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Agenda
City Council
Economic Development Committee
Monday, January 27, 2020
4:00 pm
Emma Harvat Hall
City Hall
1.Call to Order
2.Organization of Committee
3. Consider approval of minutes from the October 28, 2019 Economic Development
Committee meeting
4. Consider affirmation of FY21 budgeted amount and intent to budget FY22 and
FY23 financial assistance for Riverside Theatre
5.Staff report
6.Committee time
7. Other business
8. Adjournment
EDC 1.27.2020 packet page 1
EDC October 28, 2019 1 PRELIMINARY
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 28, 2019
EMMA HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL, 4:00 P.M.
Members Present: Rockne Cole, Susan Mims, Jim Throgmorton
Staff Present:Wendy Ford, Simon Andrew, Ashley Monroe, Eleanor Dilkes
Others Present: Curt Nelson (EDC Inc.); Andrew Sherburne (Film Scene)
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
Cole moved to recommend funding for FY21 for $25,000 in assistance for Entrepreneurial
Development Center, Inc. in Cedar Rapids. Throgmorton seconded the motion.
The motion carried 3-0.
Cole moved to recommend funding for FY21 financial assistance for Film Scene and the
new Refocus Film Festival. Throgmorton seconded the motion.
The motion carried 3-0.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 4:01 P.M. Chairperson Mims then asked those present to
introduce themselves.
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE AUGUST 28, 2019 ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING:
Throgmorton moved to approve the minutes from the August 28, 2019 meeting as
presented. Cole seconded the motion.
The motion carried 3-0.
Update and consider request for funding for FY21 for $25,000 in assistance for
Entrepreneurial Development Center, Inc. in Cedar Rapids:
Ford introduced Curt Nelson, President and CEO of the EDC, Inc. in Cedar Rapids. She noted
that for the past six years he has been coming to the City with a request for assistance. Ford
explained EDC, Inc. helps businesses in various stages, from start-up to established reach the
next level in their businesses. Ford noted that Iowa City supports the entrepreneurial community
in several ways – assisting the Iowa City Area Development Group with the Co-Lab initially and
continuing with MERGE. She added that in working with EDC Inc., they can help to build those
much-needed connections to resources for success.
Curt Nelson provided some history of EDC Inc., noting that they just completed their 16th year of
service. He stated that they work across the state with businesses, but that their focus is on the
'creative corridor.' Continuing, Nelson described EDC’s reach and the number of businesses for
whom they have been able to provide support over the past 16 years. EDC Inc.'s primary focus,
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EDC October 28, 2019 2 PRELIMINARY
is on interstate commerce and high impact scalable businesses. He shared with Members
stories of some of the businesses that they have been able to provide support to over the years.
Mims then spoke to Nelson regarding EDC Inc.'s expertise and how they have been able to help
businesses achieve success. She stated that she believes this to be a good investment for the
City. Throgmorton spoke to the City's recently passed climate crisis resolution and how there is a
need for entrepreneurs to create ways to reduce carbon emissions. He stated that his appeal to
EDC Inc. would be to help entrepreneurs accomplish this, which in turn would help cities reduce
overall carbon emissions. Cole spoke to the many entrepreneurs in Iowa City within the
Sudanese community. He asked how people can connect with and find out about EDC Inc.'s
services, noting that under-served populations should be a target. Throgmorton added that the
Congolese population may also benefit from EDC’s services. Nelson responded, stating that
they no longer spend money on outreach because they remain at capacity by referrals. He
stated that entrepreneurs come to them through many channels, adding that they would be glad
to come to any planned meetings with these communities, to talk about their services.
Cole moved to recommend funding for FY21 for $25,000 in assistance for Entrepreneurial
Development Center, Inc. in Cedar Rapids. Throgmorton seconded the motion.
The motion carried 3-0.
Annual report and consider request for FY21 financial assistance for Film Scene and new
Refocus Film Festival:
Ford gave some background information to Members, noting that Film Scene has just expanded
operations with the opening of their new location in the Chauncey. They have doubled the
number of employees with the addition of staff for the new location at The Chauncey. Their
request for $25,000 is the same as last year and includes a request to increase the amount over
the coming two fiscal years.
A second part of the request includes $7,000 for a new film festival called the Refocus Film
Festival. The inaugural year would be next September, with a planned $80,000 budget. The
$7,000 request also comes with a request for an increase in the coming two fiscal years.
Ford noted that staff is recommending the requested amounts of $25,000 and $7,000, however,
cannot recommend including the intent to budget increases over the coming two fiscal years, due
to nature of everything being so new. Rather, staff recommends revisiting the request for an
increase in funding next year with more financial information on the first year of operations at the
Chauncey and after the inaugural year of the Refocus Film Festival.
Ford then introduced Andrew Sherburne of Film Scene. He addressed Members, stating that it
has been a busy year for them. Looking back over the past five years, he noted a steady growth
of the organization, in terms of both size of their operation and their economic impact. They
currently have four screens between two locations, with a fifth screen opening soon. Sherburne
then spoke to their financial status over those five years, noting that last year they were able to
start an operating reserve. He stated that their current operating budget is around $900,000.
This will almost double next year with the Chauncey location opening. He added that Film Scene
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EDC October 28, 2019 3 PRELIMINARY
has about a $1.3 million impact on the local economy, beyond Film Scene itself. This impact is
also expected to grow substantially, with expectations coming in around $2.3 million. Continuing,
Sherburne spoke to some of the partnerships they hope to gain this coming year as they expand
their programming. One would be with the Summer of the Arts, in their movie series at the
Chauncey Swan Park. He gave several other examples of outreach that Film Scene does within
the community.
