HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CLC-2019-11-18PRESEN
Commis
OTHER
Lewis
Excuse
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(PRNR)
Sculptur
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019 Minutes
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ember 18, 2019
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Common Cou
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Community Life Commission
November 18, 2019
2
roots of existing trees, maybe making plantings of trees with the sculpture was a
suggestion.
Baker Park –There were a lot of comments from the neighborhood and going down
further west, closer to west side of the park. There were questions of walk by traffic for
educational purposes? Maybe an opportunity to tie in with Reuse Center and also safety
concerns as well.
Tom Shelly – He stated that Alex had pointed out that there was a previous policy in
2003 for Public Art Plan but now CLC oversees public art. CLC should review the policy
and revise for current year. PRNR to have some imput for parks and work together on
this policy. Some parks are over-programmed, for example at Stewart Park there is
new playground and doesn’t need more; art can proliferate (example of Famers Market,
over 30 benches there) and have a nice balance and be appropriate. If there is a lot of
kid activity in a park, be safe, attractive and not a nuisance. Tom advised that Monica
Franciscus is the Anthropocene sculpturist and she isn’t “married “ to having this in
Baker Park.
Alexander Phillips - Planner – Further public comments and updated handout given. He
advised that public circulation comment began on 10/7, was open until today and he
received public comments for both projects. For the Anthropocene: 4 positive public
comments, 2 neutrals and 6 negative comments. Tompkins Giant #1: 2 positive public
comments, 1 neutral and 4 negative comments. There were 2 other comments, but one
had to do with concern about copyright infringement for the Giant and the second
comment was that art work unnecessary and roads should be fixed.
There was fear that the Tompkins Giant #1 was placed right on the trail; Alex checked
into this and it’s about 70’ off of the trail. No detailed site drawings done at this stage
and we were provided a site prospective drawing. Questions/discussion of Giant view,
visibility, etc.
Chair Swayze asked if there was any more info about the footers for Giant; Alex advised
this is bit ahead of the project, once sculpture/site approved then engineer drawings
would be done. The foundation would be approximately 14’x16’ foundation not sure of
depth. Discussion regarding the public comments and addressing those; one particular
public comment stated that it is a portrayal of a person walking like a gorilla, person of
color that this person was offended; Common Council member Cynthia Brock also
stated she too felt uncomfortable with the sculpture. CC Liaison Fleming wanted to
clarify to the public that the cost of the actual artwork, including installation is born by
the artist and the City having discussions of the maintenance of artwork. Keeler stated
that he too felt offended and had strong feelings toward the one particular public
comment he felt was racist statement and should CLC address this? Discussion
regarding how people felt and those community members did feel a certain way and we
should consider those, as well as the proximity.
Tompkins Giant #1 – Alex was asked by Chair Swayze to review the process that got us
to this point. He advised this is a Community Arts Project; they did their own RFP
process which was inspired by Taughhanock Giant, but is not a direct connection. This
is their first project, they selected this proposal, funds are provided and preferred
Community Life Commission
November 18, 2019
3
locations in City. Those sites included Stewart and Cass Park, the green space by
Pete’s Gas Station and several other sites along Waterfront Trail, as they wanted it
along the Waterfront Trail. Cass Park was chosen, Alex spoke with Jim D’Alterio and
Jeanne Grace to address any direct environmental impacts, including damages of trees,
etc. Jim and Jeanne had concerns about wind load and people climbing on this with a
large concrete base. City is requesting a recommendation from CLC to take to PEDC
(Planning and Economic Development Committee) then to Common Council, for final
approval. Discussion with Alex regarding how this came from local nonprofit and came
from outside the City and that City didn’t weigh in to actual design. Alex advised that
the old public art plan was used as a reference and City is approaching as a “donation”
as no current funding available to do this and the only other public art project that is
closest thing, is Ithaca Moves project, which Alex spoke of at a prior meeting. .
