 Hi, welcome everyone. It's just now six o'clock. This is the meeting of the Amherst cultural council My name is Angela Mills and I work for the town manager's office I will be starting this meeting and passing it off everyone on this meeting should know that this is being recorded and will be Uploaded to the town of Amherst YouTube channel shortly Matt do you want me to make you host and then you can make Julia and co-host sounds great Okay, I should find the script. Well, I do that Hey, Angela. No, I still owe you times to come by. Sorry. It's been really there's no rush at all It's just it's not and it's not as big a bag as I thought it was gonna be I thought I was gonna need a hand truck It's really tiny. Okay. Okay. Yeah, it's gonna be this week. This week's crazy. I totally get it. I get it Thank you. Yeah, no worries So you have a couple attendees in the attendee room and Matt will make you co-host so that you can see who they are And And I wish you a good meeting Thank you. Have a great night. Thanks. You too. Thanks for all the hard work Hi, Rachel Hello there, how are you? I'm good. How are you good? I'm always better when the weather warms up Kind of been denial about the new mid-winter still. Oh Mindy Dom is in the waiting room. Hello, Mindy. Oh I guess We are just we're gonna be waiting for a quorum before we begin the recording and all that so just so folks know Yeah, you five for a quorum and I did I did communicate with at least one member today. So I confident we'll get to four and Hopefully another I Are either of you are your allergies kicking in? I I'm pretty good. I but I I just get ahead of it with NASA court and I just don't mess around I just know it's coming. Hey Cody. Okay. I Think he's still connecting I'm starting to realize that I really I need to just be proactive like that because It just sneaks up on me and I think I've been sick I haven't been sick for so long and then you realize you're not sick. Yeah Hey Eleanor, ah great, so it looks like as soon as we Know that Cody's officially connected Then we have a quorum, right? Yeah, I think we'll well I see I see he's there. It doesn't say he's connecting so Thank you Okay, why don't I go ahead and jump right in since we're at quorum and we have a packed full agenda for the night So I'll start with this script. Good evening. Welcome to the Amherst Cultural Council meeting for April 11th, 2023 We will Let's see So this is this is the script that we read before every virtual meeting for sewer to chapter 20 of the acts of 2021 This meeting will be conducted via remote means Members of the public who wish to access the meeting may do so in the following manner That's by clicking on the zoom link and then this recording gets uploaded to the town's YouTube channel promptly after the meeting So no in-person meeting no in-person attendance of members of the public is permitted But every effort is made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via technological means And in the event that we are unable to do so or regardless we will post this on the town's YouTube channel shortly after the meeting and So with that we will go ahead and just do our audio check and our roll call Just kind of read off the screen if that's okay Julian. I am here Rachel I'm here Eleanor I am here and I may have to dip out in about half an hour. I just have to tour a student around. Sorry about that No problem a Robin Yeah And Cody Great Okay, and our Secretary is not here at the moment. So I'm wondering if Julian would you mind starting a document or and I can I can help chip in on it too or anybody else who wants to Yeah, we we can do that. Although. I think Generally to just Gets the recording and takes it from there which reminds me we need to record It is recording now. It is recording. Okay. So yeah, I'll work on that, but I know that she'll go through the notes later Okay. Well, yeah, this is it. Yes. How we get the notes is with the secretary Okay, so we We actually don't have any minutes from last meeting. I didn't I didn't get those so but we will Get those caught up and posted and we're actually only one meeting behind which is pretty good I'm I'm participating a number of public bodies and I will say that being one meeting behind on posting your notes is Something to aim for so I feel I feel quite good about that. We have a fabulous secretary and Leah and then we do have three members of the public well two members of the public and then one elected official in our In our waiting room right now, so I think what we'll do is Invite public comment if anybody would like to make it You would just use the little hand raised feature or ask question feature on your zoom screen And we would promote you into the meeting to to make your comment Okay, so I I'm going to bring in everybody with their hands raised which is George Ryan and also rep dome Good evening. Good evening. I'm not sure if you're talking to me or to George Ryan I'm speaking to both of you is what is lovely to see you I'm sorry that my video is not working. I'm in my car and I pulled over but my camera for some reason is connecting No, we really appreciate you being here and for those who don't know many domes our state rep and has been just a really fabulous champion for First Amherst funding for MCC and promoting the events that we that we support so We're thrilled to have you here Mindy Well, thank you so much. I hope this is okay. I'm just gonna jump in I just want I personally wanted to thank you all for your great work. I think that cultural council has done an outstanding job in reviewing applications and supporting so much in our community and for our community and I also want to note that I was really impressed with the amount of money that the cultural council received but you Really handled it with great integrity and process. So thank you And I also wanted to let you know if you didn't already know that this session I've been assigned and appointed to be the house chair for the Joint Committee on Tourism Arts and Culture and So I hope through that position. I'll be able to learn more about your process advocate more for local cultural council You know, make sure that I think that MCC does an incredible job of Distributing the funds across the whole state including our region But we're gonna make sure that Western ass doesn't get lost in all of those areas tourism arts and culture and I just want to Reach out to you in this new position not only as your rep but as the chair of this committee and welcome you're bringing any concerns Issues or problems that you see in the process to my attention so that I can act on. Thank you Well, thank you so much for being here and will you be able to stick around for for half an hour or so? Yes, I will be able to okay great. So after George gives his public comment We have we have a matter that we just want to make sure that you're aware of it It's a it's a positive thing, but I think something that you would enjoy Discussing with us great. Thank you Okay, George Ryan Thank you. Thank you. I'm actually here tonight on behalf of the vote yes for emmer school's campaign And I'd like to ask the cultural council to consider publicly endorsing the new elementary school project that's going to become coming before the voters on May 2nd in Fact because of mail-in validating some voters will be voting in the coming days One of the many attractive features of the proposed new school beyond its its flexible classrooms and its light field classrooms And it's net zero carbon neutral footprint is a performance space Auditorium which can be accessible to the community even when the school itself is closed. I Know as members of the cultural council, you know full well that the arts are essential to a fully lived life And an amorous exposure to the arts begins in the earliest years I believe the proposed new school will greatly augment that exposure And provide a priceless benefit both to the students in the new school as well as to the community as a whole The vote yes campaign has already received an endorsement from the energy and climate action committee And is now reaching out to other boards and committees in the town for their endorsements I'm asking you this evening if you could to take a moment to consider adding your support To what many of us see as a transformational project for the town And one whose impact will long outlast us Thank you Thank you very much. Very much George Yeah, thank you for joining us and you know bringing this crucial crucial matter to to our attention I myself have three children and my youngest is is now a sophomore so You know, I will benefit indirectly from the new the new school and yet it is something that is It's a very important to to to our community in in many ways. Um, and uh, I I would motion that that uh, we vote to determine if if we are in support and um, so that we can Yes, robin Oh, okay This is something we can do as a volunteer council, but as unofficial employees, I don't know the statuses, but we have a lot of stuff. Um And that Sure, it's something we can do Well the way I see it we have It does fall within Our Our charter if you will which is to promote arts and culture I mean as you all often point out that science is part of that culture and you know If students aren't learning science appropriately with the right facilities in our schools Then they can't contribute to meaningful meaningful culture around that much less, you know arts and and Literature and and and all of that so It was a venue and an instrument to Teach and foster and yeah make available Venue space because that part Yeah, the the venues pieces is really kind of a bare minimum of you know, that's something that our grantees You know collectively struggle with all the time and I'd say we have a responsibility from that point of view