09/04/2014 PUBLIC ART & DESIGN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
September 4, 2014
Present: Chair Alex Plisko Jr., Vice-Chair Neale A. Stralow, Board Member Judith B. Powers, Board
Member Carolyn Byrd, Board Member Karen Cunningham, Board Member Jerri Menaul, Board
Member Suzanne Ruley
Absent: Carolyn Byrd
Also Present: Felicia Leonard -Administrative Support Manager, Christopher Hubbard - Recreation
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 March 13, 2014 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 Fire Station 45 update
AND
4.2 Review Aaron Stephan's proposal for Fire Station 45
Recreation Specialist Christopher Hubbard said the Selection Panel reviewed four proposals and
unanimously approved Aaron Stephan's public art piece, Accumulate, a 10-foot wide orb with hand
blown glass spheres that resemble a burst of water droplets. The art piece, to be suspended from a
bundle of fire hoses above Fire Station 45's 3-story glassed lobby on Court Street, will be lit at night.
The City Council will vote on the board's recommendation in October.
Concerns were expressed re breakage and maintenance of the 1,500 globes, which will not sparkle if
dusty. It was commented that a selective replacement plan is needed. It was recommended that the
art piece be hung from a chandelier lift, allowing it to be lowered for maintenance, rather than
requiring scaffolding.
Member Powers moved to recommended approval of public art piece, Accumulate, for installation at
Fire Station 45. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4.3 Appoint Main Library Courtyard Selection Panel
Mr. Hubbard said the library was interested in a monument sculpture to enhance the 200 square-foot
Main Library courtyard rather than a mural or mosaic that would compete with the courtyard wall's
architectural detail. A Call to Artists was prepared for distribution.
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Member Stralow moved to appoint Main Library Courtyard Selection Panel members: Chair Jerri
Menaul representing the PADB (Public Art& Design Board), Felicia Leonard representing the Parks &
Recreation Department, Jan Nickols representing the Library, Nancy McCue/Rita Garvey representing
the community, and Denis Gaston representing artists. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
4.4 Appoint Countryside Library/Recreation Center Selection Panel
Mr. Hubbard said the Call to Artists for public art at the Countryside Library/Recreation Center was
ready for distribution. He will advise the board when the final panel is scheduled.
Member Powers moved to appoint the Countryside Library/Recreation Center Selection Panel: Chair
Alex Plisko representing PADB, Christopher Hubbard representing Parks & Recreation Department,
Tracey Reed representing the Library, Tara Kivett representing construction, Lani Williams
representing the community, and Catherine Woods representing artists. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
5 - New Business
5.1 Private Development update
Mr. Hubbard said he was in talks with Red Stone Development re public art at the development site
near the corner of Belcher Road and Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. A sculpture was being considered.
5.2 Public Development update
Mr. Hubbard reported the discretionary fund balance was $52,302.70. The west wall of the US 19
FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) project at Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard was complete; the
stain, under deck paint, and lighting system were pending. Construction drawings for Middens were
expected today. Staff was preparing a Call to Artists for public art at Sid Lickton Sports Complex and
Bright House Field, Phase II; proposed locations for the art will be presented in December.
Mr. Hubbard reviewed plans to stagger replacement of Sculpture360 artwork downtown due to limited
funds. Staff will approach the DDB (Downtown Development Board) and apply for a State grant to
cover costs. It was suggested the Clearwater Arts Alliance may be able to raise funds for the project.
5.3 Review Master Plan priorities
Mr. Hubbard discussed new Parks & Recreation Master Plan priorities and their relation to public art.
Concerns were expressed that the master plan did not reflect focus group interest in adding public art
and comments that attracting art businesses was important for Dunedin's downtown development. It
was recommended that Clearwater consider how art would improve the City's image and encourage
artists to open studios and art galleries downtown to attract beachgoers and promote community
engagement. Beautification upgrades to the downtown trail also were recommended.
It was recommended that the City support the creation of murals that beautify and enhance the
environment and it was suggested a program to select mural artists could be developed and funded
by businesses and building owners. Concerns were expressed that a thoughtful approval process,
quality control, and maintenance procedures would be essential and the City's restrictive sign code
did not encourage artistic expression. It was stated models of mural public art programs may exist in
cities that are similar to Clearwater's size and sophistication.
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Consensus was for staff to generate a report on successful mural programs in similarly sized cities.
It was stated that the eastern edge of the City lacked a significant entryway. Mr. Hubbard said FDOT
did not fund amenities for the new Courtney Campbell trail. It was commented that the trail will be a
tremendous asset, attracting a significant number of people and that adding interesting shelters,
landscaping, artist designed mile markers, etc. would enhance the City's entrance.
Administrative Support Manager Felicia Leonard suggested PABD provide a State of the Arts
presentation to the City Council, highlight board accomplishments and advocate for public art. It was
stated City Council support is needed since the Toss of the public art program's major funding source.
A presentation will be discussed in December.
5.4 Review of citizen donation of artwork
Mr. Hubbard distributed copies of 3 pieces of art offered by a St. Petersburg resident for the City's
public art collection. Discussion ensued with comments that the art did not embody the theme of the
City's public art program and was not unique to Clearwater.
Member Powers moved to recommend the City thank the donor for his generous offer but to
respectfully decline the artwork based on City requirements to choose the best art work for specific
locations in the City. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
5.5 BavCare public art recognition ceremony
Mr. Hubbard reported BayCare had completed its public artwork. He complimented the design and
execution of the voluntarily installed art and thanked BayCare for fostering arts in the community. The
public art recognition ceremony was scheduled for September 24, 2014.
5.6 Capital Theatre Wall of Honor ribbon cutting
Mr. Hubbard reported the Capital Theatre Wall of Honor ribbon cutting ceremony was scheduled for
November 11, 2014, when the Wall of Honor will be unveiled at the Main Library.
6 - Items not on Agenda
Mr. Hubbard said the City of St. Petersburg had requested information on best practices for city art
collections.
It was reported that the City of St. Petersburg has partnered with St. Petersburg College re public art.
Some County public art is outdoors and weathering. The Board of County Commissioners will discuss
funding and possible resurgence of the Arts Council at a Work Session on October 14, 2014.
7 - Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
Next meeting — December 11
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Chaff
Public Art & Design Advisory Board
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