Arts and Culture Commission - June 16, 2021 Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Arts and Culture Commission of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the Commission Chambers at City Hall at 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 16, 2021.
The Arts and Culture Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Deb Williams, Tracy Jordre, Jon Offutt, Monika Browne-Ecker, Ann Arbor Miller, Brad Bachmeier
Absent: Tracy Walvatne, Denise Kolpack, Joe Williams
Chair D. Williams called the meeting to order and welcomed Members to the meeting.
Item 1: Order of Agenda
Member Offutt moved to approve the Order of Agenda. Second by Member Jordre. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 2: Minutes: Regular Meeting of May 19, 2021
Member Browne-Ecker moved the Minutes of the May 19, 2021 Arts and Culture Commission meeting be approved. Second by Member Offutt. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Public Comment
Resident Christopher Coen shared his concerns regarding Agenda Item 6 – Designation of The Arts Partnership as a Local Arts Agency. Chair D. Williams invited Mr. Coen to stay for staff’s presentation on this item.
Item 4: Subcommittee Updates and Reports
a. Capacity Building Subcommittee
Member Offutt provided an update regarding the call for artists’ process, and shared information about a possible upcoming event this December.
b. Neighborhood Art Grant Subcommittee
Member Arbor Miller reported no updates at this time, and an upcoming meeting is scheduled.
Chair D. Williams noted they will be discussing working with schools and other public entities regarding the process for the utility box wrap program.
c. Development Subcommittee
Member Jordre reported no updates at this time, and an upcoming meeting is scheduled.
Member Browne Ecker added they are looking into historical data and success stories from other communities as a guide to help further their plans along.
Item 5: Election of Chair and Vice-Chair
Chair D. Williams opened up the floor for nominations for Chair and Vice-Chair of the Arts and Culture Commission.
Chair D. Williams nominated Member Jordre to serve as Chair from July 2021 to June 2022. Member Browne-Ecker moved to appoint Member Jordre as Chair of the Arts and Culture Commission. Second by Member Arbor Miller. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Chair D. Williams nominated Member J. Williams to serve as Vice-Chair from July 2021 to June 2022. Member Jordre moved to appoint Member J. Williams as Vice-Chair of the Arts and Culture Commission. Second by Member Offutt. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 6: Designation of The Arts Partnership as a Local Arts Agency
Planning Director Nicole Crutchfield presented this item and referred to the information included in the packet. She explained the background on the funding available through federal funds, and the role and requirements of a Local Arts Agency. She stated staff is requesting approval to recommend The Arts Partnership be designated as the Local Arts Agency.
President and CEO Dayna Del Val of The Arts Partnership shared additional details of the request.
Discussion was held regarding the time frame and management of the fiscal responsibilities; the deadline to confirm a Local Arts Agency to be eligible for this funding; and possible long-term plans this opportunity could provide.
Member Bachmeier moved to recommend approval that The Arts Partnership be designated as a Local Arts Agency, making them eligible for ARP (American Rescue Plan) funding and redistribution programs as coordinated with the National Endowment for the Arts and the North Dakota Arts Council. Second by Member Arbor Miller. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Ms. Crutchfield provided an update regarding recent staff changes. She noted she has reached out to Ms. Del Val and The Arts Partnership to see about their interest in making a proposal to offer technical assistance to staff, for items such as curating art within City Hall, and any upcoming call for artists. Ms. Crutchfield stated this is still in the discussion phase, and the proposal would be brought to the Arts and Culture Capacity Subcommittee, the Arts and Culture Commission, and to the City Commission for final approval.
Upon a question from Member Browne-Ecker about current staff openings, Ms. Crutchfield clarified the open positions will be filled. She also talked about the future and with the help of this Board, to continue seeking technical assistance from area entities for project specific items as they develop.
Item 7: Review Bylaws
Chair D. Williams referred to this item included in the packet.
Discussion was held regarding updating the stated meeting time in the Bylaws, and adding language to address meeting guidelines/requirements to accommodate unforeseen emergencies such as the COVID-19 Pandemic, etc.
Ms. Crutchfield stated staff will work with the City Attorney to make these amendments, and provide a draft at the next meeting for approval.
Item 8: Staff Update
Ms. Crutchfield presented an overview of the staff report included in the packet, providing additional details about each item.
On behalf of Member J. Williams, Ms. Crutchfield shared the following upcoming event: Friday, June 25th, The Northern Plains Art Museum Summer Art Institute will be having a public reception at The Plains Art Museum at 11:30 a.m.
Member Jordre thanked Deb Williams for her leadership as the Chair of the Arts and Culture Commission.
Item 9: Adjourn: Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting is July 21, 2021
The time at adjournment was 5:40 p.m.