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10/14/2009 PUBLIC ART & DESIGN ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER October 14, 2009 Present: Josh Bomstein Chair Howard Warshauer Vice-Chair Alex Plisko Jr. Board Member Sarah C. Butz Board Member Absent: George Ann Bissett Board Member Mark Flickinger Board Member John P. Timberlake Board Member Also Present: Felicia Leonard Administrative Support Manager Christopher Hubbard Cultural Affairs Specialist Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Vice-Chair called a work session to order at 2:13 p.m. at the Long Center, and passed the gavel to the Chair when a quorum was reached at 2:15 p.m., when the meeting began. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 2 – Approval of Minutes June 1, 2009 Member Warshauer moved to approve the minutes of the regular Public Art & Design Board meeting of June 1, 2009, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3 – Old Business 3.1. Private Development Status Cultural Affairs Specialist Christopher Hubbard reviewed private development: 1) Developer of $12 million Holiday Inn Express/Coronado has not contacted staff; 2) Developers’ desire to install public art will be detailed in development agreement for Lakeside at Clearwater mixed-use - Belcher Road/Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard; 3) Developers stated preference for in-lieu of option for $7.65 million Pineberry senior-living facility on S. Highland Avenue; 4) Developers wish to install public art at $12 million Surf Style parking garage/S. Gulfview Boulevard. Staff recommends mosaic/mural as beach environment is too harsh for a banner; 5) Staff monitoring progress towards threshold for Ocean View Apartments rehabilitation on N. Osceola; and 6) Staff monitoring progress toward threshold for Westfield Countryside Mall rehabilitation and discussing public art/placement with the developer. Mr. Hubbard suggested the board have the option of permitting art inside the mall where there is significant foot traffic. 3.2. Public Development Status a) Clearwater Beach Recreation Center/Library project Public Art & Design 2009-10-14 1 The contract for Catherine Woods’ patterned glass project has been fully negotiated and awaits execution at City Hall. The artwork is slated for installation in February 2010. The artist has insured the work. Risk Management would ascertain fault should any problem occur. b) Fire Station 48 Training Facility Artist Christopher Fennel recently picked up additional decommissioned fire ladders in Clearwater for his sculpture “Ladder Fire,” which is scheduled for installation in January 2010. c) Sculpture360: Season II Sculptures by artists Jack Howard-Potter and Jarrett K. Hawkins have been installed. Due to family illness, the artist of the third sculpture did not participate. Two alternate artists recommended by the Selection Panel declined, one citing the breadth of the contract. Mr. Hubbard contacted Doug Makemson, whose artwork was highly ranked by many panelists but was not chosen for the final round. Mr. Makemson’s sculpture, “Henry,” is constructed of found and recycled materials and will complement the “Going Green” sculpture already in place. “Henry” will be installed in late October. Mr. Makemson carries $2 million insurance on the sculpture; the City requires $1 million. Staff is looking into streamlining the exhibition agreement. d) Downtown Boat Slips and Promenade Now that the power converter station has been removed from the waterfront, public art can be located southeast of the promenade. The concept of the proposed public artwork could be unveiled at a dedication ceremony next spring, following completion of the docks. In conjunction with efforts to attain Congressional designation as a Coast Guard City, Harbor- master Bill Morris’s memo indicated there are no Coast Guard monuments in the City and suggested that artwork reflecting the Coast Guard’s “land and sea” efforts could be installed at the boat slips to honor Coast Guard members and their families. Administrative Support Manager Felicia Leonard said 500 Coast Guard families live in Clearwater. Discussion ensued with comments that the entire $200,000 budget should not be used to promote the Coast Guard as other military branches could request similar recognition, that $20,000 could be set aside for a Coast Guard related sculpture, and while Coast Guard efforts are appreciated, public art should appeal to the entire population. It was noted that the Sand Key station is the only Coast Guard facility in the City. Mr. Hubbard reviewed the process to determine the sculpture’s theme. It was suggested that a Coast Guard sculpture could be installed on Sand Key, in front of the Coast Guard station or by the bridge or Fire Station. It was felt a small plaque or sculpture on the waterfront would have little value. 