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04/08/2009 PUBLIC ART & DESIGN BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER April 8, 2009 Present: Howard Warshauer Vice-Chair Mark Flickinger Board Member – arrived 2:52 p.m. Alex Plisko Jr. Board Member John P. Timberlake Board Member – departed 3:29 p.m. Sarah C. Butz Board Member Absent: Josh Bomstein Chair George Ann Bissett Board Member Also Present: Margo Walbolt Cultural Affairs Manager Christopher Hubbard Public Art Specialist Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Vice-Chair called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m. at the Long Center. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 1 – Election of Officers Member Timberlake moved to reappoint Josh Bomstein as Chair. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Member Plisko moved to reappoint Howard Warshauer as Vice-Chair. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 2 – Approval of Minutes – January 20, 2009 Member Timberlake moved to approve the minutes of the regular Public Art & Design Board meeting of January 20, 2009, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3 – Old Business a) Private Development Status Cultural Affairs Manager Margo Walbolt and Public Art Specialist Christopher Hubbard reviewed developments allocating funds to the discretionary fund. In general, public art projects should be located near contributing developments and relate to the general locale. Most of the current $211,676.98 discretionary fund is available for use. After installing its water wall and paintings, the downtown Residence Inn contributed $10,165 to the fund, which was the remainder of its public art allocation. The $92,783 Oak Cove allocation is reserved for the downtown boat slip promenade. Public Art & Design 2009-04-08 1 b) Public Development Status Clearwater Beach Recreation Center/Library Project If approved, the installation of Catherine Woods’ patterned glass project at the Clearwater Beach Recreation Center/Library could be completed by winter. The project proposal will be submitted to the PADB (Public Art & Design Board) for recommendation before it is presented to the City Council for final approval. Fire Station 48 Training Facility project The City Council approved the PADB recommendation that Christopher Fennel be the artist for this project to be located at the corner of Logan Street and Belcher Road. The Council expressed concern that the “fire ball” not be an attractive nuisance. Mr. Fennel is experimenting with welding techniques on decommissioned fire ladders. After he forwards a budget proposal and time line, a contract will be sent to City Hall to execute. Staff will address safety considerations before the project’s installation in early 2010. e) Downtown Boat Slips & Promenade A member commented that the No Fishing signs on the promenade should not have been mounted until work on the Drew Street fishing pier was completed. Ms. Walbolt said the promenade was not designed for fishing due to its close proximity to the boat slip project and the lack of running water to clean fish debris. Mr. Hubbard said staff wants to cast a wide net for its call to artists for the Downtown Boat Slip and Promenade art project. Following the summer deadline, staff will review proposals and qualifications and schedule an information workshop to determine public preference for themes. As this will be an important artwork, it was recommended that the PADB schedule a site visit to review the Public Art Master Plan recommendation for the project. Consensus was to schedule a site visit to the downtown boat slip promenade on April 17, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. 4 - New Business a) Public Art Ordinance Amendment Ms. Walbolt said on April 15, 2009, the City Council will vote on the Public Art Ordinance Amendment that mandates Council approval of art projects. In March, the Community Development Board recommended approval of the amendment. b) Clearwater Celebrates Baseball Banners Member Timberlake reported the Phillies had received a great deal of positive feedback regarding the Clearwater Celebrates Baseball banners. Mr. Hubbard said the banners will be displayed earlier next year. They are now being replaced by Cleveland Street district banners. Public Art & Design 2009-04-08 2 In the fall, art banners will celebrate Jazz Holiday. Ms. Walbolt said art banners are displayed twice a year; the program may be expanded in the future. c) Sculpture360: Season II It was noted that the current Sculpture360 display had garnered significant attention and many positive comments from Fourth Friday attendees and Farmers Market visitors. The first season’s display ends in July. For Season II, the DDB (Downtown Development Board) again will contribute $10,000. The deadline for Season II submissions is May 1, 2009. PADB members are welcome to participate on the selection team. Information on Season II sculptures will be presented to the City Council so they are aware of selections before contracts are finalized. In response to a question, Ms. Walbolt reviewed the Sculpture360 program. Each artist receives $4,000 and assumes all liability to transport the piece, supervise its installation, and insure it. There may be an opportunity to expand the Sculpture360 program after Coachman Park is redeveloped. As downtown develops, permanent art pieces could be commissioned. Another $2,000 is needed for Season II. Discussion ensued regarding use of the discretionary fund. Member Plisko moved that the Public Art & Design Board recommends that money from the discretionary fund be used to cover the remaining $2,000 in costs for Sculpture360: Season II. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. d) Change in 2009 meeting dates (July 8 & October 14) The Public Art & Design Advisory Board will now meet quarterly at 2:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday of January, April, July, and October. Remaining 2009 meetings are scheduled for July 8 and October 14 at the Long Center. It was noted the PADB may need to meet in June to recommend the Downtown Boat Slip and Promenade art project. Discussion ensued regarding the schedule with concerns expressed that it may need to be amended so that the PADB can make timely recommendations regarding Public Art projects. , e) Advisory Board Appreciation Dinner - April 292009 Annual Advisory Board Appreciation dinner activities will begin at 6:00 p.m. on April 29, 2009, at the Harborview Center. Please RSVP (727) 562-4093 by April 13, 2009. f) Citywide Call to Artists and Exhibition Schedule Mr. Hubbard said following the Countywide call to artists, art exhibits have been booked at the Main Library through December 2010. Another call is planned, specifying large scale art for display in City Hall. g) Coast Guard Exhibit at Main Library (August 2009) Ms. Walbolt reviewed City efforts to have Congress designate Clearwater as a Coast Guard designated City. Public Art & Design 2009-04-08 3 The Coast Guard’s exhibit in the special collections area on the Main Library’s fourth floor in August 2009 will coincide with the Coast Guard’s birthday. The exhibit, which can be extended for three months, will feature nautical theme art by Coast Guard members in Florida. Public Art & Design 2009-04-08 4 , h) FAPAA Conference Tampa (May 13 – 152009) The FAPAA (Florida Association of Public Art Administrators) Conference will be held in Tampa from May 13 to 15, 2009. The conference is open to the public for a fee. 5 – Items not on the Agenda City Council Approval of Artwork Ms. Walbolt reviewed the process to approve artwork. The City Council has the authority to decline artwork. Mr. Hubbard said staff submits to the Council a one page history of PABD choices, describing the selection project. From commissioning the artist for public artwork projects to installation takes an average of two years. Murals Discussion ensued regarding murals and the sign code. Public Art in Pinellas County Member Fickinger said in October, Pinellas County may eliminate its public art program or discontinue funding for several years. The future of projects underway is unknown. Concern was expressed that public art programs in Florida may disappear for several years. Clearwater Japanese Culture and Lantern Festival Ms. Walbolt reported that hundreds of lanterns will be displayed at Station Square Park th during the April 25, 2009 festival celebrating the 50 anniversary of Clearwater and Nagano’s Sister City association. The Counsel General of Japan, who is sponsoring the event, will attend. Fourth Friday On April 24, 2009, Fourth Friday will feature the band Joliet. Margo Walbolt’s Pending Retirement Ms. Walbolt thanked board members for their efforts. She will stay involved in art. 6 - Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 3:35 p.m. ___________________________________ Chair Attest: Public Art & Design Advisory Board ___________________________________ Board Reporter Public Art & Design 2009-04-08 5