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COTA approves FY26–27 annual grant awards, assigns contract paragraphs and sets deadlines
Summary
Ames COTA approved its fiscal year 2026–27 annual grant recommendations, publishing award amounts for local arts and community groups, assigned contract paragraph authorship due Jan. 12 and confirmed representatives for an upcoming City Council budget hearing.
The Cultural Organizations and Tourism Advisory (COTA) commission approved its fiscal year 2026–27 annual grant recommendations and the list of award amounts at its meeting. Speaker 2 (role/title: Not specified) read the recommended awards aloud, including Octagon Center for the Arts at $45,000, Story Theater Company at $41,500 and Actors at $20,008.40, and the commission voted to adopt the full list.
The commission also set administrative deadlines tied to the awards. Speaker 1 (role/title: Not specified) said paragraphs that will be placed in award contracts — language that defines the scope of services the contract purchases — are due by Jan. 12 and will be consolidated for submission to the City Council. "I'll take a look at them," Speaker 2 said about staff review of paragraph drafts and added that staff will edit minor errors before assembling the report to council.
Commissioners divided up paragraph-writing assignments at the meeting and volunteered a representative to attend the City Council budget hearing on Feb. 10 to answer any council questions about COTA recommendations. Speaker 2 explained why paragraph wording matters: broader paragraph language permits an agency greater flexibility to draw down funds, while narrowly worded paragraphs may require formal contract amendments if an agency's plans change.
Votes at a glance - Approval of Nov. 3 minutes: motion by Speaker 2; second recorded; approved by voice vote. - Approval of FY26–27 annual grant recommendations: motion made and seconded during the meeting; approved by voice vote. - Approval of revised FY25–26 COTA calendar (added March 2, 2026 meeting): motion by Speaker 2 and second by Speaker 3; approved by voice vote. - Approval of summer 2026 special projects grant application and report forms: motion by Speaker 3; second by Speaker 1; approved by voice vote.
What happens next: staff will compile paragraph drafts into the council report and prepare contracts reflecting the approved award amounts. The consolidated materials and the list of recommended awards will be posted at City Hall on Jan. 12, and contract paragraphs should be submitted to staff by that date.
