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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCULTURAL RESOURCES BOARD - MINUTES - 07/24/2025 Cultural Resources Board REGULAR MEETING Thursday, Ju ly 24, 2025 – 5:30 PM Center for Creativity, White Pine Room CALL TO ORDER: 5:30 PM ROLL CALL • Board Members Present –Sheri Emerick (Chair), Cori Hixon, Jessica MacMillan, Eleanor VanDeusen • Board Members Remote – • Board Members Absent – Conner Horak-Flood (Vice-Chair), Leslie Walker • Staff Members Present – Solara Clark, Eileen May, Elizabeth Messerli • Guest(s) – Katy Schneider AGENDA REVIEW • The Visit Fort Collins update will be added to New Business. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION APPROVAL OF MINUTES • Approval of June 2025 minutes. Jessica MacMillan made a motion to accept the minutes. Cori Hixon seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. UNFINISHED BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS • Visit Fort Collins Update – Katy Schneider, Director of Marketing  Katy Schneider reported that lodging tax remains flat despite economic conditions. May and June were down, but July is expected to be strong. Business travel declined due to federal changes, but leisure and youth sports remain strong.  A staff position in Visit Fort Collins for sports tourism has shown immediate ROI.  Focus is shifting to fall and winter events, with an emphasis on creative support and marketing for winter events. • CityGive Overview – Elizabeth Messerli  Elizabeth Messerli gave a presentation about City Give, its staff, and its mission to centralize and professionalize the City's philanthropic activities.  Elizabeth Messerli answered questions from the Board. • Arts and Culture Board – Q&A  Eileen May gave a brief overview of the new Arts and Culture Board starting in April 2026 to the Board. She then answered any questions the Board had including scoring responsibilities shifting to a community panel (pending approval), Board recruitment, Board responsibilities and structure. DIRECTOR’S REPORT • Eileen May updated the Board on department operations:  The Lincoln Center single ticket sales start August 13, 2025. There will be a new series of Cabaret on the main stage in the Performance Hall.  There is intention to put out a Request for Proposal (RFP) soon to hire a contracted program manager to handle agent relationships and booking for The Lincoln Center and Gardens on Spring Creek shows.  The City faces a 5% budget cut for 2025 and a 6% cut for 2026, affecting only the general fund (about 30% of the budget). Team is developing an earned revenue strategy to maximize venue return on investment (ROI).  The Sound in the City survey has about 1,000 -2,000 responses received so far. There is anticipated feedback related to CSU stadium noise. ▪ There was brief discussion on CSU's exemption from city noise policies.  Positive developments in a collaboration meeting/group among city arts and culture nonprofits, with plans to include more stakeholders in future meetings  The Gardens on Spring Creek Summer Concert Series shows are selling well. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS • Eleanor VanDeusen attended the Fort Collins Children’s Theatre’s summer workshop. • Jessica MacMillan attended a performance at the Gardens on Spring Creek. • Sheri Emerick went to an event put on by KRFC at the Magic Rat. OTHER BUSINESS ADJOURNMENT: • Jessica MacMillan made a motion to adjourn at 6:36 PM. Sheri Emerick seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Solara Clark Lead Specialist Minutes approved by the Chair and a vote of the Board/Commission on 09/25/2025.