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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-05-24 10-205 ORDERCOUNCIL ACTION Item No. 10 ('--'0 5 Date: May 24, 2010 Item/Subject ORDER, Authorizing Grant of $2,000 to the Bangor Book Festival, Bangor Public Library Fiscal Agent Responsible Department: Community & Economic Development Commentary: The City Council has established and assigned to the Commission on Cultural Development the responsibility to review grant applications to the City from arts and cultural organizations and to provide to the City Council its recommendations for funding of the requests for the Council's review and consideration. The Bangor Book Festival has requested $2,000 from the City of Bangor. A group of volunteers has teamed up with the Bangor Public Library as fiscal agent, to produce a Bangor Book Festival in Downtown Bangor on Columbus Day weekend, 2010. The group includes individuals with strong experience in literary arenas and festivals, and connections with authors. At the time of the grant application, 19 Maine authors had already agreed to participate. The total fund-raising goal for the project is $19,622, and the project has received grants, sponsorship commitments and in-kind support from sources other than the City. In its review of the application, the Commission noted that this is an ongoing annual event constructed to appeal to all age groups and to promote and build audiences for Maine authors. They noted that holding the activities downtown is healthy for local businesses, which will provide venues, and that the majority of the project funding will come from sources other than the City. The Commission recommends funding the $2,000 request in full, and that its use be restricted to food/lodging for authors, festival opening event, and payment for downtown venues. (NOTE: The Council has approved grants of $15,000 to Penobscot Theatre, $2,000 to Downtown Countdown, and $20,000 to Bangor Symphony out of the current year's appropriation of $85,000 and FY 2009 carryover of $11,950, leaving $46,000 remaining available, if this grant is approved.) Department Head Manager's Comments: Reviewed and recommended for approval by the Cultur issi -��s-r�sr a�� ECIC ��f �►�ld�e ��r��l �c��(�f �� ' � � Interim City Manager Associated Information: Order Budget Approval: Legal Approval: Introduced for x Passage First Reading Referral Financ6 Director City Solicitor Page _ of 10 X05 Assigned to Councilor — Gratwick May 24, 2010 GI'TY OF BANGOR (TIli-E.) ORDER, Authorizing Grant of $2,000 to the Bangor Book Festival, Bangor Public Library Fiscal Agent WHEREAS, the City Council has made an appropriation of funds to support arts and cultural organizations; has established a Commission on Cultural Development; and has assigned the Commmission the responsbility of reviewing grant applications from arts and cultural organizations, and to make recommendations for grant funding to the City Council; and WHEREAS, a group of volunteers with experience in literary arenas and festivals, and connections with authors has teamed up with the Bangor Public Library as fiscal agent, to produce a Bangor Book Festival in Downtown Bangor on Columbus Day weekend, 2010, and has requested grant funding of $2,000 from the City; and WHEREAS, at the time of the grant application, 19 Maine authors had agreed to participate; and WHEREAS, the total fund-raising goal for the project is $19,622, and the project has recevied grants, sponsorship commitments and in-kind support from soruces other than the City; and WHEREAS, this is an event constructed to appeal to all age groups and to promote and build audiences for Maine authors; and WHEREAS, festival activities will be held downtown, local businesses will provide venues, and festival activities are expected to bring 500 people to downtown; and WHEREAS, this is an ongoing annual event, established in 2007; and WHEREAS, the Commission on Cultural Development voted to recommend to the City Council approval of a grant in the amount of $2,000: BE IT ORDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR THAT A Grant of $2,000 is hereby authorized for the Bangor Book Festival, Bangor Public Library Fiscal Agent, and that its use be restricted to food/lodging for authors, festival opening event, and payment for downtown venues. IN CITY COUNCIL May 24, 2010 Motion Made and Seconded for Passage Pass CITY CLERK (TITL$,)_Authorizing Grant of $2,000 rn the Bangor Book Festival, Bangor Public Library Fiscal Agent Assigned to Councilor�c�"`(L✓je,C,