[ Council Communication ]  [  Proposed Ordinance]

Council Communication

Title:	An Ordinance Adding Chapter 2.17, Public Arts commission, to the Ashland Municipal Code
Dept:	Administration
Date:	November 5, 2002
Submitted By:	Ann Seltzer
Reviewed By: ........................	Brian Almquist, Interim City Administrator

Synopsis:	This ordinance establishes a seven-member Public Arts Commission to encourage and enhance public art within the city.
Recommendation:	Adopt first reading of the ordinance.
Fiscal Impact:	Programs developed in connection with the commission may have fiscal impacts, including additional staff time, which will need to be analyzed after such programs are identified.
Background:	Council considered the ordinance at the October 1, 2002 meeting. At that meeting council suggested changes and additions to the ordinance. The attached ordinance reflects input from that meeting as well as input from the Public Art Study group. This ordinance was first considered by the council at the September 17, 2002 meeting. The Public Art Study Group drafted and proposed the ordinance atter meeting on a regular basis on their own and with the City Administrator since February 5, 2002. The group discussed various possibilities for establishing a formal Public Arts Commission, which resulted in the ordinance, considered at the September 17, 2002 meeting. At that meeting the council recommended that the ordinance be brought back for first reading. The following information was provided to council at the September 17 meeting: At the beginning of 2002; the "Pre-Public Art Study Group" asked that the city consider forming an official Public Art Study Group. Following discussion at a study session on January 16, 2002, it was agreed at the February 5, 2002 council meeting that council adopt a public art statement ito show its support of such a policy. The Public Art Statement reads as follows: "The city council recognizes the value and importance of public art in the community and is committed to the development of a public art policy. To this end, the council agrees to participate with an informal study group to research and develop possible alternatives for such a policy and to collaborate with the study group in the writing and implementation of a final proposed policy".

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ORDINANCE NO. ________

AN ORDINANCE ADDING CHAPTER 2.17, PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSION, TO THE ASHLAND MUNICIPAL CODE

THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 2.17 is added to the Ashland Municipal Code, as follows.

Chapter 2.17 PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSION

Sections:
2.17.005 Purpose
2.17.010 Created
2.17.020 Members; Terms
2.17.030 Officers
2.17.050 Meetings; Quorum; Voting
2.17.060 Rules and Regulations
2.17.070 Powers and Duties
2.17.080 Compensation
2.17.090 Policies

2.17.005 Purpose. The mission of the Public Arts Commission is to enhance the cultural and aesthetic quality of life in Ashland by actively pursuing the placement of public art in public spaces and serving to preserve and develop public access to the arts. The continued vitality of the arts in the City of Ashland is a vital part of the future of the city as well as of its citizens. The arts are an important part of the cultural and economic life of the entire community of Ashland and enrich the participants in the arts as well as those who observe them. Several organizations which exist in Ashland, including the Ashland Gallery Association, Southern Oregon University including the Schneider Museum, the Ashland Schools, Lithia Arts Guild and the Southern Oregon Arts Council, are active in the arts and provide leadership to the community on arts related matters. The creation of a Public Arts Commission for the City of Ashland will assist those organizations, as well as many other organizations and individuals, to make arts a more important part of the city's life.

2.17.010 Created. The Public Arts Commission for Ashland is created and shall have the powers and duties provided in this chapter.

2.17.020 Members; Terms. The Public Arts Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the mayor and confirmed by city council. The commission shall contain at least five members from a broad spectrum of citizens including artists and those with a background in the arts, arts organizations, education, structural and landscape architecture, and at least two citizens at large. The mayor shall also designate a council member as liaison to the commission. At least five members of the commission shall reside inside the city limits. The appointees shall have three-year terms. The original appointees shall be appointed: two for one year, two for two years and three for three years, thereafter all terms will be for three years. All members may vote on any matter coming before the commission, except as the ethics laws of the State of Oregon may provide. Any commissioner who is absent from four or more meetings in a one-year period without being excused, shall be considered no longer active and the position vacant, and a new commissioner shall be appointed to fill the vacancy.

2.17.030 Officers. At its first meeting the Public Arts Commission shall elect a chair and a vice-chair who shall hold office for one year, except that the first chair and vice-chair shall serve until the end of the calendar year. At the first meeting of each calendar year, the chair or vice-chair from the previous year shall preside over elections for chair and vice-chair. Neither the chair nor vice-chair shall serve as an officer for more than two consecutive terms.

2.17.050 Meetings; Quorum; Voting. The Public Arts Commission shall hold an official meeting at least monthly and may hold special meetings as set by the commission. A majority of the members constitutes a quorum for meetings. Provided a quorum is present, any item must be approved by a simple majority of the voting members present at a meeting to pass, unless otherwise provided.

2.17.060 Rules and Regulations. The Public Arts Commission shall establish such rules and regulations for its government and procedures consistent with the laws of the state and the ordinances of the city.

2.17.070 Powers and Duties.

A. The Public Arts Commission shall be specifically responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

1. The commission shall ensure the arts continue to be of value as an integral part of Ashland.

2. The commission shall promote the arts in Ashland to enrich the lives of its citizens through education and demonstration.

3. The commission may assist the city council, the Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission, historic commission and the planning commission in using public art to enhance existing development in public parks and other public lands and in public structures.

4. The commission shall advise the planning commission, the Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission, other city commissions and committees and city departments regarding artistic components of all municipal projects under consideration by the city. The commission may also serve as a resource for artistic components of private developments.

5. The commission shall develop and recommend to the city council policies and programs that would enhance and encourage the planning, placement and maintenance of public displays of art in locations open to the public within the community.

6. The commission shall encourage connections with other local, regional and national organizations working for the benefit of art and preservation of artistic values, and other similar activities.

7. The commission shall recognize and encourage groups and organizations that enrich Ashland life by bringing cultural and artistic values and artifacts to the city.

8. The commission shall pursue gifts and grants for support of arts programs and activities and the procurement of public art.

2.17.080 Compensation. Voting members of the commission shall receive no compensation for services rendered. The commission may receive gifts, bequests or devises of property on behalf of the city to carry out any of the purposes of this chapter. These shall be placed in a special account for use of the commission.

2.17.090 Policies.

A. The Public Arts Commission shall operate as a nonprofit organization devoted exclusively to its mission.

B. The Public Arts Commission shall operate in the general public interest serving the community as a whole. It shall serve no special interests.

C. The Public Arts Commission shall not endorse any commercial product or enterprise.

The foregoing ordinance was first read by title only in accordance with Article X, Section 2(C) of the City Charter on the ______ day of _____________, 2002, and duly PASSED and ADOPTED this _______day of ___________, 2002.

Barbara Christensen, City Recorder

SIGNED and APPROVED this day of , 2002.
Alan W. DeBoer, Mayor

Reviewed as to form:
Paul Nolte, City Attorney

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