PUBLIC ARTS COMMITTEE                                                                                             UNAPPROVED   

SPECIAL MEETING

APRIL 15, 2010

 

 

Session 10-01 a Special Meeting of the Public Arts Committee was called to order at 11:05 a.m. on April 15, 2010 by Chair Angie Newby at Cowles Council Chambers located at City Hall, 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

PRESENT:          COMMITTEEMEMBERS MILLER, NEWBY, WOLFE, ALPIN

 

ABSENT:           COMMITTEEMEMBER FELLOWS

 

STAFF:              DEPUTY CITY CLERK KRAUSE

                       

AGENDA APPROVAL

 

The agenda was approved by consensus of the Committee.

 

VISITORS

 

None.

 

STAFF REPORT/COMMITTEE REPORT

 

A.         Grant Committee Report

 

There was no report at this time.

 

Chair Newby summarized the worksession discussions for the Jean Keene Memorial proposal; the Borough FireWise Program donation of a ceramic tile creation representing the 2008 winning poster submitted by Homer 5th grader, Maggie LaRue; and how to fund maintenance costs for these projects. She further stated that the committee discussed establishing a policy and a conducted a brief review of the updates and revisions to the guidelines.

 

B.         Staff Report 10-01

 

Mrs. Krause reported that the proposed revisions to the administrative guidelines were sampled from various cities and towns in Alaska and the Lower 48 to represent a comprehensive manual to guide the future of the committee. The recent offers of artwork donated to the City bring up the fact that there is no formal procedure in place to accept donations; just that the City can. Proposed draft policies and forms are included for review and recommendations from the Committee. Ms. Krause explained that establishing these policies formalize the role of the committee established by City Code. The proposed changes will have to go to Council through the City Manager for approval. Establishing these policies and formalizing the Administrative Guidelines will offer the guidance that the Committee will require in the future to address such things as monetary or artwork donations.

 

PUBLIC HEARING

 

None.

 

PENDING BUSINESS

 

A.         Strategic Plan Development

 

Chair Newby requested postponing this item to the May agenda.

 

MILLER/WOLFE - MOVED TO POSTPONE THE STRATEGIC PLAN DEVELOPMENT TO THE MAY WORKSESSION AGENDA.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

B.         Gateways – Airport Update and Progress

 

Ms. Aplin reported that the project is progressing, but is still several months from installation and completion. A new photo was approved as the backdrop for the public lands display; the public lands partners are sending written information for the mini displays. Sheri Hobbs, Airport Manager has been involved at all levels.

 

Chair Newby commended Ms. Aplin for her time and effort she has donated to this project. She commented that this represented a remarkable example of leadership in the community. Chair Newby stated members with this dedication were what they needed.

 

Vice Chair Wolfe informed the members that the trees and shrubbery at the airport are covering the entry signs. This makes it difficult to see them.

 

Chair Newby requested a motion to direct staff to send a memo to public works.

 

WOLFE/APLIN – MOVED TO REQUEST STAFF SEND A MEMORANDUM TO PUBLIC WORKS PERSONNEL TO SCHEDULE TRIMMING OF VEGETATION FROM SIGNAGE AT THE AIRPORT.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

C.         New Membership Campaign

 

There was no discussion.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

A.                 Jean Keene Memorial Placement Recommendation

 

Chair Newby reviewed the request from Brad Hughes for placement of a memorial to Jean Keene, Homer’s Eagle Lady, in the proximity of the Seafarer Memorial on the Homer Spit. A motion to recommend forwarding their recommendations to city council for approval was requested.

 

MILLER/APLIN - MOVED THAT SINCE POLICY WAS NOT IN PLACE FOR ACCEPTING DONATIONS AND A RESTRICTED FUND ESTABLISHED FOR MAINTENANCE FEES, RECOMMEND THAT EACH DONATION PROPOSAL BE REVIEWED ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS TO DETERMINE THE FEE REQUIRED FOR MAINTAINING THE ARTWORK UNTIL SUCH POLICIES ARE ESTABLISHED AND FURTHER MOVED THAT THE CITY ACCEPT THE DONATION OF THE MEMORIAL TRIBUTE TO JEAN KEENE WITH PLACEMENT ON CITY LAND IN THE VICINITY OF THE SEAFARER’S MEMORIAL AND THAT THE DONORS PROVIDE $1000 TO BE PLACED IN A RESTRICTED FUND FOR MAINTENANCE OF THIS DONATION.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

Staff was directed to include the $1000 maintenance fee as a stipulation to accept the donation to the city.

