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Minutes 05-24-05ARTS COMMISSION WORKSHOP PRESENTATION HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2005 IN THE LIBRARY PROGRAM ROOM, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, AT 6:30 P.M. Present: Arts Commission -Debby Coles-Dobay, Chair Richard Beaulieu, Vice Chair Cheryl Arflin Angela Budano Kimberlee McGow Anita Remer Suzette Urs Deborah Nesbit, Alternate Absent: Linda Sage, Alternate For the City: Mayor Jerry Taylor Commissioner Bob Ensler Commissioner Carl McKoy City Manager Kurt Bressner Absent: Vice Mayor Mack McCray Commissioner Mike Ferguson Opening Community Redevelopment Agency: Chairperson Jeanne Heavilin Vice Chair Henderson Tillman James Barretta Alexander DeMarco Doug Hutchinson, CRA Director Absent: Don Fenton Marie Horenburger Steve Myott A sign in sheet was circulated and provided to the Recording Secretary for inclusion with the records of the meeting. Debby Coles-Dobay, Chairperson of the Arts Commission, called the workshop to order at 6:39 p.m. The Arts Commission thanked the City of Boynton, the Mayor and the Commission for approving an art in public places program. Chairperson Coles-Dobay noted the tremendous growth taking place throughout the City. Older neighborhoods are being revitalized and Boynton Beach is becoming a greater place to live; now is time to bring art in public places to the City. Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Workshop Boynton Beach, Florida May 24, 2005 Introduction Chairperson Coles-Dobay introduced the Board's Liaison, Ms. Arleen Dennison, who is the Director of the Boynton Beach Cultural Center and the Schoolhouse Children's Museum. An introduction and brief background of all members of the Arts Commission was provided. Presentation A PowerPoint presentation entitled "Ask for Art" was shown, a copy of which is on file in the City Clerk's Office. Chairperson Coles-Dobay stated the purpose of the workshop was to introduce art to the City of Boynton Beach that would include parks, libraries, civic centers, neighborhoods, developments, businesses, and educational institutions, and on sidewalks, greenspaces, streets and roadways. Art will contribute to the City's civic and economic growth goals. Arts Commission member Deborah Nesbit discussed the millions of dollars that art can generate, as well as the financial impact it could have to a community, the county and an entire region. The impact upon Palm Beach County in 2001 was $251.7 million. Chairperson Coles-Dobay noted that art helps decrease crime and drug problems in communities and referenced the change that art has brought to the West Industrial Avenue section of Boynton Beach. Art creates jobs, while decreasing unemployment. Ms. Nesbit discussed how art and culture could bring money into the community, referencing the large sums of money that the County has received through art. Chairperson Coles-Dobay stated art increases education, culture and ethnic unity. Ms. Nesbitt pointed out the success of Old School Square in Delray Beach through arts and culture. Arts Commission Member Suzette Urs noted that art would enhance and create a positive image for the City, as well as making it a destination point. Art creates amenities and investments that increase in value, while educating the community. People will have civic pride in their City and stimulate community interaction. Ms. Urs presented several other ways that art would benefit the City and place Boynton Beach on the map. Recommendations and Guidelines Chairperson Coles-Dobay explained how they developed their recommendations and guidelines through researching the City, State and entire Country. These include feedback received from the Community Redevelopment Agency and other City Boards. Chairperson Coles-Dobay noted the details and research specifics for the 2 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Workshop Boynton Beach, Florida May 24, 2005 recommendations and guidelines document could be found in the Reference Document the Arts Commission prepared. A copy of the document, as well as the Appendix to Recommendations, is on file in the City Clerk's Office. The Arts Commission is recommending an aggressive four-year funding program to generate capital for an art in public places program concurrent with and complimentary to the current rapid growth in the City. They are recommending a public art fee that would equal a percentage of construction value to real property, excluding the value of the land. Art fees can fluctuate between '/2% to 5%. They are recommending a fee for a limited time period that would provide seed capital to run the program in the future. The Arts Commission is recommending an assessment fee equal to one percent (1%) of construction value to real property and subject to the following criteria — ➢ Non-residential construction, alteration or repair for which a building permit is required. ➢ All new residential construction and/or redevelopment for which a building permit is required. ➢ All new public construction for which a building permit is required. ➢ Fees will be calculated on amounts exceeding the $250,000 threshold. Exceptions to the Fee - ➢ Remodeling, repair or reconstruction of structures damaged by fire, flood, wind, earthquake or other calamity. ➢ Affordable housing as defined by Federal, State or Local Programs. ➢ Construction less than $250,000 The funds from the 1% fee would be dedicated at 70% to the construction of art in a given project and 25% to run the arts in public places program. Mr. Hutchinson, Director of the CRA, has recommended establishing an endowment program of 5% of the fees collected that could be used for future funding. Twenty-five percent of the fees collected would be used to administer the Program. The funds would run the entire program and cover all fees, which Chairperson Coles-Dobay enumerated. The Arts Commission worked with the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) staff to make certain the building process would not be inhibited by introducing art within a project. Also, the P&Z Department recommended a bonding option that would allow a developer to post a surety of 110% of the work subsequent to the completion deadline of 60 to 90 days. Artwork within a development must be placed in an area accessible to the public. Chairperson Coles-Dobay reviewed other art options available to developers. Also, developers would be permitted to donate the 1 % fee to the public arts program. The documents referenced by Chairperson Coles-Dobay were distributed. Chairperson Coles-Dobay referred to Page 18 of the Guidelines and Recommendations document and discussed where the artwork could be placed and how the artwork would be created. 