alone to to uh Yes, sorry, so I just I want to make um just a procedural comment And first of all just in the interest of full disclosure I'm going to recuse myself from this discussion Because I'm one of the co-chairs of the vote yes campaign So I don't want to be part of this and you know robin you're you're right I think to ask about convict of interest law and I don't think I necessarily need to recuse but I think it's it's appropriate to do um Yeah, um because this Because this was not posted on our agenda Um, I think that a motion to take any action on this would we should hold off on it until the part of the agenda Where we talk about the things are not reasonably anticipated So towards towards the end of the meeting I think would be a a better thing to um to do but that that being said I'll I'll be recused anyway, so So Julian so we can't talk about this now. We need to table it I think we need to table until the 48 the um the sort of the the How's what's the phrasing um new business not reasonably anticipated 48 hours in advance Because if if we're going to make a motion to take an action That would be new business and it wasn't and you know, we could have anticipated that you know, george would come Okay, that's that's like way way be I if that's what it is. I'm fine with that. I haven't really Been able to dive into a meeting mechanics and processes that much so I'll hold off. I just got excited Okay, no, thank you very much and and I um, but like I said, I will recuse at that time Yeah so So thank you george and uh, you're welcome to hang around and you're welcome to hang around in the in the meeting or in the waiting room. I am Glad to have you or I guess I suppose if you're Your comment is over. We'll put you back in the waiting room probably So let me do that if I can Change role to attendee. Okay All right. So the the we actually have two two pieces of very substantial discussion for tonight, um, and I'm going to jump right into the bid update um, and a quick recap for Mindy and anybody who wasn't here Is that we the cultural council set aside 7500 dollars from our fy 23 allocation to Promote and and put on the inaugural spring amherst block party for the arts And so it was a is a big undertaking Uh, we were going to partner with the business improvement district And due to, you know, truly family related factors outside of anybody's control The bid is not able to do that logistical work for us this this year um, and and I think we all knew it was a ambitious undertaking to begin with And and then, you know, the bid losing one of their main staffers the person who was going to be doing All of the vendor contracting. Um, you know, it really just it just was not a tenable idea to pursue that spring block party this year. However, we are um, you know We'll have an open conversation about potentially putting something on the books for next year And I think that's you know, that's for future meetings to to iron out Because what happened last month for anybody who wasn't here Is uh, we and and kodi especially but we generated the idea Of sort of tagging on to the fall block party, which is a long-standing Amherst institution And so with the blessing of the group julienne and I reached back out to The bid to gabrielle And and essentially said to her, you know, could we Could we allocate some funds to you know, to the fall block party and and have a presence there instead And she answered with a full throated. Yes, and I will just read I'll just read to you the response because it's fairly quick Dear matt and julienne, I love this idea We want to do a full stage on the north entrance this year. So the north entrance of pleasant street And I don't know if that's that's not all the way to kendrick park, but it usually runs almost to kendrick in Yeah We want to do a full stage on the north entrance this year and program it having heavily We could take all of the current artist creatives who have shown interest That's so that's to say we had a list about 20 people who had shown interest in the spring block party So she's saying that basically we could have a stage with space for all of them who were going to participate in the spring So she said we could take all the current artists and creatives who have shown interest And work with them at the fall 23 block party instead of the spring one And then if we can contribute You know, 2,500 is kind of the number that we we tossed around last month The 2,500 would pay for the stage lighting and production And then we would be the sponsor of the event You know of the of the overall block party along with whatever additional sponsors she has So I think, you know Her response was was very similar in writing to the I thought the enthusiasm that we all had with the idea When we spoke about it and I think You know, again, we didn't get into any great detail with her other than just sort of a You know a general how do you feel about this and then we wanted to bring it back to The full council and just have a discussion about What this would mean so Robin Are you talking about 2,500 or the 7,500 because the next year You could take for the next cycle, which would be 2024 You can take and put that into a spring and take money out of that instead of this and is this the The grant that we applied for I have I have an update on the festivals and projects grant But right now what we're talking about the festivals and projects is not really is is not applicable to the fall Because it has to be spent by june 30th So what we would be what we're talking about is 2,500 From that 75 that we set aside for the spring block party Using that in the fall for this event and then replenishing We'd have to talk about if we're going to replenish it for next year You know or use more or whatever But I think the point is we know we've set the money aside to do an event that showcases our grantees You know and so the question is just sort of do we want to pursue it? You know, do we are the same volunteers who are willing to help with the spring Block party still willing to help with the fall? Are there are there concerns around merging? You know this this is merging and by the way christie just joined. Hello christie Should I do a sound check with her? You did we Hi everyone, sorry. I'm in the car. So that's why I've got the audio off. I mean in the video off Not a problem Great to see you and also lia has joined us. Hi lia You want me to do an audio check? Where is this? Oh awesome It's great to see you both are here for you both um, yeah, so I mean, I think I think The floor is kind of open for discussion about this fall fall block party idea um I think we you know, it's probably worth You know, it's probably worth putting a motion out there to you know Reallocate that 2,500 into the fall block party with the same basic intent as we had for the spring just so it's official Um, and if anybody wants to make that motion that sometimes that helps frame the discussion um So what happens to the other five thousand? We were going to be rolling the fall 75 So now we'll just roll five and then decisions about what we're doing with that rolling five and then also Possibly applying for another thing and working towards the spring event that wouldn't be just that would be discussing the next grant cycle I think so lia. Yeah, I mean, I think We all should keep talking about um spring 24 Because I think one that we know is going to take a lot of ramp up to get there So I don't want to say we put it off until you know next year But that we that's not the that's not the immediate, you know, sort of question. Yeah I'll I'll make the motion that we Roll 2,500 Of the 75. Oh, rachel has her hand up. Sorry rachel No, it's okay. I was going to make the motion, but now I'll second it. How's that? Oh, yeah, let me let me I motion that we um rolled 2,500 that was previously um intended for the 2023 block party to the fall block party fall block party To support cultural council Participation there grantees participation there Yeah, great Okay, so there's a motion on the floor And we don't have to go straight to a vote if folks want to discuss So just give it another minute or two if if anybody wants to keep the discussion going This would be our stage for grantees That we just did and the money would cover sound stage roof of it Yeah That's actually a pretty good feel I'm just super grateful to honestly to call it Cody because you know, we were in a place of feeling a little bummed out to be to be technical the technical term And you know, and I think this idea I mean look you want to talk about an audience, you know, this is a This is a nice way to and it also gets us. Let's us get our feet wet in terms of You know doing something something in person that's been a couple of years since any of that happened so Oh Will this cover asl or Could we put another 500 in or something like that? I think that's a good idea I think you might you could you could suggest a friendly amendment to julian and rachel about You know adding on the cost of asl Interpreting to the event to our stage and and I think if they accepted that we could just sort of proceed I I I agree. I think it's something we should I think we absolutely should do that although we could also do that closer to the time of the event um as far as I There are funds that it would be available. So we could could do that based on an actual actual expense as opposed to Tagging it and it falling short You're right. That's there. You're absolutely right and and we have we we will have a few several meetings before then So that's that's absolutely right So I guess I propose an amendment That we remain flexible in the amount that we give so that we can cover the real costs of making it more accessible with asl and Who knows it might be something else, but certainly with asl