110 SE Watula Avenue

Ocala, FL 34471

Ocala

Municipal Arts Commission

Minutes

www.ocalafl.gov

4:00 PM

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

1. Call To Order

a. Roll Call

Jaye Baillie

Present:

Pedro "Tito" A. Comas

Jean Floten

Leslie Hammond

Natalie McComb

Darian Mosley

David Reutter

Emily Andrews

Absent:

Brooke Hutto

Excused:

Election of Vice Chairman

There was a short discussion regarding the election of a Chairman. Mr. Comas

nominated Darian Mosley. Ms. Mosley accepted the nomination.

Motion to appoint Darian Mosley as Vice Chairman

There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.

RESULT:

APPROVED

MOVER:

Pedro "Tito" A. Comas

SECONDER: Leslie Hammond

AYE:

Baillie, Comas, Floten, Hammond, McComb, Mosley and

Reutter

ABSENT:

Andrews

EXCUSED:

Hutto

Election of Chairman

There was a short discussion regarding the election of a Chairman. Ms. Hammond

nominated Jaye Baillie. Ms. Baillie accepted the nomination.

Motion to appoint Jaye Baillie as Chairman

There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.

RESULT:

APPROVED

MOVER:

Leslie Hammond

SECONDER: Jean Floten

AYE:

Baillie, Comas, Floten, Hammond, McComb, Mosley and

Reutter

ABSENT:

Andrews

EXCUSED:

Hutto

Public Notice

The Public Notice for the Ocala Municipal Arts Commission Advisory Committee was posted

on March 22, 2024.

Approval of Minutes

January 3, 2024 Minutes

OMAC draft minutes - 1.3.24

Attachments:

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

Leslie Hammond

SECONDER: Natalie McComb

AYE:

Baillie, Comas, Floten, Hammond, McComb, Mosley and Reutter

ABSENT:

EXCUSED:

Andrews

Hutto

Grants/Applications

Ocala Steel Orchestra, Inc. International Jazz, Art, & Blues Festival Ocala, grant

application

Ocala Steel Orchestra Inc grant application

Attachments:

Cultural Arts Manager Leslie Nottingham reviewed the grant application and provided

background information on the International Jazz, Art & Blues Festival Ocala annual

event. She pointed out that the event location has changed to the Mary Sue Rich

Community Center.

Ms. McComb asked how many years has the event been held. Ms. Nottingham replied

two or three years. Ms. Baillie asked if the applicant was awarded grant funds in the past.

Ms. Nottingham responded yes, in the last cycle for their Communal Drumming event.

Mr. Comas inquired as to whether a full budget was submitted. Ms. Nottingham

explained the applicant is not required to submit a full budget; the application only

suggests that a full budget be submitted. Ms. Baillie said the application needs to be

amended to request a full budget. Ms. McComb said she would like to see their

marketing plan. Ms. Nottingham stated that she would look into updating the application.

Ms. Baillie said a subcommittee will be set up to review and update the application.

There was a short discussion regarding tabling the item and requesting additional

information but the Board decided to move forward with the application due to the date

of the event and the vendor's previous experience hosting this event.

Motion to approve a $2,500 grant to the Ocala Steel Orchestra, Inc. for their International

Jazz, Art & Blues Festival Ocala event

RESULT:

APPROVED

MOVER:

Natalie McComb

SECONDER: Pedro "Tito" A. Comas

AYE:

Baillie, Comas, Floten, Hammond, McComb, Mosley and Reutter

ABSENT:

EXCUSED:

Andrews

Hutto

Jordan Shapot, HCA Florida Springs Emergency Department Mural, project approval

Jordan Shapot HCA FL SEDM project approval

Attachments:

Ms. Nottingham reviewed the mural project and the grant application and provided

background information on the proposed mural.

Jordan Shapot, 1124 NE 14th Street, Ocala, FL, said he was approached by HCA Florida

to do a mural at the Ocala Mall because they wanted to beautify the area with a depiction

of Silver Springs. He stated that he designed the mural which will go on the East wall of

the Ocala Mall. HCA Florida and the Ocala Mall have signed an agreement for the mural

installation. The project costs are being covered by a $15,000 contribution from HCA

Florida; a $5,000 grant request to Fine Arts of Ocala; and a $5,000 grant from this Board.

If approved, the OMAC grant will allow the mural to be extended from 500 ft to 600 ft

which will allow the mural to cover as much of the wall as possible. The mural will be

very visible from SE 1st Street.

Ms. Mosley asked if the Ocala Mall was leasing the building. Mr. Shapot responded yes,

and an agreement has been signed by the property owner to allow the mural.

