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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember Minutes                   Meeting  Minutes   Monday,  November  13,  2017   7:00pm   City  Hall   South  Wing,  Second  Floor  Conference  Room     A. Call  to  Order:    7:02pm   B. Roll  Call:  Commissioners  Miceli,  Hulin,  Thomas,  Erlandson,  Rehberg  and  Fox  present.    Councilwoman   Powell  present.    Acting  Staff  Liaison  Wilhelmi  present.    Student  Representatives  Kaye  and  Webber   present.    Chairman  Vassallo  present.   C. Citizen’s  Forum:     a. Kira  Fox,  Individual  Artist  Grant  Application:   i. Informed  Commission  that  due  to  changes  to  the  program  schedule,  she  will  be   presenting  a  revised  application  in  December;   b. Jim  Goodrich,  Individual  Artist  Grant  Application:   i. Presented  Commission  with  information  and  background  concerning  his  application  to   provide  caroling  for  the  DNA’s  Winter  Wonderland  event.      Carolers  would  be  strolling   and  possibly  do  some  performing  on  stage.   D. Staff  Report:     a. Financial  Report:       i. Presented  with  no  additional  information;   b. Art  Showcase:       i. No  report  was  presented  in  the  absence  on  Staff  Liaison  Harris;   c. Hemmens:     i. Presented  Hemmens  event  calendar  through  February  2018;   ii. MLK  Celebration  is  not  being  held  at  HCC  but  Prayer  Breakfast  will  be  in  held  in  ExHall   due  to  expectation  of  higher  than  usual  attendance.   d. Approval  of  October  Minutes     i. Motion  to  approve  minutes  made  by  Commissioner  Rehberg,  seconded  by   Commissioner  Fox.    Approved  by  a  vote  of  6-­‐0  with  Commissioners  Erlandson  and  Miceli   abstaining.   E. Old  Business     a. Marketing  Sub-­‐Committee:     i. CAC  Sponsored  assignments  for  BRAVO,  December:  Kwanzaa  and  Holiday  Show   1. Councilwoman  Powell  is  working  on  the  Kwanzaa  article  and  accepted  an  offer  of   help  from  Chairman  Vassallo;   2. Staff  Wilhelmi  plans  to  have  the  Holiday  show  done  by  the  end  of  the  week.   b. 2016/2017  CAC  Projects:   i. Kwanzaa:     1. Councilwoman  Powell  presented  Posters,  flyers  and  card  for  distribution.    She   stated  that  she  was  excited  by  the  caliber  of  talent  being  offered  as  well  as  the   event’s  location  at  the  Gail  Borden  Public  Library;  which  she  considers  to  be  a   welcoming  venue  to  all  residents,  not  just  African-­‐Americans.   ii. Art  Harvest:   1. Commissioner  Rehberg  noted  that  it  was  (expletive  deleted)  cold  but  the  event   itself  was  fairly  well  attended;   2. Councilwoman  Powell  commented  that  the  muralist  was  excited  to  be  a  part  of   the  project  and  the  amount  of  people  that  stopped  and  engaged  with  her.   iii. Holiday  Show:   1. Staff  Wilhelmi  reported  that  the  tickets  are  currently  on  sale  through  the  HCC   box  office  and  participating  groups;  and  presented  the  line-­‐up.   iv. Elgin  Literary  Festival:   1. Commissioner  Rehberg  stated  that  she  will  have  more  details  for  the  December   meeting.   Prior  to  discussion  of  grant  applications,  Chairman  Vassallo  asked  Councilwoman  Powell  for  a   budget  update.    Councilwoman  Powell  stated  that  she  saw  no  cuts  for  ECAC  at  this  time  but  the   budget  does  include  revenue  enhancements  such  at  implementing  a  motor  fuel  tax  and   increases  to  the  sales  and  hotel/motel  tax.    She  stated  the  goal  is  to  increase  revenues  without   the  burden  falling  solely  on  the  shoulders  of  residents.   c. Organizational  Grant  voting:    Ballots  were  collected  from  Commissioner  Miceli  prior  to  the   meeting  as  she  needed  to  leave  early  (7:30).    Chairman  Vassallo  explained  the  process  and   discussion  commenced:   i. BFH:    Chairman  Vassallo  commented  that  it  seems  to  be  the  same  old,  same  old.     