Arts Commission

Minutes of Meeting 12.16.2020/7:00pm Middletown, CT Via WebEx Present: Barbara Arafeh, 7:07pm David Bauer Julia Faraci Lee Godburn, 7:15pm Crystal Laffan Charlotte McCoid Pamela Steele Also present: Kisha Michael, Staff Absent: Joyce Kirkpatrick Edward Ford, Common Council Edward McKeon, Common Council 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m. 2. Public Session No members of the public present. 3. Minutes of last meeting approval Laffan moved to edit name misspelling of names from last month’s minutes ("John Ridley" corrected to John Risley; "Andrew Gonzales" corrected to Andrew Gonsalves).Bauer seconded; Arafeh, Faraci, and Steele approved; McCoid abstained; Godburn not yet present at meeting. 4. Approval of Agenda McCoid moved to approve the agenda, Laffan seconded; unanimous approval. 5. Remarks from the Chair Executive committee to work with refining Commissions bylaws. John Basinger resigned from the MCA leaving three spaces open for commissioners. Nominating committee is tasked to finalize list of nominees for commissioner candidates. 6. Old Business a. Staff Report Michael requested sub-committees to meet soon in effort to plan for upcoming events and projects and their associated budgeting needs. b. Committee Reports Executive: Godburn requested everyone bring in names for Arts Advocacy nominees to next meeting. Public Art: McCoid mentioned the sub-committee is researching resolution/ordinance percent for art. Steele urged Public Art to purchase new art, however McCoid expressed importance to use budget to fix existing art such as the Risley sculpture. Nominating: no report  Planning & Projects: no report Music: Arafeh mentioned there was a recent meeting on Monday Dec. 14th night meeting. Arafeh gave an overview of various local performances occurring in the area. Public Relations: no report Poet Laureate: no report 7. New Business a. McCoid moved to keep projected MCA meeting dates for 2021 as presented by Michael; seconded by Arafeh; approved unanimously. b. Shenker Fund to be left as is. c. MCA 50th Anniversary 2022; Steele asked MCA to think of ideas for celebration or new initiatives. d. Grants extensions & modifications Bauer moved to approve all requested grant extensions and modification due to pandemic conditions; seconded by Godburn; approved unanimously. 8. Announcements Michael reminded MCA members that MCA Commissioners reappointments are on agenda for next Common Council meeting. 9. Adjournment McCoid made motion to adjourn; Godburn seconded; approved unanimously; meeting adjourned at 7:39pm. Respectfully submitted by Crystal Laffan, secretary