HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-21-2023 MinutesCreative & Cultural Council Minutes - September 2023
The Paducah Creative and Cultural Council convened for a meeting on September 21, 2023
at 5:00 p.m. at 122 Market House Square, Classroom B. Upon call of the roll, the following
answered to their names: Cindy Ragland, Chad Clark, Ashley McMillan, Morgan Walker, Nic
Hutchison and April Cochran. Basil Drossos, Steven Page, and Hope Reasons were absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Council member Clark offered the motion, seconded by Council member Walker to approve
the Minutes for the August meeting of the Council. All in favor.
WEBSITE UPDATE
Council member Ragland met with Amanda Newman regarding our website design and
upkeep. Newman recommended redesign of the entire site, using Square Space - proposing
a $5,400 web design fee with all updates. $375/year to host, and $25/year domain. Socially
Present is $95/hour, $24/domain and $528/year host. After conversation - it was agreed that
while we appreciated Newman’s eagerness to help, there is a great deal of grant money
invested in our current website and it is likely problematic to discard what we have and start
over. Council member Clark will give Council member Hutchison the update information for
our website. Hutchison will pass this on to Socially Present as well as have them add a link to
our Facebook page in order for us to keep event information timely. Council member McMillan
is willing to take on Facebook updating.
AIRPORT RECEPTION REPORT
Council member Ragland reported there were 150 people in attendance, with good Council
representation. It was agreed that the event was quite a success!
RAILROAD OVERPASS UPDATE
Council member Clark put together a mural proposal draft, at the request of the marketing
director of the railroad. Clark asked the Council to look that proposal over. It was decided
that collecting letters of support for the project from Midtown businesses would benefit the
project. The following merchants were to be asked for their support by the listed council
members: (Ragland) Midtown Market, Gallery 600, (Walker) Independence Bank, (McMillan)
Ray Black & Son, HB & Co, (Hutchison) Alberta Davis, (Cochran) Linda Miller. It is anticipated
more will be added to this list. Council member Hutchison will compose a letter to be used
indicating support after we’ve spoken to them, and Council member Clark will provide us with
brief talking points,
AEP6
Council member Ragland reported that the Economic Impact study will be released very soon
with the stats on the impact the Arts have on Paducah and surrounding area.
DC TRIP REPORT
Michael Cochran, one of the Paducah representatives who participated in the DC trip fly-in,
popped in to our meeting at our request to report on his observations. As an advocacy
group, the Americans for the Arts reported to the Paducah contingent that the House has
zeroed out all funding supporting the Arts. The Senate kept the funding in their budget.
There was a good discussion on what other cities are doing in Creative Place-Making. Liz
Hammonds took notes and would be the person to check with for detail. Cochran also
indicated that the businesspeople on the trip appeared more arts-aware than previous trips,
which he was glad to see.
SOUTHSIDE PROJECT
Council member Hutchison provided an overview of the Southside public art project that will
be used to test the current draft of the public art policy. The city will be looking to identify a
location in the Walter Jetton Blvd and working with the neighborhood to gather input into the
process.
OTHER BUSINESS
-Council member Hutchison reported on Paducah Bank’s street mural proposal along with a
request from the City that we weigh in on the project. After much discussion, the
consensus of the Council was that we are unable to do so. Our policy is still in draft form
and will be finalized after the Southside project. The PB project gets ahead of us.
Additionally - the consensus of the Council is that its best to keep advertising out of public
art. Council member Hutchison needed a statement from the Council. The following is
submitted as our response: The Assistant City Manager and the Mayor directed the
Council to use our first project, understood to be the Southside project, as a beta test for
our public art policy. Upon successful completion of this project - the policy will be
adopted via city ordinance.
- In discussion of duties, it was the consensus of the group that City boards are not fund-
raising organizations and that their efforts should be supported as a city line item.
-Reminder: if Council members cannot attend a meeting, they are asked to contact Council
member Ragland with that information.
-Council member Cochran moved to adjourn with a second by Council member Walker at
6:26.