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COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATION/INFORMATION SYSTEMS
April 21, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Chairman Fajardo called the meeting to order.
The Clerk called the roll.
Present: Aldermen Fajardo, Kantor, Bonilla, Kaw-uh, Sapienza
Messrs: J. Nazaka
- Communication from Jodie Nazaka, Economic Development Director, requesting approval of the Arts Commission's bylaws.
On motion of Alderman Bonilla, duly seconded by Alderman Kaw-uh, it was voted to approve the bylaws as presented.
- Communication from the Economic Development Director requesting the Arts Commission be authorized to utilize up to $500 from the Arts Fund without Board approval.
Alderman Bonilla moved that the Ordinance Amendment ought to pass and be referred to the Committee on Bills on Second Reading for technical review. Alderman Kaw-uh duly seconded the motion.
Alderman Kantor: Is that $500 per event or per project?
Jodie Nazaka, Economic Development Director: It would be per request. So, for example, back in December or November Mosaic Art Collective came to the board asking for gap funding to do a second round of the window paintings. So, say they came to the Arts Commission and asked for funding for the first round. They couldn't come back and ask for a second $500 to fund that. So, it's one-time funds for one project. And the request was for $500. I believe the ordinance change came before the Board of Mayor and Alderman, Matt and Mike might know more, I think it was 2024. So, it was before the Economic Development Office was involved. And at the time, I think they were requesting a little bit more. And then the board suggested $250 so they weren't looking to push it too much, but $500 seemed like a reasonable amount to get an art project up and off the ground, provide a little bit of gap funding for them.
Chairman Fajardo: I had a question along those lines. You're saying $500 seems reasonable. I was wondering if $1,000 would be more reasonable because I know when groups like this are trying to get projects, often there's timelines, deadlines, all that stuff. And when you come into this, as soon as you enter into this realm, you're looking at best, four weeks typically. I didn't know if that would be something that would be helpful, more practical, and if that's something that this committee would consider.
J. Nazaka: Yes, I'm sure. Alderman Bonilla is on the board. He's the aldermanic rep on the board. So, I don't want to speak for the commission, but I'm sure they would be very appreciative to have that be increased to $1,000. They like the partnership with the aldermen. So, they didn't want to request too much, but I think $1,000, they would absolutely appreciate that.
Alderman Bonilla: Let's go with $1,000. I also do want to reiterate to the committee that the Arts Commission does vet every project as well. So, there are checks and balances there with the artwork, the project. So again, this is the Arts Commission's funds. So, it's not like we're going to be giving out $1,000 to everybody or it's going to be $1,000 every time. It could be $150. So, I'm more than happy to accept that request raising it up to $1,000.
Chairman Fajardo: I would say, I'll just add that I feel like since it's come under your office, there's more of a thoughtful tie in to economic efforts and things that the rest of us are already very supportive of through your office. So, it just feels like an opportunity to create a little more autonomy for you, for them, through your office.
J. Nazaka: And they're going to be looking at adding in a bigger grant program where artists and organizations can request funds up to $10,000 to $15,000. But that will go through a vetting process, as Alderman Bonilla said. And that will, once they kind of narrow that down to a group of projects that they feel is worthy of coming to the aldermen, that will then come to the aldermen for review.
Alderman Kaw-uh: Could you just briefly summarize the source of these Art Commission funds?
J. Nazaka: There is an art fund that's existed in the city. I'm not sure exactly when it was created. I think there were some funds that were held over in that account for quite some time. But then a few years ago former Mayor Joyce Craig had some money that was either American Rescue Plan funds or it was funds that were returned to the city for rooms and meals.
M. Normand: I think former Alderman Long in his budget proposal added $100,000 to that art fund. That could have been ARPA related funds.
J. Nazaka: Yes, so it was in general city funds. It either came from American Rescue Plan funds or state rooms and meals tax, and it was money that was put into this special art fund account for art related projects. The Art Commission hasn't really been functioning for the last year, so they haven't really used much of it.
M. Normand: The fund goes back to the early 1990s. They used to do significant fund raising to backstop that.
Alderman Kaw-uh: I just wanted to confirm it wasn't impacting the general fund in any way. I would second Bonilla's amended motion if you wanted to make that motion regarding $1,000.
Alderman Bonilla amended his motion to reflect that the Arts Commission be authorized to utilize up to $1,000 from the Arts Fund without Board approval. Alderman Kaw-uh duly seconded the motion. Chairman Fajardo called for a vote. The motion carried unanimously.
There being no further business, on motion of Alderman Kantor, duly seconded by Alderman Bonilla, it was voted to adjourn.
A True Record. Attest.
Clerk of Committee
Meeting Start Time: 6:15PM
Meeting End Time: 6:22PM
Minutes Prepared By: Michael Intranuovo