12/12/2013 PUBLIC ART & DESIGN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
December 12, 2013
Present: Roberta S. Klar Vice-Chair
Judith B. Powers Board Member
Carolyn Byrd Board Member
Karen Cunningham Board Member
Empty Seat Board Member
Absent: Alex Plisko Jr. Chair
Neale A. Stralow 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 2:00 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
2.1. Approve the minutes of the regular Public Art& Design Board meeting of October 10, 2013.
Member Powers moved to approve Item 2.1. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
3 - Citizens to be Heard re Items Not on the Agenda
Elaine Mann, with NDMand Media Solutions, discussed video walking tour opportunities
for historical downtown and requested board sponsorship. Cultural Affairs Specialist
Christopher Hubbard said 3-year sponsorships are $20,000 for individual building videos or
$100,000 for the entire tour. Ms. Mann said a discounted rate is possible.
It was hoped that Ms. Mann finds corporate sponsors and it was suggested she
approach the DDB (Downtown Development Board) or Downtown Partnership for support.
Discussion ensued with comments that the videos are documentary and not art, public art
investments must be tangible, and the budget must be carefully managed as the balance is
small and new resources are not anticipated.
4 -Old Business
4.1. Sculpture360: Season VI Update
Mr. Hubbard said Season VI sculptures are in place. Bilhenry Walker's Season V
sculpture has been retained due to problems associated with several Season VI pieces.
With recurring annual costs of$9,000, staff suggested revising the Sculpture360
schedule and either displaying sculptures for 2 year cycles or for three years each, adding a
Public Art& Design 2013-12-12 1
new one each year. In response to a question, Mr. Hubbard recommended maintaining the 3-
sculpture display as an empty spot would look odd. Sponsorships are under consideration.
4.2. Main Library—WWI Wall of Honor Display
Mr. Hubbard said pieces of the wall are being reassembled. The full unveil is scheduled
for November 11, 2014, as part of the City's Centennial Celebration.
4.3. Capital Theatre Public Art Update
Mr. Hubbard said installation of the wrought iron, art deco public art on the theater's
balcony soon will be completed. The panels will be removable. It was noted the panels are
only visible from the street and appear to be constructed out of stainless steel, not iron. Mr.
Hubbard said the artist is unhappy with the design of the display.
5 - New Business
5.1. Private Development Update
Mr. Hubbard reported the discretionary fund balance of$52,302.70 is rapidly dwindling.
It was suggested an Awards Program may encourage developers to include public art.
Mr. Hubbard said placing the Ocean Properties' public art piece in the right-of-way, as
proposed, requires City approval.
Barry Kimball, of Ocean Properties Ltd., described the public art piece proposed for the
front of the hotel under construction at the southern end of BeachWalk. He said if possible,
local artists would be involved in the art project. Jeremy Belitz, project landscape architect, said
the art piece would conceal the vertical wall beneath the hotel's raised entryway, have LED
lighting, and incorporate beach elements, such as color, water, glass, etc.
Discussion ensued with comments that proposed elements were intriguing and local
artists could refine the concepts. Support was expressed for incorporating beach colors, with a
comment that materials stronger than glass are available. Concern was expressed that water
features require significant maintenance and the design needs to be mindful of water shortages
and the art's location in the morning sun. It was felt the proposal would be a great improvement
to a blank concrete wall.
Mr. Kimball said the water feature will recycle reclaimed water. While the piece will not
be installed until the end of construction, he said there is sufficient time to install infrastructure
necessary for the art piece.
Mr. Hubbard said the hotel will be responsible for maintenance. He said he could act as
search manager if the hotel wishes to use the City's call to artists' program, CaFE. Support was
expressed for using discretionary funds to aid with costs associated with the call to artists as it
represents a small investment and could help expand public art in Clearwater.
Member Power moved to recommend spending up to $1,500 of discretionary funds, if
necessary, for the CaFE call to artists for Ocean Properties Ltd's public art project at its hotel
under construction on Clearwater Beach. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
Public Art& Design 2013-12-12 2
Mr. Hubbard will request the developer to split CaFE program costs.
5.2. Public Development Update
Some site work has been completed for Cliff Garten's artwork, Middens. The art piece is
half completed.
6 - Items not on Agenda
The Parks & Recreation Department Master Plan will be presented to the City Council in
February.
The March agenda will include a review of the Public Art Plan.
7 - Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 3:23 p.m.
Next meeting — March 13, 2014
Attest:
/V iL_'
Board Report
Public Art & Design 2013 -12 -12
Chair
Public Art & Design Advisory Board