08.14.2025 TC Arts Agenda Packet
TOWN OF TROPHY CLUB
TROPHY CLUB COUNCIL FOR
ARTS AND CULTURE MEETING
AGENDA
1 Trophy Wood Drive
Trophy Club, Texas 76262
August 14, 2025 6:00 PM Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER AND ANNOUNCE A QUORUM
PUBLIC COMMENT(S)
This is an opportunity for citizens to address the Board/Commission on any matter pursuant to Texas
Government Code Sec. 551.007. The Board/Commission is not permitted to discuss or take action on any
presentations made concerning matters that are not listed on the agenda. Presentations are limited to
matters over which the Board/Commission has authority. Speakers have up to three (3) minutes or the
time limit determined by the Presiding Officer. Each speaker must have submitted their request to speak
by completing the Speaker’s Form or may email tdixon@trophyclub.org
REGULAR ITEMS
1. Consider approval of the May 8, 2025, Trophy Club Council for Arts and Culture Meeting Minutes.
2. Consider the appointment of an Arts Council secretary.
3. Discuss and review the Trophy Club Explore Arts and Culture Website.
4. Discuss recommendation for an Arts Council workshop facilitator.
5. Discuss prioritized initiative number one: public art and historical markers, focusing on their preservation
and maintenance, as well as potential grant opportunities.
ADJOURN
The Board/Commission may convene into executive session to discuss posted items as allowed by Texas
Government Code Sections 551.071 through 551.076 and Section 551.087.
Notice is hereby given that a quorum of the Town of Trophy Club Town Council may be in attendance at
this meeting. The Town Council will not deliberate or take any action.
I do hereby certify that the Notice of Meeting was posted on the bulletin board at the Town Hall for the Town of Trophy Club, Texas, in a place
convenient and readily accessible to the general public at all times on the following date and time: August 5, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., and said Notice of
Meeting was also posted concurrently on the Town’s website in accordance with Texas Government Code Ch. 551 at least 72 hours prior to the
scheduled time of said meeting.
/s/ Tamara Smith
Tamara Smith, Assistant to the Town Manager
If you plan to attend this public meeting and have a disability that requires special needs, please contact the Town Secretary’s Office at 6822372900,
48 hours in advance, and reasonable accommodations will be made to assist you.
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TROPHY CLUB COUNCIL FOR ARTS AND
CULTURE COMMUNICATION
MEETING DATE: August 14, 2025
FROM: Tamara Smith, MSL, Assistant to the Town Manager
AGENDA ITEM: Consider approval of the May 8, 2025, Trophy Club Council for Arts and
Culture Meeting Minutes.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: The Trophy Club Council for Arts and Culture held a regular
meeting on May 8, 2025.
BOARD REVIEW/CITIZEN FEEDBACK: N/A
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Meeting Minutes
ACTIONS/OPTIONS:
Move to approve the May 8, 2025, Trophy Club Council for Arts and Culture Meeting Minutes.
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1
Minutes From Regular Session
Trophy Club Council for Arts and Culture
For the Town of Trophy Club
Location: 1 Trophy Wood Drive, Trophy Club, Texas
Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
Council Chambers
The Trophy Club Council for Arts and Culture of the Town of Trophy Club, Texas, met in a Regular Session on May 8,
2025. The meeting was held within the boundaries of the Town and was open to the public.
ARTS COUNCIL MEMBERS’ PRESENT:
Melissa Eason Chairperson
Jean Frazier Vice Chairperson
Brandi Morris Member
Peter Steinmetz Member
Hernan Bahamon Member
ARTS COUNCIL MEMBERS’ ABSENT:
Grace Murray Member
STAFF AND GUEST(S) PRESENT:
Brandon Wright Town Manager
Tamara Smith Assistant to the Town Manager
CALL TO ORDER AND ANNOUNCE A QUORUM
Chairperson Eason called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. and noted a quorum.
REGULAR SESSION
1. Consider approval of the April 10, 2025, Trophy Club Council for Arts and Culture Meeting Minutes.
Agenda Item: Consider approval of April 10, 2025, meeting minutes.