3 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Workshop Boynton Beach, Florida May 24, 2005 Artworks could be any of the following and must be placed in publicly accessible locations. — ➢ Singular, discrete objects (sculptures) ➢ Artist designed amenities, such as streetscapes, paving treatments, lighting, benches, water features, landscape treatments, etc. On Page 20 of the document, it states where public art can be located that include, but is not limited to, commercial or residential buildings, plazas, parks, greenways, sidewalks, roadways, lobbies, courtyards, towers, etc. Projects could also include artist - designed features that could have been provided by commercial sources, such as gates, water, fountains, tile and surface materials, doors, furniture, clocks, etc. All artwork created by artists would be considered eligible expenses for art in public places in addition to other items enumerated, such as fees, labor, permitting, business and legal costs, operating costs, travel and transportation expenses, etc. Page 22 contains public art selection guidelines and there are specifics that will guide the selection process, which is similar to the selection to the architecture and construction of a building. Page 25 lists Art Commission services, which are services that the Art Commission would like to contribute. Some of those services include becoming an integral part of the development review process for any new or major modification to a project; the ultimate goal would be to make recommendations for the inclusion of art into the project through various processes. The process outline is contained on Pages 26 and 28. Examples of art that have been developed as art in public spaces can be found on Pages 30 through 39 in the document. The Call to Artists procedure and artist selection methods can be found on Pages 40 through 44. Also discussed was the jury selection process from which public arts are chosen. They are recommending that people from the CRA, the City, and a representative of the developer would serve on the committee to assist with the selection of the public artists and the art project. The remainder of the document contains legal issues that apply to art in public places. Chairperson Coles-Dobay pointed out there may be circumstances when art in public places may have to be de -commissioned, revised or changed. She also noted it was important to have good marketing and advertising in order to have a successful art in public places program. On Pages 58 and 60 there is a brief Q and A section that contain responses to questions that have been posed to the Arts Commission. Chairperson Coles-Dobay concluded the Arts Commission presentation. 4 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Workshop Boynton Beach, Florida May 24, 2005 Ms. Kathie Margoles, the former Director of the City of Tamarac Parks and Recreation Department was introduced. Ms. Margoles explained that she helped developed an art in public places program for Tamarac in 2004. She would also be giving a presentation that was to be given by Beth Ravitz who was unable to attend the meeting. Ms. Ravitz is an artist who has created many public art projects in the State of Florida. Ms. Ravitz has worked with many architectural firms to design art elements into the architectural portion of projects and serves on the Art Board for the City of Coral Springs. Ms. Margoles commended the Art Commission for their wonderful presentation. Ms. Margoles gave an overview how the City of Tamarac developed a public art program and she was the staff member in charge of the program. The City of Tamarac passed an ordinance in 2004 that has been determined to be the most progressive ordinance in the Country. A team comprised of City staff and the Community Development Director drafted it. They have completed two projects and another is in the works. The population of Tamarac is 57,000 and is almost built out. Because there was little room for development, the City decided to put a public art program in place. Ms. Margoles noted that Broward County assesses a 2% public project fee for art. While the City was in the process of developing the program, an opportunity arose to do some cultural planning to introduce the concept of public art to the residents. They received a grant from the Broward County Cultural Affairs to develop a greenway linear park. Three public meetings were held to discuss the plans for the park, after which a master plan was developed. Tamarac's guidelines do not have the Guidelines and Recommendations that the Arts Commission of Boynton Beach developed. Their ordinance set up a public art fund, established a 1% fee on all construction, public, private and residential in the City. The Ordinance allows the City Commission to establish an Art Committee and the requirements to serve on the Committee. After the Ordinance was adopted in May 2004, the Art Committee was appointed in September. Ms. Margoles congratulated the Arts Committee for doing a wonderful job. A copy of Tamarac's Ordinance was included in the handouts. Ms. Margoles showed the presentation that Ms. Ravitz had intended to present, but was called out of town and could not be present. Ms. Ravitz is a local artist that lives in Coral Springs and the presentation shown was also presented at Nova Southeastern University and deals with art in public spaces. Chairperson Coles-Dobay thanked Ms. Margoles for presenting Ms. Ravitz's presentation. Next introduced was Jeffrey Siegel. Mr. Siegel was a Landscape Architect for the City of Plantation for 25 years and has worked with Ms. Ravitz. He has performed work in the private sector and for other municipalities as well. Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Workshop Boynton Beach, Florida May 24, 2005 Mr. Siegel presented a slide show on art projects designed for the City of Plantation. One project shown was designed by Ms. Ravitz. He stressed the importance that a City has an identity and noted art projects do not have to be expensive. Chairperson Coles-Dobay thanked Mr. Siegel for his presentation. The Arts Commission thanked the City representatives for listening to the presentations and is requesting that the City endorse their recommendations and guidelines. The Arts Commission would like the City to incorporate a public art program that would benefit the entire City. Questions and Comments: Chairperson Coles-Dobay opened up the meeting for questions and comments. Mayor Taylor was impressed with the progress that the Arts Commission has made in one year and stated it was incredible to see the amount of work that has been produced in such a short time. He congratulated the Arts Commission for all the work they have done. Mayor Taylor inquired about the process that a developer would have to follow in selecting an artist and Chairperson Coles-Dobay explained the process available to developers. Mayor Taylor also asked if a member of the Arts Commission was involved in the review process of art work for a development, would this slow down the process for approval of the project. Chairperson Coles-Dobay responded there would be a panel comprised of an odd number of art professionals, a representative of the developer, and either someone from the CRA Board or staff. She explained that the art process would be integrated into the City's approval process for a project and there would be no slow down of the project. Mayor Taylor inquired if an art project was within the CRA boundaries, would the CRA be able to approve the art work without it coming to the Commission for final approval. Chairperson Coles-Dobay stated that the CRA and Planning and Development Board have certain functions and they probably would not be the entity to select the art. The Arts Commission was appointed to guide the process through the City. Commissioner Ensler pointed out that most projects heard by the Planning and Development Board and the Community Redevelopment Board still must come to the Commission for final approval. Chairperson Coles-Dobay pointed out that the Arts Commission is also an advisory board. Commissioner Ensler noted, however, that the CRA is a legal entity and has the authority to spend money. Commissioner Ensler wanted to know if the Arts Commission considered themselves a legal entity or an advisory board. Chairperson Coles-Dobay pointed out that they are an advisory board Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Workshop Boynton Beach, Florida May 24, 2005 charged with establishing the art in public places program. There would be a paid administrator of the program on staff that would become another branch of the City. Mayor Taylor thought these kinds of issues could be worked out at a later date. Ms. Jeanne Heavilin, Chairperson of the CRA, also commended the Arts Commission for putting the program together in such a short period of time. Ms. Heavilin questioned if the art was public art for everyone in the City, why shouldn't the entire City participate, such as introducing some kind of assessment. Ms. Heavilin noted that there are a great many projects already under construction that would not be putting funds into the program and only new projects at this point would apply. Ms. Margoles stated in Tamarac they also instituted a fee for any building permit pulled. Chairperson Coles-Dobay thought they might want to determine if the program should be sunsetted in four years or perhaps they may want to keep the program active for a longer period of time. Ms. Heavilin suggested that some kind of fee could be charged when people apply for an occupational license each year. Commissioner McKoy inquired how the sites would be balanced throughout the City, since a majority of the newer projects would be going up in the CRA area. Chairperson Coles-Dobay noted this had been discussed at a previous workshop where public art should be placed throughout the City. There have been discussions about placing public art in parks, businesses, streetscapes and the Heart of Boynton as opportunities to introduce public art. She pointed out that art would not be exclusive to one area. Chairperson Coles-Dobay pointed out that Industrial Avenue years ago had been a dumpsite and now it is an art area that has completely changed this area. Mr. Al DeMarco would like to see art introduced in the three high rises that will be going up in the CRA District and the Promenade. He also thought it would be beneficial if the City had a theme that could be used throughout the entire City, especially a marine theme. Commissioner Ensler asked what the next steps would be to move the program forward. Chairperson Coles-Dobay stated that the Art Commission's recommendations and guidelines would have to be approved. Ms. Dennison has included in her budget the hiring of a Public Art Administrator to run the program. Once the program is established, they could begin to bring projects in. Also, there needs to be an Ordinance passed that would include the guidelines and funding for the program. Commissioner Ensler recommended that the City and the CRA assist in bringing forward an Ordinance. Chairperson Coles-Dobay thought that Legal would draft the Ordinance. Mayor Taylor inquired how the City could pay for the staff position before money is generated from the projects. Commissioner Ensler recommended that the CRA pay for half the program. 7 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Workshop Boynton Beach, Florida May 24, 2005 Mr. DeMarco felt that once the program started, it would be in a position to receive donations from the private sector. Mayor Taylor pointed out that the County has an Art in Public Places Program that provides matching funds to municipalities. Chairperson Coles-Dobay noted they have already spoken to the County about their program. Mr. Bressner stated this is a workshop and, therefore, no action could be taken. He instructed the Arts Commission to prepare and forward a letter to the City Commission asking that the item be put on an active agenda with a request to direct staff to prepare the necessary Ordinance. He also recommended that staff be provided with the resource document along with the sample ordinance for comparative information. Mr. Bressner was not certain when the Ordinance could be prepared, but hoped it could be sometime this summer. Commissioner Ensler did not see a need to sunset the program in order to determine how the program would evolve. Adjournment There being no further business, the workshop properly adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (May 27, 2005)