HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PAC-2016-02-24Approved – 4/27/16
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PAC Minutes
2/24/16
PAC members present:
Todd Ayoung
Sally Grubb
Norma Gutierrez
Jay Potter
Caleb Thomas
Planning Division Liaison:
Megan Wilson
Common Council Liaison:
Rob Gearhart
Also present:
5 applicants for PAC vacancy: Sean Gannon, Jennifer Gibson, Livia Isaacson, Carol Mallison,
Amy Winters
8 members of high school government class
Public Comment (4:10)
No public comment
Announcements
Ben Monaghan, Intern with the Planning Department, has updated the PAC slideshow on
the City website with new images: http://www.cityofithaca.org/353/Public-Art-
Commission
• Perhaps we should select a wide range, reduce size and scale to all be the same
ratio?
Ithaca Festival ‘Art In Glow’ project proposal review (4:15)
Ithaca Festival is proposing to use the Six Mile Creek Walk (behind TCPL/Urban Outfitters)
for a mural project. The project could be several artists using glow in the dark paint on the
sidewalk. A number of concerns were raised by PAC members:
• Tight timeframe for the call
• Concerns about glow in the dark paint being white during the daytime
• The proposed area is very well lit (needs total darkness to properly function as
shown in proposal)
• Proposal did not show or state prior experience with this medium
• Already a lot of artwork in this area with beautification efforts
• Do they have funding?
• PAC should discuss further with DIA
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• Suggested poetry using ‘Rainworks’ approach with ‘Neverwet’ product. Invisible
when dry but becomes visible when wet. Artwork would biodegrade most likely
within 1 year
Megan will follow up with the project organizer and ask her to follow up for the next
meeting.
CAP Public Art Mural Project (4:40)
Thirty six proposals were submitted. Sally & Jay will represent the PAC and meet with CAP
staff for the initial selection panel. Norma also indicated that she would be interested. The
PAC members will join Robin Schwarz & John Spence as well as the funders will conduct a
preliminary review to aid in selecting the strongest candidates.
21 Boxes – 2016 Electrical Boxes Project (4:45)
Megan is preparing a letter to the New York State Department of Transportation to seek
approval to paint the State-owned boxes. The City’s Department of Public Works suggested
some ideas to include in the letter, specifically concerns they originally had and how they
were addressed as well as their support of the project.
Megan also revised the RFP for the Commons Boxes and responses will be due on April 1st.
The PAC will meet with the Commons Management Team to select the artwork on Tuesday,
April 12th at 2 p.m.
Caleb recommended changing the wording in the RFP to clearly state that site location for a
selected mural ultimately falls to PAC. Megan will make the change and distribute the RFP.
PAC membership requirements (4:50)
Megan reported that the proposed change to the Public Art Commission ordinance to
reduce the number of required City residents was approved by the City Administration
Committee on February 17th. It will be voted on by the full Common Council on March 2nd.
In addition to the change to the residency requirement, the Committee decided to change
the qualifications of members so that four members must have demonstrated expertise in
the field of design, visual arts, architecture or landscape architecture, rather than be
professionals in one of the fields.
PAC retreat (5:00)
A Doodle poll has been sent for all members to complete regarding their availability for the
working session. The date will be set soon.
Centennial Art Program Trust Fund (5:05)
Megan reported that it was recently brought to staff’s attention that the City has several
trust funds, including the Centennial Art Program Trust fund that has a balance of
approximately $3,500. The City Chamberlain is proposing that these funds be transferred
to the appropriate departments with the intention of spending the funds in 2016. If not
spent, the funds would be directed to the general fund. The PAC discussed possible uses for
this money, and it was agreed that the PAC could easily spend these funds on community
artwork. The limitation that the funds be spent in 2016 may be problematic because the
project would need to be planned quickly and installed before the end of the year. A time
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extension would allow the PAC more time to plan and possibly use the funding as a match
for a larger grant. The PAC agreed to submit a letter to Common Council explaining these
comments/concerns.
Q&A with applicants for vacant PAC seat (5:10)
The five applicants discussed their individual experience volunteering and working within
the arts field and ideas and suggestions for the PAC and public art. The PAC members
talked about typical volunteer duties during and outside of meetings.
PAC members discussed wanting to possibly appoint additional official liaison positions for
supporting the PAC with PR, event coordination, grant applications, etc. This will be
discussed further, possibly during the working session.
Meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Next meeting scheduled for March 23, 2016