Motion: Motion to approve by Member Bahamon.
Seconded by: Vice Chairperson Frazier.
Vote: All in favor – Motion passed unanimously.
2. Discuss and prioritize proposed arts and culture initiatives, including programs and projects, for enhancing
art in public places. (Tamara Smith, Assistant to the Town Manager)
The Arts Council reviewed and discussed four proposed initiatives for the upcoming fiscal year.
1. Members emphasized starting with high-impact, achievable projects.
2. Initiative 1 was considered a strong candidate for early success due to grant availability and
lower logistical complexity.
3. Members supported Initiative 4 as a long-term goal to raise community awareness and
differentiate Trophy Club culturally.
4. Importance of community engagement, grant funding, and clear process documentation noted.
5. Interest in using the website to create an artist directory and submission form.
6. Idea proposed to structure the year around:
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2
7. Short-term win: Initiative 1 (Historical Marker Project)
8. Long-term build-up: Initiative 4 (Trophy Club Presents series)
9. Noted the value of tying initial efforts to external funding sources to show fiscal responsibility and
generate public support.
Prioritize Initiatives
1. Initiative 1: Public Art & Historical Markers
2. Initiative 4: Trophy Club Presents (Professional Arts Programming)
3. Initiative 2: Art in Public Places
4. Initiative 3: Trophy Club Artist Fellowship
Action Items
• Tamara to bring detailed grant funding options for Initiative 1 to the next meeting.
• Tamara to work with the Marketing and Communications Department to set up a website and
form for the Arts Council.
• Arts Council members to review available performing artist databases for Initiative 4. (sent by
Tamara to Arts Council)
• Investigate opportunities for hosting an input session, survey, booths at events for community
outreach.
Next Steps
Regular meetings will be held on the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM.
ADJOURN
Adjourned at 7:11 p.m.
Attest:
____________________________________ ____________________________________
Tamara Smith, Assistant to the Town Manager Melissa Eason, Chairperson
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TROPHY CLUB COUNCIL FOR ARTS AND
CULTURE COMMUNICATION
MEETING DATE: August 14, 2025
FROM: Tamara Smith, MSL, Assistant to the Town Manager
AGENDA ITEM: Consider the appointment of an Arts Council secretary.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: According to the Ordinance passed by the Town Council on
October 28, 2024, election of a chair, vice-chair, and secretary will commence at the first Arts
Council meeting following the appointment of new and/or returning members. The Arts
Council shall elect a chair, vice-chair, and secretary. The term shall be for one year until the
election of a new chair, vice-chair, and secretary the following year. Upon the resignation or
removal of the chair, vice-chair, or secretary, the Arts Council shall elect a member to replace
the vacated office.
Responsibilities of Secretary:
Secretary: The secretary works with the staff liaison to create agenda minutes. The secretary
performs other administrative duties as requested by the Arts Council.
BOARD REVIEW/CITIZEN FEEDBACK: N/A
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
None
ACTIONS/OPTIONS:
Staff recommends that the Arts Council discuss and move to appoint an Arts Council secretary.
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TROPHY CLUB COUNCIL FOR ARTS AND
CULTURE COMMUNICATION
MEETING DATE: August 14, 2025
FROM: Tamara Smith, MSL, Assistant to the Town Manager
AGENDA ITEM: Discuss and review the Trophy Club Explore Arts and Culture Website.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
On May 8, 2025, the Trophy Club Council for Arts and Culture (Arts Council) recommended the
creation of a public webpage to share Arts and Culture information with the community.
In response, Town staff has developed a draft Arts & Culture page within the Trophy Club
Explore website, which is designed to provide public information about the Town. The new
page includes the Arts Council’s mission and vision, fiscal year initiatives, a public survey, and
space for an Artist Interest Form (which is still under development).
This evening’s agenda item is to review and discuss the content of the page to ensure it aligns
with the Arts Council’s vision.
BOARD REVIEW/CITIZEN FEEDBACK: N/A
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Website
ACTIONS/OPTIONS:
This agenda item is being presented for discussion purposes only. No action will be taken by
the Trophy Club Council for Arts and Culture.
