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06/16/2010PUBLIC ART & DESIGN BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER June 16, 2010 Present: Josh Bornstein Howard Warshauer Alex Plisko Jr. Judith B. Powers Sultana Sophie Volaitis Absent: John P. Timberlake Robert J. Entel Chair Vice-Chair Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Also Present: Felicia Leonard Administrative Support Manager Christopher Hubbard Cultural Affairs Specialist Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The 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. 3 - Approval of Minutes - March 18, 2010 Member Powers moved to approve the minutes of the regular Public Art & Design Board meeting of March 18, 2010, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 4 - Old Business 4.1. Downtown Boat Slips & Promenade Cultural Affairs Specialist Christopher Hubbard requested board input regarding a RFQ (Request for Qualifications) for the downtown boat slip/promenade art project. A submittal timeline has not been established. It was recommended that the RFQ cite the importance of the artwork's connection with downtown and its function as an anchor for Cleveland Street. 4.2. Fire Station 48 Progress Installation of a water distribution pipeline under the Fire Station 48 artwork site is nearly complete. The retaining wall along Logan Street needs to be replaced before the public artwork project can be installed. The artist is comfortable with the delay. 4.3. Aging Well Center Since the Aging Well Center's grand opening on June 8, 2010, the center has had significant traffic and is enrolling new clients for a variety of classes. The gallery features a 3- month exhibit by center instructors Taylor Ikin and Larry Clement. Soon, 3D art vitrine cases will be installed to display ceramics. Public Art & Design 2010-06-16 4.4. FDOT US 19N Ove Staff has forwarded the Call to Artists for the US19N overpass Public Art project to FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) in Tallahassee for legal review. Staff is monitoring progress. 5 - New Business 5.1. Private Development Update The Finance Department is establishing a Code for Cultural Affairs to pay public art charges directly from the Discretionary Fund. See 5.3 for additional information. 5.2. Public Development Update Public Art Discretionary Fund available balance $ 96,272.98 Reserved funds for downtown Boat Slips/Promenade art 104,404.00 Sculpture360: Season III 8,000.00 Total Discretionary Fund balance $208,676.98 Catherine Woods' laminated glass artwork at the Clearwater Beach Recreation Center & Library has been well received. 5.3. Public Art Ordinance Interpretation re Institutional zoning Based on a request to the Legal Department from Clearwater Christian College for a legal interpretation of Ordinance 7489-05, Section 3-2405(1), Legal Staff opined that the Public Art Ordinance does not apply to properties zoned or classified as "Institutional." This opinion thus exempts organizations such as schools, colleges, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and religious entities and, therefore, projects at Morton Plant Mease Hospital, Church of Scientology, Clearwater Christian College, and Heritage United Methodist Church from the requirement to provide public art. Cultural Affairs staff has advised developers of these projects that staff will provide assistance should they incorporate artwork. Mr. Hubbard said the Scientology Church, which already has interior artwork planned for its Ft. Harrison building, has requested a refund of the $93,000 in lieu of contribution for the 2008 Oak Cove project. This affects the bulk of the Public Art budget, leaving little money for new projects. Discussion ensued. It was felt that the legal opinion is erroneous. Concerns were expressed that the Ordinance, drafted by the Legal Department to treat public and community construction alike, does not reference zoning nor the Land Development Code; exclusions are detailed. It was stated that Legal Staff should have made inquiries, obtained input from the Public Art & Design Board, understood the intent of the ordinance, and recognized the consequences of this opinion prior to responding to the request. Information was requested regarding the basis for this opinion. It was suggested that the board may not support all changes if the Ordinance is amended. Public Art & Design 2010-06-16 2 Member Plisko moved to request that Legal Staff meet with the Public Art & Design Board and explain their legal interpretation of Ordinance 7489-05 to exclude Institutional properties even though ordinance language does not mention zoning nor the Land Development Code. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Concern was expressed that the Public Art fund will have a negative balance if $93,000 is returned to the Scientology Church. It was recommended that release of the RFQ and refund of the contribution be delayed until a review of Legal Staff's opinion is completed. Mr. Hubbard said the fund could still cover the fund's contribution to Sculpture360: Season II I if distributed in two parts. 5.4. CaFE (Call for Entries) Digital Submittal Program Cultural Affairs purchased a one-year license from WESTAF's CaFE (Call for Entries), a digital submittal program for public art and art exhibition announcements. The license supports three calls per year and will help the City attract more artists. The City can renew the license annually, but renewal is not required. The program will save significant staff time when accepting applications, offer one-click creation of artist database spreadsheets, support laptop presentations, maintain an archive of past projects, retain all emails, and allow remote access. The program will benefit artists who can sign up for free, have their applications on file for future calls, and follow the project selection process online. Support was expressed for the program as it will save staff from having to return slides, handle stacks of paper, and organize digital images. 5.5. Public Art Collection Annual Inventory This year's public art collection inventory is complete. All collection pieces are accounted for and are in good to excellent condition; three require reframing. This annual inventory also visits private development collections that display Public Art to ensure that the artwork is in good condition and is properly displayed; Code Enforcement will be contacted if Public Artwork does not meet inspection criteria. 5.6. Florida Association of Public Art Administrators Conference At the May FAPAA (Florida Association of Public Art Administrators) Conference, public art administrators indicated that future projects are limited due to insufficient budgets. Temporary sculpture exhibitions are the big movement in the local public art community. Also, artists and administrators are embracing lighting and projection projects. Mr. Hubbard distributed brochures of various art shows. He suggested that temporary exhibitions could be held in addition to or in place of capital projects. Mr. Hubbard reported that he had been appointed as Vice President of FAPAA. Work has begun to expand membership and initiate an artist training program for public art commission applications. 6 - Items not on the Agenda In response to a question, Mr. Hubbard said Bill Fisher of the architectural firm, Fisher and Associates, Inc., wants to restart the dormant Parks & Recreation project to design new lifeguard stations, gratis. The City has sufficient funds to fabricate two stations per year; the first Public Art & Design 2010-06-16 3 two will flank Pier 60. The firm will meet with lifeguards to determine what necessities must be incorporated into the design. Each will feature a different architectural style, be low maintenance, and visually appealing. The firm, which previously designed lifeguard stations in Miami, will work with Mr. Hubbard. It was reported that Pinellas County has recommended eliminating its Cultural Affairs department. 7 - Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 3:01 P.M., followed by tour of the Aging Well Center. ai Pub c Art & Design Advisory Board Public Art & Design 2010-06-16 4