HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - August 7, 2023, COTA Meeting MinutesMinutes
COMMISSION ON THE ARTS
Council Chambers, City Hall
Monday, August 7, 2023
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Nancy Gebhart. Members present were
Dave Detlefs and Jaime Reyes. Steve Kawaler was not present.
Public Forum
There was no one present for Public Forum.
Approval of the June 5, 2023 Minutes
It was moved by Dave, seconded by Jaime, to approve the minutes of June 5, 2023. Motion
carried unanimously.
Final Reports:
2022/23 Annual Grant Final Reports –
Nancy noted that the final reports were received via email. She said it was exciting to see how
donation revenues were higher for almost all agencies. Dave asked about ACTORS’ form. Nancy
stated their total actual expenses were listed as $192,000, which is greater than the total of the
itemized expenses. The audience member totals also did not add up. She asked if ACTORS could
review and resubmit its report.
Nancy said the audience attendance figures appeared to be increasing overall. She agreed with
a note sent by Steve that the Octagon appeared to be struggling, particularly with lower than
projected grant revenue. Nancy wondered if the grant revenue being down was connected with
the capital campaign currently underway.
Nancy pointed out that Steve had sent a note about the Des Moines Metro Opera. He had
wondered about sources of funding for its program outside of COTA funding.
Dave commented on Steve’s note regarding Town and Gown having a larger than anticipated
deficit and a significant number of “other” expenses.
Nancy moved, seconded by Jaime, to accept the final report forms as submitted, except for
ACTORS, which will be asked to revise and resubmit its form. Motion carried unanimously.
Spring 2023 Special Project Grant Final Reports –
Dave expressed that he was impressed with the India Cultural Association project turnout.
It was moved by Dave, seconded by Jaime, to accept the special project grant final reports.
Motion carried unanimously.
Approve 2024/25 Annual Grant Application and Report Forms
Nancy suggested that the annual grant final report form include a line to explain any deficit.
The line could say, “Please explain what caused the net cash to (from) reserves.”
Nancy noticed that the net to(from) reserves on the annual report was used for the totals,
rather than the “total” line. She suggested adding a break between the expense total line and
the cash to (from) reserves line, to match the application document.
It was moved by Dave, seconded by Nancy, to approve the application and final report forms
with the two alterations that were suggested by Nancy. Motion carried unanimously.
Approve Spring 2024 Special Project Grant Application and Report Forms
It was moved by Jaime, seconded by Dave, to approve the special project grant application and
report forms as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Adjourn
Nancy mentioned that there is a vacancy on the Commission and that prospective
applicants should contact the City Manager’s Office.
There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 5:24
p.m.