Athens Cultural Affairs Commission

Athens-Clarke County Unified Government Athens Cultural Affairs Commission Meeting Minutes Meeting Name: Monthly Athens Cultural Affairs Commission (ACAC) Meeting Meeting Date: 09 January 2023 Meeting Called to Order: 6:07 PM EST Location: Lyndon House Arts Center Virtual? In-person meeting with virtual (OWL) access available for guests Public Input Requested or Received? Meeting was noticed and posted; no public input received. Attendees: Members Present in person: Madeleine Blankenship; Donna Brumby; Kimberly Davis (secretary); Linda Ford; Helen Kuykendall (chair); Victoria Prevatt (vice chair); Serena Scibelli; Darcie St. Onge (treasurer) Members Absent: Esra Santesso; Montu Miller; `Jesús Rubio (ex officio). Advisors / Staff Present in Person: Alex Bond (Assistant Leisure Services Director); Stephanie Raines (Leisure Services Arts Administrator); Tatiana Veneruso (A-CC Public Art Coordinator). Advisors / Staff Present Virtually: Madhuri Angadi from SPLOST Items Discussed: 1. Chair’s Report (Helen Kuykendall) ● Welcome new member and officers ○ Serena Scibelli approved as new commission member by the mayor and commission in December 2022. ○ Helen Kuykendall, chair, Victoria Prevatt, vice chair, Darci St Onge, treasurer, Kimberly Davis, secretary ● Outlined the role of the ACAC, which is to make recommendations to the mayor and commission. ● Announced that there would be no more public comment period at meetings. If someone does have a public comment, please email Helen and staff. ● FY 2024 Operating Budget (Proposed $45,000). ○ Discussion of impact of poet laureate ○ Changed Arts in Community Grants to Arts in Community Awards ○ Vote is recorded below. ● Membership ○ One current vacancy with two more vacancies coming in March 2023 ○ A call for new ACAC members will go out in six weeks and the call will be forward to the commission. ○ The entire commission will review applicants ● Arts in Community Awards ○ AICA will not be awarded this fiscal year. ○ Discussion about use of $30,000 from the existing budget potentially for training, outreach ○ Commission requested that Stephanie Raines send the commission a potential timeline for grants. ○ TABLED ● ACAC By-laws ○ Commission discussed new draft ACAC by-laws, which Donna Brumby shared with chair, Helen Kuykendall. ○ Kuykendall will review for agenda-setting meeting ○ Donna Brumby and and Esra Santesso will present draft by-laws at February 2023 meeting ● Commission Retreat Proposal ○ Discussion about structure and timing of retreat ○ Victoria Prevatt will work on retreat and google form for preferences. ○ Retreat to be held May 2023 at the earliest. ○ TABLED 2. Project Reports (Tatiana Veneroso) ● Bishop Park, user group’s recommendation is a decorative gate for $35,000. VOte is recorded below. ○ Hawthorne Avenue Crosswalk discussion ○ Firefly ■ Selection panels scheduled for 1/18 at 6 pm and 2/23 at 6 pm ○ Old Winterville Road ■ Panel at 1/25 at 6 pm ○ Greenway ■ Committee appointed by mayor and commission ○ “Frequency” ■ Discussion about vandalism of project. At the direction of Stephanie Raines, chair Helen Kuykendall to send email to request ACAC’s inclusion in dialogue regarding “Frequency.” 3. Outreach Committee Report ● Website ○ Mock-up of website presented. Link to be sent to commission for feedback. Votes Taken with Motion / Second / Results (Unanimous or Number of Yes / No Votes and names) (if applicable): ● Madeleine Blankenship moved, Linda Ford seconded, acceptance of the draft November 2022 meeting minutes. They were approved unanimously. ● Madeleine Blankenship moved, Linda Ford seconded, acceptance of FY 2024 operating budget of $45, 000 approved unanimously. ● Linda Ford moved, Victoria Prevatt second, acceptance of recommendation that Bishop Park public art project be a gate at the southern entrance approved unanimously Meeting Adjourned: The meeting was adjourned at 7:52 pm EST. Minutes Drafted By: Kimberly Davis