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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-25 Commission on Cultural Development Minutes COMMISSION ON CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT Wednesday, January 25, 2012, 8:00 am Council Chambers Minutes Commissioners Present: Steve Ribble, Chair; Susan Jonason, Vice-Chair; Judy Boothby; Tim Lo; Sandra Blake-Leonard; Councilor Sprague (sitting in for Councilor Longo) Absent: Patricia Stowell, Karen Stiles and Susan Carlisle Staff Present: Shirar Patterson Others: George Kinghorn Chair Ribble called the meeting to order at 8 am. 1. Welcome & Introductions Those present introduced themselves for the record. 2. Approval of Minutes from October 26, 2011 Chair Ribble stated that there was one area that needs correcting in Item 5 – Update on Continuity of Community/Sister City Monument whereby “funds to assist with moving the sculpture…” Need to add that the Commission on Cultural Development will not be funding this endeavor. The Minutes of the October 25, 2011 meeting were then approved as presented. Unanimous vote. 3. Review of Financials Shirar Patterson reviewed the current financials stating that as of July 2011 the Commission had available funds of $28,950. With the most recent grant applications received for the October 1, 2011 deadline, $2,000 was funded to the Downtown Countdown and $2,000 for the Maine Alliance Arts Education for a total of $2,000 leaving the Commission with $24,950. 4. 2012-2013 Leadership This is the beginning of Chair Ribble’s last year with the Commission. At the previous Commission meeting it was discussed that the Chair should not be chair in their last authorized year of appointment. The intent is that the new chair could have the past chair as reference as they get their “feet wet”. At this time, nominees/volunteers were asked for. Sandra Blake-Leonard nominated Patricia Stowell as the new Chair of the Commission. As no further nominees were nominated, the Commission will contact Patricia with this nomination. If for some reason she does not wish to accept, the Commission will revisit this topic. Unanimous vote. Following the meeting Shirar learned that Patty Stowell would remain an associate member therefore she is not eligible for the appointment. Chair Ribble has expressed concern at the appointment process and feels that associate members should have the opportunity to become regular members prior to new members being appointed. This an issue that needs to be addressed through the City Clerk’s Office. 5. Grant Discussion and Review st  See January 1 applications Applications were distributed to the Commission prior to the meeting so that they might have sufficient time to review them (4 applications received). The total of the fund raising requests is $42,000; the Commission’s available budget is $24,950. The following are the entities that submitted applications: - Bangor Area Children’s Choir – request of $2,000 - Bangor Museum & History Center – request of $5,000 - Bangor Symphony Orchestra – request of $10,000 - Penobscot Theatre – request of $25,000 6. Objective presentation from applicants, Q&A Applicants presented their funding requests to the Commission members present. Members discussed thoroughly each application. 7. Commission recommendation on grant applications  Objective: funding recommendation to City Council for grant applications It was the consensus of the Commission to recommend approval to the City Council the applications as follows: - Bangor Area Children’s Choir – awarded $2,000 - Bangor Museum & History Center – awarded $3,000 - Bangor Symphony Orchestra – awarded $9,350 - Penobscot Theatre – awarded $9,100 These awarded amounts will leave $1,500 in available Commission funds for funding of future applications. 8. Site Location Discussion on Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium Commissioner Judy Boothby has agreed to chair the Schoodic Symposium Bangor Sculpture Committee. In terms of the structure of the City this group will fall under the Commission to streamline the process of site recommendation. Shirar will assist Judy in this endeavor. A meeting will be scheduled for the first week in February with the intent to re-energize people to start the work of this group that involves fund raising, etc. Symposium Artistic Director, Jessie Salisbury, will be coming to Bangor on Feb. 1 at 12:30 pm to look at some potential sites; this needs to be done in collaboration with their artist’s selection as part of their overall process. City staff involved with this process have met and conclude that the Bangor waterfront would be the best location to highlight a connection to the water. Shirar then asked the Commission members present on how they wish to proceed. Sandra Blake-Leonard suggested the waterfront promenade area for the sculpture. Susan Jonason added that with the work that is continually being done at the waterfront (as far down as Hollywood Slots) that any waterfront site location would be a good choice. Steve Ribble suggested a site at the new arena/convention center. Shirar added that City Manager Conlow will be meeting with the architect working on that project about perhaps any locations on that site that may be appropriate. The trails to be developed on the waterfront was suggested as another possible site; as well as the trail along the Kenduskeag Stream that connects with the downtown. Projected timeline to put the sculpture in place would be Sept. 2012. The consensus was that the Waterfront was a good location for the sculpture and the final site should be decided based on the site visit. Shirar added all Commissioners are invited to attend the site visit. 9. Other Items  As Susan Jonason’s term to serve on the Commission has now expired, Steve thanked her for her service to the Commission. Meeting adjourned. Upcoming Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting: April 25, 2012 Next grant deadline: April 1, 2012 (small grants)