Rocky Graziano proposed the “Miss Revere Beach” pageant, drawing on historical precedents from the 1920s. He emphasized that such an event could serve dual purposes: awarding a scholarship to a young woman in the community and enhancing local visibility through her participation in community events. Graziano outlined the potential benefits, including boosting local engagement and creating a representative who could volunteer and promote cultural initiatives. The pageant could either align with the Miss Massachusetts system or operate independently, potentially coinciding with existing events like the Sand Sculpture Festival to maximize participation and visibility. Ensuring that the winning candidate embodies the values and objectives of the cultural council was also discussed.

The members weighed the feasibility of the pageant, considering financial aspects and possible venues. It was suggested that the council allocate a portion of its budget for the scholarship fund, with a speculative amount set at $8,000—considerably higher than the average local competition prize of $1,000. Venues such as the high school or the bandstand were highlighted as potential low-cost locations for hosting the event. Collaboration with the new arts center being developed in Ward 1 was also discussed as a means to enrich local arts offerings.

Another topic was the council’s funding model for cultural initiatives. The members considered shifting from a reimbursement-based system to direct deposit funding for approved applications. Currently, applicants must complete their events and then seek reimbursement, a process that can be financially burdensome, especially for larger events with budgets in the thousands of dollars. The proposed direct deposit system would allow applicants to receive funds upfront, facilitating event planning and execution. This change aims to support community members who may not have the financial resources to independently launch their events.

The council acknowledged that transitioning to a direct deposit model would require changes to existing guidelines and couldn’t be implemented until 2026. A motion to adopt direct deposit allocations for the 2026 funding cycle received unanimous support. This change is seen as a way to bolster community engagement by making it easier for residents to organize cultural events.

During the public comment segment, Steve Morido, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, welcomed the council back to in-person meetings after a period of virtual sessions due to the pandemic. Morido expressed optimism about the council’s potential to achieve significant cultural advancements in the community.

The council also reviewed pending proposals from the previous fiscal year. An Excel spreadsheet listed 26 applicants, with approximately ten still awaiting completion or requiring additional paperwork. The council has been in contact with these applicants to ensure progress and offer assistance as needed. Guidelines for applicants were reiterated, emphasizing that projects must adhere to accessibility standards, be documented with a detailed budget and project timeline, and be completed within the specified funding cycle. All applicants must reside in Revere or be sponsored by a local organization.

As the meeting concluded, there was a suggestion to prepare a more formal proposal for the next session, which would include a cost breakdown and plans concerning the discussed initiatives. The council agreed to reconvene on October 17th, aligning the meeting with the timeline for grant application submissions.