Arts Board Meeting

CITY OF MADISON HEIGHTS CITY HALL - MADISON ROOM, 300 W. 13 MILE RD. ARTS BOARD MEETING MINUTES JUNE 11, 2024 AT 7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER 7:01 ROLL CALL Bill Mier Laurie Geralds Steve Dombroski Michael Covert Sue Popp Jennifer Nagle Mark Bliss Vita Palazzolo (arrived at 7:08) Ali Dorsey (arrived at 7:06) Harley Mordarski, Staff Liaison ADDITIONS/DELETIONS 1. Popp notified Mordarski that she is on the Disco Prom committee. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Nagle, second by McBride to approve minutes. Aye: All Nay: None Motion Carries MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 2. Scott Boatright Boatright has a nonprofit and is looking for a permanent space for musicians in the community to utilize either to perform or rehearse. He is not looking for a bar or restaurant or venue. He is looking for something to bring the community together through music. He founded the Corktown Music Festival and noted that the proceeds from all his events go to charity – for example donating to music education. Boatright communicated with Palazzolo about his music space idea. Palazzolo thought it would fit in well with the Makerspace idea previously discussed by the Board. Bliss noted that as a Board, they cannot purchase a space. However, Council can waive rental fees for nonprofits in the park shelter buildings if Boatright wants to start his music endeavor in a public space. Nagle mentioned that a park jam session outside could generate interest and buzz. Mordarski said she would connect him with Giles Tucker (Community & Economic Development Director) and Linda Williams (Chamber of Commerce Director). Nagle and Palazzolo proposed creating a subcommittee called Jammin’ in the Heights dedicated to developing this relationship with Boatright, and potentially creating a music-themed event in the future. More details to come as things develop and progress. REPORTS 3. Treasurer Report Mordarski read the following:  $5,180.12 Arts Board Escrow o $146.45 reserved for Halloween Event o $200 reserved for Eve for painting the mural o $100 reserved for supplies for the mural o $1,000 reserved for the Park Mural Maintenance plan o $500 set aside for the Broadway Karaoke Dance Party o $250 for Gala supplies and donations  $2,983.67 to spend freely  $2,397.52 in Trail Tunes Mordarski reminded the Board that the City has tax-exempt status so if the City is sending checks out to an organization on behalf of the Board, it should not include tax. This differs from personal credit cards/reimbursement which are not eligible for tax exemption. In addition, Mordarski mentioned that the Gala itself could save $100-$150 from this exemption. 4. Social Media Report Nagle reported that post engagement is up 2,000% with 27,000 eyes on posts and events in the last 28 days and 33 new followers. She also noted that almost 80% are women. Bliss noted that Arts and Pride has about 1,000 people interested in the event. The Facebook report is as follows: Disco Prom Event Post:  64 interested  13 going  5 people paid Arts and Pride Event Post:  979 interested  47 going  36 shares Nagle encouraged the Board to share the events on Facebook. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 4. Arts Prom 2024 (Geralds, Bliss, Nagle, Covert and Popp) Geralds mentioned that the school Jennifer Ramirez works at had an Electric Disco theme for prom. Thus, the subcommittee has a lead on leftover decorations. Additionally, they are having a subcommittee meeting on July 16th. The prom date is November 8th. Palazzolo asked why the Arts Prom marketing was posted before Trail Tunes. Nagle explained that she received word from the Arts Prom committee before hearing back from Trail Tunes. In addition, since the Arts Prom is a paid event (Trail Tunes is free), the subcommittee wanted to give the public ample time to budget for the event. 5. Halloween Event (Geralds, McBride, Dorsey) No meeting yet. Geralds will request a meeting after the 4th of July. Nagle offered to help on the day of the event. 6. Trail Tunes & Bandshell Ribbon Cutting (Bliss, Dombroski, Palazzolo, Covert, McBride) Bliss reported that there hasn’t been much movement. The subcommittee was on hold for a while waiting for confirmation of the bandshell date. Bliss noted that Melissa is going to do everything in her power to keep the vendors on track, but expressed concern regarding shipping delays since the materials still have not shipped. Nagle requested that the Trail Tunes committee send her something to post. Bliss noted that he would meet with Palazzolo in the next week and a half to get some additional information. Mordarski asked if the subcommittee is planning the ribbon-cutting aspect of Trail Tunes as well. Bliss said that he spoke with Melissa, and the subcommittee will plan the ribbon cutting as well. He noted that last year's winners will perform at the bandshell in between other performers. but they will not be eligible to win the Battle of the Bands. Palazzolo expressed that there was some confusion surrounding who would be performing on stage and when. The subcommittee will iron out the details. Bliss noted that he would like to invite all the former members of the Arts Board as part of the celebration over the last 6 years. Palazzolo and Geralds disagree. As a note, Dombroski mentioned his term ends in August, but his mailing address changes on July 19th. He will stay on the subcommittee until July 19th so he can help. 7. Broadway Karaoke Dance Party (Bliss, Nagle) No updates. 