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, September 9, 2024 6:30 PM Location: Virtual/Google Link Video call link: https://meet.google.com/efb-gqzx-hji 1 Roll Call/Public Participation- Present: Ellen Baranowski, John Broscoe, Karen Broscoe, Jennifer Loiselle, Carey Smith, Catherine Zembruski. Absent: none. Meeting commenced at 6:32 pm. No public participation. 2 Vote on Minutes – Meeting of August 19, 2024- Minutes accepted. Motion: Karen. Second: Ellen. Vote: unanimous. 3 Council Business a) Summer Night Music Series- The MCC wrapped up a successful music series. We were disappointed with turn-out and attendance from the city-side. Many members did a lot of work without much return. Discussion ensued around spending our percentage of the money in different ways next year including holding a grantee reception, contributing to the fall festival at GreyCourt, contributing in different ways to Methuen Days, etc. We tabled that discussion until after our grant monies are earmarked for 2025. This winter, we will discuss and consider other venues for our own MCC “project”. b) Guidelines and Priorities- Jennifer submitted our paperwork on time with the change to “direct granting”. Completed grants are being submitted for reimbursement. Regarding the member list: John, Karen and Jennifer have to re-apply to the city (through the talent bank) and the mayor can bring their names before the city council for approval. c) Direct Granting d) Methuen Post Office Mailbox- A motion was made that we not extend our contract with the Methun Post Office for the MCC mailbox. Renewel date is 10/31, cost was $230. Motion: Ellen. Second: Jennifer. Vote: unanimous. 4 Miscellaneous- (Jennifer) The YMCA wrote a grant for Music Clubhouse, which we approved. They did not use 10-20% of the funds and want to apply the left-over money towards their own musical theater program. There was a vote to allow them to re-disperse that money for their musical theater program. Motion: Ellen. Second: Karen. Vote: unanimous. (Catherine) There will be a celebration at the First Baptist Church for the public to admire the new painting/updates. She will ask that the Mayor and the MCC members are invited. In the meantime, anyone who drives by can admire the work. (Jennifer/Ellen) The 2025 Grant Cycle is open! September 1-October 17. This year, the Methuen Cultural Council will go from $37,00 to $39,300. in funding. We need to meet with Kathleen Beam to discuss completed projects/reimbursements and complete the MassCC October Financial Report. (Karen/Jennifer) Frontwoods should be all set to play at Methuen Days. And, a band from last year (The Bellas) was invited back for this year. 5 Look Ahead/Next Meeting- Monday, October 21, 2024, in person- This meeting has been changed to Monday, October 7, 2024, in person. 6 Adjourn- Meeting adjourned at 7:03 pm. Motion: Ellen. Second: Karen. Vote: unanimous. 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.