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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-10-27 Commission on Cultural Development Minutes COMMISSION ON CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT October 27, 2010, 8 am Council Chambers, City Hall Minutes Commissioners: Steve Ribble, Chair; Susan Carlisle, Timothy Lo, Geoff Gratwick (Council rep.) Staff: Shirar Patterson, Others: Councilor Gerry G.M. Palmer; Jing-Jhang (Bangor Chinese Cultural and Learning Center) Commissioners Absent: John Rohman, Susan Jonason, Sandra Blake-Leonard and Robert Zavaleta 1. Welcome & Introductions Chair Ribble called the meeting to order; those in attendance then introduced themselves for the record. 2. Approval of Minutes of September 1, 2010 Geoff Gratwick made a motion to approve the Minutes of September 1, 2010 as presented. Seconded by Susan Carlisle. So voted. 3. Review Commission Financials  Shirar reviewed the Financials to date, stating that they have not changed since the last meeting of the Commission.  Last grant awarded was the $8,000 to the Maine Discovery Museum for their capital campaign. This brings the remaining balance to the Commission of $49,950. 4. Sister City Monument (Bangor Chinese Cultural and Learning Center)  Councilor Palmer brought this item to the Commission on July 14, 2010.  Commission is currently awaiting documentation from the designer of the waterfront, Pam Shadley of Shadley Associates, with respect that the proposed monument is sited appropriately, and conceptually that additional monuments would be or could be accounted for in some such way.  Have also received some questions on the same line of thought from the Planning Dept. as to the location and if it does, in fact, fit with the overall waterfront design scheme.  Chair Ribble stated that until this information is received, that a decision should not be made at this time. He asked for further comments from others in attendance.  Councilor Palmer stated that it is the desire of the Bangor Chinese Cultural and Learning Center to do this project right and through the City Council. The Chinese leadership from Habing, China will be coming to Bangor in the Spring or Summer of 2011. Gerry further stated that he has done research on the lilacs they would like to have at this site; the stone for the monument is at public works. Other sites around Bangor have been suggested as well, but the waterfront is their first choice. Geoff Gratwick made a motion to continue this subject at the Commission’s next meeting at which time a decision should be made. Seconded by Susan Carlisle. So voted. 5. Grant Application Review & Council Recommendation  Downtown Bangor Partnership has submitted an application for a $2,000 grant to be used as a contribution to the Bangor’s New Years Eve event, “Downtown th Countdown”. This is the 5 year that this event has been held.  This year it is planned to take this event to the ‘next level’. Mackie Hill, a local event planner of ‘Simply Unforgettable Events by Mackie” will be handling the entire event. She will make all of the venues cohesive in terms of the flow of the events, making it appropriate for adults, families/children and seniors.  Requests the Commission to support the Council Chambers at City Hall as a venue for this event. By using the Chambers it will also allow for the performances and entertainment to be broadcast on the public access channel for those who may be homebound. Councilor Gratwick made a motion to forward this request from Downtown Bangor Partnership for a $2,000 grant to use for the Downtown Countdown event to the City Council. Seconded by Susan Carlisle. So voted. 6. Monument/Public Art Application Update  At the last meeting of the Commission, they had reviewed the draft application for the Public Art and Monuments and had requested that Shirar develop a sample application with the example of a monument that might be placed on the website to assist potential applicants.  Shirar has met with staff in the Planning Dept. and they are looking at monuments we have currently in the City that may fit that request and they will be assisting with creating a sample application. This will be ready by the next meeting in January 2011.  It was suggested also to have a routing system in place for staff to use as they contribute to this process. 7. Proposed Cultural Commission 2011 Schedule  Shirar reviewed the proposed 2011 meeting schedule. (see attached). 8. Other Items  Shirar updated the Commission stating that in terms of the Maine Arts Commission Capacity Grant, we have wrapped up all items of that with Bangor Arts; she will be submitting the final report to the Maine Arts Commission at the end of this week. She will email a copy of it to the Commission as well.  Shirar stated that she has been approached by Dick Shaw and Dr. David Burquist who have an interest in moving forward an idea that came to the City of Bangor in 1949 to set up a ‘roll of honor’ for World War II Veterans. She has met with them recently to discuss the process of moving the monument proposal through the City including the Cultural Commission. They have shared some of their initial ideas with Shirar – it is not in a formal proposal at this time. They envision that this would go in Norumbega Parkway next to Lady Victory (World War I monument). They will be working in setting up a committee of their own with an honorary chair; they have not done any fundraising yet; they understand the need for the Commission’s documentation, site plan, etc. Shirar will have them attend the January 26, 2011 Cultural Commission meeting to discuss their idea. Meeting adjourned. Next Meeting Date: January 26, 2011 Next Grant deadline: January 1, 2011 (large and small grants)