8. Arts and Pride (Nagle, McBride, Dorsey, Popp) In November, $970.60 was donated to the Arts Board by a colleague of Nagle, who wishes the amount be allocated for Arts and Pride, with any remaining funds going to the Gala. Bliss asked what the money would be used for if the Board approved the $970.60 allocation to the subcommittee. Nagle listed the following expenditures: - Tie dye supplies - Food hygiene items o Large water cooler o Food permit application cost - Arts and crafts supplies for building suncatchers - Payment to DJ Nagle mentioned that the paperwork is completed for food handling, and they predict an inspection on the day of the event. Covert noted that ServeSafe training is not required, they just need to know the right cooking temps and rules set by the health Covert recommended the subcommittee purchase a digital laser and a probe thermometer. Mier offered to let Nagle borrow a thermometer and test strips for the event. Motion by Geralds, second by McBride to allocate and approve expenditures up to $970.60 for the Arts and Pride subcommittee to purchase supplies for the event. Aye: All Nay: None Motion Carries 9. Disability Pride Month (McBride, Geralds, Dombroski, Palazzolo) McBride reported that she met with the partnering organization last month and they confirmed a blind violinist and a drum circle. In addition, sidewalk chalk art activities with accessible chalk tools are planned. However, McBride expressed that she’s been reaching out to the main event coordinator without much response. The coordinator has since left the company, and McBride has not received a response from anyone else. In addition, there is no event page on social media yet. July 13th is still the date and both pavilions are booked. McBride is supposed to meet with the partner organization next week, but she hasn’t received a follow-up. She will continue to reach out and keep the Board updated. Nagle offered support and said she would be available to help if needed. Bliss mentioned that the library might be interested in helping to program this event too. Covert proposed starting an individualized disability pride event in the future, and McBridge agreed. For additional context, MISILC was originally going to host this event in various communities around Michigan, but they liked the location of Madison Heights, so they wanted to come a second year. It was a good opportunity to partner, but not necessary for the future. Bliss asked if this is something McBride would be interested in during a different month. McBride is not opposed to it, but recognizes that the name would need to be marketed differently since Disability Pride Month is July. McBride is open to other ideas for the future. 10. Civic Center Hopscotch (Popp, Geralds) Geralds is going to reach out to Eve Sandoval about touching up the paintings. Popp agreed to help Sandoval with the murals. Laurie will put them in contact with each other. 11. Park Mural Maintenance Plan Covert asked the Board whether they’d want the artists to come and touch up their own paintings or have someone else touch up their paintings. Geralds recommended the artists touch up their own work. Covert will ask Jennifer Ramirez if she could check her murals and let us know if they need touching up.  12. DIA Inside Out Program (Mordarski) Usually, applications open in July. Mordarski will remain on the lookout for updates. Additionally, Oakland Parks is hosting artwork this year so there is one art installation outside the Nature Center. 13. Civic Center Park Bandshell Plaque Mordarski noted that she’s been working with Melissa on creating the plaque to put on the bandshell to recognize those involved in the project. Bliss noted that it is nearly identical to the plaque for the Civic Center grand opening. Palazzolo asked about the City Council’s involvement with the project. Mordarski reported that on November 27th, Council approved the project and allocated an additional $107,000 to match the $250,000 grant requirement, $50,000 for special parks funding, and another $57,000 for a budgeted lighting project. Covert mentioned that former councilwoman Toya Aaron should be on there as well. Geralds noted that alternates should be included too. Bliss recommends using the names of members from the groundbreaking date so that way Steve would be on the plaque. Geralds recommends using the names of people who were on the Council/Board at approval (November). Geralds noted that Jason Theodoroff is missing on the plaque as well. McBride and Popp asked if the plaque could encompass names from Council approval onward instead of sticking to one date. Mordarski will talk about suggestions with Melissa and confirm the order in the coming weeks. NEW BUSINESS 14. Civic Center Art Exhibit (Palazzolo, Bliss, McBride, Nagle, Popp) Mordarski said that the paintings have been in the hallway for a long time and the Board should consider rotating. Mordarski recommends forming a subcommittee to pick new art for the Civic Center Plaza. Mordarski noted that the Board should throw out another call for artists. She also mentioned that there is a painting that the City Manager’s office that was accepted prematurely and needs to be included due to the nature of the situation. It was originally a donation to the library, but it was not cohesive with the library’s theme. Additionally, Mordarski proposes that the Arts Board limit the Department Head's involvement in selecting the art. On the other hand, Geralds thought it might be a good idea for Departments to influence what is in their space. Bliss also suggested putting a QR code below each painting that has a 60-second video of the artist talking about their piece. The recommendation received praise from the Board. 15. Amendment to the Arts Board Bliss suggested adding to line J that if the Chair and Vice Chair are not present, the Social Media Coordinator should perform the duties of the Chair in their absence. Additionally, he recommended that Item C generalize the number of student representatives and not designate a certain number of student representatives for each school. He reasons that this would make the application process smoother and open it up for more students to apply easier. Geralds disagreed with this point, noting that there are alternates for each school which would ensure students have representation. Geralds also asked about adding ex-officio language for the student alternate positions as well. Motion by Nagle, second by Geralds to recommend that Council adopts the amendment as revised Aye: All Nay: None Motion Carries Questions arose about whether the Board should add new members now or wait until the terms end in August. According to Mordarski, there are currently two openings on the Board. Bliss said he could add the person’s approval on the council agenda if the Board finds it necessary. Otherwise, the Board can wait until August to approve multiple people at one time. Geralds noted that someone by the name Regina has applied. ADJOURNMENT AT 8:27 PM Next Meeting: Tuesday, August 13th at 7:00pm NOTICE: Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for effective participation through electronic means in this meeting should contact the City Clerk at (248) 583-0826 or by email: clerks@madison-heights.org at least two working days in advance of the meeting. An attempt will be made to make reasonable accommodations.