And we don't know how much it's going to cost so I can't hear you christie. Yeah Christy you want to try to say that again? She must be in a pocket Yep I was nothing. Sorry. Okay Can I second that amendment? And do we second amendments? I for you the Added in some of the amendments or something like that or yeah Usually it's just As I understand it make the amendment and then the the mover and the seconder of the original May just accept the idea I accept Me too great Thank you for that robin um Okay, so I mean, you know The good thing is that the group we as a group have had several conversations about You know how we're gonna operationalize this we've got a we've got a list of grantees have expressed into us in the spring Certainly, you know, so I mean there's obviously there's a lot of work to do communications wide to Get that message out and and sort of round folks up, but we've already sort of teased out Um How we're gonna do it so and we've already started so I think it's you know It's a jolly task now is bringing good news to folks who are who are disappointed by this, you know, understandably disappointed by the spring So i'm gonna move to a vote unless anybody feels differently Um, why don't we go ahead and just do a roll call vote? Um, and I'll just go across the screen Uh, I'll start with robin Uh, yes Cody Eleanor Yes Leah Yes And christy Yes I mean yes as well. And so that is unanimous seven Look, we also got a more than a quorum. What a great what a great council. Yeah So we have a unanimous vote um to uh to allocate 2,500 for the for the performance at the fall block party with um additional flexibility for Accessibility supports including but not limited to ASL So wonderful y'all thank you very much rachel, please Just a quick question. Do we know the date already of the fall block party? That is an excellent question. I do I meant to ask gabrielle that and I forgot I do not know the date Wait, it might be in the notes. Let me check I'm not sure they've been able to be totally honest. Yeah, she usually sends stuff out And I think she would have announced that I'm a bit mailing but I just wanted to make sure I didn't miss it somewhere. But okay. Thanks No, thank you. That's a that's a very key question um It was last year was september 15th Uh, I see that on the town counter. I don't I I'm gonna go ahead and guess that no announcements have been made yet It's only april so All right. Well, that was that was great y'all and um Just so you guys know that russia shana and young people are in september this year. So I would hope that that's taken into account I'm picking a date Renoted We may or may not have you know much say in Some of those questions. I mean we'll we'll just be sort of tacky on Um So I want to move I want to keep moving because we actually have another fairly heavy duty piece of discussion And this one actually does require um I don't know some discussion. So so elinor Was our was our lead writer in writing a grant for the festivals and projects sort of sub-grant that mcc was putting out um, and They were extremely delayed in in getting out their decisions. I'm not sure I didn't really ask why We we only found out about two and a half weeks ago Um, that we got the full $2,500 grant for the spring block party So, you know, that's yeah, that's right. Let's celebrate our our awesomeness and then But then I created it created some some questions for us So the the first thing that we asked them Obviously was can we just apply this 2,500 to the fall event instead? and The issue came up that this the um, the funds need to be spent by june 30th Now I I didn't ask I'm guessing there's there may be some flexibility For events that go on, you know, if you spend your money by june 30th But the event happens in july or even maybe into august, you know As long as the money's spent. That's the main thing they need to see Um, I didn't I didn't ask how I didn't ask for great detail on that So, um, that was a little bit disheartening that we couldn't do it for the fall block party because I think that was Certainly in the back of my mind last month was that But they do have an amendment process If we can get if we can get the money spent, you know by june 30th They will consider amendments to our original grant, especially Considering, you know, the kind of the good faith nature of what's of what's going on now So the question before us tonight and I do have a couple of of possibilities The question before us tonight is what what what could happen? How could we spend 2,500 on a festival on a project before june 30th? um and so There's two or three things that that have come to mind one that I did a little bit further research on Um, actually julianne was the one who suggested it, but um, So so the things that come to mind uh, first off Is the ancestral bridges um, juneteenth event And so ancestral bridges is a nonprofit run by uh, anika lopes We and we have an uh, we not spoken to anika, but i'm just i'm just telling you that that's a That is a an event a public event that happens the friday before the juneteenth weekend um, and I don't know how she would use the funds, but that's you know That's that's one idea that came to mind The other one which I think is maybe a little bit more In line with our charge as a public body Is the town's actual juneteenth celebration itself um, and so we are I spoke briefly with um Jennifer moinston who is who has coordinated at the past couple of years done a really nice job It's a it's a really fun event um on the common And you know and kind of asked her if you know if if she wanted if she were to go in with us on this What would the what would the 2,500 get that she doesn't have otherwise? Because you know anybody can supplement their budget, but you know, is is there an actual value add And she said that you know, I quote I've always wanted to have A music headliner for this event like a really high quality headliner And it's never been in the budget to be able to do that And she name and I don't have it in front of me, but she named a um A black-owned uh booking company that she's worked with in the past on other events And a couple of the artists that that might be you know candidates within that So she had a pretty quick like within you know eight hours because this all happened yesterday You know within a couple hours. She she had a pretty I thought solid idea about how this fund how these funds could potentially supplement her juneteenth idea I'm sorry her juneteenth event So so there's the ancestral bridges There's the town juneteenth on the common And then the other thing that we that juliana and I kind of thought about talked about is The town through the bid puts on a summer music series or it is a very nice series That involves I actually have the the artists That involves uh, let's see The tentative artists are the umass jazz faculty in all stars Mr. G Don and the parent band Which is a band Morrison tribute band pretty fun and then Naomi nigh And so that runs July Fridays end of july into the middle middle of august So another you know kind of really worthwhile public Festival project type event that the town's putting on Um, it it's running far enough into august that it makes me a little a little wary I I'm pretty sure we could get the funds out by june 30th, but That that's running a little bit longer than than I'm totally comfortable with But anyway, I want to do a little bit of research and bring you a few options This is open for discussion. That's not those are not in any in any way restricted You know, those aren't the only options Those are just a few things that juliana and I thought about in you know, literally a 20 minute conversation yesterday um And one last thing i'm sorry one last thing no guarantees no guarantees that the mcc approves any of this So I just want to put that out there too. Sorry. Sorry. Go ahead. Go ahead robin. Um, so We're sure that the money needs to be Spent by june 30th, but the event doesn't necessarily have to happen By june 30th, that's right. Yep. Okay, so an mcc has to approve of it or it's just given to us and we We have to approve of it. So this is this is the festivals and projects competitive grants that we applied for So this would be an amendment similar to us, you know, it's an amendment request to our grant right, so What would we How would this grant be applied to the summer the town summer series? I mean, we're like adding another After two on different dates and the ancestral bridges um That's actually not a lot of money for a headline act But it's a lot more probably than they can afford so You know if she thinks that can happen. I mean headline acts get like, you know, 30 50 000 dollars. I mean even fokies so So it's our little thing, but it could bring in You know more than someone who they couldn't previously afford To present to us. Um, so does it have to go all to performance or can some of it go to You know a little children's stage or storytelling stage or Things like that or does it have to be the like performance? It's a festival I think we um, you know, we can have a discussion. I mean, this is this is literally An application that we're going to make into the state and you know There may be a back and forth process a little bit in terms of, you know What the most appropriate thing to do is, uh, you know, if we if we came to them and said can we supplement? You know ancestral bridges, you know, they might say Uh, that's not such a great use, but why don't you try like there may be some back and forth? I I couldn't tell you I honestly have no idea. Um, yeah, please Julian Yeah, I'd say, you know At this point we can pat ourselves on the backs for getting the money and you know Unforeseen circumstances is not going to be used as intended. So now kind of our responsibility here is in my