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Minutes 11-28-06 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH ARTS COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2006 IN SUITE 108, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AT 6:30 P.M. Present: Richard Beau Lieu, Chair Suzette Urs, Vice Chair Cheryl Arflin Angela Budano Barbara Ready Barbara Lentz Nubia Richman Debbie Brookes, Alternate Christine Moeller, Alternate Debby Coles-Dobay, Public Art Administrator Vivian Brooks, CRA Arts Liaison I. Call to Order Chair Beau Lieu called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. II. Roll Call of Members All board members were present. III. Agenda Approval Not addressed. IV. Approval of Minutes Not addressed. V. Business Items A. Announcement 1. Welcome Debbie Brookes The board welcomed the new Alternate Board Member Debbie Brookes, who gave her reasons for joining the board. Ms. Brookes stated she was very interested in improving the look of the City. She came to Boynton Beach from Laguna Beach, California and Sarasota, Florida, where art was primary. The art in Sarasota made the City what it was. It gave it class and said something about it. She felt it was important to plan ahead for projects and to incorporate the beauty of nature and make appropriate enhancements. Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Boynton Beach, Florida November 28, 2006 B. The ImDortance of Beine an Arts Commission Member Chair Beau Lieu spoke of this and encouraged the members to consider becoming officers, especially since the terms of the current officers were expiring in March. Chair Beau Lieu mentioned that even though they had chosen a Delray Beach artist for the Carolyn Sims project, they Arts Commission tried to be sensitive to the local artists, unlike some other arts organizations. Ms. Urs pointed out that the Board Liaison was available to render all possible assistance to the members, so they were assured of support if they felt in need of it. Also, the board members should be on the lookout for new board members, even when all seats were filled. It was helpful to have some people "in the wings." Ms. Coles-Dobay announced there would be no Arts Commission meeting in December. The next meeting would be January 23, 2007. The board decided to have a holiday get-together at Ms. Arflin's house on December 19 at 7:00 p.m. C. Review Proiects in the City that are Subiect to Public Art a) Childrens Services Council Project Ms. Coles-Dobay introduced Marlene Passell, Public Information Director, Childrens Services Council. They were moving their headquarters to Boynton Beach on Gateway Boulevard and High Ridge Road, near the Tri-Rail station and while they did not have to comply with the Public Art fee, they were going to include it in their facility. Ms. Coles-Dobay asked them to come to the meeting to show the board members what they proposed to do. Deborah Tatonetti, Director of Administrative Services, Childrens Council, discussed the plans for the new facility, including the publiC art element. Ms. Tatonetti showed artist's renderings of the facility. Originally, they had planned a fountain in the front of the building, but due to the proximity to Tri-Rail and the number of children in the vicinity, and since they funded the Drowning Prevention Coalition, they decided not to have it. They negotiated with the City's Planning & Zoning Department that they would put some sort of art piece there as an alternative, with landscaping. The entry and the lobby created a major impact on walking in. The staircase was a monumental staircase constructed of concrete, glass, and stainless steel. The whole reception area was an atrium with a three-story effect. The contemporary aspect of it was exciting. The glass was in three tones of bronze, green, and transparent, all hurricane-resistant glass. The reception desk was large and the whole wall behind it was going to be three stories of children's pictures that they had taken over the course of the 20 years they had been in existence. They were hiring another photographer to do some new artwork for them. They tried to trace the kids they had photographed in the early days and get them as young adults, but had been unable to identify them. 2 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Boynton Beach, Florida November 28, 2006 Ms. Tatonetti explained they had come to the City and to Ms. Coles-Dobay in particular to help them, because this was something they had never done in the past and they wanted guidance. A comment was made that something large and kinetic would be wonderful for the art in front of their building. She referred to the large, whimsical sculpture at the Museum of Science and Discovery in Fort Lauderdale that was based on a clock with a sliding ball. This idea met with enthusiasm on both sides and some were going to visit to take a look at it. They thought the idea of time was pertinent because people were on their way to catch trains and would want to know, "Am I on time? What time is it?" Ms. Tatonetti remarked their lobby had a large space for displaying art. They hoped to obtain art from area children. Ms. Passell stated they wanted something that would celebrate children and families, something