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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-04 Commission on Cultural Development Minutes � = . .�� � ,. @� - � CITY o� BANGOR Commission on Cultural Development April 4, 2025 Penobscot Room at Penquis CAP, 262 Harlow Street Meetinq Minutes Commissioners Present: Hollie Adams, Sundance Campbell, Kelly Chenot, Cody Clark (via Zoom), Nina Earley, Kal Elmore, Rosemary Lausier, Samantha Schipani Others: Anne Krieg — Director of Development, Sarah Maquillan — Development Assistant 1. A quorum being present the April 4, 2025 meeting of the Commission on Cultural Development was called to order by Chair Earley at 8:34 AM. 2. Meeting Minutes— Motion passed to approve the minutes of the March 7th meeting. 3. Report of Chair— Chair Earley did not have a report. 4. Financial Report— No comments or questions from Commissioners. 5. Committee Reports: a. Grant— Committee Chair Adams gave an update regarding committee membership and scheduling of a meeting to review the spring grant applications. b. Cultural Asset—As Committee Chair McDade was not present, no update given. c. ARTober—Committee Chair Campbell reported that a meeting will be scheduled likely at the end of April. d. Ad-Hoc Public Restroom Art—Committee Chair Schipani provided an overview of the committee's recent meeting, and noted that the overall administration of the project will likely be transferred to the Cultural Asset committee. Reported that bid applications had been received and discussed a plan for review of these applications with Chair Earley. Earley recommended reviewing applications at the end of today's meeting — Commissioners agreed. 6. Waterfront Concerts Fence Project—Annette Sohns-Dodd and Greg Edwards (Bangor Beautiful) presented to the Commission and provided an overview of the proposed project. a. Commissioner Elmore expressed support for the project. b. Chair Earley asked if additional phases are planned for the future— Sohns-Dodd responded that this is likely. c. Vice Chair Adams asked about how the Commission could best provide support— discussed with Sohns-Dodd and Edwards. d. Chair Earley asked about the proposed timeline— Sohns-Dodd responded and confirmed their plans. e. MOTION by Vice Chair Adams to recommend approval of the Waterfront Concerts fence project to City Council. SECONDED by Commissioner Schipani and voted unanimously. 7. Public Comment— Member of the public Steven Shephard presented to the Commission and provided a brief overview of his upcoming campaign for governor; Shephard also gave a brief presentation on Moses Shepard and Dorothea Dix and requested to gift a book regarding this history to the Commission. Development Director Anne Krieg confirmed that the Commissioners and City staff are not able to accept gifts, but recommended that Shephard speak with either the Bangor Public Library or � = . .�� � ,. @� - � CITY o� BANGOR the Bangor Historical Society regarding preservation of this book in an archive. Commissioner Campbell offered to connect Shephard with area resources. 8. Staff Updates a. Development Director Anne Krieg and Development Assistant Sarah Maquillan provided an update regarding the Pickering Square art installation project. Commissioner Schipani and Vice Chair Adams asked if a stipend could be provided to artists for this — Krieg responded that she would check on this. Commissioner Campbell suggested using unspent Commission budget for this purpose, if doable in the next fiscal year. b. Development Director Krieg provided an update regarding the Downtown TIF amendment and potential use of TIF funds for arts & culture in the next fiscal year. 9. Public Restroom Art RFP —Ad-Hoc Committee Chair Schipani presented an overview of the bid applications. Commissioners reviewed and discussed at length. a. Commissioners Elmore & Schipani and Vice Chair Adams expressed support for awarding both restroom projects to Mariah Reading. b. Commissioner Chenot asked if these would be permanent art installations or if they would be installed on a rotating basis —Chair Earley responded that they would be permanent. c. Commissioner Campbell asked if art would be installed on more public restrooms in the future — Chair Earley confirmed that this is likely. d. MOTION by Chair Earley to award both restroom projects to Mariah Reading. SECONDED by Commissioner Campbell and voted unanimously. e. Development Assistant Sarah Maquillan confirmed that she would follow-up to coordinate the award and initiate the project. Commissioners expressed a desire to have the restroom by the Bangor Public Library be prioritized for art installation, and to have installations in place in time for the Downtown Sidewalk Art Festival. 10. Other Business a. Commissioner Schipani reported that the Ad-Hoc Public Restroom Art committee had begun a spreadsheet of local artists and their contact information for future use, and noted that this would be provided for use in any future cultural asset surveys. 11. Adjourned at 9:26 AM.