Commissioner  Fox  said  she  was  confused  about  whether  a  new  dance  was  actually  being   created.    Councilwoman  Powell  noted  that  this  might  be  another  example  of  where  a   “historical”  category  might  be  warranted.    Commissioner  Rehberg  suggested  that   and/or  an  organizational  support  category.    Discussion  concluded  and  votes  were   gathered.   ii. Chamber  Music  on  the  Fox:    Commissioner  Erlandson  comment  that  she  was  a  bit  irked   that  the  application  requests  money  to  pay  for  the  big-­‐name  artists  but  doesn’t  mention   how  Maude  Powell  will  be  honored;  all  about  the  artist,  not  the  reason.    Chairman   Vassallo  stated  that  he  loved  the  fact  that  they  are  bringing  in  a  known  professional    He   also  commented  that  it  was  a  well  written  proposal  and  that  he  was  a  little  surprised   they  didn’t  ask  for  more.    Discussion  concluded  and  votes  were  gathered.   iii. CTE:    There  was  no  substantive  discussion  of  the  application;  only  agreement  that  CTE   continues  to  present  high  quality  shows.    Discussion  concluded  and  votes  were   gathered.   iv. Elgin  Area  Historical  Society:    Commissioner  Rehberg  wanted  confirmation  that  it  was   okay  to  vote  on  this  even  though  there  are  outstanding  issues  with  current  project.    It   was  determined  that  a  vote  would  be  taken  and  that  any  issues  would  be  addressed   prior  to  any  release  of  funds.    Commissioner  Fox  suggested  that  they  should  market  to   all  students  (not  just  art  students).    Commissioner  Rehberg  expressed  her  appreciation   that  the  artists  were  being  paid.    Commissioner  Erlandson  commented  on  the  diversity   contained  in  their  proposal.    Discussion  concluded  and  votes  were  gathered.   v. Elgin  Master  Chorale:    Commissioner  Rehberg  stated  that  the  project  was  not   innovative.    She  also  mentioned  that  she  feels  the  EMC  really  doesn’t  need  the  funding   and  that  the  audience  and  genre  overlaps  with  many  of  the  other  grant  applications.     Commissioner  Thomas  suggested  that  they  could  innovate  through  technology;  for   instance,  online  broadcasting  of  the  event.    Commissioner  Fox  stated  that  she  would  like   to  see  then  add  a  music  theory  element  to  the  presentation;  similar  to  ESO’s  Inside  the   Music  programs.    Discussion  concluded  and  votes  were  gathered.   vi. Elgin  Symphony  Orchestra:    Chairman  Vassallo  stated  his  excitement  about  the  project   but  thought  that  this  is  another  organization  that  really  doesn’t  need  an  ECAC  grant.     Commissioner  Rehberg  also  expressed  her  excitement  about  the  project.    Commissioner   Erlandson  questioned  why  they  were  not  provided  with  any  numbers  from  previous   events  to  demonstrate  how  successful  they  have  been.    Student  Representative  Webber   mentioned  that  as  a  member  of  the  LHS  Academy,  the  ESO  consistently  offers  tickets  to   students.    Discussion  concluded  and  votes  were  gathered.   vii. Elgin  Theatre  Company:    Chairman  Vassallo  pointed  out  that  for  the  amount  they  are   requesting,  they  would  have  been  better  off  applying  for  an  Individual  Artist  Grant.     Commissioner  Erlandson  said  she  did  think  it  was  innovative  that  an  interpreter  for  the   deaf  was  part  of  the  program.    Discussion  concluded  and  votes  were  gathered.   viii. Elgin  Youth  Symphony  Orchestra:    Student  Representative  Webber  comment  that  she  is   part  of  the  program  and  “it’s  awesome,  give  them  money.”    She  added  that  they   regularly  bring  in  professional  musicians,  conductors,  etc.  for  clinics  and  training.     Commissioner  Erlandson  stated  that  she  thought  it  was  cool  that  they  are  featuring  a   local  composer.    