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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CLC-2019-10-21PRESEN Commis OTHER Lewis & GUEST (PRNR) Meeting Review Bakhle 2 Monika advised there a C City For concern material Works w to know research current a Placeme sidewalk Park, ne wanted t Commis info on t Parks ar below av enhance policy. Question there is memoria playgrou CO CO NT: Chair ssioners (5) S PRESEN Fleming : Monika R g called to and Appro 2nd – All in f Roth – Cha that at last City Policy rester, abo /question is s and safet will be the o what the lif hed/looked art in parks ent of sculp k and they eed to be in to know wh ssioners ha the sculptur re way und verage. PR e the park is ns regardin a list of infr als. PRNR unds and be OMMUN OMMIS r Swayze ): Keeler, S NT: Execut Roth, Chair order: 6:0 oval of Min favor with c air of the Pa t PRNR Com currently fo ut art in the s the scale, ty concerns ones that it c fe spans of on the City policy. pture in park had some c nvolved as w hat the publ ppens to be re. 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ES , Bakhle, D Harris & Co & Natural R , 2019 Minu es approved tural Resou poke regard aid they sp ese sculptu s it enhance other conce y maintena nd who ultim nd Jeanne d vided of the Jeanne Gra ave ultimat for this. On neighborhoo to this was other cities ctional and o work toget dout and in s well as op each park, Date: Octob Time: 6:00 Location: C 3rd Floor, Ci Das & Scribe mmon Cou Resources C utes: 1st H d. urces Comm ding art in C oke with Je res and of p e the life of ern as ultim ance. Also mately owns didn’t know e Giant sho ace & Jim D te say of thi ne of PRNR od and had done? Cit of this size d having pur ther on this frastructure pportunities like repair ber 21, 2019 PM Common Cou ity Hall er uncil Liaison Commission illson and mission – S City Parks. eanne Grac particular f the park, ately Public they would s it? They w if there is owed it next D’Alterio, C is. PRNR R dn’t heard a y of Ithaca e, we are wa rpose to s and creati e. Currently s in parks fo of existing uncil Chamber ns: n he Is ce, c like a t to a Cass any ay ng a y or rs, Community Life Commission October 21, 2019 2 Public Art: Alexander Phillips, Planner, City of Ithaca Office of Planning and Development – Handout of current public comments received from the public circulation. Alex described the process of public comment which is: Deborah at Planning Division does media release. Same as process for murals: Sent out to whole City, included different neighborhood groups, posted in the Ithaca Times, the commissions, Common Council, Bldg Division, City Planning, City Clerk, Historic Ithaca and affiliated groups of the City. This was circulated on 10/7/19. Two comments we have tonight were received up to this point. Next step is going before Economic & Planning Committee. Alex read the 2 public comments that have been received. There were concerns regarding both sculptures from public and one that was for it. There was mention of “standards” from commenter from Cornell, and CLC/PRNR would like to know what those were. Board of Public Works Board Meeting just met and this was on the Agenda, one of comments was Tompkins/Taughannock Giant Sculptures are a bit confusing, why are there two of them? The Taughannock Giant has not been done yet and the Tompkins Giant “Gromley” is not associated directly with Taughannock Giant and discussion regarding the two. Both of these sculptures would be donated to City, just like murals, once this is up and done sculptures are property of City of Ithaca. No maintenance for public art, if sculptures become hazardous or not quality anymore, they would be removed or recycled. Alex stated this is in the agreement with the artist as well. Policy for art in parks? Is there existing policy? There was a community art plan in the past (2003??) and that should be reviewed. Jeanne Grace brought this up at the last meeting regarding memorials/benches and the proliferation of existing trees, benches, art, etc., policy and plan in advance: Baker Park, Maplewood? What’s appropriate and where? Commissions should work together on this and look at other art policies in other areas. Seems like 2 separate commissions working on something that crosses between the two, how do we make this work more efficiently going forward? When things come to one or more commissions, if covers both, what should be done? This should be brought up at next Chair’s Meeting? If a park is involved, it should be taken to PRNR and not having someone come to both meetings as it is time-consuming for all involved. Working on creating this policy as we continue going forward. Other concerns voiced regarding outreach? Alex showed that it was circulated to public and used the same process as he does with murals and for the future of public circulation process, Alex to make note that this goes on list serve to update. There was discussion regarding Baker Park, there only being a few houses nearby and how to go about notifying these small neighborhoods. Laura reminding everyone that there is so much email that everyone is inundated and it’s always good to send out a reminder after public notice is sent. Community Life Commission October 21, 2019 3 Prioritization - parks underfunded and so is public art … what to do with that piece? Neither of these pieces are functional, there is purpose of the Anthropocene as it is recycled, to raise environmental awareness, etc. Alex stated that the Planning Division was approached with two different proposals and each artist had no site in mind when presented. The Gromley sculpture, looked at several different sites; Alex walked us through how sites were identified in our last meeting, including that he met with Jeanne Grace City Forrester & Jim D’Alterio Cass Park, to choose sites. They both had concerns, Cass Park and the wind load of sculpture? How it would be placed at the site, the foundation? Spoke with the Gromley Project and engineered stamped drawings at this site, as well as soil and project team has identified an engineer and formal drawings will be done. Engineering Department to be met with and technical drawings are required. Chose this site as no disruption of trees Jeanne Grace – no roots to be disturbed, etc., this site addressed those concerns. The Anthropocene site, Jeanne Grace stated that there was an old road that ran through park and Jeanne stated ideal site because of this prior old road. There were already technical drawings done with this project. Monika stated that when building the Turtle at Cass Park and there were 10’ footers under this and that cost as much as the project itself. Donna doesn’t like either sculpture and there are a lot of jagged edges, rust, seems like basing a lot of work and questionable merit; a lot of concerns about using park property to display these two particular artists’ visions. It doesn’t seem appropriate to use City Park property for these, and we need policy so that this would give assistance when making decisions. The sculptures