4 - New Business 4.1. Poet Laureate program A local poet approached the City Manager to implement a Poet Laureate program. Staff reviewed resources necessary to support the program; everything the poet will say must be reviewed. Staff recommended against adding a program while staff cutbacks are occurring. The Clearwater Arts Foundation endorsed the Poet Laureate program but cannot fund it. Public Art & Design 2009-10-14 2 Discussion ensued with comments that the program does not meet the City’s definition of Public Art. Concern was expressed that a precedent not be established whereby the Clearwater Jazz Festival, for example, could request funds. 4.2. Carpenter Field Renovation The Phillies support a sculpture/statue/bust/plaque, commemorating, the Phillies’ longtime play-by play announcer Harry Kalas. Mr. Hubbard said $40,000 is available for Public Art at this facility; the board is responsible for establishing the scope. He suggested scheduling a site visit to determine the best location for the art. It was suggested that more people would see art at Bright House Field. It was commented that Mr. Kalas should not be depicted smoking and that placing art close to US 19 may distract drivers. Consensus was to schedule a meeting on January 13, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. at Carpenter Field. 4.3. Aging Well Center With a CIP (Capital Improvement Project) budget of $970,000, the Aging Well Center’s public art contribution would only be $9,700. It has been recommended that the funds be used in the community space to establish a rotating art gallery that would exhibit art produced by local senior artists. It was felt that available funds would be sufficient to purchase good gallery equipment. Consensus was to support a rotating art gallery at the Aging Well Center. 4.4. FDOT US 19 Overpass Project The FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) project to widen the US 19 overpass at Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard and construct overpasses at Nursery and Druid Road/Seville is scheduled for completion in 2014. FDOT and Cultural Affairs staff support installation of wayfinding or gateway themed art at the Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard/ US 19 intersection. Opportunities for early inclusion of public artwork in the project’s design will be discussed on October 20, 2009. Ms. Leonard said FDOT is obligated to spend 10% of the enhancement project budget on public art and landscaping. Staff will track this project. 4.5. Sculpture360: Season III Mr. Hubbard will implement the Sculpture360: Season III Call to Artists and selection process earlier next year to provide more time to negotiate contracts and arrange for the installations. He also is pursuing temporary exhibition grants and sponsorships to reduce reliance on DDB (Downtown Development Board) contributions. If successful in obtaining outside funding, the program could expand to Coachman Park. 4.6. Private Developer’s Information Packet Update AND 4.7. PADB Guidelines Update Public Art & Design 2009-10-14 3 Mr. Hubbard is updating the Private Developer's Information Packet and PADB (Public Art & Design Board) Guidelines. He will update these materials every three years. He will provide board members with copies of the updates in January. 4.8. Baseball Banners (Sprinq 2010) Mr. Hubbard said all of last year's baseball-themed banners are in good condition. The Phillies fund the hanging of Phillies' banners. Consensus was to rehang the 2009 baseball-themed banners for up to three months. 5 - Items not on the Agenda Mr. Hubbard anticipated the public art program will experience increased activity. Future projects include two reverse osmosis facilities, traffic calming, renovations to fire stations, Ruth Eckerd Hall, DiMaggio Field, and the Capital Theater, the potential redevelopment of Coachman Park, consolidation of the East and Countryside libraries and a downtown intermodal facility. Staff has provided public art information to Aurora Lighting, which is interested in purchasing property at the Court/Chestnut split and constructing a facility. Ms. Leonard reviewed progress on the expansion of the City's trail system. The project to widen the Pinellas Trail through downtown did not meet requirements for an art contribution. Mr. Hubbard said 2010 meetings are scheduled for March 17, June 16, September 15, and December 15. He said a January meeting is scheduled to fill the gap between today and March 17. Mr. Hubbard suggested inviting the developer of the Flag building to attend a board meeting to discuss proposed public art. It was recommended that the facility's public art be installed on green space bordering Ft. Harrison Avenue. Concern was expressed regarding poor attendance at board meetings. Mr. Hubbard reported that Mark Flickinger will resign as he no longer represents the Pinellas County Cultural Affairs Committee and Sarah Butz will resign due to her planned move from the City. 6 - Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m. NEXT MEETING - JANUARY 13. 2010 AT CARPENTER FIELD cP Public Art & Design Advisory Board Public Art & Design 2009-10-14 4