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Home My WebLink AboutA&C - 2007-09-18 ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE Tuesday, September 18, 2007 – 4:00 p.m. CITY OF KITCHENER PRESENT: Alison Burkett, Len Carter, Paul Eichhorn, Councillor Kelly Galloway, Councillor John Gazzola, J.D. McGuire, Lawrence McNaught, Bill Poole, Ingrid Pregel, Fitz Vanderpool, Jamie Vasey, Cheryl York. GUEST: N/A REGRETS: Jennifer Breithaupt, Don Chapman, Sherryl Petricevic, Suzanne Ronald. 1.0 DISCUSSION ITEMS: New Business 1.1 Welcome – Councillor Galloway Councillor Galloway called the meeting to session and introduced Carrie Kozlowski, Program Assistant, Arts/Culture and ACAC meeting minute-taker, to the committee. ACAC members introduced themselves. 1.2 Approval of Agenda– Councillor Galloway A motion was made by Jamie Vasey to approve the agenda as circulated. J.D. McGuire seconded the motion. All were in favour; the motion was carried. 2.0 INFORMATION ITEMS/UNFINISHED BUSINESS/OTHER BUSINESS: Business Arising 2.1 Council Report – Councillor Galloway 2.1.1 Councillor Galloway provided an update on the Hanson Avenue Athletic Complex Public Art project. The artist, Alan MacKay, is using six images based on his recent photographs of local sports organizations. These images are to be etched in stone. Spring 2008 is the expected completion date. 2.1.2 The Sign By-Law passed on September 17, 2007, with few changes from the original. Committee members seeking more information are invited to contact Councillor Galloway for details. 2.1.3 As an item of cultural interest, Councillor Gazzola reported that the City recently acquired the embankment by the Pioneer Tower from JHS Holdings. 2.1.4 The committee discussed the controversy surrounding Your Kitchener Market. The decision-making period could take from months to years. The following alternatives for the market are being contemplated: ? Status quo ? Use upper floor as an Arts/Culture Incubator ? Engage a grocer as a tenant ? Hire a private contractor to operate the market on the City’s behalf ? Off-load the market to the private sector, with the proviso that the Saturday market continue. Each option will be brought forward to council over the next few weeks, beginning Monday, September 24. The Waterloo Regional Arts Council is undertaking a study regarding Arts/Culture Incubator option. As the market is an important part of the local culture, ACAC would like to provide input to Council on the future of the market, beyond the Arts/Culture Incubator option. 2.1.5 Councillor Galloway reported that the results of the public consultation on Council size is coming on Monday, October 1. Committee members wishing to provide feedback can still do so. Contact Councillor Galloway for more information. 1 September 2007 - ACAC Minutes ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE Tuesday, September 18, 2007 – 4:00 p.m. CITY OF KITCHENER 2.2 Provisional Grants Review, World Religions Conference application – Cheryl York 2.2.1 This annual conference, which is regional in nature and ecumenical in scope, is in its seventh year. In 2005, the organization obtained a grant from the City; the request was supported by ACAC. The conference, a one-day event, will take place at University of Waterloo Humanities Theatre. The Mayors are asked to deliver greetings. This year, $4,000 is being sought from the City of Kitchener, $5,000 from the City of Waterloo. In the past, the event has taken place in Kitchener. ACAC discussion included the following points: ? Confirmation that this grant request and event fall under the purview of the ACAC committee and the City, as it speaks to the City’s strategic plans regarding diversity, equity and accessibility. ? The fact that the grant-requesting organization is applying for an event taking place in November: seems “last-minute”. ? The “emergency” nature of the request, as rent of the venue was unexpectedly raised ? Is the requesting organization weighted too heavily in favour of a particular religious affiliation? ? The possibility of having the requesting organization attend an ACAC meeting to provide further information. ? Does the one-day conference benefit the City of Kitchener? ? Could the organization be encouraged or required to rotate the conference location? ? The possibility of making the grant conditional upon agreement to hold the next conference in Kitchener, and the reaction of the requesting organization. ? The