opinion to You know do our best to make sure we put together a proposal for the amendment. Um that means that the money will go to the community and amherst for culture and You know, I have some some concerns. I I see you're raising your hand too. I think right. I have some concerns as far as um, there's there's what we would like to do, but I think we've got a real urgent and short term opportunity to make an attempt to have these funds stay with the town and I think that we kind of have to put some of um our personal preferences and desires Aside and really look at this a little bit more strategically than we normally would to really kind of get an amendment that's just clear and simple and And it's easy for them to keep this money here in our community And to support something, you know meaningful and a value to the to the community too Um Yeah You know, I feel a lot of performances have at the drink which Most I believe on take into this world be in out in the open free events So it'd be nice to see a significant name in a place where you don't have to pay Yeah, thank you. Thank you, Cody Um, I appreciate you saying that and the other thing is that this is a true Open public event, you know, as you said, it's a true. I mean it is a true festival So I think to Julianne's point about sort of the cleanness And just, you know, keeping it straightforward and yeah, I mean, you know being strategic with the state too And just sort of giving them a very straightforward thing to say, you know, do you support um Juneteenth celebration on the Amherstown Common? Yeah or nay? I mean, it's not that simple, but but on some level it's it's that simple and it's it's a straight line cultural aspect to it. Um, you know, I think that That might be our our best bet, but again, there's no guarantees. I mean If only we knew somebody who had some some sway with no, just kidding. Just kidding We would never never put you on the spot like that, Mindy They want to support this. I mean, unless there's something really off Go ahead, Mindy. They're going to support it But Mindy, are you muted? Um, I don't think so. Can you hear me? Yes Okay, great. Um, I think actually Yeah, you should absolutely use me And I'll also reach out to Senator Cumberford. This is the kind of thing even without me being in this position is being chair of the committee This is part of what we do is If I mean you've learned at the last minute That a festival that you had planned to use the funds for has been canceled. They were late getting the money That's another piece of it And if you can come up with an alternative way to spend the funds so that they don't have to be reverted I'm all for that. I think you may want to clarify though if they can be used for something that happens after the fiscal year I'm not sure with the festival money. If it's something that has to happen in this fiscal year I just would be concerned about that and I also wouldn't want to I want to also make sure that we got assurances That whatever happens with this funds and an amendment doesn't Sort of put you at a disadvantage potentially for getting a festival grant next year Um, when the spring black party returns Um, I don't think it would but I think I just want to have that conversation with the council and make sure But I won't do anything until you reach out to me. So if you're going to be in conversations with them You can certainly say we've talked to web dom. She's aware of this she's supportive and She's more than happy to give you a call to communicate that support should you need it or in any other way that would be good for them Um, and I can also mention it to them when I see them and in the new position I happen to speak to them much more often than I did before so there'll be an opportunity for me to sort of put a good word in for amorous efforts to Repurpose the funds But I love the idea of using something that's happening So you don't have to organize it basically and then Making sure that the funds get used to sort of extend that experience That's a that's a lovely thing. Lovely part community partnership going on Thanks for letting me speak Thank you and really appreciate that support Mindy and we absolutely will pull you in on the discussions Yeah, and if you need me I don't want to I don't want to write anything off Like if you're like a boy, I wish you'd write a letter of support for it. Let me know and I will If it's a phone call in the conversation, I'll do that if you're not sure I'll call them and figure out what's the best way for me to show support That's awesome. I think elinor was first and then kody Yeah, thank you so much mindy. Um, I I do have to run off and tour that student But I just want to say I really agree. I think this would be a very effective use of our money especially That that person you've been in contact with kind of thinks that this will be a way for them to get a headliner I would just feel really good about our money going towards that. Um, and yeah, I do have to run But I would be happy to help with any Amending or anything that's needed there. So thank you everyone and thank you so much mindy Bye guys. Thank you so much Bye Uh, kody This we do have Well, we might have You first Deadline unless we get We go And just Will stay away from Creating our own bit with Search Yeah, what that's one more advantage to the Juneteenth also is it's it's you know, get that's a couple weeks ahead of June 30th So it's a little bit of head room there as well just in just in case that is an issue so We can start yeah, rachel, please go ahead Oh, thanks. Thanks to all of you for thinking that through and doing the research on that and I think that's a great idea what you're proposing with the Adding to the Juneteenth public event and Also, it does it fits in with a festival Theme right for the for the grant itself because I would be curious to see how the mcc responds to What's considered an amendment versus basically a whole new kind of project, right? So so I'd be Really curious to just to find out what their Respect this reply would be so thank you for keeping us all posted That's all Yeah, no, definitely. I mean, I think it's you know My my my gut tells me just having talked to a few people that is probably our Our best shot and it's no guarantee But I do think that, you know, we will we'll ask rep dom to help us, you know, kind of with the With the messaging we'll make sure that we message the fact that you know, these are events that are outside of our control Right. I mean in terms of the spring block party It was I mean we we got notice of this money In mid-march With the june 30th spending deadline and that's you know, so you really got a glom onto something with you know with with two and a half months I mean You really can't get something up and running in that period of time. So I think we should probably Unless there's further discussion, we should probably take a motion on it Yeah, just just a simple thing matt wishes. I think You already have some of the answers about that Mindy brought up circling back to the fiscal year and whether it could be used After june 30th, and I think that was a pretty clear No With the festival grants. So we really are You know limited as far as I understand it to to support something, you know That that meets that deadline and again as far as being strategic and clean about this Going to feel like we only really maybe have one shot at this. So trying to You know, push those limits might might mean, you know, not being able to retain those funds versus something that's within their their Requirements. Yeah Oh, Mindy has her hand up again Thank you. Thank you. I also think The MCC is very deeply committed to equity and supporting BIPOC artists and creatives And this gives the cultural council through the june 19th events an opportunity to sort of Like demonstrate a shared commitment with the MCC I think it'll be a very easy amendment to go through as a result. I'm not sure if gen or the town were calling it A june team dammers june team festival But if they did that would be a beautiful thing because then In no matter what it is, it's being called Then it's being called what the MCC is looking to fund, right? and we know it will also Meet the activities and the events piece, but they'll They'll sort of be ahead of that curve with that. So I I think great job really really good job in trying to spend money quickly Which is which is surprisingly not always easy to do. Maybe we just add, you know festival headliner Right, exactly festival in our There you go. I love that Um, thank you a motion I'll make a motion Okay Okay, so the motion on the table is to uh work with Jen moinston and pamela nullin nullin young is the dei director Work with work with them to submit an amendment to MCC changing our festivals and projects grant From the spring block party to the juneteenth festival headliner in downtown amherst massachusetts Do we know that anika wants The grease to that. I mean, I don't know why she wouldn't but nevertheless you have spoken to her about it No, so so I'm and I'm sorry. I might have gone through quickly through that. So so anika is running Her nonprofit is running a different Juneteenth event on friday night before that weekend And I I have not spoken to her Honestly, because it's it's been 24 hours since I learned that we could do an amendment and I I just sort of She she her Hers is a very interesting and educational event That has to do with Oh, I'm gonna I'm gonna I'm not gonna do I'm not gonna do it justice, but it's it's a very informational educational event around The lineage of civil war, you know african-american civil war soldiers in amherst To the present day it has to do with the tablets that are in the bank center It's but it is not directly linked to the town's event And you know as as I