upbeat and positive and warm. Ms. Coles-Dobay indicated they could do some research for ideas. There was also a two-story balcony on the backside of the building. If there were a theme on the front, they may be able to carry it through to the railings. Ms. Tatonetti mentioned they had talked about some kind of sculptured bike rack. Ms. Coles-Dobay had given the Children's Services Council representatives a call to artist samples for the projects that were already underway. Once the concept was firm, they could go out for a call to artists for this project. b. Commerce Bank Ms. Coles-Dobay distributed a handout displaying a piece of mural artwork Commerce Bank had placed in their lobby. They were the first public art project. They had paid an arts fee of $20K, but did not expect to obtain a refund of 70% of the 1% because the mural was inside their lobby and, therefore, might not be construed as meeting the ordinance guideline of being accessible to the public. They had contacted Ms. Janet DeVries at the Library and the Historical Society to produce a very large mural of a 1913 train station. They transferred the image into a digital format and provided it to Commerce Bank. It was then colorized. The cost to Commerce Bank was $12,251.52. Ms. Coles-Dobay sought the board's opinion of whether the project would qualify as a public art project and be subject to a refund of any pat of the arts fee. In discussion, the board did not concur completely that the project would qualify as public art, because it could not easily be seen from the street and was primarily for the benefit of that particular bank's customers. The basic feeling on the board was that they did not want to set a precedent where art displayed on the inside of buildings met the requirement for public art. Others felt that while it did not comply with the strict definition of public art and did not give consideration to local artists, it was still a successful project on some level. The general feeling was they should be congratulated on what they had done, thanked for their contribution to the historical preservation of Boynton Beach, but not provided a rebate. Some wanted to have Commerce Bank do a mural on the outside of their building, but the question arose as to whether that would be acceptable under City Code. The mural at McDonalds was mentioned. 3 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Boynton Beach, Florida November 28, 2006 Motion Chair Beau Lieu moved the Arts Commission wanted to encourage Commerce Bank to get some money back and if they would so some public art outside their building, the Arts Commission could facilitate it. The consensus of the Arts Commission was that while the inside mural was a good example of historical preservation, it did not fit the guidelines for public art per the Arts Ordinance pertaining to accessibility to the public. Ms. Urs seconded the motion, which was unopposed. c. Carolyn Sims Project Update Ms. Coles-Dobay distributed a written memo she had written to Wally Majors, Recreation & Park Director, entitled "Carolyn Sims Public Art at Wilson Park Project." Ms. Coles-Dobay explained the project was moving forward and they were applying for an Art in Public Places matching grant at Palm Beach County. Ms. Coles-Dobay explained part of the process was to educate the community about what public art was and how it was made and to engage them to endorse, help publicize and market it. The artist was in the process of making a maquette, a 12-inch replica of the art piece he would be doing in bronze, ultimately. They had met with the construction group and that part had now been coordinated. Where the artwork would be placed at the corner or in front of the lobby for the Carolyn Sims Center at Wilson Park would be determined, based on the size of the piece itself. Right now, the piece was planned for five and a half feet on a pedestal. The concept was the sun with hands reaching out, Conure parrots symbolizing native Florida birds, and native Florida fauna around it. It was meant to represent the spirit of community service, reaching out and helping unite the community. Another element of the project was an opportunity for the family and the community to do some fundraising and possibly a scholarship in Carolyn Sims' name. Ms. Coles-Dobay declared they would be issuing a formal Request for Proposal to Mr. Frank Varga, the artist selected for the project, to increase their chances of achieving an award of the matching fund grant. One of the features of the program was to distribute a program opportunity to the schools, churches, and City programs about the trips offered to the artist's studio to learn about how art was made. In conversation with Mr. Guarn Sims of the CRA, Ms. COles-Dobay inquired whether this had to go through the Palm Beach County School system first. Mr. Sims stated it did, and he would help accomplish that. She would be writing up the program opportunity and looked to Mr. Sims to get the information into the Boynton Beach school system. If not, they would be able to get the information into all of the City's Recreation & Park programs, Senior Center, and so forth. Notices would be sent out in the water utility bills and other marketing and advertising venues such as the Boynton Beach TV, and the Arts Commission Web site. d. Eternal Flame Project Update Ms. Coles-Dobay distributed a packet of information about this topic. The Commission had to decide where it wanted the Eternal Flame and other veteran memorials. It was now targeted for Bicentennial Park. Ms. Brooks mentioned there was now one developer instead of two for the Bicentennial Park, but the property for the project had not yet been acquired in its entirety. 