seem dangerous for children, and why dig up public parks for what end? What benefit is there that justifies the cost? Alex stated that the cost of the installation is covered by the artist and there is question of when it comes to end of life and who covers that cost. City Staff/Department of Public Works will have to oversee this. Alex explained that each team discussed safety and longevity of their sculptures and is covered in each description. Anthropocene Sculpture, there will be an extensive process of smoothing edges of car parts, metal works that all edges are smoothed over and not a public safety concern. Chair voiced concerns regarding public parks and what are their functions? Where does public art then go or belong if not in City? Where does public art belong? This is a very fair question. So far there are electric boxes, paintings on garages, memorial statutes, the Commons has sculptures. Lewis has same concerns, her opinion is open green space is preferable and she has concerns of future maintenance expenses. Alex then goes to PDC if approved then Common Council Hillson stated Baker Park underutilized park – not a lot of people in it and maybe putting public art in it will attract more people to it? Not out of place in that particular park the sculpture. The Giant in Cass Park there is a lot of space there and currently nothing there or currently utilized space. Community Life Commission October 21, 2019 4 Chair suggested that we consider these two pieces as they are and then create a policy for the future if art utilizing space the in park. Hillson: Placement of sculptures? Was this same conversation with PRNR? No, Alex did not give same info to them, but he advised that this should have included PRNR in all of the information. Create plan of coming up with City Art Policy, is next step and what does Alex need from CLC – needs CLC recommendation to move proposals to planning and economic committee? Hillson/Keeler – Policy/plan takes a long time and should we wait? We need more input from PRNR before moving on? CLC make a recommendation of content of art and Alex to meet with PRNR and get their recommendation and then take to PEDC? PRNR meets again on 11/14, because of holiday. It was brought to commission by Monika because it’s an issue related to parks and they didn’t have background and now does. Wait for more input from PRNR and then to PEDC in December/January? Alex stated that because of seasons, its fine in terms of process, but need process in the future to streamline this. CLC did at last meeting recommend both to go out for public input. We rec’d input and two areas of concern: safety of Anthropocene and neighborhood and the Cornell concerns that it was rejected? Would like those items addressed before recommendation from CLC? CLC was ok with locations and barring hearing anything from Cornell - should we move forward? Members voiced concerns around safety and Alex can ask them to provide additional info for safety, steps for those structures. Possibly look at putting Anthropocene at the Solid Waste for this project? What does CLC want to do? No sharp edges on Anthropocene – need additional info? Have previous work – both came from different processes? Only saw these final proposals and would like to see previous work. Pass along with our safety concerns? Want more info here from Alex before passing along. Monika stated that should have the engineering drawings as there are no footers on the sculptures, meet with engineer before moving on with the Giant project as initially the foundation wasn’t in the drawings, needs to talk to engineer and how much cost of the foundation would be. Both need to go to PRNR and meet before our next meeting; feedback from them, more feedback from Alex and Donna. Place this on hold and make decision at next meeting; Alex will leave the public circulation window open and re-share with list serve. Given questions to Alex, Donna to talk with CU, the info to PRNR and come back at next meeting. Create a subcommittee with members from both CLC and PRNR to draft a City Policy regarding art in parks; this will be discussed at commission chair s’ meeting. Is there a plan already in place for signage at parks? No plan in place currently, but Rick at Cayuga Waterfront Trail, talk with him, to be consistent with current signs. Clearer sense of the messaging of why a Giant? Needs context? Alex will find out about foundation of Gromley and the expense of what it will actually cost. Community Life Commission October 21, 2019 5 Public Art Working Group Update: Approved working group for public art and any movement? Lewis stated that Mayor gave proposed budget and departments can make requests above mayor’s budget. There has been no information or request in yet, but the budget very tight and many requests of the Mayor for critical decisions for fire department and police department. All of the information is available on the city website. Alternative ways this working group can help to fund. CLC request for $10,000 public art was not recommended by the Mayor. Common Council has10/30 public hearing, Rusty will attend to speak in favor of including line item for public art. Public hearing is at 6:00 p.m. you can send an email to Common Council so that they all get the email and repeat what was requested to Mayor. Chair will send the email to Common Council. Public hearing on budget 10/30/19 @ 6:00 p.m. Cornell Contributions Working Group Update – Next steps are to complete working plan form and going to look into who else should be on working group and come up with some suggestions. Ask Mayor for his recommendations and we asked commission members their suggestions as well. This will be done before next meeting; Byrne to get this moving before next meeting. Advocacy Flags: Hillson emailed Steve Nann regarding internal workings regarding keeping flag, etc. One of proposals is you provide flag to City takes possession and who does he contact that takes care of that? Lewis stated she recalled that whatever organization requesting flag to be flown provides it and after the organization gets flag back. It is up to the organization to come back each year, and it shouldn’t be City’s responsibility to maintain the flag. CLC Shopping Carts – Submitted to City Admin Committee our update on research done and our further questions. Chair hasn’t heard back regarding this yet and Chair to provide commissioners with final submission. Chair will email this. Hillson asked that currently the County Board of Health is looking for members and is specifically looking for restaurant owner/management of position open. CLC is also in need of 2 commissioners for this as well. Questions concerning the terms expiring at end of this year and whether members could continue. Chair will follow up with terms of current members. 7:34pm Adjourned Next Meeting: Monday, November 18, 2019, 6:00 p.m., Common Council Chambers, 3rd Floor Adjournment: On a motion, the meeting was adjourned at 7:34 p.m. Respectfully Submitted by, Jody Hallett-Harris, Executive Assistant