Cultural Council

Methuen Cultural Council 2023-2024 Ellen Baranowski - Secretary John Broscoe - Member Karen Broscoe - Member Jennifer Loiselle – Chair Carey Smith- Member Catherine Zembruski – Member Meeting Minutes Monday, June 10, 2024 6:30 PM Location: Nevins Library Study Room & Virtual/Google Link Video call link: https://meet.google.com/qjo-saun-vib 1 Roll Call- Ellen Baranowski, John Broscoe, Karen Broscoe, Jennifer Loiselle, Carey Smith were present. Catherine Zembruski was absent. Meeting commenced at 6:30 PM. 2 Public Participation- none 3 Vote on Minutes – Minutes from the May 13, 2024, were voted on. Motion: Karen. Seconded: John. Vote: unanimous 4 Financial Report a) Thank you Ellen for working with the city to get us updated Financial Reports. These were more detailed than we were used to. The reports were very helpful (kudos to Kathleen Beam). A few more grants for reimbursement have come in since our last meeting. b) The Mayor has signed off on 2024 Grant Funds. Methuen is all set to receive state funds. 5 Council Business a) Summer Night Music Series Planning Application Review, Financial review - bands, marketing, our own branding material/swag- Jennifer shared last year’s application (via Google) with us for review. Jen will edit the date, time, reimbursement language on the application. Jen asked to purchase some MCC branding material/swag for the events. She is investigating the cost of stickers. A vote was taken to move forward with that if we keep it under $100. Motion: Jennifer. Second: John. Vote: unanimous. Karen bought a popcorn machine and a cotton candy machine as donations to MCC from ESCO Awards (THANK YOU). John purchased a bag of rocks for our art projects (THANK YOU). Jen reported that Methuen Artists Unite wants to get involved in the arts activities. Last year, we invited community organizations to present a short overview of their work in Methuen, we want to do that again.  Bands: We revisited the vote for $800 per band for one performance, and will add the caveat that if the city calls for a weather (or other) cancellation, the MCC will pay the band $400. That was taken to a vote. Motion: Ellen. Seconded: Karen. Vote: unanimous. Jen asked about a full-page color advertisement in Methuen Life (about $675.) Instead, we decided that we would ask ML, MCTV, and the Tribune to feature a story about the series. Jen will begin working on a PSA that we can use for that purpose. b) Meeting with Mayor Perry - Budget seasons closed, let’s meet! Jen has a scheduled meeting with the mayor coming up (she’ll share the date and time). We are hoping parlay the MCC budget meeting with him onto the end of that first meeting. Ellen shared the flyer that we will give him when we ask to be included in next year’s budget. c) Direct Granting- Ellen will reach out to our new MA CC rep (Greg) to see if we can move this process forward with Kathleen Beam at City Hall in anticipation of an October deadline. 6 Miscellaneous- MCC will have an in-person meeting in about two weeks discuss who we will choose for bands. Jen will get a room at the library. Monday, June 24th, 6:30 pm. 7 Look Ahead/Next Meeting- Monday, June 24th, 6:30 pm. 8 Adjourn- Meeting adjourned at 7:18 pm. Motion: Ellen. Seconded: Karen. Vote: 100% Anyone needing an access accommodation to participate in City of Methuen programs or services, please contact Sandy Almonte, ADA/DEI Coordinator at 978-382-2123 or salmonte@ci.methuen.ma.us at least two weeks in advance, or two business days before a board or commission meeting. This notice is available in alternate formats upon request.