Sachem Fund Board

SACHEM FUND MEETING Wednesday, April 25, 2012 6:00 P.M. – Room 335 Meeting Notes Attendees: Chairman Alderman Pete Desaulniers, Co-Chairman Bill Quidgeon, Jr., Mohegan Tribal Member, Mayor Peter Nystrom, Lottie Scott, Mark Brown, Ambassador Mohegan Tribal Council and Bonnie Cuprak, Recording Secretary Not Present: Joseph Ruffo, Comptroller, Peter Davis Director of Planning & Development, James Gessner Jr., Mohegan Tribal Council Others Present: Tony Madeira (for Joe Ruffo), Brett Bernardini, Karen Beasley, Hugh Schnip, Kathleen Releay, Beverley Goulet, Jackie Owens, Bill Champaign, David and Karen Warfield, Bob Farwell, Amy D’Amico, Bassem Salahi, Austin Deming, Bill Kinney and Dr. Gregg Johnson. Members of Press Present: none 1. The Meeting of the Sachem Fund Committee was called to order at 6:01 P.M. 2. It was determined a quorum was present. 3. A motion was made by Bill Quidgeon, seconded by Mark Brown to approve the minutes of the February 15, 2012. Motion carried. 4. Tony Madeira from the Finance Dept. of the City of Norwich reported that the fund had paid funds to CBGB and the Historical Society. There is $ 166,404.62 currently in the fund available for distribution. The check from the Mohegan Tribe has been received and both the city and tribe have paid. Motion was made by Lottie Scott seconded by Mark Brown to accept the report. 5. Pete Desaulniers gave a brief description of the next agenda item. The reason for hearing from past recipients is we need to see where the funds that have granted have been used and the benefit to the city if any, also to see if they were used for the purpose that they were given. Did the funds that have been used fall within the parameters of the original intent of the Sachem Fund? We are looking to the future and the consideration of tightening up the Sachem Fund and the way the monies are distributed. That is the reason we are asking for a good explanation as to where the money went, how they were used so that in the future if they apply we want to make sure of that purpose. 6. Reports from recipients of past funds: a) Brett Bernardini of the Spirit of Broadway gave a financial report (1) so the committee can see how the theater is doing. On questioning by Mark Brown, Mr. Bernardini stated that they sold over 7,000 tickets with special events. Their dinner spa package sold over 1,600 tickets so all together, they are averaging between 700 tickets to 2,000 tickets per event, depending on the event. He said for their best year they sold 8,000 tickets. He stated that research has shows the average theater attendee, per person, spends $ 27.00 in the town they attend the show. The dinner spa package had a lot of guest staying at the spa, and when actors, writers or musicians come into town they stay at the local motels where they get a special group rate. b) Karen Beasley of Norwich Arts Council gave a report (2) and repeated that the research shows someone coming to their shows spends on or about $ 27.00 in the restaurants and shops around town. She stated that they now run the Arts, Cultural and Tourism in the surrounding towns. She stated that the Farmers Market has had up to 700 visitors a week. At the Melina concert they had about 900 people that came into Norwich for the event. Lottie Scott asked her to find out how many businesses were affected by the First Friday nights held. Ms. Beasley was asked to get the numbers they have from the events they have held. Ms. Beasley also informed the committee that she has sent a letter to Joe Ruffo and requested direction on the remaining money ($17,533.00) left in the Sachem Fund that has not been spent because of the time line with the State of CT grants. Lottie Scott asked for a copy of the letter and directed Bonnie Cuprak to get one from Mr. Ruffo. Mark Brown wants the information from Jackie Roy that shows the number of people that come into the city for the different events and the impact on the business in town. Pete Desaulniers said they may ask Ms. Beasley to return when they have a chance to view the letter. Ms. Beasley thanked the committee for fixing the roof and having faith in the program. Pete Desaulniers said that one of the things they are looking at is reclaiming monies that are not being used for their intended use. c) Hugh Schnip of Chelsea Gardens (3) said they are now working with the Planning and Zoning Department and the Inland, Wetland, Water Courses & Conservation Commission of the City. This is the last phase before breaking ground. He said they are at the point where they will finish permits within the next 3 months. Once the permits are finished they will be contacting their private donors. He stated that the permit request is on the Zoning agenda for the May 3, 2012 meeting. In  Deerfield MA, their gardens have just opened and they are the largest and fastest growing tourist destination with 40,000 to 50,000 people expected this year. In Vermont they have just opened public gardens and they have predicted their gardens will rival Deerfield or go further than them. Mr. Schnip said because of the faith of the committee the committee has made great strides. This will bring a tourist attraction to the City of Norwich. The Butterfly Pavilion has at least 3,000 visitors. Phase 1a is scheduled for 12 to 14 months. Garden School, Food Concession is a lease tenant and will create an opportunity for growth. d) Kathy Releay of Norwich Winter Festival said that the festival started in 1987 and was run with donations from local business. She said the council helped from 1992 to recently they gave $ 25,000.00 for the festival. Lottie Scott asked if she knew what the Economic Impact was for the city on the day of the festival. Mrs. Releay said she did not. e) Beverly Goulet and Sherry Filiatreault of Children First Norwich (5) presented a breakdown of the money and monies spent they also discussed the Touch a Truck Day and Family Day. They said they have about 1,500 to 2,000 people that come to the Truck Day and 3,000 to the Family Day. The Children’s First Norwich is in its 15th year. f) Jackie Owens of the NAACP (6) discussed the 2 quilts, ACT-SO and Juneteenth Celebration. Ms. Owens also discussed the Emancipation Proclamation Commemorative Committee getting $ 8,000.00 from them from the money given to them by the Sachem Fund Committee. She also stated the Juneteenth Celebration will have a band this year named, Mind, Body and Soul. g) Bill Champaign of Norwich Historical Society said the timeline is not finished due to not knowing where it will be displayed. He did not stay long due to illness. h) David & Karen Warfield of Central Baptist Church (8) said their concerts have brought in more than 400 people on a Sunday afternoon. They said that the artist stay in town and eat locally giving to the local economy. They have had at least 4,600 people attending the concerts. They also gave attribution to the Sachem Fund in their programs. i) Bob Farwell of Otis Library reported that the Student Enhancement Program, they received the money for has not started due to a conflict with the schedules and need to interview. j) Amy D’Amico of Habitat for Humanity reported that the 2 homes they purchased are being worked on and that one of them has been sold to the family that will live in them. She said because of the work done on them they are back on the tax rolls of the City of Norwich and the homeowners are people that have gone through their homeowners program to give them the best shot at making it.  k) Bassem Salahi of Lazizah said he has been slow on finishing his patio due to his health last year. Even with it unfinished it is still a draw for this area. He has had weddings and parties there. He reported that his client base brings in people from as far away as MA and New Haven. l) Austin Deming of the Society of Founders of Norwich reported that they have broken away from the group and that they spent the money on the mortgage and keeping it going. He said they purchased the building for $ 75,000.00 and thought they had a grant from the State but that hasn’t come through. He described the work done and needed to be finished. He said the purpose for the grant was for preparation of the Library. He said that he didn’t find anything in the grant that didn’t say they couldn’t use it for the mortgage. 7. Citizen comment – Bill Kinney said Chelsea Gardens would have more exposure if they created a web site similar to what the news papers have and that they need more transparency as to who does what; Dr. Gregg Johnson asked if the committee would put it on the web site if they decide the direction they want to go. 8. Next meeting will be a workshop to discuss the future of the fund and grants given. The meeting will be on May 16, 2012 at 5:00 P.M. 9. Adjourn meeting at 8:37 P.M. Motion made by Lottie Scott and seconded by Peter Nystrom.