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TROPHY CLUB COUNCIL FOR ARTS AND
CULTURE COMMUNICATION
MEETING DATE: August 14, 2025
FROM: Tamara Smith, MSL, Assistant to the Town Manager
AGENDA ITEM: Discuss recommendation for an Arts Council workshop facilitator.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: To support the inaugural year of the Trophy Club Council for Arts
and Culture, staff recommends holding Arts Council workshops. This agenda item will cover the
proposed duration, timing, and availability of consultant Margie Reese to facilitate these
workshops.
BOARD REVIEW/CITIZEN FEEDBACK: N/A
FISCAL IMPACT: Facilitator fees will include a $200 hourly rate plus a $25 mileage fee. These
costs will be covered by the Town Manager's contingency fund until the Fiscal Year 2026
budget is in place.
LEGAL REVIEW: N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
None
ACTIONS/OPTIONS:
This agenda item is being presented for discussion purposes only. No action will be taken by
the Trophy Club Council for Arts and Culture.
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TROPHY CLUB COUNCIL FOR ARTS AND
CULTURE COMMUNICATION
MEETING DATE: August 14, 2025
FROM: Tamara Smith, MSL, Assistant to the Town Manager
AGENDA ITEM: Discuss prioritized initiative number one: public art and historical markers,
focusing on their preservation and maintenance, as well as potential grant
opportunities.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY: Texas Historical Foundation (THF)
• Eligibility: Primarily for 501(c)(3) organizations. Municipalities must apply through a
fiscal sponsor or form a partnership with a non-profit.
• Institutional Membership ($50/year): Includes a subscription, alerts for grant
opportunities, and partner listings.
• Grants Focus: Preservation and history-related initiatives.
• Note: Municipalities can become members, but cannot apply for grants directly without
non-profit partnership.
Texas Historical Commission (THC) – CLG Grants
• For: Certified Local Governments (CLGs) – includes city/county governments that are
certified and in good standing.
• Purpose: Develop and sustain local preservation programs in alignment with statewide
goals.
• Eligible Projects:
o Historic surveys and inventories
o National Register nominations
o Local preservation plans and ordinances
o Design guidelines and incentive programs
o Hosting training/workshops
• Grant Size: Typically $5,000–$45,000
• Matching Requirement: 1:1 (dollar-for-dollar), in-kind support is allowed
• Funding Source: Historic Preservation Fund (National Park Service)
• Next Application Window: Opens in August; deadline in November
• Examples of Recent Projects: Waxahachie and Travis County surveys, cemetery
preservation, and public nominations
Summerlee Foundation – Texas History Program
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• Eligibility: 501(c)(3) organizations or government units (per IRS Code 170(c)(1))
• Focus Areas:
o Underserved cultural/geographic communities
o Preservation, scholarly research, educational programs
• Priorities:
o Community involvement, expert participation, and strong local support
o Historic designation (e.g., NRHP or THC status) boosts competitiveness
• Restrictions: No grants for individuals, religious use, lobbying, monuments, or
courthouse restorations
Federal & State-Level Funding Sources
• Historic Preservation Fund (HPF): Matching grants for identifying, evaluating, and
protecting historic properties
• National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH): Funds projects for document
preservation and public access
• National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC): Supports archival
work
• Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS): Supports museum/library historical
preservation
• State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs): Each state’s SHPO may offer its own grant
programs
• Other State Programs: Examples include the Texas Preservation Trust Fund
Summary Takeaways
• Municipalities must partner with a non-profit or fiscal sponsor to access many grant
opportunities.
• Certified Local Government (CLG) status is a gateway to state-level grants.
• Grants emphasize community impact, professional oversight, and preservation
planning.
• Planning and applying early (August–November for most cycles) is crucial.
BOARD REVIEW/CITIZEN FEEDBACK: N/A
FISCAL IMPACT: Federal and state-level funding sources typically require a matching grant.
LEGAL REVIEW: N/A
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ATTACHMENTS:
None
ACTIONS/OPTIONS:
This agenda item is being presented for discussion purposes only. No action will be taken by
the Trophy Club Council for Arts and Culture.
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