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Agendas and Minutes

Public Arts Advisory Committee (View All)

Public Arts Advisory Committee Meeting

Agenda
Thursday, October 19, 2023

October 19, 2023
Regular Meeting
4:00pm–5:30pm, Siskiyou Conference Room
51 Winburn Way

Minutes

CALL TO ORDER:
1. Introductions – Mike Morrison, Public Works Deputy Director; Peter Finkle; Becca Blake, resident of Phoenix and interested in PAAC
2. Quorum count - achieved

Committee Members Present:	Liaisons & Staff Present:
Chair, Ken Engelund	Brandon Goldman, Community Development Director
Laura Bloom	Jennifer Chenoweth, Associate Planner
Tessa Elbettar	Mike Morrison, Public Works
Cassie Preskenis	Liaisons & Staff Absent:
Committee Members Absent:	Councilor Gina DuQuenne
Heather Warden	Stef Seffinger, Parks and Rec Commissioner
Stanley Smith	Special Guests:
	Peter Finkle
	Becca Blake

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

“We acknowledge and honor the aboriginal people on whose ancestral homelands we work – the Ikirakutsum Band of the Shasta Nation, as well as the diverse and vibrant Native communities who make their home here today. We denounce the egregious acts of the colonizers and government and recognize the horrific impacts that still exist today. We honor the first stewards in the Rogue Valley and the lands we live and depend on: Tribes with ancestral lands in and surrounding the geography of the Ashland Watershed include the original past, present, and future indigenous inhabitants of the Shasta, Takelma, Athabaskan people. We also recognize and acknowledge the Shasta village of K’wakhaha - “Where the Crow Lights” - that is now the Ashland City Plaza.”
Read by Chair, Ken Engelund

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. September 21, 2023 regular meeting

Chair Engelund motioned to approve the draft September 21, 2023 meeting minutes with no corrections. Cassie Preskenis seconded; All AYES voice vote

PUBLIC FORUM (for items not on the agenda) none
LIAISON REPORTS

Liaisons: City Council Liaison, Gina DuQuenne; Community Development Liaison, Brandon Goldman; and APRC Liaison, Stef Seffinger – no reports/updates

DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. City Council Annual Committee Update Presentation, November 7 (expected date)- review and discuss items to be included in the report to council – PowerPoint presentation is underway; if anyone from the groups has items to share, then send them to Chair Engelund by the end of next week
2. MAP II Task Group Possible Selection Sites & Rank Choice Preferences: 1. Lithia Park entrance small lawn area near the site of the former Lincoln Statue (This and potentially other sites will likely require some form of public input or survey questionnaire); 2. Plaza kiosk area (where flyers are posted) or Plaza planters area; 3. Bluebird Park (tall enough to be visible from North Main Street and Water Street, as well as while in Bluebird Park)

With four members present and two absent, Committee members ranked their preferred locations: Chair Engelund stated that the results are as follows: #1 Bluebird Park, #2 Plaza (planters), and #3 Lithia Park (small lawn near main entrance)

OTHER BUSINESS AND UPDATES
1. Velocity (bouncing ball sculpture) repairs – Mike Morrison, Deputy Director of Operations – On September 22, Public Works received a call that a neighboring business noticed cracks in the structure. Public Works conducted a site visit and noted that the crack is about 75% around the base. The area has been closed to public access and the artist was notified. Currently working with engineer and artist – waiting for repair plan. Looking for welder/fabricator who can work with aluminum.
2. Uplifting (carpet store) mural maintenance – needs boards repaired and regular seal coat – Mike Morrison, Deputy Director of Operations – Artist notified the City that there are cracks in some of the boards and that the installation needs to be sealed before the wet weather begins. Artist will do what they can to protect it until a contract can be awarded next Spring.
3. Golden Connections Medallions Installation - Mike Morrison, Deputy Director of Operations - Out to bid and bids are due back on October 24^th. Expecting three bids and for work to occur this Fall.
4. Update: Bids for prep and seal of ODOT controller boxes – One bid received waiting for other bids to come through. The Call for Artists submissions are due by November 1. No submissions have been received so far. Cassie Preskenis motioned to extend the application submission date to December 1. Laura Bloom seconded motion. All AYES voice vote achieved.
5. Update: Crosswalk project – Ken Engelund, Jenn Chenoweth, and Scott Fleury met earlier this week to discuss. Looking at several locations and Chair Ken Engelund will put together a scope of work summary.
6. Update: Haines & Friends Grant was submitted on August 29, 2023; grant awards to be announced early November – no new updates yet
7. Update: Micah Blacklight “Ancestors Future - Crystalizing Our Call,” Say Their Names Project – donor has pledged all the steel; still need more funding; presented at the Rotary and was well received; poster displayed at Chamber dinner
8. Update: John Pugh Mural “Where The Crow Lights,” Elks Building - group discussed importance of compensation from the artist to whoever they are consulting with or becomes the model for the design. Needs funding; poster displayed at Chamber dinner