12/18/2014 PUBLIC ART & DESIGN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
December 18, 2014
Present: Vice-Chair Neale A. Stralow, Board Member Carolyn Byrd, Board Member Karen
Cunningham, Board Member Jerri Menaul, Board Member Suzanne Ruley
Absent: Chair Alex Plisko Jr., Board Member Judith B. Powers
Also Present: Christopher Hubbard - Recreation Specialist, Patricia O. Sullivan - Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 2:04 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 September 4, 2014 Public Art& Design Board meeting as
submitted in written summation.
Member Ruley 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
Recreation Specialist Christopher Hubbard said the new fire station opened. The art piece,
"Accumulate," will be modified to enhance its visibility from outside and will be installed by
September 15, 2015. The contingency may be sufficient to add an external element. Parking
spaces at the facility will be marked for visitors. The Fire Department will determine how it will
provide public access to the lobby for artwork viewing.
4.2. Middens Update
Mr. Hubbard said 90% of the building permits were issued for the Middens art installation. Some
redesign may be necessary due to stormwater concerns. The project may be completed by
spring.
4.3. Mural Program Update
Mr. Hubbard said staff researched the City's sign code re murals; private murals that did not
violate the sign code were allowed. A sketch was required. The Planning and Development
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Department reviewed submissions on a case by case basis. To date, no sketches were
rejected.
Mr. Hubbard said additional public input was scheduled re Atlanta's debated draft ordinance that
would permit murals on private property.
Mr. Hubbard said St. Petersburg's attitude toward murals was laissez-faire, allowing murals
without offensive words on private property. It was stated the program may change due to staff
turnover.
It was stated the building under construction on a clear-cut site on N. Hercules Avenue was
unattractive and a quality of life mural might enhance the structure's lack of aesthetics.
Staff will continue to monitor regulations re murals, report on the N Hercules building, and
provide information re final plans for the GE project.
5 - New Business
5.1. Private Development Update
Mr. Hubbard said BayCare indicated it may add artwork to its second building. The first piece
was well received.
5.2. Public Development Update: None.
5.3. Countryside Library Update
Mr. Hubbard said construction of the Countryside Library was fast paced. The City received 62
applications in response to its call to artists for integrated art; 26 applications were appropriate.
The art project, terrazzo flooring at the main entrance, will be fully visible and accessible to the
public. From the Public Art Panel's 3 finalists, they selected Joan Weisman's geometric terrazzo
floor. The City reserved $10,000 for artistic design and execution and $40,000 for project
materials. A mock up was being created to present to the City Council for approval in February.
Staff hoped the project will be installed in March.
Member Cunningham moved to recommend approval of the Public Art Panel's selection of artist
Joan Weisman's geometric terrazzo floor for the Countryside Library's Public Art Project. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
5.4. Review Cultural Affairs FY 2013/14 Annual Report
Mr. Hubbard reviewed the Clearwater Cultural Affairs Division Annual Report which included a
review of the City's public art process, which mirrored general practices at hundreds of cities.
Competitive review insured that art funds were well invested.
Staff was complimented on its well-produced report.
In response to a question, Mr. Hubbard said the City was refurbishing its web site; all public art
will be listed. A photography club planned to take professional photographs of all City art, free of
charge. It was suggested that once a list of all City public art projects are available, a kids
scavenger hunt, as part of a tourism walk, could be developed.
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5.5. Public Art & Design Board Presentation to Council 12/18/2014
Board Member Suzanne Ruley will present the Cultural Affairs Division Fiscal Year 2013/14
Annual Report to the City Council tonight. It was recommended the monetary impact of public
art on the community be mentioned.
6 - Items not on Agenda
Mr. Hubbard invited members to help create Plexiglas inserts for the annual lantern festival in
Nagano, Japan.
In response to a question re Charter Review, Mr. Hubbard will report if the City Charter
addressed the Arts.
It was reported the Capitol Theatre was celebrating its 1st anniversary and 100th concert.
7 - Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 2:55 p.m.
Next meeting — March 12, 2015
Additional 2015 meetings scheduled for June 11, September 10, and December 10.
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Public Art & Design Advisory Board
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