Question from public regarding public comment and how the public is notified. The
Chair reviewed the process, advised there is still time left for public input as it goes to
PEDC and then to Common Council and further reminded that this was left open for
public comment longer than normal. Alex discussed that this process is still being
worked on for the way this is circulated for public comment and at PRNR meeting it was
advised that all Common Council members can submit these proposals to their list
serves.
Motion for CLC recommendation of Tompkins Giant #1 to PEDC – Motion made by
Keeler and Hillson 2nd motion – all in favor.
Byrne wanted noted that CLC has a lot of time/focus on art.
Anthropocene: Alex reviewed the history of this project. Monica Francissa (here at the
mtg) gave sculpture to the City and had a site in mind. The process very similar to
Tompkins Giant #1process, varying sites looked at, Baker Park was the site chosen.
PRNR Commissioner Shelly recommended this site as well and Alex reached out to
Jeanne Grace to make sure no damage to park or additional concerns. Jeanne
recommended that it be placed along the same row of trees along Elmira Road, not on
the sidewalk directly and concern that sculpture not damaged by existing trees or
branches falling. This site had an old road that was there, which makes a solid
foundation. Alex advised that he presented to CLC to in September and public
circulation commenced on 10/7 and open for public comments, including several
proposals to Titus Towers residents. CC Liaison Fleming stated that Common Council
questioned regarding safety concerns of the sharp edges and how artwork would age?
Monica Franciscus the artist, stated priority that all parts would have smooth surface,
base of the sculpture will be a rubberized material. Discussion regarding base of
sculpture, materials used, fabrication done through Tatum Engineering and that all parts
would be primed. Painted surfaces given extra coating of polyurethane to give
durability, will maintain color and avoid rusting. Alex passed around the color
photograph of the sculpture for CLC Commissioners. There was question and
discussion of expected life of sculpture. The foundation will be built by Paolangeli,
foundation approximately 12’x4x3, and she stated approximately 10-15 years for
lifespan of sculpture. She spoke of what each color has specific meaning and there will
be a solar light on the top to give the sculpture light. She also talked regarding the
Community Life Commission
November 18, 2019
4
meaning the sculpture and sustainability message. There will be a plaque on sculpture
and will be used for educational purposes, classes to be taken there, website will also
be available for questions. She stated that science got us here and science will get us
out of there. She was asked why CU didn’t want on campus and she stated as they
only wanted it for one year. There was a discussion regarding whether this park is
public enough of a park for this sculpture and Chair made note of this. The Chair also
read out loud that CU comment regarding it didn’t meet “their standards” and Alex
advised that it was a CU subcommittee and they went in different direction. Questions
and discussion of sculpture details. Artist stated that this sculpture is not to be climbed
on and be placed somewhere that it won’t be climbed on by the public. Suggestions of
barriers around sculpture to keep public from climbing like on it, like what was used for
the water foundation on Commons.
Chair Swayze stated that she loves the idea of this and idea is perfect for Ithaca. The
fact that it makes you think of sustainability, actually encourages interactions and having
solutions from the art is great and on the other hand she hears the public comments
and neighborhood coming in, fairly overwhelmingly, saying it’s not the right location.
Hilson stated he used to reside in this neighborhood and feels that it fits in with the
general aesthetic of the area, there is Reuse Center, car dealers and question regarding
whether it can be moved closer to the edge of the park?
Tom Shelly stated that Jeanne Grace stated it could be a difficult neighborhood to put
anything in the park, in the past there was suggestion of community garden and the
neighborhood was against it; whole contingent of neighborhood is to only have grass.
Byrne stated that she resides there and feels Baker Park is open to Elmira Road and
that it would break up the site of seeing the street and voiced her concerns regarding
safety.
Liaison Lewis stated this sculpture was funded and donated to the city by the artist.
There will also be questions by the public of where to put things and pointed out the
painted electric boxes adds attraction. There is a question of maintenance of this piece
and artist stated that the life span is 10-15 years. Other pieces of art that need
maintenance, as there has been vandalism, damage of spray painting. Monica
responded that it happens, art work gets vandalized, basically its trash (crushed cars)
doesn’t care if its spray painted. A big part of design was interaction with this art
sculpture; want to touch this art and its ok, it’s a living thing. It’s a conceptual piece, art
is art of right now – not modern where the idea is more important than the end result
and concept is priority not end result as this piece is a sexy piece and draws attention
and hopes to start conversation!
Alex stated that no funds exist for murals or sculptures; once they have reached end of
life/disrepair, they would be removed from the public. He stated that there is existing
sculptures that have a range of textures, i.e., the horse on Commons, the musical horns
by barber shop, etc., they all have sharpness/smoothness and these were acceptable
and were put up.
Alex did look at other locations and there is a large list of locations and it is up to the
artist of where proposal fits in the City. Monica chose this site because accessible to
Community Life Commission
November 18, 2019
5
public and a central location. Alex advised that process of looking at sites again would
take time and having to repeat the process again.
CLC recommends to PEDC of Baker Park Anthropocene sculpture Hillson made motion
and Scriber 2nd motion – one commissioner opposed, 4 approved.
Alex will be having open call for murals in February, 2020, and in the past was just an
open call, Alex will bring to CLC in December and asked Commissioners to think of
themes to direct artists in the future. There was suggestions of a legal graffiti wall and
discussion of content and language suitable for the public, etc.
Public Art Working Group Update: Keeler stated that the group met for first time,
there were lots of questions about funding and what are we funding, the ideas, values
and goals as well. Group will be starting to look at other cities and will look at 2003
public art plan that was in place and starting process of drafting a new one.
CC Liaison Lewis gave update on 2020 City Budget – Submit to the Mayor and
Common Council for 2020 budget for public art/public art maintenance and the proposal
was in 2020 budget for $10,000; CC Rob Gerhart recommended, there was revision of
given of $2,000 for 2020 Budget and discussed primarily of maintenance of existing art;
not new art. Lewis advised that the challenge is that the City with $80 million budget
does not have enough funds to fund everything, example given of 4 firefighters and
grant that funded their positions and 2 firefighters absolved and 2 other firefighters
added back in to the budget. Is this a reoccurring expense or one time/ the importance
of firefighter’s salary and benefits or public art? What some people viewed as essential
usage? She discussed in detail regarding the process and thought that went into the
decision and the difficulty of budget process and how money is approved and 56% of
property in City is tax exempt, all schools, churches, Cornell University and look at
proportion it is the case that CU is the largest; in the 2020 budget CU contributes
$1,391,527.00 – Common Council approved budget on 11/6 and details is on the City’s
website. The $2,000 budget was approved and maintenance work with DPW? Where is
that money going under DPW? Who are the allies in public art?
Commission serves valuable purpose – cross communication with other commissions –
raised topic raises question the agenda for commission chairs meetings? Opportunity to
share what commission working on – none of the commission have funding – funding
for any other commissions – Who voted for the art funding and who voted against it?
Future conversations – 4/5 vote for the art budget line in 2020.
Advocacy Flags: Hillson – earth day – end of October through April – at those
locations 5 months – city hall flag any times – details for end and start times – advocacy
flags to city admin update dimensions, add date limits different locations and clarified
who takes and – pass that back to them and finish
Discussion regarding issues that CLC commissioners talked about at the beginning; to
look at reiterating our goals and move forward with that info; key areas: housing, youth,
community’s sustainability, etc., need to review what CLC mission is and other
proposals that we really want to pursue and share with Chair, email ideas.
Community Life Commission
November 18, 2019
6
Green new deal policy – funding for consultant and for full time city positions in 2020;
7:38pm Adjourned
Next Meeting:
Monday, December 16, 2019, 6:00 p.m., Common Council Chambers, 3rd Floor
Adjournment:
On a motion, the meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by,
Jody Hallett-Harris, Executive Assistant