HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-07-30 Commission on Cultural Development Minutes
City of Bangor, Commission on Cultural Development
-Minutes-
July 30, 2009, 8 AM
City Council Chambers
Commissioners in Attendance: John Rohman, Commission Chair; Susan Jonason, Steve Ribble,
Robert Zavelta and Geoff Gratwick.
Others in Attendance: Rod McKay, City of Bangor Director of Community & Economic
Development; Scott Levy, Producing Artistic Director of Penobscot Theatre; Michael Grillo, David
Whitehill and Barbara Dade, Members of Downtown Group; Kaleena Harrington & Carissa
Kephart of Community Development.
Commissioners Absent: Susan Carlisle, Sandra Blake-Leonard
Next Meeting Date: October 28, 2009 (Full Commission mtg.)
1. Review of Maine Arts Commission Grant w/ Downtown Cultural Collaboration
Scott Levy introduced members of the Downtown Cultural Collaboration that were present at
today’s meeting – they are Michael Grillo, David Whitehill and Barbara Dade. Discussion then focused
on making sure that the grant is being used for the purposes that had previously been agreed on and
that the Cultural Commission would not act on the implementation of the grant without collaborating
with the arts organization first. The new Downtown Coordinator will be in charge of getting the
Commission and the arts organizations together in the near future to discuss the grants implementation.
2. Review Grant Application recommendation for Penobscot Theatre
Susan Jonason introduced Scott Levy of the Penobscot Theatre who then proceeded to briefly
review the application. The grant request is for the production of The Spunk. Total project cost is
$128,000. Penobscot Theatre is requesting $25,000 in a grant from the Commission on Cultural
Development, to assist with the costs associated with this production. At the Commission’s July 22,
2009 Program & Grants subcommittee meeting, the Commission voted to recommend to the full board
to grant $15,000 to The Penobscot Theatre.
A motion was made by Susan Jonason and seconded by Steve Ribble to move the Commission’s
recommendation to the City Council that a $15,000 grant be awarded to The Penobscot Theatre for their
production of Spunk. So voted.
3. Approval of Minutes of April 22, 2009 along w/ financial list of Cultural Commission Grants
awarded as requested at the 4/22/09 meeting; and Minutes of July 22, 2009.
A motion was made and seconded to approve the Minutes of April 22, 2009 as presented. So
voted.
A correction in the Minutes of July 22, 2009 was made by Steve Ribble that the time adjourned
should read – 1 pm.
A motion was made by Robert Zavelta and seconded by Steve Ribble to approve the Minutes of
July 22, 2009 with the correction as stated. So voted.
4. Review of the need for Sub-Committees
Members discussed eliminating the requirement that the Art in Public Places, and Programs and
Grants subcommittees meet to discuss applications and other topics of business prior to consideration
by the full board. It was the consensus of members present that instead to bring all business directly to
the full Commission.
Steve Ribble made a motion to suspend the subcommittees until such time as it warrants bringing
them back. Seconded by Geoff Gratwick. So voted.
5. Dates for future meetings (current schedule reviewed)
As there will not be subcommittees held (as discussed in Item #4), the next full board meeting is on
October 28, 2009 at 8 am, City Council Chambers.
6. Selection of New Commission Chair
Commission Chair John Rohman stated that he feels now is a good time to appoint a new chair.
Susan Jonason made a motion to recommend that Steve Ribble be appointed the new Commission
Chair. Geoff Gratwick seconded. So voted.
John Rohman made a motion to recommend that Susan Jonason continue as Commission Vice-
Chair. Seconded by Robert Zavelta. So voted.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 am.