Memorandum 16-074 Consolidating Public Arts Committee with Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission

Memorandum 16-074

TO:                       MAYOR WYTHE AND CITY COUNCIL

FROM:                 PUBLIC ARTS COMMITTEE

THRU:                 RENEE KRAUSE, CMC, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

DATE:                  MARCH 29, 2016

SUBJECT:         RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL - CONSOLIDATING THE PUBLIC ARTS                                                COMMITTEE WITH THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION

The idea of consolidating the Public Arts Committee (Committee) with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (Commission) was presented at the regular meeting on August 13, 2015 but due to the absence of two committee members a formal motion was postponed to the next regular meeting.

The Committee had been unable to obtain a quorum since the August regular meeting; they were able to have a discussion at a worksession on February 11, 2016 and at a Special Meeting held on March 24, 2016 were able to make a formal motion of support to consolidate the two advisory bodies.  Following were several factors considered when looking at consolidating the efforts of the Committee and the Commission:

Both can solicit donations and funds for their respective uses.
Both use the support of staff from the following Departments: City Clerk, Planning, Administration and Public Works.
Both submit recommendations on proposed artwork that is placed in parks.
Both have recreational aspects to them.
Art and Recreation have been combined successfully in many cities.
Both are valued components of a community and are compatible with each other.
There are many times the Committee has been unable to obtain a quorum to conduct the business brought before them.

The Commission has enjoyed strong support through the very programs that have been established along with funding mechanisms that allow them to leverage volunteers and grant funding to complete many of their projects.
The financial uncertainty in the coming years adds further stress upon department staff to accomplish more with less.
The likelihood of less capital projects that would allow funding for public art projects.
Community support to grow the City of Homer as an Art Destination as well as a Recreational Destination.
The possibility to expand grant opportunities with a more diverse commission.

Recommendation

Approve the Recommendation to Form a New Commission Entitled Parks, Art, Recreation and Culture Advisory Commission

Excerpt from March 24, 2016 Special Meeting Minutes

PENDING BUSINESS

A. Combine the Committee with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission

               Postponed from the August 13, 2015 Meeting

Chair Miller introduced the item into the record and requested a motion to formally adopt the recommendation.

HOLLOWELL/PETERSEN – MOVED TO RECOMMEND CITY COUNCIL SUPPORT AND APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATION TO CREATE A NEW COMMISSION ENTITLED HOMER PARKS, ART, RECREATION AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMISSION (PARCAC) BY COMBINING THE MISSION, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PUBLIC ARTS COMMITTEE WITH THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION AND ADDING A MIMINMUM OF TWO ADDITIONAL SEATS ON THE NEW COMMISSION WITH THREE YEAR TERMS.

There was no discussion.

VOTE. YES. MILLER, PETERSEN, HOLLOWELL

Motion carried.