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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-08-06 Business and Economic Development Committee Minutes � � BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE � August 6, 2008 Minutes � Councilors: Palmer, Gratwick, D'Errico, Farrington, Hawes, Blanchette Staff: McKay Others: Levy, Jonason, Anderson, McCarthy , 1. Recommendation of the Cultural Commission to Award Grant to Bangor Center Corporation for $2,000 to Fund City Hall PerFormances and � Audio/Visual for powntown Countdown New Year's Eve Event McKay introduced ]onason and Levy, Commission members, and noted that this ' is the third year that the Commission has requested support from the City for this event. The funding is specifically for the performers who will be at City Hall. � The Commission has recommended the $2,000 grant. Blanchette clarified that the Commission's fund was previously approved by the Council during its budget process. She also asked about the Commission's guidelines for recommending , disbursements. Blanchette asked, on behalf of constituents, when New Year's Eve events became part of a cultural necessity for anybody. Jonason said the Commission's role is to review requests for funding and then to come to the � Council with a recommendation. She agreed that as a whole New Year's Eve is not a cultural event, however, Bangor has chosen New Year's Eve to be a culturai event much like the Folk Festival. The New Year's Eve event is all ■ encompassing. The $2,000 is used to fund concerts at City Hall, which are � broadcast and rebroadcast. Blanchette noted that the audio and video of the , City's government channel is not good and citizens have difficulty in hearing the various Council and Committee meetings. She said a lot of money has been put into sound equipment for the B50 when they play at the Bangor Auditorium and � asked if perhaps it wou�d be a larger venue and a better venue. ]onason said that the broadcast is just one component of the event but that it brings people into the various downtown public buildings for great music. She understands , that the broadcast quality is not aiways the best but is amazed at the number of citizens who watch the channel. Levy said that he is sure that the request focuses on being able to pay the entertainers something for their time during the ' evening. He noted that since this event is headed up by the Bangor Center Corporation, it is important to keep it within the downtown district. It allows people to walk from venue to venue. Gratwick said he is pleased with the work , of the Cultural Commission. He noted that the Town of Belfast charges for their New Year's Eve event and wondered if the audience should begin to participate financially in the support of these various and worthwhile endeavors. Jonason I said that decision would not be the determination of the Cultural Commission. Hawes said the BCC has had some discussions as to what events should be , charged for at some future point. Levy noted that much of the funding that goes ' , into BCC comes from a tax that is levied on the business and individuals in the , downtown Bangor so in effect Bangor citizens are paying for these activities. A ' motion was made and seconded to recommend approval to full Council. The vote was unanimous. 2. Recommendation of the Cultural Commission to award grant to the ` Penobscot Theatre Company for $25,000 to Partially Fund the Production of'�State of the Union" ' Levy said this will be the second production of the 35th anniversary of the Theatre. The play focuses on a fictional Republican candidate for the 1948 Presidential election. It is not about specific platforms but what it takes to ■ become elected to high office in America. This production will also be centered � around ancillary activities a 'get out to vote' campaign including a voter registration drive at the theatre, talk backs after each and every performance ' with future, past and present politicians, community visits, student matinees, study guides, etc. The Theatre has received a $25,000 grant from Nationai � Endowment for the Arts through the Maine Arts Commission. As part of Theater Communications Group, during the first week of production, 53 tickets will be given away to the general public for each pertormance as part of a national , program that will take place in 300-400 theaters across the country during the same week in October. Responding to Gratwick, Elizabeth Anderson said the focus will be on high school and college interns involved through community ' visits to schools and colleges. Gratwick asked if it would be possible to do a mini-performance at Bangor High School. Levy said it is possible and the suggestion will be taken under advisement. Performance dates are October 22 � through November 2. Responding to Farrington, Jonason said the Commission did look at the large amount requested by the Penobscot Theatre. Jonason said that this particular proposal was so well crafted and it met all of the ' Commission's criteria and guidelines plus the fact that the Theatre has also received other funding for the production. A motion was made and seconded to � recommend approval. The item will be referred to the full Council. 3. Folk Festival Lease Agreement � McKay said the proposed lease agreement for the American Folk Festival will provide the Festival the permission it needs to operate the Festival on the waterfront. Apparently, in previous years there has not been a formal , arrangement and it is necessary for insurance purposes. The agreement has been reviewed and approved by the City's Legal Department. Gratwick asked to see a copy of the agreement. McKay said it will be provided with the Council ' packet and it will require full Council approval at its next meeting. Hawes clarified that this agreement simply formalizes what has taken place in prior years with the Festival and the City but now will be in writing. A motion was ■ made and seconded to recommend approval to full Council. ■ ' ' � ' Committee adjourned at 5:30 pm. � , ' � ' i , � , ' � � � ' � 1 1