer to approve with spelling corrections, Second Henkels,
passed 4-0.
NEW BUSINESS
FY 2008 Special Projects Grant Application
O'Connor described the suggested changes/corrections in the FY 2008 Special Project
Grant application that resulted from the July meeting.
New language, redundancies, and corrections were reviewed and discussed. The
language related to an organization or artist being a 501(c)(3) and from the city of
Dubuque as an eligibility requirement was clarified. This will not preclude non-local
organizations and artists from partnering with a local, eligible 501(C)(3) groups.
Funding for special projects will be restricted to two consecutive years and modifications
can be requested by the City Council or the Commission.
The Commission agreed to leave the purchase of equipment as an ineligible element.
Should the question "Is the grant funding needed to sustain the proposed program" be
left in the application? Not part of rating criteria. Sustain changed to accomplished.
Motion by Shafer to accept changes as discussed, Second by Kames,
passed 4-0.
FY 2008 Operating Support Application
O'Connor reviewed the Operating Support application and the past issues the
Commission has had with applications regarding eligibility. Further delineation
regarding an organization's operating budget with regard to its primary mission was
discussed as well as the relationship to the City's arts and cultural goals.
The Commission agreed that a point rating system for operating requests is not
functional since funding is based on eligibility criteria only. Additional wording may be
needed to indicate the potential for less funding due to increased quantity of groups and
expanded budgets. Rewording of the funding award formula was discussed with
possible revision of the $50,000 and 6% percentage caps.. Consideration was given to
adding the statement Actual awards will be based on the number of eligible applicants
after the annual budget for fiscal year line item. It was agreed to table this item until the
next meeting to allow O'Connor to put together additional data from past applicants
regarding funding.
The Commission agreed to reschedule the next meeting to February 13 at 4: 00 p.m. to
allow for Council approval of the application and keep with the grant schedule.
Proposed Grant Schedule and Workshops.
The grant schedule as noted in the application was agreed upon
2007 Special Project Grant Timeline
March 8 Applications available
March 20 Applications workshops, Library, noon and 5 p.m.
May 10 Applications Due
May 22 Applications Ranked and reviewed by Commission
Commission recommendations to City Council
June Grant Award
July Funding disbursed
September Closeout and final report
OLD BUSINESS
Strategic Plan Staff Reports
Kames distributed draft survey for arts and cultural organizations for review and
discussion. This survey speaks to the City's Long Range Planning process and the
unmet needs within Dubuque's arts and cultural organizations. The survey will be
distributed after the next grant round. A final draft of the survey will be presented at the
February meeting.
O'Connor has submitted the Commission's suggested edits to the City of Dubuque
Comprehensive Plan relative to the City's arts and culture goals.
Shafer reviewed the arts and economic prosperity index and creative industries report
for Americans for the Arts. Seven organizations have reported and follow up with other
organizations will be done. The goal is to complete the study in 2008.
No Commissioners were able to attend the last Cultural Alliance meeting so there was
no report. The Alliance will have a table at the February 20, 2007, Downtown Business
PM event.
Reports from Wahlert and Weber were postponed.
INFORMATION SHARING
O'Connor reminded Commissioners of the City Council's February 15 budget hearing,
which will include the arts budget. Dinner is at 6 p.m. in the Library rotunda with the
hearing at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Thank you letter from Clarke College was acknowledged.
Cultural Advocacy Days -Arts and the Iowa Workforce
Henkels supported Commission attendance. Kames is considering going. O'Connor
noted some travel funding is available. Riedel may travel with her State position.
ITEMS FROM THE COMMISSION
Riedel noted that the new director of the Iowa Arts Council, Cindy Pederson, is
temporarily holding the position until someone is appointed. Riedel suggested inviting
the new director to Dubuque as part of an Iowa Great Places visit or the Commission
could sponsor an activity. The Commission concurred.
Congratulations to Commissioner Henkels for being honored by the Dubuque Co. Fine
Arts Society.
Motion to adjourn Shafer, Second Kames, passed 4-0.
Adjourn: 6:20 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kevin Firnstahl, Staff Secretary
These minutes passed, approved and adopted on February 13, 2007.
Louise Kames, Secretary
City Clerk
City Council:
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