thought about it and talked to julienne it it seemed to me that Something that the town itself is you know is legitimately the lead agency on Is a more appropriate thing for us to put our energy behind just because we're a town body I think we need a short thing in the in the credibility now that we're asking for an amendment at at this point And this is where I was saying like we tried to split it between two and The other event you're talking about sounds less festival driven, but I'd have to familiarize myself. I think we just have to Act differently here in the interest of of being sure that the the funds benefit the community So I fully support what matt's saying that we we work with the the town specifically In this case You could be Less specific if you weren't sure about the headliner and the music piece and just say to support Arts and cultural activities as part of the town of amherst Teen festivities or something and you could probably work with the mcc to talk about That it has that like give yourself a deadline of when to tell them what it will be applied to specifically But for the purposes of the amendment keep it vague Yeah, well to that to that point I think we'll have at least one more conversation with Jen before we submit it Just to make sure that she's got the numbers right for you know that this money Will in fact allow her to do what she wants to I think I think personally if we if we can Commit to a performing artist a black reporting artist We should but I take the point that you know if we can't we we won't So I think we have a motion on the table from Rachel. Is that right? I'm sorry And then did Cody second it? I saw somebody's hand raised. Yeah All right, so why don't we do a roll call unless there's further discussion and I'll start with Christy Yes Julianne Yes Leah Yes Robin Yes And I am a yes as well So that is Seven We're still at seven Okay We're up to eight before and I missed it. Okay member So that's a unit That's the unanimous vote. We're good. We're good. Um, that's the unanimous vote to move on that Rob, we're good on the count. We're yeah, I know. I'm just looking myself Okay I think that's that's wonderful. I'm excited to to move that forward and You know, we'll we'll have a conversation with with mcc and we'll bring in rep dawn when the When the time feels right and certainly before it's you know before it's finally submitted So I want to pass it over now because there are still a couple more items and it's getting close to seven we have a grants update item and Julianne has just been amazingly organized and managing a lot of this grant process one piece that newer members may or may not so for sort of Standard amendment requests where a grantee has got a grant and they want to change their venue or they want to change their date Um, it used to be that we had to put that up to a vote every time mcc has relaxed that and so now it only takes two of us any two counselors can approve a request to amend a grant But julianne correctly if i'm wrong has at least one maybe two that are sort of More significant amendments that that you wanted to bring to the larger council. Is that is that right? Yeah, there are three grant amendments out there one of them is One that you and I have have agreed is it is a simple change and that is for the Is that hampshire young people's choir right? Mm-hmm They have a change of venue so that they can have an acoustically better performance and We've agreed that it's it's fine. They're actually moving it out of amherst to a venue in south hadley the all saints Episcopal church And and yet it's still a concert that includes, you know the vast majority are Amherst residents they rehearse an amherst and They've also noted that they'll be bringing their spring choir May 7th Wait, I've got it I'm trying to go through this quickly. It's it's a different event. Um, that will be an amherst so We've we've agreed that because this is a better Location for them to perform that will accept their amendment That's one. I just emailed another This one is a bit more involved. I'm not sure if I can share my screen, but I did email it to all of you Let me see if it will let me Is this the one you just sent through I just sent so this one is From wildwood school for a fiscal year 2022 project That was supposed to have been completed, you know by by the end of 2022 The the gist of what's changed is, you know, we only partially funded this event or project I should say and The principal of the school kind of pushed this back on to The the pgo and the community and said that they needed to do fundraising to to bring this to fruition so In general the the project stalled and was not able to be completed It's it's also a little bit complicated as far as how it's being managed. So while the applicant is wildwood elementary school We had the actual named applicant Retired during Trying to have this project come to fruition and a new volunteer came forward Who's a parent volunteering to do this both to do the fundraising and to administer the grant? so It's been you know pretty complicated and I'm you know sensitive to How challenging that is for the school, but at this point They're saying that the the funding has come in and they're ready to do this But they still very much need The $700 direct grant that was provided to them They needed to hold on to that to be able to to bring this to fruition and actually complete the project Given how How late it is, you know and Matt and I just discussed it. We felt that it was only fair to to present this and to officially Bring this to a vote Does anyone have any questions about what I've said so far anything you've read here Are we confident that they will be able to that they will put this production on or Whatever it is that it's going to happen um Because I understand, you know personnel changing and all of that kind of thing. It's just Pretty late. Yeah, I'd say considering That the pgo and the school raised four thousand additional dollars towards this and that they have the money in hand and They can continue to have our funds that They they can do this They're still under the same oversight as any grantee where they have to do the final grant report and and you know, technically We can still recall these funds for them if if they don't complete the amended event As as they've committed to And when is it going To be I'm seeing when it was supposed to Is it going to be We're kind of in the spring already It's going to happen this year the school year or They don't know They don't know because they would need our our money to do this So they would only go forward with it with the money. So they're waiting on on us to be able to go forward Okay, and if they go forward with it, is it going to happen this spring Or are they talking about going into the fall? They're they're talking about doing it during 2023 and honestly going back to their original grant, which I don't have up on screen They actually listed it happening in 2022 and 2023 to begin with so to some extent we should have clarified During the fiscal year 2022 grant cycle That it didn't meet the guidelines of being done by december 31st 2022 So in some sense based on what they were asking for They're more on schedule than um them we're giving them credit for because we had a deadline and we didn't communicate to them that They're 2023 part of that. Uh, couldn't be included So I think it's it's it's all in good faith. It's uh And I like that they make the point too that you know, while the children At wild school benefit It's also one of the playgrounds that you know outside of school hours A lot of the community goes to and and and it's kind of cool to have The outdoor instruments um as as part of this and to to bring a different kind of play and creativity to a playground We liked it What's one of the reasons we like the project? Yeah. Yeah okay so the proposal is To approve the extension of the use of the grant Yes, if somebody would like to to motion for that Okay Go ahead All right, as I said some moves I'll second that Any further discussion? Okay Given that rich julien's dogs are going to be voting. I'll call the roll Yeah, I will seem to agree Uh christy Yes, good cody hi lia Yes Rachel Yes and julien Yes, and i'm going to go plug in my computer before I crash here. All right. Sorry about the dogs um And just to clarify the first grant amendment was at the Hampshire young people's choir. Yes Okay, perfect. Yeah, but we didn't need to vote on that. It was just a simple change Venue And then to to wrap up the whole Grant update. There is one more fiscal year 2022 grant That will be bringing an amendment Should be in may Which is to repurpose Funds for let me look at it And I I I don't have all the details so we really can't discuss it now But it's the african heritage reparations assembly Had an award for $500 in fiscal year 2022 and They were not able to complete their project as they had intended But the work has gone forward and we'll have more details as to what they're requesting next month and The overall grants update then is that um We have received uh either communication about extending grants or final grant reports And documentation at this point We we literally have something for every single fiscal year 2022 grantee There are a couple where i'm still chasing down You know a receipt here or there but As far as the the direct granting has been a huge success and and We've been able to to really do a great job documenting all of that For fiscal year 2023 We have processed the paperwork For the direct grants for all but two grantees At this point and the Amount that is left over for those grantees who have have not accepted their grant awards Comes to four hundred and twenty five dollars out of the Six thousand sixty one thousand nine hundred and eighty