PUBLIC ARTS COMMITTEE UNAPPROVED
REGULAR MEETING
MAY 21, 2009
Session 09-04 a Regular Meeting of the Public
Arts Committee was called to order at 11:15 a.m. on May 21, 2009 by Chair Angie
Newby at the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer
Avenue, Homer, Alaska.
PRESENT: COMMITTEEMEMBERS NEWBY, WOLFE,
FELLOWS, APLIN, FINKELSTEIN
STAFF: DEPUTY
CITY CLERK KRAUSE
AGENDA
APPROVAL
Committeemember Finkelstein recommended
moving Fundraising to Pending Business Item D. Chair Newby requested adding Vacancies
and Spit Trail. Deputy City Clerk Krause explained that they could not add
agenda items since it was not properly noticed allowing public to come and
comment. Chair Newby did not want to let another month go by before addressing
this topic. It was agreed to discuss under Pending Business Item C., Scenic
Byways. Chair Newby will discuss vacancies under Comments, and requested having
it added to the agenda under Pending Business in the future.
WOLFE/FINKELSTEIN – MOVED TO APPROVED TO
AMENDED AGENDA.
There was no discussion.
The agenda was approved by consensus of the
Committee.
MINUTES
APPROVAL
A. Meeting Minutes for April 16, 2009.
The synopsis was approved by consensus of
the Committee.
PUBLIC
COMMENT ON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA
None.
VISITORS
None.
STAFF
REPORT/COMMITTEE REPORT
None.
PUBLIC
HEARING
There were no public hearings.
PENDING
BUSINESS
A.
Poopdeck
Trailhead Sign
a.
Status
of Artist Release
b.
Public
Works Requirements for Removal and Storage
Chair Newby reported that Dave
Anderson was going to work on a formal release document for this but is no
longer a member so she will look further into the status of the Artist Release
document. Committeemember Wolfe has not progressed further in discussion with
“Mel” until the artist release document was available.
Deputy City Clerk Krause reported
that she spoke to Public Works Director Meyer regarding removal and storage of
the sign. Public Works will review the site and submit a recommendation for
removal technique of the sign. She will follow-up for the next meeting.
Chair Newby stated that they could
have the sculpture removed and stored until a decision is made upon it
disposal.
Committeemember Wolfe commented that
she was going to ask the artist what it was worth to him to have the sculpture
removed for his business. He was willing, previously, to give the Committee a
donation. He seemed to be positive about getting it out of the ground, rather
than resurrecting it. She would like to be able to approach him, due to any
donation would enable further work by the Committee.
Chair Newby explained since it was
the first piece to be deaccessioned, it was agreed that it would be best to get
the artist’s permission.
Chair Newby
responded they would be addressed in Item D to questions regarding fundraising.
B.
Wall
Murals for the Airport
a.
Results
from Site Visit Worksession – Memo from Sheri
Chair Newby summarized the worksession
findings during a field trip to view the areas at the Homer Airport.
Committeemember Wolfe commented that
the first thing would be a consolidation of the information into a more
pleasing display. Cleaning the space up. She recommended removing the display
board that carries rack cards in the main seating area. This is in direct conflict
of the Chambers display area for promotion.
Committeemember Aplin replied it would
avoid duplication.
Committeemember Finkelstein
recommended keeping this on the agenda as it would be a long process.
Further discussion covered that it is
part of the overall Gateways project and can be one of the three areas, Air,
Road, and Ferry. The ferry terminal is run by the state and so this limits the work
that can be done there.
FINKELSTEIN/ WOLFE - MOVED TO REFRAME
ITEM B IN PENDING BUSINESS TO ESTABLISH THE GATEWAYS PROJECT AS AN ONGOING
PROJECT WITH THE SUBCATEGORIES OF AIR TRANSPORTATION – HOMER AIRPORT, ROAD
TRANSPORTATION - BAYCREST HILL, AND MARINE TRANSPORTATION – FERRY TERMINAL.
There was a brief discussion on the
purpose of this project.
VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS
CONSENT.
Motion carried.
Chair Newby requested a motion
regarding the recommendation on consolidation.
WOLFE/FELLOWS – MOVED TO RECOMMEND
CONSOLIDATION AND OVERALL CLEAN UP OF THE AREA WHERE THE RACK CARDS ARE
DISPLAYED IN THE AIRPORT.
Discussion covered what should be done
regarding cleaning up the area since the walls have been painted, and new
flooring installed. The committee recommended that city rack should be removed.