Chairman  Vassallo  said  that  the  actual  amount  they  were  requesting   was  confusing  in  the  application.    Discussion  concluded  and  votes  were  gathered.   ix. Hamilton  Wings:    Commissioner  Erlandson  stated  that  the  application  was  written  in   such  a  way  that  she  read  the  whole  thing  and  still  couldn’t  tell  what  they  do  or  how   many  participants  there  were.    Councilwoman  Powell  explained  that  they  work  with  at-­‐ risk  youth  to  create  an  opera  from  scratch;  writing  of  the  score  to  the  design  of  the   production.    Commissioner  Thomas  stated  that  the  productions  are  not  2nd  rate  events.     There  was  some  agreement  that  the  application  provided  too  much  information  while   not  sufficiently  explaining  the  process  or  purpose.    Discussion  concluded  and  votes  were   gathered.   x. Independent  Players:    Commissioner  Erlandson  noted  that  the  application  was  still  a  bit   lacking  but  that  she  does  see  an  effort  being  made.    Commissioner  Rehberg  said  that   she  also  sees  improvement  but  still  felt  it  was  not  a  strong  proposal.    Discussion   concluded  and  votes  were  gathered.   xi. Janus  Theatre  Company:    Commissioner  Rehberg  pointed  out  that  again,  the   Commission  would  voting  on  the  proposal  while  there  are  outstanding  issues  from  a   current  project.    Commissioner  Erlandson  commented  that  she  would  have  like  to  have   seen  plans  for  outreach  in  the  proposal.    Discussion  concluded  and  votes  were  gathered.   xii. Soiree  Lyrique:    Commissioner  Erlandson  commented  that  it  was  too  bad  they  didn’t   feel  they  needed  to  provide  a  narrative.    She  also  expressed  concern  that  the  application   states  “In  the  unlikely  event  that  we  do  not  have  a  clear  view  of  a  financially  or   artistically  successful  program  …”  as  if  they  don’t  really  have  a  plan.    Chairman  Vassallo   stated  the  application  suggests  that  they  really  don’t  need  the  ECAC’s  support.     Commissioner  Rehberg  mentioned  that  the  budget  is  confusing  and  that  the  project  has   a  high  amount  of  audience  overlap  with  groups  that  she  has  no  doubt  will  be  successful.     Councilwoman  Powell  expressed  her  disappointment  in  the  proposal  and  suggested  that   if  not  all  of  the  organization  grant  money  is  spent  on  grants,  it  can  be  used  for  other   projects.    Discussion  concluded  and  votes  were  gathered.   xiii. Side  Street  Studio  Arts:    Chairman  Vassallo  expressed  concern  as  to  the  scope  of  the   project.    Staff  Wilhelmi  commented  that  he  would  welcome  SSSA  taking  point  on   creating  a  coordinated  effort  to  expand  offerings  on  First  Fridays.    Councilwoman  Powell   stated  that  she  thought  that  the  timing  is  good  for  this  with  the  change  in  direction  at   DNA.    Discussion  concluded  and  votes  were  gathered.       d. Public  Art  for  2017   i. Nothing  to  report     e. 2018  Public  Art  locations  and  RFP   i. Nothing  to  Report   F. Other  Old  Business:       a. Commissioner  Rehberg  mentioned  that  the  ECAC  supported  Trickster  Gallery  event  would  be   taking  place  Saturday,  November  18,  2018  at  6pm  at  SSSA.   G. New  Business:   a. Jim  Goodrich  Individual  Artist  Grant:   i. Commissioner  Rehberg  noted  that  the  Winter  Wonderland  event  already  is  supported   by  the  City  and  DNA  but  stated  her  support  for  the  application.   ii. Commissioner  Erlandson  motioned  to  approve  the  grant  in  the  amount  of  $1,000;   seconded  by  Commissioner  Hulin.    Approved  by  a  vote  of  7-­‐0.   H. Adjournment:  9:00pm   a. Motion  to  adjourn  made  by  Commissioner  Rehberg.  Seconded  by  Commissioner  Hulin.     Approved  by  a  vote  of  7-­‐0.