09/15/2011
PUBLIC ART & DESIGN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
September 15, 2011
Present: Howard Warshauer Vice-Chair
Alex Plisko Jr. Board Member
John P. Timberlake Board Member
Judith B. Powers Board Member
Robert J. Entel Board Member
Sultana S. Volaitis Board Member
Roberta Klar Board Member
Also Present: Christopher Hubbard Cultural Affairs Specialist
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. at the Long Center.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
2 – Approval of Minutes
– June 16 & July 21, 2011
In reference to page 2 of the July 21, 2011 minutes, it was noted Jennifer Douglas is
Executive Director of Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts.
Member Powers moved to approve the minutes of the regular Public Art & Design Board
meeting of July 21, 2011 as corrected and the minutes of the regular Public Art & Design Board
meeting of June 16, 2011, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board
member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3 – Old Business
3.1. Downtown Boat Slips & Promenade
Cultural Affairs Specialist Christopher Hubbard said staff is reviewing placement of
underground utilities to determine the appropriate location for the harbor front sculpture. The
boat slip project has funds available for upland/lowland improvements, including replacement of
a transformer. Staff will contact artist Cliff Garten and his studio to request a quote for
management of the site’s construction with City-supported value engineering.
3.2. Fire Station 48 installation
Mr. Hubbard said the project nears completion. Firefighters want to use remaining funds
to decorate the sidewalks with a shield. The Fire Department may need to provide some funds.
3. 3. FDOT US 19 Overpass
Mr. Hubbard said the contract with artist Steven Weitzman is in its final editing stage.
Clay molds should be ready by next February. The City will retain CAD duplicates of the final
design. FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) will store the molds; the City retains title
for future use. Unless paint for the underside beam is a FDOT color, the City would be
Public Art & Design 2011-09-15 1
responsible for repainting costs; he is looking for a deeper shade of blue than provided by
FDOT. The art work will be sealed and stained.
3.4. Chalk Art
Mr. Hubbard said at a recent innkeeper’s meeting, beach business owners and the
Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce were supportive of staff’s presentation on a Beach
Walk chalk art event and Sculpture 360. The City wants a sponsor for each project. Also, staff
is applying for Florida Humanities Council grants for both projects.
3.5. Paul Owens Training Facility at Carpenter Complex
Mr. Hubbard reported artist Stephanie Huerta had received two payments of her
scheduled budget for the Paul Owens’ bust, which will be cast in bronze by December 15. Staff
wants installation completed by January 11, 2012; a dedication ceremony will be in February.
Photographs have been provided and once the Phillies supply biographical information, a 2-foot
by 2-foot photo style plaque will be created for the wall behind the bust.
3.6. Sculpture360 on Clearwater Beach
Mr. Hubbard said staff is looking for suitable sites for the 3-foot pedestals and is
preparing a grant request for $15,000, which would cover first year costs. It is hoped that the
Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce and beach businesses will financially support the
project. As conceived, the sculptures will be accessible to visitors and residents and include an
educational component with a dial-a-story explanation. It was recommended the sculptures be
tractable by smart phone.
4 - New Business
4.1. Private Development update
AND
4.2. Public Development update
Mr. Hubbard reported the banner at Surf Style/Britt’s has been installed; funds are set
aside for its replacement when necessary. General reaction has been favorable.
Bay Care’s operations and administration base will be constructed on Drew Street. Staff
has contacted the developers regarding a public art plan or contribution to the discretionary
fund.
4.3. Sculpture360: Season IV review
Mr. Hubbard presented the three artworks chosen for Season 4. Installation will begin
October 31, 2011.
Member Powers moved to approve the three artworks by artists Cecilia Lueza, Dee Dee
Morrison, and Jeffrey Turner for Sculpture360: Season IV. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
Public Art & Design 2011-09-15 2
Mr. Hubbard said the dedication ceremony will be held during the November Blast Friday
event. The artists will be invited to participate.
4.4. Public art at downtown Main Library
Mr. Hubbard said the Main Library requested public art for its courtyard entrance. To
address transient problems, plans are to fence the entrance and Osceola frontage with a 6-to
7-foot tall wrought iron fence. He did not know if the Library proposed to cover costs for the art;
the location is not a key site in the City's Public Art plan.
Discussion ensued with suggestions that the fence should serve as artwork, reflect the
building's quality and beauty, and be tasteful and respectful of the building's design. It was
stated the Main Library is a signature downtown building. It was recommended that staff
approach the building's architect Robert A.M. Stern for input and design ideas.
Strong opposition to the proposal was expressed as fencing conflicts with urban design
and would make the building appear to be a prison and encourage urban decay.
5—Items not on the Agenda
In response to a suggestion, Mr. Hubbard said staff contacts developers regarding
projects below the $5 million threshold, offering public art services, and encouraging its
inclusion. Staff also contacts $4-million projects regarding the public art threshold. It was
suggested that staff contact all project developers regarding public art. Staff will draft a
welcome letter for board review.
6 -Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 2:57 p.m.
Chair
Public Art & Design Advisory Board
Attest:
Board Reporter,
Public Art & Design 2011-09-15 3