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Agendas and Minutes

Public Arts Advisory Committee (View All)

Public Arts Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes

Agenda
Thursday, March 21, 2024

March 21, 2024
Regular Meeting
4:00pm–5:30pm, Siskiyou Conference Room
51 Winburn Way
Minutes

CALL TO ORDER:
1. Introductions –PAAC member introductions to Barry and Kathryn Thalden who joined via Zoom. The Thaldens are instrumental players of the Playwright Walk Concept that will be discussed as an agenda item. Peter Finkle of Walk Ashland is also joining.
2. Quorum count – quorum achieved.

Committee Members Present:	Liaisons & Staff Present:
Chair, Ken Engelund	Jennifer Chenoweth, Associate Planner
Beca Blake	Stef Seffinger, Parks and Rec Commissioner (via Zoom)
Laura Bloom
Tessa Elbettar	Liaisons & Staff Absent:
Paige Gerhard	Councilor Gina DuQuenne
Cassie Preskenis
Heather Warden	Special Guests:
	Peter Finkle
Committee Members Absent:	Barry and Kathryn Thalden
Susan Jain
Stanley Smith

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’wakhakha - “Where the Crow Lights” - that is now the Ashland City Plaza.”
Read by Laura Bloom

APPROVAL OF MINUTES - January 18, 2024 regular meeting - Cassie motioned to approve the minutes with no corrections; Laura seconded the motion. All approved.
PUBLIC FORUM (for items not on the agenda; up to 3 minutes per speaker) - none

LIAISON REPORTS Liaisons:

City Council Liaison, Gina DuQuenne; absent
Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission Liaison, Stef Seffinger; no update
Community Development Liaison, Jennifer Chenoweth; upcoming orientation for new PAAC members next week. City Manager held an initial meeting for City staff liaisons to commissions and committees to provide feedback and share experiences of working as a staff liaison. Formal city training for new volunteer commission/committee members and chairs is forthcoming.

DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Playwright Walk Plaques – presentation on concept plan and motion the endorse project to City Council The concept plan was presented as well as examples and updates on the work that has been achieved so far in preparation for this idea to be presented to the City Council. Oregon State and National sidewalk design standards will be followed. This is not a City initiated project, but a donation of work that could be incorporated into the Public Art Collection. A motion was made by the Chair that stated, “The Public Arts Advisory Committee endorses the Playwright Walk Project as a gift to the City from philanthropists, Barry and Kathryn Thalden, according to AMC 2.29.110 and as outlined in the attached Concept Plan. PAAC recommends approval [of the project’s concept] to the City Council and to include that the final plaques be accepted into the Public Art Collection.” The motion passed unanimously.
2. ODOT Controller Boxes – Update from the task committee on behalf of the selection committee (Tessa, Cassie, Peter) All responses from the selection committee on the final vote have been received with revised designs and clear directions for how the project will be implemented. Next steps are to seek approval from ODOT and City Council. During the next meeting the group will craft a motion to go to City Council. Task group to work on identifying the next set of boxes.
3. Crosswalk Project – entrance to Lithia Park; Ashland Parks and Recreation Committee (APRC) actions, next steps, motion recommendation to City Council and Request for Qualifications (RFQ) Ken presented the concept to Ashland Parks and Recreation during their February meeting. Parks would like a commission member and Parks staff member to be included on the selection panel. A motion was made to seek approval from the Council for PAAC to develop and issue a Call for Artist. “The Public Arts Advisory Committee requests permission from the Council to issue a Call for Artist – Request for Qualifications for a site-specific historic district image for public art installation. The installation is for a crosswalk on Winburn Way at the entrance to Lithia Park. The purpose of the crosswalk is to enhance the cityscape, attract tourists, and residents with a historic image and strive for traffic calming. An independent selection panel will be created to review and select the final design. The committee will present the [final] selection of the artwork and seek approval from the City Council prior to awarding the artist. The proposal will include parameters for torch-down thermoplastic material to be installed by the City’s Public Works Department. The selected artist(s) or artist led team will consult with the Public Works Department and receive an $850 award at the time of selection. An additional consultation fee of $150 would be awarded after the work has been installed.” After some discussion and changes to the original language (changes above), the motion was seconded and then unanimously approved.
4. Marking Ashland Places (MAP) II – Update on APRC motions, discuss next steps, and PAAC response motion for committee – A motion to create a sub-committee for a community engagement and involvement plan was put forward and approved. “The Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission has requested that the Public Arts Advisory Committee convene a Marking Ashland Places II sub-committee to develop a robust community involvement plan that allows for consideration and feedback to committees, commissions, and respective staff. The proposed Marking Ashland Places II provides a unique opportunity to locate an artwork “hub” in the Historic Downtown District near the entrance to Lithia Park. A clear description, specification, and depiction of the final artwork will be developed through a Request for Qualifications and vetted through a community involvement process. The sub-committee will consist of 1). a member of the Public Arts Advisory Committee, and staff, 2). a member of the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee and staff, a member of the 3). Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission and staff.
5. Golden Connections – Update on celebration event on May 18, 2024 at 10:00 am to 12:00 pm; HPAC awards and recognition, ribbon cutting for medallions, walking tour
6. Pulse Check – open discussion of ideas (5-10 minutes total). No open discussion requested.

OTHER BUSINESS AND UPDATES
1. PAAC Strategic Planning Project update – Susan and Ken working on updating plan
2. Velocity (bouncing ball sculpture) repairs update – Public Works is continuing to work on repairs; some issues with welding and timing
3. Micah Blacklight “Ancestors Future - Crystalizing Our Call” update - Cassie made video of Say Their Names to share at upcoming educational event. Fundraising for donations underway
4. John Pugh Mural “Where the Crow Lights,” Elks Building update – Fundraising for donations underway.