Meeting Synopsis

Session 07-04 a regular meeting of the Public Arts Committee was called to order by Chair Alderfer at 11:07 am on March 15, 2007 in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer Alaska.

Present: Connie Alderfer, Chair, Mike Yourkowski, Gaye Wolfe, Dave Anderson, Ron Senungetuk, Angie Newby

Absent: Asia Freeman

Staff: no staff present

CALL TO ORDER

APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Connie asked that a chair be appointed under new business. Angie suggested a vice chair as well. Mike Yourkowski was tasked with providing amendments to bylaws. The amendments were forwarded to Rachel so we will have to put on the next agenda.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – minutes were not yet finished from previous meeting.

VISITORS – Derotha Ferraro - Gaye Wolfe asked Derotha to come and clarify the inclusion of art at the South Peninsula Hospital. Derotha reported that currently when you enter the main floor of the hospital, the area to the left has two long hallways. The hospital has an arrangement with HCOA (Homer Council on the Arts) to solicit artists and select the art that currently hangs on these hallway walls. The pieces are for sale. This was kicked off last April. Derotha was not sure what the goal of that project was and deferred to Gaye. Gaye stated that it was to test the validity of the healing arts program and to see if it made a difference in the overall well being of staff, patients, and visitors. Some commented that it was an interesting location as it is not a high traffic area. Gaye stated that she has heard good feedback from the staff and they don’t feel like they are just locked up. The next step in the collaboration with HCOA and the Hospital has not yet happened and with the current construction season it might be best to hold off (depending on what that next step is). Derotha spoke about the history of the current expansion and the expansion that is now before the voters. Bottom line – out of the current budget for the first phase there is $30,000 earmarked for art, however there is no money yet allocated for the next phase, of course the money for the next phase does not yet exist. Funding for the next phase may come from taxpayers, state legislature appropriating 1 million dollars, 1 million left from current construction and the rest in grants. As far as what the $30,000 art budget is earmarked for is completely up in the air. There is a lack of planning for the art money. Derotha spoke to Larry Dallas and he explained that outside resources for funding buildings is quite small yet resources for funding items within the building are out in the public. In other words, people do not want to help fund the paving of the parking lot but they are willing to fund items within the building (comfortable furniture and art to name a few) Other sources the hospital is benefiting from include the Auxiliary which has already committed to (Derotha pointed to an area, she was too far from microphone to track what she was saying) Private donors have started committing to certain parts of the building. Mary? whose brother worked at hospital has agreed to put in a fountain in his memory.

Derotha closed by saying that the hospital is open to suggestions and how to handle these art funds. She would welcome suggestions on how to go about it. Connie wondered if Derotha would be open to their committee helping. Derotha asked what exactly it is this committee does. Connie explained the PAC’s role. Gaye mentioned she was happy to see the admin guidelines done in a timely manner to possibly help with this process. Gale commented that the PAC is helping to protect the arts in the community. There was discussion on how the PAC could be involved and how we are advocates to encourage art. Angie mentioned that this is a quasi-public environment. City owns the land; borough owns the building and this may be a wonderful project where we can lend our expertise through our guidelines and through our experience with the animal shelter and the library. Derotha asked if the PAC was directly involved would it need council approval. No, because there is no city money involved. Derotha mentioned that it would be a big relief to her for the committee to take this over. Further discussion on how this would work. Discussion on funding and overall budget. Derotha mentioned how grateful she was that the subject of art in the hospital was brought to her attention since she is still in the learning stages of her new job and this aspect of the expansion had not been on her radar. The next step is to get the Administrative Guidelines to Derotha so she can review them and then collaborate on how the PAC may spearhead this project.

STAFF & COUNCIL REPORT/COMMITTEE REPORTS/BOROUGH REPORTS

PUBLIC HEARING - none

PENDING BUSINESS Implementation of Administrative Guidelines: Connie stated that we had started the implementation process at the last meeting. Determining capital projects. What projects count and which do not count? Connie mentioned that there is a misunderstanding about sidewalks that we need to resolve. The website is another part of the puzzle. Walking tour was mentioned. How do we solicit private money for public art?

NEW BUSINESS – Mike Yourkowski would really like to see work on the website as he had a hard time finding mention of the PAC committee on the city Website. Angie Newby is the new chair of the PAC and Gaye Wolfe will serve as the co-chair.

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

COMMENTS OF THE CITY STAFF

COMMENTS OF THE COUNCILMEMBER (If one is assigned)

COMMENTS OF THE CHAIR –

COMMENTS OF THE Committee – Gaye spoke about the ARTrageous August and we are becoming Artrageous Homer and she is out to brand the community. The Homer council on the Arts is the umbrella group and we need to find the funding and we need to promote this event as it becomes more and more popular. Artrageoushomer.org is the address to find out more information.

Dave wanted to thank Angie and Gaye for heading the committee and thank Connie, Ron and Asia for their hard work. Dave complimented Gaye on one of the coolest brochures to come out of Homer ever. Ron also mentioned how instrumental Connie was on this committee.

ADJOURNMENT/NEXT REGULAR MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR

April 19, 2007 11:00 am.