three that we awarded so Yeah, and you know so much credit to robin for setting things up and julianne really for Incredibly organized this year. So thank you Thank you both very much Okay, so we are at our final item, which is new business not reasonably anticipated 48 hours in advance And I will go ahead. Oh rachel. Please go ahead Sorry, um, do you want to finish? I just had a quick question especially since mindy's with us today About this item that I thought of um, so do you want to finish what you're saying and then I'll ask my quick question if that's okay Go ahead. No, just go ahead. Okay, so I was reading the um The most recent update that mcc sent out to everyone and among the items was something that was uh, It was a community input survey Samples For lccs to poll the local community you see what they would like to see Can you also hear me? Okay, because you're you're really breaking up. I don't know if you can hear me, okay Yeah, you're breaking up rubber band to see if that's something we're interested in doing too Okay, um, sorry about that, but I personally think that that might be something worth investigating for us um as an lcc and if you all agree then Are there you know strategic ways to to accomplish this because i'm happy to work on it if that's something we like to do So that that's all it would raise Yeah, I appreciate that rachel. I think in past years we have um We have approached that in terms of the public meeting as a as a time to get input from our community um And you know, obviously public comment in our meetings, but I think it's a good idea to be more methodical and systematic and I would recommend, you know, if this is something that And it sounds like you are sort of volunteering and interested in if you want to Gather the materials and maybe you know for our main meeting just come with Come with the proposal for for how you'd like to go about go about it I I never think that I always think more public input is better As as a general rule and particularly capturing, you know, historically disadvantaged, you know, diverse communities I mean, I think that's that is definitely within something something we need to always continue to work on so I guess this isn't This is just an encouragement and and I'm you know my gratitude that you brought it up Uh, I definitely think we can always improve on that in that practice Thank you. And I also um would probably Want to consult Mindy too about ways to distribute such a survey were we to launch one because I think there are ways to Put it in front of more people to get More potential responses. So that's that's the other thing the reason I'm raising it today But I'll definitely look into that and if anyone else wants to work with me on that, please let me know And thank you. If I can just say also, I think the town is currently in um Actively seeking participation in a survey they're doing on solar issues And so the town may also we may want to you may want to consult with the folks in town as to how they Go about doing a survey for a townwide issue Because it seems to me like they have got it down I think this is the second survey that they've done or maybe even more And I'm also happy to help in any way either Contributing ideas or checking with mass cultural to find out how other communities have done it Maybe there are some best practices to learn from around that Yeah, I think just in in addition, you know, Brianna Sunrid in You know in the town manager's office, it would be your your main point of contact for Really figuring that out with the town and actually, you know, we're gonna be working with Jennifer moinston and she has a very good touch In terms of knowing this community very well So she might be a good partner for that as well Rachel So I think I think if you want to just kind of do a little bit of Research on the instrument in terms of what, you know, what survey what what survey you would like to send out And then let's let's let's put on the agenda and let's let's give it some time In may and really, you know, some time and some thought in May Thanks for bringing great. I'll start with the samples that they sent out for from other also great All right, so Julia, I'm gonna I'm gonna recuse myself now and you can pick up where you left off because I think we're at our 48 Not reasonably anticipated Sections Okay, thank you. So Yes, and and thanks so much for George for for coming today and and bringing this to to us We're all and sure very very aware and I'd like to follow up and Make a a motion that The cultural council form, you know, a official what would you call it position about the vote for the school project and the importance to the community and vote to come out In in favor of it or or not and and to make our position Clear to to guide this community does anyone second that Yeah, I second that motion Okay I do have one of the concerns my always concern is Let me I'd like to open it up to your deliberation and and discussion To the council. So robin, did you have something? Yeah, sorry uh, just my usual concern that because I don't Know what the plans are or anything like that with the school that you know, it'd be accessible Much more so than It's going to be new Things built that it'd be accessible and that means more than just a ramp or a wheelchair I would have to guess that the the new school plan is is you know, uh, a level of accessibility that that You know would cost exponentially more to even attempt to do at the present locations, so That that is actually from my perspective a Ringing endorsement for for why the schools needs to go forward for the the the benefit that everybody can participate in in learning in culture Um, I mean if if we actually had to do a run through of the accessibility issues we have for our grantees when hosting events at the at the current locations It's kind of in my opinion embarrassing the a town like amherst would would have the challenges that we have right now So we can do better And perhaps cody and leah who have spent time in all of these schools Can can speak to to this even more so So you're saying you because I have not read plans or anything. You believe this school project will increase accessibility Sorry, cody we lost you you're muted It will be for the It's Um, and don't see it not the especially wild which is How I feel outdated Thank you cody Leah do you have anything to add as you know somebody who's been you know In the schools and and aware of the accessibility needs of you know other students in the community and So I've actually I went to um elementary school Um, my dad works at smith college. So I went to the lab school at smith college. So I never Um, really experienced the amherst elementary school systems But as someone who's been especially at the middle school, there is definitely I've noticed like infrastructure issues with like ceiling leaks and um I mean right now there's a lot of um We're at the high school. We're like severely understaffed. Um, and I think there is a lot of like Connections between there's a lot of moving parts in the school systems that don't work And I think when you look at like a child going from preschool through um senior year and you look at all those Things together. I think it Um, I think those things add up and I think that's like really important to a prior time education Yeah, and as someone who you know, I um My son was uh attended at different times both wildwood and then fort river and I think it's important to remember how conceptual These these buildings were and and you know, they believe they need to be forward thinking and modern, but they're also at this point ancient and um, they It it's been very challenging to take care of students and you know, I understand um over the years, you know with with fort river and um The the problems with the site, you know that there's actually been You know moisture perhaps contributing to mold and terrible conditions. So beyond even Being accessible, you know, you you have buildings that Can compromise the health of the students in them and cause issues and like this is this to me is something that just cannot be So I I think in in good faith. I I have to trust that those that are planning the new buildings You know have the best interest of the of the community In in mind in in a modern and forward thinking way and that this is something that's we all know is long overdue any other Concerns Sorry, I don't know how to raise my hand while I'm driving. Um Can I just ask a broader question which is why Why is this committee? voting on this and how does voting in support or Against the new school relate to what our brief is as the cultural committee Sure, christie. I think we might have touched on that Earlier, but I'll I'll sorry. Sorry. No, no, no, it's fine. I'm happy to uh, I we really didn't get into it actually but from there are several different facets here as far as our charter With the cultural council to promote arts and culture, right? and That can it's it's many different things. So one It's simply a venue thing many of our grantees use these venues. So robin's Comment about making sure it's accessible. It's important for students But it's also important from the point of view that the community who's renting out the new space That it that it meets our guidelines for instance Um It's also just a huge challenge to have spaces to for for grantees. So Uh more space certainly benefits the community but further to that You know, these schools are the incubators of of art and culture for the future of amherst. So the end result is um We take a position And we you know, we'll have to vote to see where we are with this to either, you know Support this um come out against it because we have real concerns that, you know, it's not viable Or um Perhaps have have no comment If