This duplicated what the Chamber of Commerce offered. The Committee determined
that the following were to be considered partners (entities having displays or
artwork at the terminal):
1. Chamber of Commerce
2. Pratt Museum
3. City of Homer –
includes individual artwork displays, flat locked cases and rack cards
4. State of Alaska Fish
& Wildlife Department
5. Pioneers of Alaska
6. National Parks
Service
7. State of Alaska Parks
Department
1. Leased Spaces
2. Vendors
Discussion continued regarding the
possibility of additional partners having dedicated spaces to maintain and
display items of artwork. New partners would mean more volunteers. New partners
could be the area schools, and the garden club. If there was dedicated spaces
either permanent or on a rotating basis those partners would be responsible for
the area. It would be ongoing and maintained. A plan could be submitted to the
Airport Manager regarding the recommendations.
Chair Newby requested recommendations
for initiating the education of the entities involved. It was suggested that a
letter to the existing partners, explaining the goals of the Gateways project. The
letter should include an informal invitation to review the space allocated to
them at the Airport and think about ways to work together to improve the
overall appearance of these specific areas. It was suggested that the Committee
proceed carefully and not step on toes.
Chair Newby explained that after the
inventory was performed the committee realized that there was a variety of
existing public art venues. The airport is one of these. The remodel of the
airport is complete and the Airport Manager realized there were some areas that
the Public Arts Committee could be a contributor. After the initial review, the
Committee realized that there are a number of people interacting in the space
and the Committee needs to “empower” those persons to realize they have a
partnership with the city and get them interested in working with the city to
make the spaces more inviting to the end users. Since there were no responses
to the recent request for proposal for the Poopdeck Trailhead Signage
rehabilitation the committee has approximately $1300.00 remaining to expend this
year and the Airport would be a good place to use part of it.
Committeemember Finkelstein inquired
about the status of the existing inventory. She did not want jump into
something. When inviting discussion she would prefer to have previous work
solidified. She personally does not know where the City owned artwork is
located. She has been approached to have a story written about the collection.
This would build a foundation for work that has been done.
Deputy City Clerk Krause will email inventory
to the committee.
There was a brief discussion regarding
the content of inventory and locations.
Further discussion regarding sending a
letter to existing partners.
FINKELSTEIN/ALPIN - MOVED TO COMMUNICATE
WITH ALL EXISTING ENTITIES AT THE AIRPORT IDENTIFYING THEM AS PARTNERS, AND INVITE
THEM TO AN ORIENTATION ON PUBLIC ART IN A PUBLIC SPACE.
Discussion encompassed the context of
incorporating public art into a public space. This will lead to conversations
with each existing entity at the airport to work towards consolidation and
coordination of each area. The committee addressed establishing a different
time for a worksession or meeting outside of the regular meeting. Committeemembers
agreed to include the Airport Manager, Sheri Hobbs with their plans and ideas
and work with her on sending out this correspondence. The Chair will draft and
send the letter to the partners.
VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
Deputy City Clerk Krause reminded the
Committee that a motion was still on the floor.
Brief discussion on the motion made by
Committeemember Wolfe regarding consolidation and clean up of areas within the Airport
Terminal.
VOTE. (Main motion) YES. NON-OBJECTION.UNANIMOUS
CONSENT.
Motion carried.
C.
Scenic
Byways
Committeemember Aplin reported that
there is an interpretive plan in the works through a partnership with the State
for the Ferry. This will incorporate the Aleutians, Kodiak and Homer. This
could potentially include public art. The Sterling Highway is part of the State
Scenic Byways and is eligible for the grant. The deadline for the Scenic Byways
Grant was missed this year but if a plan could be solidified; they could apply
in timely manner for next February or March.
The Scenic Byways Grant will be added
to the Gateways Project as a regular agenda item.
Chair Newby informed the committee
that the City was awarded a 2+ million dollar grant to complete the Spit Trail
to the end of the Spit. She emailed Special Projects Coordinator Anne Marie
Holen, Public Works Director Carey Meyer, and City Manager Walt Wrede and put
them on notice that this project fell under the Public Arts Committee purview.
Committeemember Aplin was not sure how
the grant was written; but it did include interpretive signage, which was not
necessarily flat signage.
The Committee requested an invitation
be sent to Special Projects Coordinator Holen to attend the June meeting to
give a formal update, nature of the grant and project timeline.
Deputy City Clerk did inform the
Committee that this project was an Alaska Department of Transportation project
not a City project. She stated that there is a question on whether there would
be funding for art on this project.
