HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-04-22 Commission on Cultural Development Minutes
City of Bangor, Commission on Cultural Development
-Minutes-
April 22, 2009, 8 am, Council Chambers
Commissioners in Attendance: John Rohman, Commission Chair; Geoffrey Gratwick,
Council Representative; Susan Carlisle, Steve Ribble and Sandra Blake-Leonard
Others in Attendance: Rod McKay, City of Bangor Director of Community &
Economic Development; Anne Mundy, Bangor Public Library
Next Meeting Date: July 30, 2009 at 8 am, City Hall Council Chambers
1. Welcome New Member – Robert Zavaleta
Robert was not able to attend today’s meeting due to a conflict in his business
schedule.
2. Commission approved minutes of January 29, 2009 meeting with no changes.
3. Review of Grant Applications
a) Anne Mundy of the Bangor Public Library reviewed for the Commission her
grant application for the amount of $500. This grant would allow the Bangor Public
Library to continue offering to members of the library, one free pass per day to the Maine
Discovery Museum. Each pass would permit up to 4 individual’s admission. The grant
would be effective from 6/20/09 – 6/19/10. This grant application is a result of the
Library’s involvement with the Downtown Arts Collaborative that includes the Maine
Discovery Museum as well as the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, the Bangor Museum and
Center for History, the American Folk Festival, the Penobscot Theatre, River City
Cinema, the Robinson Ballet Company, and the University of Maine Museum of Art.
A motion was made by Councilor Gratwick to forward this grant application to
the Business & Economic Development Committee for recommendation that it be
forwarded to the City Council for approval. Seconded by Sandra Blake-Leonard. So
voted.
b) An application was submitted by Gayle Zydlewski on behalf of the Cove
Brook Watershed Council/Lower Penobscot Watershed Coalition. This organization is
requesting $1,000 in support of the second annual Penobscot River Revival on the
Bangor waterfront. The festival highlights Maine’s native fisheries, and the work of
many groups to restore the ecological health of the Penobscot River. Funds raised for
this event go toward the cost of tents, music, advertising and other infrastructure, as well
as a portion of the cost of event coordination. They have decided to increase their budget
this year to enhance marketing and advertising associated with the event. They are also
working to diversify their sources of funding for the event and have renewed
commitment of numerous volunteers who contributed to the success of last year’s event.
This year’s event is scheduled to be held on the Bangor Waterfront on Saturday, July 18
from 10 am – 3 pm and is being coordinated with the City of Bangor. River-focused
exhibits will be displayed on the waterfront.
Councilor Gratwick suggested that several local entities should be strongly
encouraged to attend, participate and be involved with the planning of this event. Those
groups include City of Bangor Parks & Rec. (Director Tracy Willette), the Harbor
Committee (Dan Cassidy), Bangor Trails (Steve Ribble), Bangor Land Trust (Lucy
Quimby), Stream Teams, The Storm Water Group, the Historical Society and the Bangor
Museum and Center for History as well as the University of Maine Museum of Art. John
Rohman added that perhaps instead of requiring all of these groups to participate they
should be listed, with the hope that, at a minimal, three or four of these groups would be
involved in the planning of this event -- this would enhance the program.
A motion was made by Steve Ribble to forward this grant application to the
Business & Economic Development Committee for recommendation that it be forwarded
to the City Council for approval with the stipulation that three or more local organizations
such as those previously listed be included in the planning and collaboration of this event.
Seconded by Susan Carlisle. So voted.
4. Review Receipt of Maine Arts Commission’s Building Capacity Grant
The City of Bangor has received a letter (dated March 31, 2009) from the State of
Maine Arts Commission informing them that a Building Capacity Grant in the amount of
$10,000.00 has been awarded to Bangor. This grant is for the creation and
implementation of an umbrella marketing plan for cultural organizations in Bangor.
5. Review Limits on Smaller Grant Applications
John Rohman asked Rod McKay to gather amounts awarded on past years grant
applications and bring that information back to the next meeting (July 30, 2009).
John further stated that a list be put together of our economic grants and the
economic development result from those grants in the match in order to see what the
return on investment has been for the City. Steve Ribble added that the Commission
should meet with representatives of the various grant recipients in order to gain more
insight as to what the return on investment has been.
Meeting adjourned at 8:53 am.