4 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Boynton Beach, Florida d. Additional Projects November 28, 2006 . Promenade Circle . Marina Entrance and Pad Ms. Coles-Dobay reported she had discussed this with Ms. Brooks and agreed there were two locations that definitely called out for public art in this area: the Promenade Extension (Boynton Beach Boulevard Extension) and a big circle on the walkway leading to the Intracoastal. She encouraged the members to attend. Ms. Brooks indicated the CRA had won an award from the Fiorida Redevelopment Association for this project. The original concept had an entryway feature and at the vehicle turnaround there was a big pedestal on which art was supposed to be displayed. This was not a stand-alone project. It connected to the Marina and the CRA was in the process of purchasing most of that, except for Two Georges and the Banana Boat. They were going to try to do some kind of entryway art feature coming in off Ocean Avenue to the north on vacant land before the Banana Boat. They hoped the Marina would be an attractor to the future downtown of Boynton Beach, similar to Sailfish Marina on Singer Island. All agreed the area should have world-class art. Ms. Brooks gave Ms. Coles-Dobay a package from an Artist, Edgard Zuniga, an internationally-known public artist from Costa Rica who used mixed media to create some amazing things, including historical elements. She was thinking of something from this artist for the six to eight foot wide pedestal on the Promenade. Ms. Coles-Dobay sought the board's comments, suggestions and conceptual ideas for art in this location. Ms. Brooks was thinking of something that connected to the City's maritime history, since Boynton Beach started as a small fishing village. Chair Beau Lieu mentioned earlier conversations about the large sailfish at the Broward Convention Center, although it was agreed it did not have to be a fish per se, and that it could be abstract. Ms. Brooks did not know what the price tag would be for this artwork. Ms. Coles-Dobay mentioned if they did a call to artists for proposals, they had to have some kind of budget in mind. It was thought the CRA had to come up with a bottom and a top number for the budget and then they would do a call to artists based on that budget. Ms. Brooks indicated the 2006-07 budget was already set but they would realistically be looking at the 2007-08 budget. Chair Beau Lieu asked if the CRA had access to anyone who wanted to donate money in exchange for a naming opportunity. Ms. Coles-Dobay saw this as a joint venture between the Arts Commission and the CRA. The Arts Commission would issue a call to artists and put a timeline together, based on budget information that was yet to be determined. Ms. Coles-Dobay stated there was still the Palm Beach County matching arts program to consider. Chair Beau Lieu mentioned that having a big piece of public art in both of the referenced locations would be like turning on the lights there. Boynton Beach would become a whole new City. . City Welcome Signs Ms. Coies-Dobay mentioned the City's Sign Department had contacted her about coming up with some creative art element that could hold the current wooden Welcome to Boynton Beach signs. She thought people were beginning to understand the purpose of the Arts Commission and were coming to them for consultation. 5 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Boynton Beach, Florida November 28, 2006 Chair Beau Lieu thought there should be a competition among artists in Palm Beach County for signs. An award of a prize could be given for the best design. e. Avenue of the Arts The members had been given a package of submissions from local artists for this project, and there had not been any more submissions. They were still trying to figure out how to fund it and how to do the pads. Chair Beau Lieu believed they could mount artwork to the existing concrete and forego the pads for now and that they should use what they had. Ms. Coles-Dobay reported they had a structural engineer who could give the correct wind load requirements for 140 mph. Chair Beau Lieu did not believe they were dealing with anything that heavy. The heaviest piece was 400-500 pounds with no windage. Most of the pieces had open areas where the wind could move through them. Ms. Urs said this issue could not be neglected. During the last hurricane, a City sign blew onto her porch and cut down one of its pillars. Ms. Coles-Dobay mentioned the structural engineer would provide this information for each location for $350 per typical location, and this was the least expensive she had found. If they put pads in all the paver areas that would count as one charge from the structural engineer for ten padS in that same type of location. They