Motion to approve the HCA Florida Springs Emergency Department mural project

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED

David Reutter

SECONDER: Leslie Hammond

AYE:

Baillie, Comas, Floten, Hammond, McComb, Mosley and Reutter

ABSENT:

EXCUSED:

Andrews

Hutto

Jordan Shapot, HCA Florida Springs Emergency Department Mural, grant application

Jordan Shapot HCA FL SEDM grant application

Attachments:

There was no discussion by the Board.

Motion to approve a $5,000 grant for the HCA Florida Springs Emergency Department

mural

RESULT:

APPROVED

MOVER:

Natalie McComb

SECONDER: Pedro "Tito" A. Comas

AYE:

Baillie, Comas, Floten, Hammond, McComb, Mosley and Reutter

ABSENT:

EXCUSED:

Andrews

Hutto

Ocala Civic Theatre, The Academy West, grant application

Ocala Civic Theatre TAW grant application

Attachments:

Ms. Nottingham reviewed the grant application and provided background information on

the Academy West Program.

Ms. McComb asked about the costs to rent the space at the Mary Sue Rich Community

Center. Ms. Nottingham replied that she assumed the space is being donated because of a

partnership between the two entities. Ms. Baillie suggested they approve the grant

provisionally and then get staff to determine if the Mary Sue Rich Community Center is

available. Mr. Reutter asked what is the fee for the students. Ms. Nottingham responded

that she doesn't know and the information is not included on the application. Ms. Baillie

suggested staff find out about the fees and check to see if scholarships are available.

Ms. Baillie recused herself from voting on the grant because she is on the Board of

Directors for the Ocala Civic Theatre.

Motion to approve a $2,500 grant for the Ocala Civic Theatre, The Academy West

Program with the provision that the Mary Sue Rich Community Center donates the space

for the classes and the fees are free or nominal

RESULT:

APPROVED

MOVER:

Natalie McComb

SECONDER: David Reutter

AYE:

Comas, Floten, Hammond, McComb, Mosley and Reutter

ABSENT:

RECUSED:

EXCUSED:

Andrews

Baillie

Hutto

Grant Fund Proposal

Ms. Nottingham explained that the City has proposed that OMAC offer two $5,000

grants to the public in order to use up the funding, which is approximately $21,000.

Instead of doing the smaller grants for $2,500 and under, the Committee would offer

three $5,000 grants each grant cycle.

Mr. Reutter stated that it would probably be difficult for the grantees to apply for the

lager grants. The Board needs to firm up the grant requirements and the application prior

to making any changes. Ms. McComb stated that she liked the $2,500 grant because it is

for smaller projects and it is flexible for smaller nonprofit agencies. If we're not getting

enough applications, then a public call and marketing needs to be reviewed and

improved to get more agencies to apply for the grants. In her opinion, it is better for the

grant program to be flexible and keep the smaller rollover grants. Ms. Floten asked if the

Board was in jeopardy of losing the funds. Ms. Nottingham responded yes because

government entities get nervous when money is sitting for long periods of time and is not

being spent. Ms. Baillie commented that OMAC is different and added that she loves the

fluidity of their grant program. If we do the three $5,000 grants and the funding is

depleted, then the Board won't be able to fund any grants. Ms. Floten added grants are

needed for the public, and she recommended the Board continue using the rollover grant

program. Mr. Comas said all the funds used to get spent but after the application form

was changed the number of applicants dwindled. He suggested the application be

reviewed.

Ms. Baillie asked Mr. Shapot to provide feedback since he just recently completed an

application. Mr. Shapot said the application was confusing and had conflicting

information on it. He agreed with the Board that the application needs to be reviewed

because more clarity is needed.

Motion to approve that the Board continues its current grant program practice of

processing the grants on a rolling basis

There being no further discussion the motion carried by roll call vote.

RESULT:

APPROVED

MOVER:

Darian Mosley

SECONDER: Natalie McComb

AYE:

Baillie, Comas, Floten, Hammond, McComb, Mosley and

Reutter

ABSENT:

Andrews

EXCUSED:

Hutto

Project Updates

Strategic Community Alliance, Inc., Experience India update

Strategic Community Alliance EI update

Attachments:

Ms. Nottingham said the visiting artist is arriving today and the grantee provided updated

information on the event.

Skateboard Panels at Levitt

Ms. Nottingham announced that 16 to 20 skate park panels are being repainted. The

artists are painting the panels during the Levitt AMP concert series, which is currently in

week four of its eight week series.

Other Business

119 S Pine Ave | 2853-014-003 Mural, Chris Mendez

119 S Pine Ave mural

Attachments:

Ms.Nottingham stated this project has been tabled. The project is within our discipline

category but the artist did not apply.

Public Comments