Chair Newby stated it would lend to
additional funding for art. She further stated that since they are over the
organizational mode and they are implementing strategies and since the goal is
to educate partners, the Committee needs to educate other City Departments to keep
the Public Arts Committee in mind.
D.
Fundraising
Chair Newby reported that at the last meeting
fundraising was mentioned.
Committeemember Finkelstein stated that the
Street Faire would be held on August 22, 2009 on Hazel Avenue. The street will
be closed to traffic for vendors to set up. The vendors will set up from the
Library to Petro Marine. The theme of the faire is sustainable communities. She
believed art fell into this category. The cost for a booth would be $75.00.
WOLFE/ALPIN – MOVED TO APPROPRIATE $75.00
FROM THE PUBLIC ARTS BUDGET TO HAVE A BOOTH AT THE AUGUST 22, 2009 STREET FAIRE.
Committeemember Fellows requested
clarification on the fee. Ensuing discourse covered who would complete the
application, and the procedure to request those funds. Committeemember
Finkelstein will complete the application and forward to Deputy City Clerk
Krause. The purpose of the booth, what display materials to offer and outreach will
be discussed at the June meeting.
Chair Newby noted that she would like to have
some vehicle where donations can be made to the Public Arts Committee.
Committeemember Fellows asked about meeting
with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRC) on fundraising for
signage, etc.
Deputy City Clerk Krause responded to
questions regarding meeting frequency for the PRC possibly going to quarterly
meetings.
Chair Newby expressed comments regarding
plenty of interest in parks and recreation but no financial support for these
interests from council or the city.
Committeemember Wolfe pointed out in the
Administrative Guidelines when the 1% kicks in and when it kicks out.
WOLFE/FINKELSTEIN – MOVED TO REVIEW THE
THRESHHOLD FOR THE 1% FOR PUBLIC ART TO SEE IF IT CAN BE LOWERED.
Discussion ensued regarding previous
discussions held on the amount, when it kicks in and when it does not.
VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
A. Election of
a Chair and Vice Chair
Chair Newby opened the floor for nominations
of Chair.
Committeemember Finkelstein nominated Angie
Newby. Seconded by Committeemember Wolfe.
There were no objections.
VOTE. YES. ALPIN, FELLOWS, FINKELSTEIN,
WOLFE, NEWBY
Motion carried.
Chair Newby opened the floor for Vice Chair
nominations.
Committeemember Finkelstein nominated Gaye
Wolf for Vice Chair. Seconded by Committeemember Fellows.
There were no objections.
VOTE. YES. ALPIN, FELLOWS, FINKELSTEIN,
WOLFE, NEWBY
Motion carried.
INFORMATIONAL
MATERIALS
There was none.
COMMENTS
OF THE AUDIENCE
There was none.
COMMENTS
OF THE STAFF
Deputy City Clerk Krause responded to
questions regarding email conversations or information between members. She let them know that she does tend to
conduct a more formalized meeting, which has benefits for both the committee and
staff. This we lead to concise agendas and adhering to some rules allows for a
smoother and quicker meeting.
COMMENTS
OF THE COMMITTEE
Committeemember Wolfe inquired if any
applications were received. She stated that a very productive meeting and the
Gateways project is smashing.
Committeemember Finkelstein echoed the
sentiments. She felt it was very exciting. She will be removing her Council of
Arts hat and be a citizen artist activist. She requested the Chair to submit a
letter affirming her role while on this Committee to the Homer Council on the
Arts. She does hope that the Homer Council on the Arts continues to work with
the Public Arts Committee. She will not be attending the June meeting.
Committeemember Fellows was very positive on
the work they want to do at the airport. She would like to see projects
completed prior to starting new ones though. The public has no knowledge what
the inventory is about. She reminded the Chair that the Committee needs to be
very careful and not step on any toes. This has left a bad impression of the
Committee.
There were multiple comments regarding
completed projects and shared opinions.
Committeemember Aplin will take questions to
the State and Federal “partners” to see if it will be possible to consolidate
efforts to orientate people to those public lands and create that space for
public art to make a more cohesive display.
COMMENTS
OF THE CHAIR
Chair Newby addressed the concerns regarding
negative remarks or statements regarding the work being done by the Committee.
She encouraged the members to bring all statements to the meetings. She
encouraged the members to seek new members. She will draft the letter to the
partners.
ADJOURN
There being no further business to come before
the Committee the meeting was adjourned at 12:21 p.m. The next regular meeting
is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on July 16, 2009. There will be a worksession at
10:00 a.m. at the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers, Homer, Alaska.
Renee Krause, Deputy City Clerk I
Approved: