Minutes

Public Art Commission

August 19, 2011

Regular Meeting

Attendance

Commissioners: Davis, Bussell, Garrington, Pugh, Slattery (council) Hanks(staff)

Absent

Friend, Wilkerson (resigned), Edson (resigned)

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 8:15 a.m.

Approval of Minutes

Minutes were approved with corrections.

Appointment of Commission Chair

With the resignation of Commission Chair Edson, Bussell made a motion to appoint Carol Davis as Chair.  Motion received a second and was unanimously approved.

Citizen Issues/Proposals

Dan Shulters presented a wall mural proposal for his daughter who had a conflicting appointment and couldn’t attend.  The proposal is a City/Street scene to be located on the alley side of the building owned by Allen Drescher at 320 East Main St in Ashland.  The project is approximately 230 square feet and will be done as part of a senior art project, monitored by Ashland High School art teacher Mark Schoenleber.  Mr. Shulters described the prep work that has already begun on the alley facing wall and noted that anti-grafitti coating will complete the project.  He is attempting to move the project forward to give time to work around the weather to complete the project prior to graduation.

Commission members discussed the proposal and provided process direction.  Mr. Shulters submitted some paperwork of surrounding property owner support for the project and indicated that his daughter will finalize the project details and formally present to the Commission at a future meeting.

Update on Stratford Inn

Staff has sent a letter to the Owner/Manager regarding the painting of the electrical box outside of the Public Arts program, which makes the painting a violation of the Ashland Sign Code.  It was noted that it is still the intent to work with the owner/manager to make application to the utility box program and if that does not occur, City Code Enforcement staff will follow up to ensure the box is restored to its original color.

Update on meeting with Parks

Pugh noted that she and Commissioner Bussell will be presenting at the Parks Commission , Monday August 22^nd to discuss the Calle art area and specifically the bases for the existing and proposed sculptures.  Staff provided several Calle site maps for reference.

Update on Christman purchase

Commissioner Edson was working on this project and it will be re-assigned.  Staff will follow up and provide update at next meeting.

Update on Helman project/Council approval

Commissioners discussed the mural project and possible coordination and promotion efforts for an event to celebrate its completion.  Staff noted that Helman School will also be having an event celebrating the solar panel system installation and should be aware of whether or not it is advisable to attempt to combine the two or ensure that they occur separately.  Commissioner Davis indicated she would follow up with the Helman Principal and report back.

Gateway Project

Commissioner Davis presented a draft RFQ and proposed project schedule/timeline document for Commission discussion.  Commissioners discussed the need to absorb the documents prior to formal response/decision making, but discussed several elements, including:

• The number of finalists to select – 5 maximum?, 3 minimum?
• The appropriate dollar amount for the finalist commissioning
• Whether travel expenses are a part of the commission award or separate
• The total commission award for the winning finalist for the final art work
• What are the important attributes of the selection committee for the project – Grant writing, public relations, fundraising, time commitment

Commissioners agreed to review the documents and discuss at the next meeting and also think of potential applicants for the selection committee as well as for the Public Arts Commission itself.

Meeting adjourned at 9:55.