MINUTES FOR THE ASHLAND CITIZENS BUDGET COMMITTEE
ECONOMIC, CULTURAL, TOURISM, AND SUSTAINABILITY GRANTS SUBCOMMITTEE
Thursday, April 13, 2017
Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street

                                                                                                                                            
1. Call to Order
 David Runkel called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 
 
2. Attendance
Sub-Committee members John Stromberg, Garrett Furuichi, Rich Rosenthal, Dennis Slattery, Traci Darrow, and David Runkel were present. Sub-Committee member Shaun Moran was absent. Staff member Adam Hanks was present.
 
3. Staff Report
Hanks informed the group that each member has been handed a hard copy of the combined spreadsheet of all their individual allocations. As part of the spreadsheet there is an averaging of all the allocations, which the group can use as a starting point for final allocations, if they so choose. He reminded the group that at the last meeting Rosenthal suggested that they go applicant by applicant and find consensus. Hanks will track changes to the allocations live. He reminded the group of the final total goal and the need to meet the minimum amount of tourism allocation as laid out in Resolution 2017-03.
 
Group agreed to work through line by line on the allocations.
 
4. Public Forum
None
 
5. Allocations
1.   Rogue Valley Symphony Association.
Group tentatively agreed to allocate $5400 non-tourism and $1707 tourism for $7107 total.

2.   ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum
Rosenthal stated that the amount of the average is about what they received in years past. Stromberg stated that it’s $5000 less than last year. Group discussed whether this reduction is appropriate, given they are a major driver of tourism. Group agreed to come back to this applicant after the others have been allocated, to potentially make an adjustment. For now, they tentatively agree to $7558 non-tourism and $17,601 tourism, for a total of $25,159.

3.   Southern Oregon Bookkeepers Association
Group agreed that as the minimum award is $5000, but the group average allocation came in well below this total, they will not allocate anything this year.

4.   The Green Bag Solution / Neighborhood Food Project
Group tentatively agreed to $6000, all in non-tourism.

5.   THRIVE
Group tentatively agreed to allocate $13,600, all in non-tourism.

6.   Ashland Gallery Association
Group tentatively agreed to allocate $8533 in non-tourism and $5300 in tourism, for a total of $13,833.

7.   Rogue Valley Farm to School
The initial allocation was $7400 in non-tourism and $3400 in tourism, for a total of $10,800.
 
Rosenthal mentioned that he thought it was courageous of them to mention that they actually reduced their request this year, as usually the strategy is to ask for way more in hopes that you actually get what you really need. He thinks this honesty is reflected in the allocations being a very high percentage of what they requested. Group agreed to return to this allocation at the end for reconsideration.

8.   Southern Oregon Film Society
The initial group allocation was $9800 in non-tourism and $10,000 in tourism, for a total of $19,800.
 
Stromberg stated that last year they received $26,000, so this amount feels low. Group agreed to come back to this one for reconsideration.

9.   Mt. Ashland Association
Group tentatively agreed to allocate $3800 in non-tourism and $7800 in tourism, for a total of $11,600.
 
10. Ashland New Plays Festival
Group tentatively agreed to allocate $4530 in non-tourism and $1500 in tourism, for a total of $6030.

11. Southern Oregon Repertory Singers
Group tentatively agreed to allocate $5000, all in non-tourism.

12. Chamber Music Concerts
Group tentatively agreed to allocate $5000, all in non-tourism.

13. Lomakatsi Restoration Project
Rosenthal noted that the average allocation of $18,000 is about $3000 over last year’s allocation. Stromberg stated that he is okay with it as the project is such a winner that when they are talking to other groups about funding for AFR, the Lomakatsi work is helpful for getting support and funding. Group tentatively agreed to allocate $18,000, all in non-tourism.

14. Friends of the Schneider Museum of Art
Group tentatively agreed to allocate $5300 in non-tourism and $3600 in tourism, for a total of $8900.

15. Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon
The initial average allocation was $6200. Slattery made a request to round it up to $7000 and stated that they fill a niche that’s needed in the community. Group tentatively agreed to allocate $7000, all in non-tourism.
 
