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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.