HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-PAC-2016-03-23Approved – 4/27/16
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PAC Minutes
3/23/16
PAC members present:
Todd Ayoung
Samantha Hillson
Jay Potter
Caleb Thomas
Planning Division Liaison:
Megan Wilson
Community Arts Partnership Liaison:
John Spence
Also present:
Carol Mallison
Announcements
Caleb reported that he will be leading a walking tour of murals in Ithaca on Sunday, April
3rd at 1 p.m. The tour will meet at Svante’s parking space park in the City Hall lot. He
invited other PAC members to join him.
Megan reported that the City’s Parks Commission is seeking a design for a parks logo. The
Request for Proposals has already been sent to PAC members. PAC members are eligible to
submit a design, and Megan asked everyone to send the RFP to anyone who may be
interested. A stipend of $200 will be awarded to the selected artist.
Public Comment
Mural Proposal: “Beyond the Dust” by Danielle Hodgins
Four written comments were submitted to staff, and all were supportive of the mural.
A member of the public asked how to apply for a mural that would be completed by local
children. The interested group has already been in touch with Caleb, and Megan
recommended they complete the application for a mural (available on the website) and
return to the PAC.
“Beyond the Dust” by Danielle Hodgins
The PAC discussed the mural proposal for the Rt. 13-facing façade of the Water & Sewer
workshop building. John explained the involvement of the County and the private
foundation in the grant process, specifically mural and site selection. Caleb noted that he
wished the design had a bit more color. The group discussed doing some prep work
together on the building to help prepare the surface for the mural. There is a good deal of
peeling paint as well as vines that need to be removed.
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On a motion by Jay, seconded by Sam, the PAC voted unanimously to recommend “Beyond
the Dust” by Danielle Hodgins for installation on the Water & Sewer workshop building.
The proposal will be presented to the Planning Committee of Common Council on April 13th
and, if approved, to the full Common Council on May 4th.
Rainwater Art
Jay reported that the PAC has been awarded a grant from an anonymous local foundation to
install the Rainwater Art project in and around downtown. The DIA is willing to be the
recipient of funding for this project, and the PAC will install the artwork. The next step is to
seek approval from the Board of Public Works to install the project on City-owned
sidewalks. The group identified the following locations:
• North side of E. Seneca Street (between N. Aurora St. and N. Tioga St.)
• West side of N. Aurora Street (in front of Seneca Street Parking Garage)
• East side of N. Tioga Street (between E. Seneca Street and the Post Office)
• North side of E. State Street (at the intersection near Viva)
• South side of E. Green Street (between S. Cayuga St. and the Tompkins County
Mental Health Building)
• East side of S. Cayuga Street (between E. Green St. and E. Clinton Street)
• Six Mile Creekwalk
• Entrance to the Alex Haley Pool
• South side of W. Court Street (in front of GIAC)
Megan will present these locations to the BPW for their consideration on April 11th.
The group also discussed types of quotes, phrases, and images that could be included in the
project and agreed to brainstorm a full list of ideas before the April meeting. Megan will
share a Google doc with members, and people can add ideas throughout the month. The
PAC will narrow down the list at the next meeting and then present the finalists for a
community-wide vote.
Updates
The electrical box at E. Buffalo St. and Stewart Avenue has been vandalized. Megan is
notifying the artist to give her the opportunity to repair the artwork, and Caleb will contact
her as well. If she is not interested in repairing the work, the graffiti and the mural will be
removed by City staff.
The RFP for the Commons electrical boxes is out, and submissions are due April 1st. The
State Department of Transportation responded to the PAC’s request to paint the State-
owned signal cabinets and stated that they are working on their own guidelines for murals
on the boxes. They anticipate that the guidelines will be available in 2017 and would be
willing to consider the PAC’s project at that time.
The Ithaca Festival is now considering the Cayuga Waterfront Trail as the location for its
proposed Art in Glow project. They are also experimenting with the paint, including
exposure to different amounts of light and use of colored paints. They are no longer
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planning to install the project during the Ithaca Festival. They will return to the PAC as
plans progress.
Members asked about the Seneca Street Garage murals. Megan will follow up with
Margaret Reed and Justin Suarez regarding their timelines for installation.
The PAC working session will be on April 27th. There will be a regular PAC meeting from 4-
5 p.m. and the working session will follow from 5-7 p.m. The public is welcome to attend
the regular meeting but the working session will be open to PAC members and liaisons
only. Sally has offered to bring some food, and others agreed to bring some as well.
Mural Proposal for Department of Public Works Building on Franklin Street
Jay presented his concept for a mural on the DPW Building next to the Piggery. He will
prepare a sketch and proposal for PAC’s consideration
Executive Session: Membership Recommendation to the Mayor
The PAC entered an executive session to review applications for membership and discuss a
recommendation to the Mayor. Following the session, the PAC announced that it
unanimously agreed to recommend that the Mayor appoint Carol Mallison to the
Commission.
Stewart Park Ash Project
Jack Elliott attended to present his proposal for the Stewart Park Ash Project. He proposes
to create sculptural art from an Ash tree in Stewart Park. The tree would be uprooted and
volunteers would clean and debark the roots on site in the park. Tools would be attached to
the tree so people can work on the project at any time, and the area would be recorded by
video for both documentation of the project and for security purposes. Interpretive
materials would be provided on-site. The project is supported by Cornell University’s
Atkinson Center. Jack would like to see the piece remain in Stewart Park upon completion
but a proposal for permanent display has yet to be presented.
The PAC was supportive of the project but did not make a formal recommendation since
the piece has not been proposed for permanent installation on City property. If Jack would
like the finished sculpture to remain on display in Stewart Park, he will need to return to
the PAC with a proposal for installation.
Meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
Next meeting scheduled for April 27, 2016