Sherburne then talked about the new Refocus Film Festival, noting that this is something they
have been discussing for a number of years. He stated that they want to capitalize on what they
believe Iowa City is best known for – Literature and looking at how the written word translates to
the big screen. This festival is planned for September of next year, with a budget expected
around $80,000 for the first year. They hope to grow this fairly quickly over the ensuing years.
Mims stated that she thinks Film Scene's growth is phenomenal for such a short period of time.
She added that this is a testament to the leadership of the organization and the people who work
at Film Scene. She stated that she is more than pleased to continue the support for Film Scene.
Cole spoke to whether there has been a multiplier analysis done in terms of every public dollar
that goes in, what type of return is there. He also asked about goals in terms of outreach to
certain areas of the community that may have problems getting downtown. Sherburne stated
that they do plan to expand their outreach in the next year, but added that their new location
does sit on a bus line, making accessibility much easier. He also spoke to some of the
organizations they have reached out to, such as the Center for Worker Justice, the United Action
for Youth, the Dream Center, and many other organizations within the community. Cole stated
that he is also supportive of the request.
Throgmorton agreed with Cole's comments, adding that to the extent they can, he does not want
to see Film Scene get the reputation of being an 'elite institution,' to which people from various
under-served communities don't feel welcome or can't figure out how to access Film Scene's
programming. He said he feels the Greatest Small City for the Arts campaign is more a
campaign for the Englert and Film Scene than a campaign for all of the arts in the community.
He believes they need to provide equivalent assistance for the diverse arts-related organization
in Iowa City, so that all arts can thrive. Sherburne spoke to Throgmorton's concerns, noting that
this has been going for about three years now, being about six months into the 'public phase.'
He stated that a goal for the campaign is for it to be aspirational, leading to increased
collaboration and cooperation among the arts organizations. Members continued to discuss the
importance of arts in Iowa City.
Cole moved to recommend funding for FY21 financial assistance for Film Scene and the
new Refocus Film Festival. Throgmorton seconded the motion.
The motion carried 3-0.
STAFF REPORT:
Ford stated that she had hoped to have the financials for the Tail Winds project, but they are still
waiting.
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EDC October 28, 2019 4 PRELIMINARY
COMMITTEE TIME:
None.
OTHER BUSINESS:
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
Cole moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:58 P.M. Throgmorton seconded the motion.
Motion carried 3-0.
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EDC October 28, 2019 5 PRELIMINARY
Council Economic Development Committee
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2017 - 2019
NAME
TERM
EXP.
0
7
/
2
1
/
1
7
0
9
/
1
5
/
1
7
1
0
/
1
0
9
1
7
1
1
/
2
7
/
1
7
1
0
/
2
0
/
1
8
0
1
/
1
8
/
1
9
0
6
/
0
3
/
1
9
0
8
/
2
8
/
1
9
1
0
/
2
8
/
1
9
Rockne Cole 01/02/20 X X X X X X X X X
Susan Mims 01/02/20 X X X X X X X X X
Jim Throgmorton 01/02/20 X X X X X X X X X
Key:
X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
EDC 1.27.2020 packet page 6
Date: January 17, 2020
To: Economic Development Committee
From: Wendy Ford, Economic Development Coordinator
Re: Riverside Theater, Annual report and request for continued funding
Introduction
Riverside Theatre (RT) has been a cultural staple of the Northside Marketplace and Neighborhood
for almost 40 years – and of the Festival Stage in Lower City Park since 2000. Last year, the EDC
recommended continued funding of $20,000 for FY20 with an intent to fund the same amount in
FY 21 and 22.
This year staff is recommending affirming the funding amount for FY21 with an intent to budget
the same in FY22 and 23. While the intent to fund for future years is not binding, memorializing
the intent has been helpful for the organization and for staff in budget preparation.
History/Background
For almost 40 years, RT has offered year-round programming at its Gilbert Street location and a
run of Shakespeare in the Park on the Festival Stage in Lower City Park since 2000. For the last
three years, Riverside has made the outdoor Shakespeare in the Park available for free to the
entire community to draw new and larger audiences to the theater.
The City has an established history of helping ensure this cultural asset remains strong. One of
the many public benefits of RT is that it will continue to offer Free Shakespeare at the Riverside
Festival Stage in City Park. This festive outdoor event helps build theater audiences and
awareness of the theater’s now full year of indoor productions. The public benefit of offering free
theater on a public stage in lower City Park is substantial and doubles as a strategy to benefit
RT’s financial stability by exposing more people to the theater.
The theater employs more than 100 mostly local artists and maintains a focus on gender parity
and racial equity in its casts. They are good Northside Neighbors, having enhanced their building
façade this year with a new mural and having taken part in the ICDD Co-Sign program to
commission a new vertical sign for the entrance.
History of City funding for Riverside Theatre:
Fiscal
Year
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
$30,000 $25,000 $20,000 $0 $16,500 $15,000 $20,000 $20,000
EDC 1.27.2020 packet page 7
January 21, 2020
Page 2
Recommendation
The Comprehensive Plan cites Riverside Theatre as an asset to the vitality of the city and states
that support for the arts and culture of the community enhances our position in the region. It adds
to the quality of life of the community and should be continued and institutionalized as an
economic development and community betterment tool for the city.
Ensuring that Riverside Theatre continue as a viable arts business in Iowa City is also consistent
with the Central District Plan (updated in 2008), which calls for preserving and promoting the
unique aspects of and supporting the economic vitality of the Northside Marketplace. In keeping
with the Strategic Plan Priorities, funding RT’s request is aligned with advancing social justice and
racial equality, enhancing community engagement and promoting a strong and resilient local
economy.
Staff recommends continuing the funding amount for FY21 with an intent to budget the same in
FY22 and 23.
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