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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-07-14 Commission on Cultural Development Minutes Commission on Cultural Development City Council Chambers July 14, 2010, 8:30 am City Council Chambers Minutes Commissioners in Attendance: Steve Ribble, Commission Chair; John Rohman, Susan Jonason Others in Attendance: Shirar Patterson, Andrea Stark and John Miller of Maine Discovery Museum; Michael Grillo, River City Cinema; Gerry Palmer; Jing Jhang and Dr. James Kenny of Bangor Chinese & Cultural Learning Center Commissioners Absent: Sandra Blake-Leonard, Susan Carlisle and Robert Zavaleta Next Meeting Date: August 3 2010, City Council Chambers, 8:30 am 1. Welcome & introductions • Associate Member – Timothy Lo As there was not a quorum and no voting could take place, a motion was made by Chair Ribble to take the agenda items out of order for purposes of discussion; seconded by Susan Jonason. So moved. (Review/Discussion began with the following Agenda Item) 2. Discussion of Grant Applications received July 1, 2010 • Maine Discovery Museum Andrea Stark of the Maine Discovery Museum presented her funding request for $20,000 to assist the MDM with start-up costs for their capital campaign and seed money for exhibit th replacement. The MDM is now in its 10 year, they employ 6 full-time employees. It is the largest children’s museum in Maine, open to the public and attracting 60,000 visitors to downtown Bangor annually. They are open 6 days/week during the school year, 7 days/week during summers and major school vacations. John Rohman stated that the application is well put together on program approach, outreach and collaboration. He added that the Cultural Commission members struggle with a limited budget at this time. His leaning is that the Commission support group collaboration such as recent MAC grant and that the commission needs to have a discussion about funding overall. Andrea replied that she understands their position. In looking at the history of cultural commission grants awarded to fellow Bangor Arts members, Maine Discovery Museum is unique and provides unique services; they are truly an investment in the downtown. They are restructuring and meeting costs. They realize that MDM needs to make a case to the public so they will rely less on Public funds and look more to private donors. $8,000 of the requested grant from City will help activate capital campaign efforts in terms of capacity, fundraising consultant, marketing etc. Steve Ribble added that he agrees with John on all points that MDM is worthy to get full funds but our budget is limited so the issue is how to balance. Susan Jonason echoed John and Steve’s comments adding that if we had to choose which elements to cut back from the grant request which would be more important? Support for the capital campaign or the exhibit? Andrea stated that both are equally important; MDM would need to reallocate funds based on whatever the Commission sees fit to support the grant request with. John Miller stated that the MDM board is extremely committed - even in tough times kept museum hours, activities and community collaborations consistent. He noted that MDM would make do with any grant funded but full amount is better. Chair Ribble added that if the Cultural Commission could help the MDM campaign get started, then perhaps MDM could return to request future funds for exhibit. The benefits of MDM to the community are unquestionable and recognized statewide. Andrea concluded by saying that anything the Commission can do is appreciated. •River City Cinema Michael Grillo of River City Cinema presented to the Commission their application whereby they are requesting $12,000 from the Commission to assist with funding their 3 year project that will expand their film offerings and create a venue that would feature local films, and grant their makers competitive awards. In expanding their offerings, they would build a series of films that would stress how each generation of filmmakers have engaged in an extended cultural dialogue in cinema. Total cost for their project is $39,000 minus a $12,000 grant from the Commission leaving a balance of $27,000 for River City Cinema. They expect to match the Commission funding of $12,000 with private sponsorship and earned ticket sales. Steve stated that their proposal is an ambitious, comprehensive plan. However, he has some concerns due to the Cultural Commission’s limited budget. River City Cinema’s integration with local schools and filmmakers is a help. Given their 3 year nature for this project, could a reduced level of funding be utilized ? Michael replied that yes it could; also perhaps River City Cinema could cut out awards to filmmakers or shorten length of project. River City Cinema will work with the City in anyway. Steve added that, similar to the proposal he made to MDM, if the Commission could get something that would get River City Cinema started and then they could come back to the Commission in about 6 months or a year and we will have another view of where we are with our budget. Susan J. asked if River City Cinema has paid staff, to which Michael replied no – they have a total core of 45 consistent volunteers plus this project will increase the volunteer pool. He also has an extensive background in film personally and professionally in Maine; there are vibrant centers of film work collaborating together. Michael noted he will provide any further information you need and work with the City in any way it recommends. 