Sachem Fund Board

Sachem Fund Committee 5/06/09 Room 335 Meeting Notes Attendees: Co-Chairman Alderman Bill Nash, Co-Chairman Bill Quidgeon, Jr., Joseph Ruffo, Comptroller, James Gessner, Mohegan Tribal Council, Lottie Scott, Mayor Benjamin P. Lathrop and Recording Secretary Evelyn Bessette Not Present: Peter Davis, Director of Planning and Mark Brown, Mohegan Tribal Council Members of Press Present: Michael Gannon, Norwich Bulletin, Claire Bessette, The Day 1. The Meeting of the Sachem Fund Committee was called to order at 5:40 p.m. 2. It was determined a quorum was present 3. A motion was made by Joseph Ruffo, seconded by Ben Lathrop to approve the Minutes of the April 8, 2009 Motion carried in due form 4. Co-Chairman Bill Nash submitted correspondence from Otis Library that qualified Otis Library for consideration in the 2nd round of disbursements. Noted: correspondence also received from Brian Kobylarz regarding the Downtown NRZ 2nd round proposal. 5. Review 2nd round applications It was noted only one (1) applicant (Spirit of Broadway Theater), from the first round did not provide proper documentation to be considered for this 2nd round. All others submitted their updates in due form. Co-Chairman Bill Nash read his recommendations for funding in this round for discussion noting there was $216,000 available in the Sachem Fund for disbursement with $524,200 qualifying requests at this time. A motion was made by Bill Nash to allocate a $200,000 maximum disbursement in this round, seconded by Ben Lathrop. Motion carried in due form After much discussion it was determined to make the recommendation to the Norwich City Council for the June 6, 2009 Meeting to award the following from the 2nd round of Sachem Fund disbursements:  The Central Baptist Church $ 4,000 Chelsea Gardens Foundation $35,000 NAACP $20,000 Children’s First Norwich $ 5,000 NAC Symphonic Band materials $ 4,000 NAC Cash Match Grant Tourism $ 9,000 NAC Roof Repairs $13,416 Italian Cultural Society $ 5,000 Norwich Historical Society Timeline $30,000 Norwich Tourism Summer Concert Series $ 3,200 Semiseptcentennial Committee $15,000 Artworks Expressive Arts $ 5,000 Otis Library Enhance Business Resources $20,000 Rose City Renaissance Expand Tourism $25,000 Total Disbursement in Round 2 $193,616 A motion was made by Bill Nash, seconded by Ben Lathrop to send the recommendations to the City Council for the June 6, 2009 Council Meeting for approval. Motion carried in due form 6. It was determined that the Sachem Fund Committee would form a Workshop to change the criteria for future applicants. Some items for consideration are, only 1 application per round per organization, consider limiting the amount requested, consider budget amount allocated per round, and a firm established timeframe for the entire process from application date(s), review, determination and funding. The meeting date for the Workshop/Sachem Fund Meeting will be Wednesday, September 16, 2009 in Room 335 at 5:30 p.m. 7. Citizen Comment: a) Thom Keaney – Norwich Arts Council thanked the committee for their consideration to fund the requests from the NAC. b) Jacqueline Caron – CT Pardon Team Founder stated her dissatisfaction not being considered for funding in this round of disbursements. c) Iffat Salahi - Lazizah Inc. advised committee his project was for economic development not just an addition to his building. He brings in people from all over the state and promotes the City of Norwich. His business promotes a vision for the culture of Norwich Next meeting dates – Wednesday September 16, 2009 5:30 p.m. Room 335 Meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Evelyn Bessette, Recording Secretary