×

Board hears presentations

Nine organizations make their cases for H/M?grants

ACE representatives L-R: Jose Burgos, Janet Toering and Manuel Alvarez explain the benefits H/M Tax monies would bring to ACE Tuesday night.

Nine local organizations presented to the Webster City Hotel Motel Tax Board Tuesday evening in hopes of receiving grant monies. This is the 20th round of grant applications. A total of $99,669.20 was requested between the nine organizations.

The H/M Tax Board will meet tonight at city hall at 5:20 p.m. to determine final recommendations on projects to be presented to the City Council of Webster City on Monday, Dec. 18.

The Webster City Community Theatre is requesting $1,600 for the WCCT to host the Iowa Community Theatre Association State Convention. The convention includes a series of workshops, annual meeting, performances and gala. The three-day event will be held in March.

The funds will be used to pay for workshop presenter stipends, according to Loween Getter. Workshop presenters include Kathy Pingel, Katie Slaven, John Pomeroy, Christine Carson, Molly Ketchum and RJ Lundgren.

“All presenters, expect for Kathy Pingel, will receive a $400 stipend as well as round trip mileage,” said Getting.

Members of the Webster City Women’s Club speak Tuesday night during the H/M Tax Board meeting. Pictured are Loween Getter, Joanne Robb, Donna Foster and Darlene Dingman.

The Women’s Club of Webster City is requesting $7,215 to refurbish the second story of the Jane Young House. Loween Getter, JoAnn Robb, Darlene Dingman and Donna Foster, members of the club, spoke to the board while dressed in some of the dresses they hope to display at the Jane Young House.

“We’re here to tell you about one of the treasures of Webster City and our plans to increase awareness of the historic Jane Young House, to preserve the legacy of Kendall and Jane Young, and to create a showcase of vintage clothing,” Getter said. “We plan to attract both local residents and people from outside our town to tour the home, hear the story of the couple who built it and learn how people dressed in days gone by.”

The Jane Young House is currently used for women’s club meetings, an annual tea, and more. According to club members, they hope to refinish the floors on the second story, replace wallpaper and purchase new window treatments. The club wishes to purchase dress forms, clothes hangers, and storage to properly display the wealth of vintage clothing housed in the second story.

ACE Community Center is requesting $12,475 to be put toward marketing ACE and the Webster City area both regionally and across the Midwest, as well as a bi-lingual communication assistant at ACE. ACE Community Center Immigration and Education Director Janet Toering, Manual Alvarez, ACE Community Center Building Director and Jose Burgos, ACE Community Center Property Management Director spoke on behalf of ACE.

“ACE is a community partner,” said Toering. “We’re out there to help bridge those communication gaps and create connections in unique ways that no other agency can do.”

Building Possibility owner Deb Brown speaks Tuesday night during H/M Tax presentations.

The communication person would use the ACE website, Facebook page and other information sources to inform all cultures in the community about what is happening.

Alvarez echoed Toering’s thoughts.

“The primary purpose of ACE is to help encourage the acceptance and assimilation into the community of individuals and various cultural backgrounds by providing educational and social opportunities,” said Alvarez. “During the past year, people from at least 30 countries came to ACE for one or more of the 1800 activities intended to fulfill ACE’s mission.”

Rojas Holmes asked Toering how non-native residents got their information currently. Toering explained it was through word of mouth and social media, especially Facebook.

“Will the bi-lingual assistant be in charge of doing your website and Facebook page?” asked board member Andy Sowle.

“Yes,” said Toering. “That is a huge barrier we have right now. To have that confidence to have someone who knows how to communicate effectively would be wonderful.”

Arts R Alive in Webster City is requesting $1,835 for sculpture placement in downtown Webster City, artists stipends, cement pad and invitations to their next sculpture event.

According to Arts R Alive representative Janet Adams, this year, they plan to expand the event by moving one of the sculptures downtown once the actual event is over.

The Border Brigade Archery Club is requesting $4,675 for a trailer. Club president Matt Mattison and vice president Ryan Holberg explained the club’s need for a new trailer. The 16-foot trailer will house the brigade’s equipment. The club hopes the purchase will make travel to competitions and equipment tear down easier.

“We’ve been trying to grow club in member size and draw across the state,” said Mattison. “Statewide we are successfully growing.”

The club first held a state-sanctioned event two years ago. Last year’s competition brought 86 people to Webster City.

Briggs Woods Conference Center/Hamilton County Conservation are requesting $50,000 for the Briggs Woods Conference Center.

Kelly Haman, Briggs Woods Golf Course Special Events Coordinator, showed details and images of the future building and noted that ground breaking began this fall. The conference center is slated to be finished in the fall of 2018.

The fully-equipped conference center would draw residents and visitors to Hamilton County, according to Haman.

Building Possibility is requesting $4,000 for a three-month residency for photographer Brendan Hoffman.

Building Possibility owner Deb Brown showed the board a recorded video chat with Hoffman, who was unable to be at the meeting. Hoffman, a distinguished photojournalist, currently resides in the Ukraine.

Board members expressed concern with Hoffman’s original portrayal of Webster City and questioned if Webster City would be viewed in a better light if he were to return.

“Those photos only represent a portion of our town,” said Brown. “I think by bringing Brendan we have the opportunity to showcase more of Webster City in a positive light.

The Webster City Badminton Club/Parks & Rec are requesting $1,750 for their 2018 Badminton Tournament. The tournament will be held on April 15, 2018.

The Wilson Brewer Park Committee is requesting $16,619.20 to keep the grounds open during the summer months.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $3.46/week.

Subscribe Today