03/13/2014 PUBLIC ART & DESIGN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
March 13, 2014
Present: Chair Alex Plisko Jr., Board Member Judith B. Powers, Board Member Neale A. Stralow,
Board Member Jerri Menaul, Board Member Empty Seat
Absent: Vice-Chair Roberta S. Klar, Board Member Carolyn Byrd, Board Member Karen Cunningham
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 minutes of December 12, 2013 Public Art& Design Board meeting as submitted in
written summation
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: None.
4 -Old Business
4.1. Main Library
Cultural Affairs Specialist Christopher Hubbard said approximately 400 bricks were salvaged. The
WWI Wall of Honor display will be protected and informational. One brick will be imbedded in the
railing so that visitors can feel its unique texture. Installation was scheduled for May 2014.
Library Director Barbara Pickell said $50,000 remained in the landscaping and fencing budget.
Originally, a wall art piece and freestanding one were recommended for the front courtyard.
Discussion ensued with comments that a mosaic would detract from the wall's scale and texture and a
freestanding piece of art would not need to be lighted and should not be climbable.
Consensus was to continue discussion of art for the Main Library's courtyard to the June meeting.
Staff will report on the scope of the project and formation of a Public Art Committee.
4.2. Fire Station 45 Progress Report
Mr. Hubbard said staff was proceeding with a RFQ (Request for Qualifications) for the public art piece
at Fire Station 45. The budget was $111,000. The Fire Department suggested a lighted mobile for the
atrium, visible from Court Street.
Consensus was for the Public Art Committee for the Fire Station 45 public art piece to be chaired by
Board Member Stralow and include Fire Chief Robert Weiss or representative, Engineering
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Construction Manager Tara Kivett, Administrative Support Manager Felicia Leonard, representing
Parks & Recreation, and Artist Noah Rollins.
5 - New Business
5.1 Election of Officers
Member Powers moved to reappoint Alex Plisko Jr. as Chair. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
Member Powers moved to appoint Neale Stralow as Vice-Chair. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
5.2. Approve amendment to Public Art& Design Board Rules and Regulations
Member Powers moved to approve Item 5.2. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
5.3. Private Development Update
Mr. Hubbard said the public art project at the Ocean Properties development on Clearwater Beach
was in the review process.
5.4. Public Development Update
Mr. Hubbard said plans were to continue Sculpture360 until another funding source must be found.
The Phillies constructed batting tunnels at their training complex and envisioned the public art piece
as a large mural at the rear of Bright House Field, visible from US 19. It was suggested the mural be
located in a clutter free area. Mr. Hubbard will discuss suitable locations with the Phillies.
Mr. Hubbard said the new Sid Lickton complex was required to have a public art element.
5.5. Countryside Library/Recreation Center
Ms. Pickell reviewed plans for the new Countryside Library. Only about $50,000 was available for
public art. Staff hoped the art would double as a practical part of the building, such as a decorated
terrazzo floor inside the main entrance.
Discussion ensued with comments that the Board previously discouraged use of pavers for public art
and decorated terrazzo would be an attractive feature for the library with its significant daily foot traffic.
It was stated a terrazzo floor would cost more than $40,000 but stained or dyed concrete, which
should not be slippery, was less expensive. It was suggested a smaller floor area, such as the
meeting room entrance, would be more affordable.
Discussion ensued re Call to Artists process which will advertise a primary and secondary area for the
artwork and need for selected artist to be passionate, able to work within the budget, have a proven
track record, and be familiar with decorative surfaces.
Consensus was for Chair Plisko to Chair the Public Art Selection Panel for the Countryside Library's
public art piece with members Mr. Hubbard representing Parks & Recreation, Librarian III Tracey
Reed representing Countryside Library, and Ms. Kivett representing Engineering. It was
recommended the final spot be filled by a Countryside Library patron who is passionate about the
library, and perhaps the recreation facility.
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5_6. Board Member Changes
Mr. Hubbard welcomed new Board Member Jerri Menaul and pending Board Member Suzanne Ruley.
6 - Items not on Agenda
Mr. Hubbard said the discretionary fund balance was $52,302.70. The Public Art & Design Master
Plan was adopted in 2007 when the discretionary fund had a projected income stream. He reviewed
Plan priorities and accomplishments. Expanding Sculpture360 to BeachWalk would cost between
$9,000 and $12,000 annually. It was stated beach businesses would fund the expansion and it was
requested that Mr. Hubbard try to garner financial support from beach businesses.
Ms. Leonard said Sculpture360, approaching its seventh year, cost $9,000 this year through October.
The DDB (Downtown Development Board) previously funded the program. Mr. Hubbard reviewed
options, such as reducing artists' stipends, but said that would affect artists' ability to purchase
required $1 million liability insurance policies.
Discussion ensued with recommendations that the City stagger installation of Sculpture360 pieces
and increase the time each sculpture is displayed, perhaps to three years. It was suggested the DDB
or CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) be approached for future funding. Ms. Leonard said the
Board may want to consider purchasing a permanent collection rather than investing in temporary
displays. It was requested that Mr. Hubbard present at the next meeting a matrix comparing
Sculpture360 scenarios and associated costs. It was noted the City receives more press coverage
when sculptures are replaced annually than it would for a permanent piece.
Following discussion, consensus was to deny discretionary funding requests from the Clearwater
Regional Chamber of Commerce for a Dolphin Plaza sculpture and wedding vows renewal sculpture.
It was stated the Board previously decided against funding the media historical tour of downtown. It
was requested that staff advise the requestors re the Board's decision.
It was suggested the Druid Road trail would benefit from public art. It was noted the Master Plan had
many unfulfilled priorities. It was felt that Ruth Eckerd Hall's architectural beauty did not need public
art. It was recommended that a review of Master Plan priorities be scheduled for the June meeting.
Ms. Leonard said the Courtney Campbell Causeway trail would open next year. No money was
budgeted for trail amenities. It was not known if the causeway beach would reopen following trail
construction. It was questioned where trail users would park.
7 - Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 3:41 p.m.
Next meeting — June 12, 2014
Attest: / Chair
Public Art & Design Advisory Board
card Reporter
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