had some pedestals now, but they had not been structurally engineered. A suggestion was made to have Commerce Bank provide a permanent installation at one of the Avenue of the Arts sites and let them pay to have the concrete put in. Chair Beau Lieu asked if the letters had gone out to the artists yet, and Ms. Coles-Dobay responded, not yet. f. Heritage Celebration Ms. Coles-Dobay mentioned the Arts Commission facilitating a V.I.P. evening on February 24 at the Childrens Schoolhouse Museum and having artists come in to display some work. The event was now known as Boynton's Heritage Celebration. It was formerly known as HeritageFest. VI. Boynton Beach Arts Marketing Materials 1. Logo Review Ms. Coles-Dobay showed the board two visuals for an Arts Commission logo. She had the artist create the color versions in smaller sizes and in black and white. The board voted on the large blue and green logo. 2. Summary of Projects in the City Ms. Coles-Dobay asked for comments or questions from the board. There were some projects that were big like the one in Boynton Village on Old Boynton Road and Congress Avenue, which was a good example of where the public art lay in a phased project, which was one of the Commission's latest comments on the ordinance. Smoky Bones, Red Lobster, RCB Bank and Building M, were all subject to the 1% public art fee. Richard Forman, the agent for this entire project, came to Ms. Coles-Dobay and suggested taking all their monies, pooling it together and 6 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Boynton Beach, Florida November 28, 2006 putting the public art on one of the main roads coming off Congress going into Boynton Beach Village on the two roundabouts. They were going to hire public artists to do public art there, with those monies. That made perfect sense because if it were left up to each individual segment of the project, it could lack coordination in the end. Each of the buildings would get a Certificate of Occupancy, but they had already determined, before even going to permit, they would place the art in this area of the project so that when they received a certificate of occupancy, they would have their checkmark in the public art section. This approach had been discussed with each of the projects that were subject to the public art fee and the locations of the public art had been determined ahead of time, whether the projects were single or phased. It was simple to say when they could evaluate the 70% of the 1% and whether they had complied with the ordinance or not. Ms. Coles-Dobay related that Planning & Zoning was working closely with the architects of this project. There was a wall in the project that was rather plain. The architects came to Ms. COles-Dobay and asked for her suggestions. She recommended they work with the publiC artist, Mark Forman, and have their work on the wall reflect what he was doing in the public art areas. Ms. Coles-Dobay felt the Arts Commission could assist people by doing calls to artists, but did not feel the need in a project like The Office at Bamboo, to do that. Their 70% lump sum was $5,250 and they wanted to put a decorative bike rack out front. She was thinking of seeking recommendations from artists who would be qualified for projects similar to this. Ms. Coles - Dobay had some examples of bike racks that could be considered functional, public art. But what she was looking for was a recommendation of three or four artists they could contact that could accomplish this type of job. Ms. Arflin thought they had to be careful to do this fairly. She realized a call to artists was more work, but if the Arts Commission began recommending artists, they would be in control. Ms. Budano felt they had to adhere to the process or they would be seen as favoring one entity over another. If the board recommended a particular piece of art that did not work out, it would reflect poorly on the Arts Commission. Ms. Coles-Dobay spoke to a developer of a medical building, who wanted to do a water element in the North General Medical Center's front triangle. Ms. Ready offered a book to Ms. Coles-Dobay from the City of Lake Placid, Florida, known as the City of Murals. The book contained all the murals, along with the inspiration for them and the artists. Chair Beau Lieu had a videotape of it and Ms. Budano suggested watching this at their Christmas party. Ms. Coles-Dobay distributed a quote from Menin Development Companies, who had done Downtown at the Gardens, "Public art is a critical component to successful commercial development." This was a valuable quote. Ms. Coles-Dobay distributed a list of public art already existing in Boynton Beach along with its locations. On the list were murals in public buildings. She asked the members to email her with ideas and approval of the list. Ms. Urs thought it would be wise to remove the internal murals from the list, in light of their action on Commerce Bank earlier in the meeting. 7 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Boynton Beach, Florida VI. Adjournment November 28, 2006 Motion Ms. Budano moved to adjourn at 8:55 p.m. The motion was duly seconded and passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, ~CUL~J Susan Collins Recording Secretary (120106) 8