Agenda - Council - 03/09/2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CONSIDER ARTS BOARD APPLICATION ON BEHALF OF THE RAMSEY FOUNDATION By: Mark Riverblood, Parks Supervisor Background: As Council is aware, the Ramsey Foundation funded and hosted five music events in Ramsey in 2009. Two events were held at Ramsey Central Park, two at the Fountains location, and the last in October, was a polka fest at Al and Betty Pearson's farm. Earlier this winter, the Foundation was offered the services of the City's AmeriCorps and Park and Recreation intern (funded by the Anoka Ramsey Community College), to apply for a state Arts Board grant for performing artists to ensure there are performances again this year. The application is due on March 5 2010, and it was just recently learned that a stipulation of the grant is that the applicant must have at least one paid employee, which the Foundation does not have. This case requests authorization to make this same application to the Arts Board by the City, with the net effect being essentially similar. The grant application is being finalized as of this case preparation and all details including the anticipated budget will be available at the meeting. The requested grant amount will be approximately $9,000, with a cash and in -kind match of about $18,000. The cash match would be sponsorships that the Foundation secures and the in -kind match also Foundation time, in addition to the City's Park and Rec intern time working with the Foundation. Other in -kind monies would include QCTV spots and potentially Ramsey Resident article(s). The grant application's purpose in addition to assisting the Ramsey Foundation in ensuring the community has performing arts opportunities, and also to bring more programming into the Town Center area. The performances would be in the amphitheater area beginning in August (understanding that certain circumstances relating to the proposed Meandering Commons project are unknown, and may need to be addressed later). The concerts would be deliberately scheduled to coincide with the planned for Farmer's Market day of Thursdays. This is to attract more persons into the Town Center to ensure that the Farmer's Market is a success, .and remains a regular and viable amenity for residents. Funding: The application with budget detail will be available for the meeting, and will require no cash commitment by the City. Further, if the City were to be successful in receiving the grant, a memorandum of understanding would be developed by the City that clearly spells out the relationship between the City and Foundation. Council Action: Motion to authorize staff to apply to the State Arts Board pursuant to discussion Reviewed by: /1' City Administrator Director of Public Works/Principal City Engineer CC: 3/09/10 CASE #17.03