3. Sister City Monument Discussion/Review (Handout of language on monument provided) Councilor Gerry Palmer introduced to the Commission Jing Jhang, Chief Operating Officer of the Bangor Chinese Language and Cultural Center, and Dr. James Kenny who is a member of their board as well as grant writer for them. They both have come to the Cultural Commission to present their plan for a Sister City connection between Bangor, Maine and Harbin, China. They are not requesting financial support from the Commission; only their blessing and support. They envision having a monument at the Bangor waterfront to celebrate this relationship. Councilor Palmer has talked to City Engineer Jim Ring, City Forester Brian Dugas and Parks/Rec Director Tracy Willette because it is hoped to bring a delegation from Nanghan district perhaps as late July or early August to Bangor (at their expense); this entire program will not cost Bangor any expense of any kind. It is proposed to have a tree planting ceremony next to the stone monument hopefully at the waterfront near the walkway. The stone will be large enough for children to be able to sit on, picnic on and play on without damage to themselves. Harban, China is well known in the arts for their ice sculptures; Councilor Palmer would like to get sculpturers to Bangor to train Maine people. Jing Jhang and Dr. Kenny gave further background on the Bangor Chinese Language and Cultural Center - they have been teaching children and adults Chinese in the Bangor area for 10 years. Public Works Director, Dana Wardwell has offered to donate the granite and the granite work. Public Works will set the monument. Lilacs, tree and flowering shrubs would need to be purchased. John R. stated that he is 110% in support of this project. Representatives for this project need to make sure that the correct application process includes a site plan, picture of the granite, dimensions, tree species, layout, etc. There are other resources in the community that can be garnered to get support to make sure the application has all the right pieces. Susan J. added that as a member of Rotary International, it seems that our local Rotary Clubs might be a resource to embrace this exchange as it progresses. Steve R. added that as John R. stated earlier, there are protocols – everything can be found on the internet. As far as the number of things that need to be presented to the Commission, it is a process to have this background information as presented today. Our role here is to look out for the health, welfare and safety of the public in what you are proposing, so we need to see where will this monument be set in the ground, what is it going to made out of, who’s going to maintain it in the future, how is it going to be integrated into the new waterfront. There is a cost, even though I am aware that public works will be doing this and that, for those times that need to be accounted for. We would then make a recommendation to the City Council. Need more details but can call a meeting to expedite that. Staff provided the presenters with a hard copy of the monument and public art guidelines for their reference. rd Steve inquired is this our 3 Sister City and does this set a precedent? Want to make sure we do not get too many requests. John R. replied that he’s not sure this is an issue; if the Council does the Sister City items, all you have to worry about is the monument and tree planting. Gerry P. – We also do not want to see 1,000 markers on the waterfront; this monument is very unique and user friendly for the public and requires little or no maintenance. We’re very much open to suggestions from the Commission on how we can make this better. Steve R. thanked Gerry and the others for coming in and presenting their proposal. 4. Commission Strategy Discussion It was decided that the next meeting should be scheduled for (first week in August) TBD, City Hall Council Chambers to take up the financial and strategy discussions. Shirar added that she will look at adapting the grant guidelines to focus on small grants and application, then bring a draft to this meeting in order to provide information for the strategy discussion. 5. Other Items a) It was suggested that perhaps the Commission should bring on new Associate member, Timothy Lo, as a full member. Steve R. noted that we currently do have a member that has missed 3 consecutive meetings. It needs to be determined if the City has an ordinance surrounding City committees/commissions and an absenteeism clause. Shirar will follow up and report back to the Commission in August. The chair also asked if she would check on whether or not we need to reestablish our board structure such as Chair, Vice-Chair, etc. b) Shirar gave an update on the Maine Arts Commission- CCED application status stating that the Bangor contingent did not get invited to complete a full application but there may be another opportunity next year and we’re looking at other opportunities. We requested an extension for the Capacity Building grant because there were elements of the marketing plan that hadn’t been executed yet. In essence all the work was finished by the June 30 deadline but there are some outstanding invoices and items for advertising - we need to make sure all that money is spent before closing out the grant with the Maine Arts Commission. Meeting adjourned.