Peoria Standard

City of Urbana Arts and Culture Commission met Aug. 13.

Here is the minutes provided by the commission:

MEMBERS PRESENT: Katie Harrell, Barbara Hedlund, Jared Miller, Jenelle Orcherton, Patricia Sammann

MEMBERS ABSENT: Courtney Becks, Sara Jones

STAFF PRESENT: Brandon Boys, Economic Development Manager; Rachel Storm, Arts & Culture Coordinator; Sukiya J. Reid, Recording Secretary

OTHERS PRESENT: Corban Eagles, Jon Eagles, Debra Levey Larson, Janet Soesbe

1. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL AND DECLARATION OF QUORUM

The Urbana Arts and Culture Commission was called to order at 4:35 p.m. by Ms. Sammann. Ms. Reid took roll and a quorum was declared present.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the June 11, 2019 meeting were reviewed by the Commission. With no changes proposed, Ms. Sammann made a motion to approve the minutes. Mr. Miller seconded the motion. All Commission members present were in favor of approval, and the minutes were unanimously approved as presented.

The minutes of the July 9, 2019 meeting were reviewed by the Commission. Ms. Harrell noted that she was present at that meeting, but it was not recorded in the minutes. Ms. Orcherton then noted that she was listed as present at the meeting, when she was in fact absent. Ms. Sammann moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Ms. Harrell seconded the motion. All Commission members present were in favor of approval, and the minutes were unanimously approved as corrected.

3. CHANGES TO AGENDA

There were none.

4. PUBLIC INPUT

There was none.

5. PRESENTATIONS

Presentation by Staff: Monthly Progress Report

Ms. Storm presented the City staff’s monthly progress report to the Commission, outlining projects in process, recent requests and recommendations from the public, staff activities, and upcoming events.

Presentation by 2018 Grant Presentation: Janet Soesbe

Ms. Sammann introduced Janet Soesbe, Community Program Manager at the Urbana Park District. She gave a presentation on their project titled, All Around the World! For this project, Philadelphia-area musician, Jay Sand and his band collaborated with them and the Urbana Free Library to do a free concert. There ended up being three events: Folk and Roots Friday concert at the Crystal Lake Lakehouse; a summer arts camp workshop; and a concert at the Urbana Free Library. At the Folk and Roots Friday concert, he taught all different types of cultures through music, dance and song. It was very interactive and included international children’s folk rhymes, a marriage song, Greek circle dance and more. Ms. Soesbe then played a few video clips from the event. She thanked the Commission for the grant received. At the conclusion of the report, questions and comments from the Commission were heard.

Presentation by 2018 Grant Presentation: Debra Levey Larson

Ms. Sammann introduced Debra Levey Larson, Board President of Urbana Pops Orchestra. She gave a slide-show presentation of their ninth annual season. She stated that the mission of the UPO is to be accessible, educational, and affordable. The UPO offered four recitals and one full orchestra concert in 2018. The recitals took place in March (Bri Olenik), April (Jancie Philippus), September (Sax Quartet), and October (Tatiana Shustova). The full concert, titled Showstoppers, took place on June 9, 2018 at Urbana High School and was very well attended. Ms. Larson thanked the Commission for the grant received. At the conclusion of the report, questions and comments from the Commission were heard.

6. NEW BUSINESS

There was none.

7. ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ms. Hedlund announced that a show at the Station Theater called “The Last Five Years” would be running until that Saturday evening, August 17th.

8. ADJOURNMENT

Ms. Sammann made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Mr. Miller seconded the motion. With no further business, Ms. Sammann declared the meeting adjourned at 5:14 p.m.

https://www.urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/08-13-19_DRAFT%20Minutes.pdf