folks feel strongly enough To to go on the record one way or the other But as someone I could say that you know I Have had children in amherst schools and the reality is with my youngest being a sophomore by the time any of these schools are reality You know, I I won't directly benefit but I feel so passionate about it having Seen what the community is is dealing with Um and and just really believing that we can do so much better and that it's time to move forward Okay, thanks. Thank you And and with that christie does it does it make sense to you now to that that the council Kind of I mean it would make a lot more and you know, I I'm asking the question not having done any of the work It would if I knew like what percentage of our grantees Use the school like are we talking 10 percent 50 percent? um You know, there's there's so that's an issue like you know, it's it's one thing to sort of say it generally But if there's actually data to say that this is affecting Not just sort of anecdotal but but real numbers. I mean that's one concern I you know, I I've been out out of the country for a look for several months So I'm not as up to date as let's say my husband is who's been following this closely um, you know, I do Have been architecturally I have real concerns because you know, it is always less sustainable To build new than it is to renovate. Um, so I just don't know about that and in terms of You know those issues, I guess I just I I think if we I If I were to vote yes to support this as a member of this committee not as citizen of the Amherst I would really want to know why we think in very You know, and if I assume we would do some kind of a statement not just I don't know Not just oh the cultural council supports this to be able to sort of um Put some teeth into it about why we think it's better um Sure that really relate to what our brief is as a committee That's that's my question and I you know, and I'm totally unable to help with this on any level So I'm just looking to hear more about Yeah, why why people think this is going to be so important Yeah for culture in the arts and Amherst And and to that end because this is not something that was on the agenda But was brought to us by the community Certainly the that preparatory work hasn't occurred. I you know am not Necessarily following this day-to-day. I'm following it myself more from a You know anecdotal qualitative Point of view and from my my personal experience. I I can say that you know, I I Did review documents sometime back about the renovate versus new build here and that to me was was pretty clear, especially when you look at the The environmental site issues with fork river that You know renovating on a on a site that is actually part of the problem That's causing the building to deteriorate is is I don't know what do you want to do put the school up on um on a post And I remember and I remember all that too. I guess what I'm trying what I'm trying to say is that I think And I don't know maybe people feel differently, but I think if we if we come out with a statement About why we're in support of it Then it should be Speaking in our I want would want to speak in my position as a member of the committee not You know so that Because we're on the committee Because we have an interest in the arts and culture. So why is this new school? Better, you know, is it better? I guess I'm just if we draft something I would Be happy to work on that language um I think I have something for that but before I um Well, I want to say that so I don't forget But lea and kodi have their their hands raised and if I had to sum up what what I might suggest we work around with that is that um as the cultural council we are as committed to ensuring um active participation in arts and culture today As we are in the future of arts and culture in this community And that the new schools Support the ability to have a place for arts and culture to happen for all ages As soon as they are online and available for use but in in a deeper sense, uh, they they protect that People have the space to learn about arts and culture right right now You know folks don't necessarily even want to be in these buildings that that they're in um It's a pretty sad a state sadly, you know when when you you go to a parent night as to You know, and I've moved all over so compared to state-of-the-art facilities where Other communities have taken care of making sure that they they have quality Facilities for their students sadly we have not Lea I'm kind of speaking Um, I know that this is kind of like a hot topic issue in Amherst right now So I feel like maybe it might be helpful and I feel like a lot of what I'm like hearing is there's like On both sides of the debate There's like well It's more environmentally sound to keep it because of this and then like it's more environmentally sound to keep it because of this and there's like a lot of back and forth with both Things kind of citing the same things as why one should be which way So I feel like it might be beneficial to instead of voting on it in this meeting maybe taking Time maybe like if someone wants to find um documents written by people like to review kind of The expert opinions of this and then use that in our citations of Why this affects arts and culture or if we think it doesn't so to kind of use and cite this data um And I think that could be helpful for making a point for this is why it is so important to the arts community Is because like we have this but I think it might be helpful to take more time To kind of come to those conclusions because I think there's a lot being thrown around right now And I think this is something that's important to like um Really think about Thank you Um matt you rejoined us I want to stay recused. I just want to make a clarifying comment. Cody was next but just just clarified I'm going to step back out again, but um, george's asked to us was to um make an endorsement non endorsement and and You know, I think drafting a statement as christie said that that's sort of beyond what he was Asking us for he was he was asking for us to just you know, yay or nay endorse and and I think You know that endorsement to christie's point From us would be on cultural grounds, right? So it's not a question of us reviewing the the project and You know balance or a comprehensive Position on the project but just from our from our mandate from our purview of promoting arts and arts and culture You know, do we or do we not want to endorse the project and and really, you know, it would just simply be, you know The cultural council endorses and and our name, you know Our council's name can be added to the list of endorsing bodies for this for this project So I want to I want to back back out. I want to stay recused But I just want to clarify george's ask earlier this meeting and and we really do have a finite time as far as um as You know, the the polls will be open to go in person on may 2nd, but uh those who are I guess early voting, you know, that that's happening even sooner. Uh, yes, kody I mean back to how many people were user facilities That It will give People more Does that need an indoor space More of a This is what is out there. So I Also is that It's true So they do have Performances in their So I want us to also see about that not just in concert on Friday night in the auditorium. Yeah, thank you, Cody. That's at the most basic level, just being sure that there are spaces for the community to perform and the schools serve that purpose. And yet the performance space is available today are substandard with the schools that the community would go into. And this will definitely improve it. And this is a responsibility that we have to our grantees. Yes, Robin. Well, all those arguments can be applied to whether we support a library project or not, I think more appropriately. And I don't think that's something we should be voting on. I mean, yes, it would give more, I mean, us saying we support more venues, more space, appropriate spaces, all of that is one thing. But this is a very, I mean, this issue has been going on for years and years and there are so many factors. And it isn't primarily about venue spaces, it's primarily about having the appropriate environment for kids to learn and teachers to teach in. So I am back to, I don't think it's something we should be voting on or supporting or not supporting. I just don't see that as our venue. I think we need to be more neutral. So would you vote against it though? I would probably abstain, but I wouldn't vote for us endorsing it because I just don't think that's our role. And I think it's way too complicated issues. I don't even know that I'm voting because I don't have kids. I mean, we all have skin in the game because it's our community and kids being well-educated affects all of us, but I don't have the kind of skin in the game that people who have kids or work in those schools have. And it's so complicated. I'm not sure I feel like I could really make a good vote on it, make a real decision. It's interesting, Robin, that of all of the council members you're potentially voting out of the five of us. In a sense, none of us have skin in the game at all. Leia is graduating, Cody's in college, my kids won't benefit from it. Christie's not yet, but I think that from that perspective, it means that it's cleaner. There isn't any conflict of interest. So our position here and the intent and the net benefit that it brings to the community and to the future of this community is unquestionable from my perspective with that. Oh, I agree, I just don't know that that's really the purview of what this council should be doing. I mean, I'm not sure. I mean, it's just presented it. Have we ever endorsed or been against endorsing anything else that's so political that comes to a