Arts Board Meeting

CITY OF MADISON HEIGHTS CITY HALL - MADISON ROOM, 300 W. 13 MILE RD. ARTS BOARD MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 19, 2024 AT 7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Toya Aaron Mark Bliss Michael Covert Ali Dorsey (absent) Laurie Geralds Regina Juska-Svoba Susie King Bill Mier Harley Mordarski Jennifer Nagle (absent) Sue Popp Vita Palazzolo (absent) Motion by Bliss, Second by Aaron to excuse Jen Nagle and Vita Palazzolo. Yea: All Nay: None Motion Carries ADDITIONS/DELETIONS Covert requested that Broadway Karaoke Dance Party (7), Disability Pride Month (9), and Park Mural Maintenance Plan (11) be removed from the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Geralds, Second by Aaron to approve the revised August and October minutes. Yea: All Nay: None Motion Carries MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Devin Belt, a Madison Heights resident, expressed interest in joining the community and learning more about the Arts Board. She connected with the Board through the NextDoor app where Vita Palazzolo enthusiastically commented on the board’s purpose and activities. REPORTS 1. Treasurer Report (Mordarski) Mordarski read off the treasurer’s report from the meeting packet. There were no questions. 3. Social Media Report (Nagle) Bliss noted that there have been 5 new page likes and 7 engagements in the last 30 days. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 4. Arts Prom 2025 (Geralds, Bliss, Nagle, Covert, Popp) Geralds reported that the Arts Prom Planning is on hold until January. 5. Skelebration Trail (Geralds, Dorsey) Geralds noted that the trail was a success this year. They did not get to do the dance party in the bandshell as the subcommittee had hoped, but otherwise, the event went well. 6. Trail Tunes 2025 (Bliss, Palazzolo, Covert, Aaron) Bliss suggested launching a Call for Artists before January to meet the Parks and Rec brochure deadline. Trail Tunes is scheduled for September 6, 2025. As a note, Trail Tunes is scheduled for September 6th, 2025. 8. Arts and Pride (Nagle, Dorsey, Popp) No updates. Covert asked about the amount allocated to Arts and Pride and if anyone wanted to make a motion to increase the spending cap, or keep the amount currently allocated. No motions were made. 10. Civic Center Hopscotch (Popp, Geralds) Geralds noted the mural was damaged during basketball court construction. A spring repainting quote will be requested from Even Sandoval. 12. DIA Inside|Out 2025 (Geralds, Nagle, King, Juska-Svoba) Mordarski gave a brief update on the site visit with the DIA. She further discussed the following programming ideas:  Arts Bingo with the Library   Art in the Park, painting in the Park event Geralds asked if the DIA sent an email about community engagement events. Mordarski will follow up. The Board also discussed using QR codes with the paintings. Covert noted that in years past, the DIA provided QR codes with descriptions of the paintings. The Board also discussed additional signage ideas. 13. HREC Cookbook Collaboration (Nagle, Popp) No updates. Popp reported that Nagle sent an email introduction and has not received any additional communication. 14. High Schooler City Hall Art Exhibit (King, Aaron) The Board is planning to display art from high school students in the halls of City Hall. The idea is to showcase pieces after their art shows, utilizing pre-matted and ready-to-display works. An opening night event, similar to a gallery opening, is proposed, with light refreshments to enhance the experience. Challenges include deciding how art will be selected— whether by the teachers or the Board. With hundreds of art pieces typically displayed at Lamphere's art show, selection could be complex. Covert recommended considering pieces that were not selected for the school art show. King will reach out to art teachers to coordinate. 15. Summer Concert Series (Aaron, Bliss, Geralds, King, Popp) Bliss proposed hosting a summer concert series, starting with the Festival in the Park and continuing every Wednesday in July: July 9, 16, 23, 30, 2025, and ending with Trail Tunes and Revin’ in the Heights. Bliss proposed using a combined Call for Artists application for both Trail Tunes and the concert series to streamline the process. He also suggested incorporating a historical theme where each band plays a hit song from the year the city was founded, celebrating Madison Heights' 70th anniversary. Mordarski recommended reducing the series to mitigate budget constraints. Covert also discussed potential burnout with the number of concerts. Aaron raised concerns about budget feasibility, noting that paying 8 bands at $500 each could deplete available funds, however, Bliss noted that there is funding available that will be allocated to various City initiatives during strategic planning. Geralds suggested sprinkling other events throughout the summer to complement the concerts. Covert formed the Bandshell Utilization Committee to explore additional events and funding opportunities outside of the summer concert series. The subcommittee will meet to finalize plans and bring a proposal to the Board. 16. Arts Board Merch (King, Covert, Popp, Aaron) Covert talked to Jennifer Ramirez – she would love to create a design for t-shirts. The Board discussed infusing a 70th anniversary of Madison Heights theme with the shirts. A Student Design Contest would be a great way to increase student engagement – perhaps one student from Lamphere and one from Madison. It was suggested to make the submissions tournament- style with a cash prize for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Bliss recommended the board draft an agreement for  students to sign indicating that the Arts Board has the right to print and profit from the design. The subcommittee will get quotes and continue planning. Motion by Bliss, Second by Geralds to allocate up to $600 in prize money for the top 3 submissions for the Shirt Design Contest. Yea: All Nay: None Motion Carries NEW BUSINESS 17. Baile Folklórico Performance 2025 (Mordarski, King) Mordarski contacted Ballet Folklorico de Detroit to see if they’d host a performance at the bandshell in the Fall of 2025. She has not gotten a response. She has requested either September 13th or 20th. Mordarski noted that Madison Heights has a vast number of Latin businesses including Tienda Mexicana, Super Taco, Gran Azteca, Cocoyito Snacks, Tacos Tequila y Mas, and the Detroit Consulate of Mexico. Bliss commented that Mayor Grafstein has a connection at the Detroit Consulate, and he thinks they might be a good group to contact regarding this project. 18. Goodfellows (Geralds) Last year, the Arts Board held an Art Supply drive for the Madison Heights Goodfellows. The Board would post ideas for art supplies or craft kits for other people to purchase and drop the supplies off at the City Manager’s office. Geralds will help facilitate drop off with the Goodfellows for the items. The deadline of December 11th since the 14th is when they do the drive-ups. Geralds will find the graphic from last year. 19. Vice Chair The Board agreed to fill the Vacancy of Vice Chair next meeting, since elections are in January. The group will also take a new photo at the January meeting. 20. Tree Lighting (Geralds, King) The Madison Heights Tree Lighting is on November 25. Geralds and King offered to chair at the table. Geralds will purchase items for the table game. Geralds will be there at 5:45 to set up. Motion by Geralds, Second by King to allocate up to $100 to purchase small prizes for the Madison Heights tree-lighting spin-the-wheel game. Yea: All Nay: None Motion Carries 21. Bandshell Utilization Committee (Geralds, Covert, King, Mier, Popp)  The purpose of this committee is to research events and funding avenues for bandshell utilization. ADJOURNMENT at 7:57 Next Meeting: January 6th at 6:30 pm 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.