16. Rogue World Music
Group tentatively agreed to allocate $5000, all in non-tourism.

17. Southern Oregon Film and Media (SOFaM)
Group tentatively agreed to allocate $9000 in non-tourism and $4200 in tourism, for a total of $13,200.

18. Dancing People Company
Group tentatively agreed to allocate $3000 in non-tourism and $2000 in tourism, for a total of $5000.

19. Modern Roots Foundation
Group tentatively agreed to allocate $4800 in non-tourism and $1100 in tourism, for a total of $5900.

20. Ashland Bed and Breakfast Network
The initial allocation was $1200 in non-tourism, $10,900 in tourism, for a total of $12,900. Rosenthal requested that Furuichi explain how he determined his allocation, as it varied so greatly from the rest. Furuichi explained his process. Rosenthal suggested that the group allocate $10,000 as it’s more in line with previous allocations.
 
Furuichi stated his frustration with information received from staff regarding the history of the allocations by category. Staff apologized for misunderstanding his request and stated they don’t think the level of detail he is requesting has been saved for previous years, but staff they will make a note for future processes. Slattery stated that he would like a post-mortem on the process to make improvements for next year. He additionally clarified the difference between the Chamber of Commerce and the Visitors and Convention Bureau (VCB) and how the Ashland Bed and Breakfast Network are connected to the VCB.
 
Group tentatively agreed to allocate $10,000, all in tourism.

21. Ashland Culture of Peace Commission
Group discussed the challenge of new groups not necessarily understanding the process or what an appropriate request might be. They appreciated the on-the-ground work the group has been doing and hope that the funding they choose to give may help them leverage funding from other sources. Group raised concerns on how they might report success on a strategic plan versus a specific event which could have specific metrics. Most of the group agreed that the Peace Commission apply next year for event funding, as it will occur after the next funding cycle.
 
Group tentatively agreed to allocate $5000, all in tourism. Group discussed whether they need to require that the Commission bring back information regarding what they will do with this amount considerably lower than the initial request.
 
22. Rogue Valley Peace Choir
Group tentatively agreed to allocate $2000 in non-tourism and $3000 in tourism, for a total of $5000.

23. Lotus Rising Project
Group tentatively agreed to allocate $5000 in non-tourism and $1600 in tourism, for a total of $6600.

24. Geos Institute
Rosenthal stated that he is concerned that this request is premature but thinks there could be a good opportunity to partner with Geos next year.
 
Group tentatively agreed to no funding this year.

25. Jefferson State Choral Coalition
The initial allocation was $3000. Group discussed whether it was appropriate to fund an event which is occurring on July 4^th, which already has a high level of tourism. Group agreed that they have other events in the year which could use the funding.
 
26. Post Growth Institute
Slattery stated that he thinks the work they intended to do with not-for profits is a suitable idea to fund.
 
Group tentatively agreed to allocate $5000 in non-tourism.

27. Brava! Opera Theater
Group tentatively agreed to allocate $3700 in non-tourism and $1300 in tourism, for a total of $6600.
 
Group discussed how close they are in the needed allocations.
 
Group agreed to increase the Rogue Valley Farm to School allocation to a total of $12,000.
 
Furuichi requested that they allocate the minimum of $5000 to Jefferson State Choral Coalition. Group agreed to this request.
 
Group discussed whether they want to increase funding for the Southern Oregon Film Society, THRIVE, or ScienceWorks. Group discussed whether they needed to remove the tentative funding from The Peace Commission in order to make a significant difference in these three organizations.
 
Group discussed whether they need to give the film festival more funding as they are a significant tourist driver in the city. Furuichi stated that he feels the opposite, that he thinks they should be an example of a group no longer needing significant funding because of their success.
 
Rosenthal/Slattery m/s to allocate remaining balance of $4385 to the Southern Oregon Film Society. Discussion: none. Voice Vote. All Ayes. Motion Passes.
 
Runkel stated this shows how challenging this process is and how appreciative they are of all the applicants and the work they do.
 
Darrow/Rosenthal m/s recommend the final allocation to the Budget Committee. Roll call vote: Ayes: four, Nays: zero Motion Passes.

6. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 7:07 p.m.
 
Respectfully submitted,                               
Diana Shiplet
Administrative Analyst