vote? Because it's a really, it may not be as divisive as the library project, but it's still a pretty divisive thing. Do you have a record of who seconded the vote? Sorry, you're muted. Yes, I think I seconded the vote. Okay, all right. I would say that we, like many groups could talk about this all night, but we brought the motion forward and we should give it an up or down vote and bring it to a conclusion this evening with that. Yeah, but I think the motion was to form a stance on it, but I don't think we said, I think do we have to vote whether we should form a stance and then we need to vote whether we shouldn't form us and then we should vote or we vote whether we should form a stance and then we vote what the stance would be. No, I can't, we have to run it back after we get the recording, but certainly my intent was to vote on taking a vote from the council members to determine whether by vote we are in favor or not. Not the form of stance. What Matt joined a moment ago to say that the intent here is just to, as a council overall, do we support this? Is it an up or down? And then what do we do with that support? Just- It's a matter of public part at that point. There isn't necessarily anything that we have to do with it. We met, there's a transcript, in the meeting minutes, and that would be the end of it. I mean, it is to Robin's point about like, if we do choose to have a stance on it, I guess there is kind of the question of like, where do we draw the line between things? And I guess I just don't know enough about kind of what that would mean going forward. So Lea, as the person who seconded this, are you withdrawing your support and you no longer second it? Yeah. But- I'm discussing it, I think. I think she's seconded discussing it, not necessarily. I mean, you can- Now come to the discussion. Kind of remove your support from it. Wait a minute, Julianne, I don't, I thought that we were having a discussion. That's what Lea seconded. We have, we're having a discussion. And then either we're going to vote, that's one option, or we can vote to support or not support. I mean, I don't know which way, you know, you were running the meeting, so I don't know which way you wanted to go. I mean, I think it's good to discuss it, but I think there's real questions about whether we should now even be voting on this. Okay, well, yeah, Matt, you've returned. My intent was just to have folks vote in favor or not, after discussion. Yes, Matt. Yeah, again, I'm not trying to weigh in on the actual deliberation, but just to clarify, the motion was to endorse the project. And, you know, and anybody can make a motion like that at any time, particularly when, you know, somebody comes in and asks for it. So I, you know, but that's why it's sometimes it's good to make a motion, second it, and then have a discussion about it, you know, because it frames the, what are we actually doing here? You know, what we're doing here is deciding whether or not we want to endorse this project. That's, you know, so I just want to make that procedural point and then I will step back out. Yeah, because I was trying to say, I feel like personally this is something that I endorse. Like I want to support this like as a town member, but I guess other people are raising questions about whether it is appropriate for the council to make endorsements. And I guess I just like, I feel like I just don't know enough about like the history of making endorsements before and kind of what that means. Like do we, because I do think there is a lot at stake with when there are school systems with problems. I think the arts programs are some of the first things to go. I know I gave, I supported a movement. I think it was like about, it's something about budget cuts. And it's like when things are being taught and when money's being lost, a lot of arts and culture is taken from schools. So I think there is that aspect to it. And I think there also the venue aspect is really important. But I think it's a matter really of kind of voting, I don't want to say voting your conscious, but voting, voting your intent as you see it as to whether it benefits the community or not and keeping in mind our commitment here to ensure that arts and culture is something that is strong within the community. And for myself, I don't see any ways in which this takes away from arts and culture at all. I see so many benefits, but. Julie, I'm sorry, can I just, I am totally voting for the new school as a citizen. There is no question in my mind. I do not feel as, nobody has made the case tonight that is saying to me that I think that as a member of this committee, this is what we should be weighing in on. I mean, yeah, you'll be great to have more venues for the arts, but that doesn't necessarily mean that as a member of the committee, I would vote for the school. It has nothing to do with what I, I mean, I just want to push back a little bit when you say vote your conscience. Because I'm totally voting my conscience as a citizen. But I just think there are real dangers when the arts committee, unless somebody can show me and nobody's done this yet tonight, and I didn't bring this to the committee, nobody's shown me why, well, I mean, why we should be getting into a political stray that does not seem directly and immediately relatable to our brief as members of the committee. That's why I'm pushing back. And I just think it's in a town like Amherst, it's so important to have these lines drawn clearly as to what hat we're wearing at each moment. So that's my point. Sorry, I'll stop now. I guess you and I will just see it differently where I see it as being key to current arts and culture opportunities as well as contributing to a position for them in the future. But I certainly appreciate your perspectives. And, but we have brought this as a motion and we now have to finish this. So, I'm not withdrawing the motion, but Leia, if you withdraw having seconded it, then there's no one else who would second it, then that would, or do we simply take the vote and let it be a record? And those, you know, you don't have to vote against, but anyone could abstain as well. So, Leia, I think the question is to you as to whether or not you're seconding. And thank you, because I feel like this is just, it's a hard question. I feel like I don't have a lot of the like information to make a really, really informed decision right now, but I think going with what I feel and kind of some of the work I've done, I think I'm going to keep seconding the motion and then I'll kind of just let the vote play out. Thank you, Leia. I appreciate that. Okay. So if there's no further discussion, I'll take the roll call for the vote. Cody. Um, yeah, I don't feel like the call out, or I think it's a wild one. For my memory, we got constant more issues and for living, you know, by thousands of it, it's going under. So it's really a safe T-R-S-O-S-A-T for the performance that they bring in whatever is right in the space or bringing in for what it's ever is. So I don't feel like I'm just being, but I don't see a permanent call. I see it as a public safety issue that's only being addressed. Thank you. So, and are you voting in favor or you're muted? Yeah, I'm voting in favor. Thank you so much, Cody. Robin. I'm abstaining. Okay. Christy. Abstain. Thank you. Okay, so the motion passes on the majority. I think it's two abstaining. Thank you. All good points and I think it really, you know, insightful conversation. It will shape our thoughts going into the upcoming grant cycle. Yes. Thank you. Now that the vote's taken, I just wanted to say something. I wanted to jump in, but I didn't want to muddy the water a little bit. But Christy's question, I think is really vital one around, you know, what is the, what is the purpose of the grant cycle? I can't always ask what's the purview of any given position. You know, and I agree. That's, those are important debates, but I think the earlier question you asked about data. You know, not a year. I mean, this is my third grant cycle. And every year we've had at least two, typically three or four grantees that come out of the schools in some form or fashion. So I do think, you know, the public school system is a cultural institution. It would be helpful to do it a tally, but I can just say informally, just based on experience, you know, it's never fewer than two grantees that have some connection to the public schools. And I think that's, that's probably the data point that I would lean on the most. And then, and then there's also the opportunity for an outside artist or institution to come in and perform in the schools, which is maybe the bigger benefit here. But anyway, it's 745. I want to really thank you all for taking the time with that. Obviously, you know that I'm, I'm invested in it and, and it's an important topic for me. And I, I hope I, I hope I recused myself well, but, but I, but I really appreciate the thought and this has been a fabulous meeting. Mindy, you know, signed off with huge praise because this is a really great group. And I just, we're lucky to be together. So. Yeah. And I want to say how thankful I am that we, we do have Cody and Leia in particular, who for many, many grants bring, bring your perspective of having been in these, these spaces and with this community and with these grantees and have been, you know, first hand as far as these, these kinds of cultural events and didn't have your insights. And I think, thank you so much for sharing those with us. Excellent. So I guess with, with that, I think there's, there's no further business and we can conclude. Thank you all so much. We'll, we'll be. Next month. Thank you. Take care. And thanks for, to our guests for coming. Good night. Good night. Thank you. Take care. And then thanks for to our guests for coming. Good night.