possibility of the City making an in-kind donation of a venue for future events rather than a financial grant. ? The suitability of the organization’s chosen venue (Humanities Theatre) for the event due to its seating for 700, availability of parking, no union costs associated with the UW theatre, and scholarly appeal. ? The possibility of providing a grant of an amount lesser than what was requested. A motion was made by Len Carter, seconded by Fitz Vanderpool, that ACAC support the $4,000 provisional grant request for the World Religions Conference application. Motion carried. ACTION: ACAC will suggest to the requesting organization that it consider Kitchener as a venue for future events, and provide additional lead-time for future requests. ACTION: ACAC will invite requesting organization to attend January, 2008 meeting to report on its event and provide further background. 2.2.2 Added Item– Councillor Galloway The committee discussed the nature of ACAC agendas, and who sets them. The committee members confirmed their understanding that all members can suggest agenda items by emailing Carrie Kozlowski up to one week prior to meetings. Carrie to send email reminder of agenda deadline to committee members. 2.3 Culture Plan II – Cheryl York 2 September 2007 - ACAC Minutes ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE Tuesday, September 18, 2007 – 4:00 p.m. CITY OF KITCHENER Committee members confirmed their understanding that their participation in the subcommittees coming out of the ACAC and CPII joint work is in addition to their participation in ACAC. 2.4Cultural Capitals of Canada, Kitchener Application Update – Cheryl York The Department of Canadian Heritage has not reported its decision regarding Kitchener’s application for Cultural Capitals of Canada yet. The application deadline was October 15, 2006, and results were expected by April, 2007. This delay may be due to, in part, the appointment of a new Minister. Changes in government cause delays in the selection process, as Edmonton’s experience in the process revealed. 2.5Community Investment Strategy (CIS) Study Update – Ingrid Pregel The timeline for this project is tight. An effective CIS Steering Committee, composed of philanthropists, funders, Staff, and members outside of the City are now working through a series of five meetings. Councillor Geoff Lorentz is a participant. The CIS Working Group is made up of Staff from CSD, Finance, and other areas. CIS Collaborators have also been identified. A report to Council recommending a strategy will be made in December 2007. The framework and direction for the strategy will be set in March 2008. GGA Management Consultants is assisting the City. The following items are in progress: 1.Data template tracking where the City makes its investments 2.Community consultation process including a survey and focus groups on the City’s Grants process 3.Examination of best practices and benchmarks in other municipalities, within Canada and elsewhere 4.Identification and assembly of, and discussions between collaborators in the community regarding how we all might work together 5.Development of a strategy and framework for accomplishment of goals (for March 2008). 2.6City Review of Advisory Committees – Cheryl York The timeframe for the City’s review of Advisory Committees is October 2007. Both J.D. McGuire and Len Carter had offered to represent ACAC on the review committee, and confirmed their interest in participating. The review is being handled by Shelley Adams who will announce the meeting schedule. At this point, the meeting was unexpectedly adjourned due to a code yellow security risk announcement. Code yellow is an order to evacuate the building. AGENDA ITEMS DEFERRED TO NEXT MEETING: 2.7 ACAC Waterloo (formerly CDC Waterloo) – Bill Poole 2.8 Members’ Information Items – All 3.1 Approval of the Minutes of June 19, 2007 - deferred 4.0 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS/COMMITTEE WORK PLAN 4.1 Kitchener Youth Action Council 4.2 Memorial Cup 2008 and the arts 4.3 Prosperity Council’s “Creative Intersections” 4.4 World Religions Conference 3 September 2007 - ACAC Minutes ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE Tuesday, September 18, 2007 – 4:00 p.m. CITY OF KITCHENER 5.0 ADJOURNMENT/NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held on October 16, 2007 in the Schmalz Room, Kitchener City Hall, starting at 4:00 p.m. 4 September 2007 - ACAC Minutes