 

B.                 Request for Public Art Installation

 

Chair Newby introduced the request from the FireWise Program through the Kenai Peninsula Borough to place a ceramic sculpture piece on the fire hall, therefore becoming a donation to the city and will be a permanent piece of the building. She requested a motion for acceptance.

 

WOLFE/MILLER - MOVED THAT THE CITY ACCEPT THE PUBLIC ART SCULPTURE FROM THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH FIREWISE PROGRAM CREATED BY THE STUDENTS ATTENDING KENAI PENINSULA COLLEGE ART CLASSES, THAT WILL BE ATTACHED TO THE FIREHOUSE AND DUE TO THE STABILITY OF PROJECT AND THE MINIMAL MAINTENANCE REQUIRED IN THE FUTURE THAT NO MAINTENANCE FEES BE REQUIRED FROM THE BOROUGH, THE FIREWISE PROGRAM OR THE COLLEGE AND THAT THE FUTURE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS BE INCORPORATED INTO THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE OF THE FIREHALL BUILDING BY CITY PERSONNEL.

 

Vice Chair stated that Chief Painter might want to contact the borough to see if there may be funds available for maintenance.

 

VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

C.                 Administrative Guidelines Update and Revisions

 

Chair Newby commented that the next worksession would be devoted to review and discussion of the strategic plan she recommended taking these updates and do them too. She expressed thanks for the hard work performed by Mrs. Krause in the research and drafting of these documents. She requested the committee members to take the time to review the proposed draft documents that are included for review and to be prepared so some action can be taken at the next regular meeting.

 

Ms. Aplin commented on the form for accepting donations being very concise and clarified what is required before donating artwork.

 

Ms. Miller requested that the form be approved at this meeting since it was on the agenda.

 

MILLER/WOLFE - MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE MUNICIPAL ART COLLECTION GIFT PROPOSAL APPLICATION FORM AND FORWARD TO CITY COUNCIL FOR FINAL APPROVAL.

 

It was noted that once submitted and approved by council they could start using the form immediately. The members commented that it would have answered so many questions if they had this form before.

 

VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

 Motion carried.

 

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

 

None.

 

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

 

None.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY STAFF

 

Mrs. Krause stated that since there were no existing requirements for maintenance fee in city code all that is needed is to put forward an ordinance requesting that to be implemented. In regards to having a council member on the committee it may help but she was not sure who would be interested and then most important have the time. Mrs. Krause confirmed that Brad Hughes would be attending the Council Meeting on April 26, 2010. He is listed as a visitor.

                                                      

COMMENTS OF THE CHAIR

 

Chair Newby commented that it was great to have staff provide the information and research to establish such concise and very much needed policy. They are trying hard to earn the respect and support of the Council. She further reminded them to seek new members. She noted that bringing successful projects forward it would have positive influence on the importance of a public arts committee and public art within a community. She commented on how much she enjoyed being on this committee. Mrs. Newby stated that the same design was used on the map produced by the Homer News. She would like to put on this topic on the February agenda for 2011.

 

COMMENTS OF THE COMMITTEE

 

Ms. Aplin thanked Mrs. Krause for her outstanding efforts on the form for donations.

 

Ms. Wolfe stated that the Street Faire would be held July 17, 2010 instead of August. She commented that it was a good educational outlet, very worth the effort. Three projects can be touted about plus the Memorial. The cost is only $50.00. It was requested to have this as an action item on the May agenda.

 

Ms. Miller commented that when she resided in Anchorage she was on the Mayor’s Arts Advisory Commission and that budget was almost $300,000.00. Thanked Chair newby for her assistance.

 

ADJOURN

 

There being no further business to come before the Committee the meeting was adjourned at 11:35 a.m. The next worksession is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 20, 2010. The next regular meeting will be on May 20, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers, Homer, Alaska.

 

 

                                                                       

Renee Krause, Deputy City Clerk I

 

Approved: