Public Art Committee Meeting Synopsis
May 11, 2006
Cowles Council Chambers
Present: Connie Alderfer, Dave Anderson, Angie Newby, Ron
Senungetuk, Asia Freeman
Absent: Mike Yourkowski, Gale Parsons
Public:
Staff: Rachel Livingston
The minutes from the 3/23/06 meeting were approved.
III. Old Business
Rachel explained the one minor change that the Planning Director would like to see in regards to the subject line of the Fred Meyer letter. The PAC committee agreed to change the subject line to: RE: Homer is an “Arts Town” – Join the fun! The Committee asked Rachel to send the letter out after the appropriate change was made.
Asia thought the minutes from the planning commission were odd in that it did not reflect the positive response she felt the commission had to the Town Center resolution. She felt that the planning commission had asked the arts committee to expand their authority to include Town Center. Asia mentioned that maybe they should meet with Beth. Dave questioned where our responsibilities lie. He mentioned that art is referred to in the Town Center plan. Asia felt that there was a clear message from the planning commission to go to the Council for permission. Connie asked if we are than going to council to ensure our mandate for participation in Town Center?
Asia commented that this is also really supporting our overtures to Fred Meyer as well. Dave mentioned that this possible approval from Council could open other doors to other private development. Connie supported this statement and added that if the Council supports this mandate; we could come up with a variety of ideas. Dave questioned the need for a possible private/public art organization. Asia answered that while this is a good idea, it is not a sustainable option right now due to the amount of time and additional planning it would entail. Connie mentioned that other communities have private/public consortiums. Asia agreed and stated that she has complete support for Dave’s suggestion if we have the backing of the City to be available and provide an incentive approach. Angie asked if we should perhaps incorporate into the guidelines first to broaden our scope within Town Center. Asia commented that there is a momentum and while this is fresh on the planning commission’s mind we should pursue this. Connie stated that we need to solidify our focus, are we directing people in one way or just suggesting ideas? Angie commented that art could be a zoning requirement when a certain square footage is reached for private business but we do need the support of the council to encourage this kind of development. Connie mentioned that if we went to council and we asked them to create an ordinance paralleling the 1% for arts program but in the private sector it would not get approved, however if we asked for the opportunity to encourage art we would get a different response.
Asia stated that she would rather have the planning staff send the stronger statement to the Council.
Dave commented that every developer will not support putting money into public art but we could encourage this kind of thinking and while this might not hold much weight, it does plant the seed toward thinking in a proactive way to beautify Homer and encourage economic development. Connie stated that she would be comfortable with the clear light for marketing this concept and would enjoy participating and helping this idea along. She stated to Asia that she understands that letting our Town Center develop without the teeth might give us something less than what Homer deserves. If we had more mandatory rules in place from several years ago, this town might look quite different.
Asia mentioned the importance of the role of the planning commission and the planning staff in evaluating the private and public collaboration in town center. Asia stated that we should schedule a joint meeting with the Planning Commission so we can move forward and recommend to Council that we can work with private as well as public in the 1% for the arts program. Asia felt it was important to approach this as collaboration for public and private in Town Center and that we should be assertive and brave and we need to have the city structure behind it.
Asia moved that the Public Arts Committee ask the planning staff and Planning Commission to meet with the PAC to strategize the next step in the evaluation of private facilities in the Public Arts committee forum. Angie seconded and the motion passed.
Animal Shelter opening is now on July 7th in conjunction with first Friday. HAF will provide food and Rachel will contact the press. Connie will speak with HAF.
Triangle Park - Asia commented that various things have been proposed for this area and we need to come up with a new proposal. Rachel will look at the file and come up with a history of the park. Connie stated that since it is a public park, it should be adopted as a public art project. Dave mentioned that there might be DOT money left over but we need to know what the MOU is and Rachel is having a hard time locating this. Asia moved that the committee find out if any money is left over and if there is any money to prepare a public art RFP or acknowledge the MOU or prepare a new identity, seconded by Dave. Rachel will research this and get back to the committee.
John Villani – Asia discussed the collaboration between PAC and the Chamber to learn and become inspired by what becomes a special art town with the help of John Villani. Asia stated that the lodging is taken care of for John but we still have his speaking fee and reception/advertising fees. Chamber is giving $125 Bunnell is giving $125 Alderfer Group is giving $125 and Angie will work on the Board of Realtors for $125. Asia moved that the PAC request a $125 donation from the City for the John Villani book signing.
Administrative Guidelines - Ron commented that there are many different variations on art financial agreements, some are strict and some are done by a handshake. There were comments on the contracts and RFP’s submitted by Ron and discussion on the library art contracts. Rachel submitted another example of the city art contract. There was discussion on getting the contracts in place much earlier in the process.
Ron had to leave but wanted to mention his thoughts on the art selection process and the role of the PAC in this process. He asked the committee to not be too over bearing in the process or to lead the discussion. In other words do not judge the art. Ron stated he clearly feels that the committee should have very little involvement in the selection of the art. He stated that the selection committee should do 90% of the selecting.
Discussion continued on the Administrative guidelines and how best to proceed. Rachel made copies of the Stockton art guidelines for the committee. Connie mentioned the idea of works of art in public places in some kind of registry. Connie
pointed out the best way to handle the guidelines at this point with everyone’s busy schedule is to tackle sections individually and then bring them back to the committee for review. She mentioned that she has someone to work on the grammatical flaws once we have a completed rough draft.
Asia brought up the selection committee and her thoughts on appointing not only one person to the committee but an additional committee member who served on a previous selection committee to provide continuity. The selection committee should feel ownership for the project. The decision on who chairs the committee should be left to the selection committee. After we appoint the selection committee, we can ask for them to pick a chair at their next meeting. Dave agreed and mentioned his positive reaction to Ron’s comments, that we should provide guidance without controlling or directing, in effect, go with the flow to provide a little bit of direction and leave it at that.
Dave asked if some kind of file drawer could be provided so that if a member of the committee misses a meeting they can pick up the materials missed.
Next meeting set for June 8 at 11:00