Homer Public Arts Committee
Friday, October 19, 2007 11:00 am
Cowles Council Chambers
Meeting Synopsis

 


Session 07-10 a special meeting of the Public Arts Committee was called to order by Chair Wolfe at 11:00 am on October 19, 2007 in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer Alaska.

Present: Co-Chair, Gaye Wolfe, Trina Fellows, Karin Marks, Hope Finklestein

Absent:  Dave Anderson, Angie Newby, Mike Yourkowski

Staff:  Absent, Dru Corbin

CALL TO ORDER

APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Agenda approved  

APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Approval of September 20th minutes

VISITORS:

A.        Tamas Deak, sub contractor from Koonce Pfeffer Bettis talked about the comprehensive plan. Asked us to please be proactive getting public input.

B.  Derotha reported on the hospital:  A picture of hospital explained the new building.  They are on hold to move in but have been given clearance to start and only a few outstanding things to complete. Artwork was part of the furnishings.  Now there are five opportunities for art to be incorporated into the finished building of phase 1:

1. Outside concrete wall (already has been vandalized)

2. Front door big outdoor sculpture, but wait until crane is gone

3. Framed art on walls in the lobby and ER

4. Fountain - a family has donated fountain in imaging waiting area

5. An inside mural largest blank wall in facility.

 

She has spoken to artists about practical use of walls and the problem is funding, so she doesn't know how much it will be. She priced framing and checked numbers to get creative and she met with artists who all told her that for an artist to donate a print is very reasonable, why wouldn't they want to donate?  There was a discussion about the difference between donating a "print" and asking an artist to paint a large mural.

She mentioned that there is an endowment donation that coming up soon, given to the hospital. There is no set designation as of yet. The question was why didn't the hospital put in 1% for the art? She explained that because it was 99% public dollars (taxpayers) not state. There is no restriction or expectation from the bureau for the 1% program. $90,000 of the project was federal but it was designated for specific flood issues.

A comment was made about why the Central Peninsula Hospital had funds for art and where that money came from. Derotha did not know for sure where the money came from but that when they are done they are 60 million in debt


STAFF & COUNCIL REPORT/COMMITTEE REPORTS/BOROUGH REPORTS  

1. Town Center/City Hall - Gaye reported there was an active meeting and people in attendance were very excited however nothing new or additional about the selection committee being formed.  As states in the PAC guidelines, 1) a representative from this committee is to be assigned but they are non-voting  (need to check on that) and 2) PAC gets to appoint the artist representative for the committee.

 

The city has restructured the Town Plaza Committee for site selection and most of the same members will be retained to see the project through construction.  They are looking for another at large member and by the next meeting in November will actually start selecting a person for the committee who will work with architect.

The project has been separated into two, City Hall being primary and Town Plaza secondary. Separating is better for the art. The areas of construction have been defined but location of City Hall and Town Plaza is not complete yet. They have a guarantee to the state for sale of the City Hall building to the college.  

Elements given to them for consideration are good and we want to take it slower and do it correct.  Ideas like a covered band shell, water element to possibly include all seasons (water and ice), and open space for both Saturday market and Concert on the Lawn type events, steps to the city hall being part of seating.  City Hall and Town Plaza will set the tone for future development.  Town Square could create a "village" feeling with businesses on the lower levels and housing above with small pocket areas.  It was mentioned that they hope they don't put in too many roads and more trails, quote: "road to lead me to, not take me through."

 

2.  Art budget note from Dru that there is $4000 in budget being considered that may or not change.

 

3.  It was reported that Walt has agreed to let Dru help with some PAC projects such as website, and she has begun a site and will hopefully have something to show in November.

4.  It was mentioned that there is a need to educate the council about budget support for the work and development this committee. They are appreciative of being in the budget and that they are being considered.

5.  The issue of vandalism was discussed.  We should be more proactive through education and the media. If the community wants to be an art community; they need to take care of it. How can we be proactive through the school system?  


PUBLIC HEARING  -  none

 

PENDING BUSINESS

1.      Poopdeck signs - ongoing until it can be hopefully become part of the Town Center area

2.      City Hall/Town Center - already discussed

3.      Triangle Park - no discussion

4.      Cataloging current city art - a form has been designed to obtain all the information needed for cataloging the City's artwork.

5.      Resolution increasing cap for the art for City Hall/Town Center project - no discussion

NEW BUSINESS

1.  2008 Meeting Schedule -3rd Thursday at 11 am / 10 am work sessions - (Thanksgiving)

2.  Website development -Dru report at next meeting - separate web link on the city website.

3.  Adjusting By-laws:  should not be called By-laws but Administrative Guidelines because that is what they are.  It is an addition to the Administrative Guidelines for accepting art - no time to discuss the addition.

5.  Charlotte Fox visit to Homer -not discussed

6.  October 21st at Bunnells - not discussed

      
10. COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE  none

11. COMMENTS OF THE CITY STAFF none
12. COMMENTS OF THE CHAIR - meeting adjourned

15.
ADJOURNMENT/
NEXT SPECIAL MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR

November 15th, 11:00 am in Cowles Council Chambers. Worksession November 15th 10:00 am