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Minutes 10-24-06 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH ARTS COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2006, AT 6:30 P.M. URS ART GALLERY, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA Rich Beau-Lieu, Chair (arrived 7:04 p.m.) Suzette Urs, Vice Chair Cheryl Arflin Angela Budano, Barbara Lentz Barbara Ready Nubia Richman (arrived 6:57 p.m.) Debby Coles-Dobay, Public Arts Administrator I. Call to order It was known Chair Beau-Lieu would arrive late due to the location change. In the absence of the Chair, Vice Chair Urs called the meeting to order at 6:47 p.m. Also present were Guarn Sims, Javaro Sims, and Glaston Sims who were family members of Carolyn Sims. II. Roll call of members Self-introductions were made. III. Agenda Approval Ms. Debby Coles-Dobay, Public Art Administrator, requested adding a quick review of the Eternal Flame Memorial to Item V. Business Items and after the Carolyn Sims Project Update. Motion Ms. Arflin moved to approve the agenda with the change. Ms. Lentz seconded the motion that unanimously carried. IV. Approval of Minutes There were no changes to the minutes of October 10, 2006 and September 26, 2006 and they were approved by consensus. V. Business Items a. Announcements i. Barbara Ready move from Alternate to Regular Member as of October 17, 2006 ii. New Board Members Hi. December 26 Board Date moved to either December 20 or 21. iv. Report from Assembly attendees. 1 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Boynton Beach, FL October 24, 2006 These items were discussed later in the meeting. b. Projects i. Review projects in the City subject to Public Art a. Carolyn Sims Project update . Discuss Carolyn Sims Public Art program with family and Artist, Frank Varga and Recreation and Parks Ms. Coles-Dobay introduced Mr. Wally Majors, Recreation and Parks Director, and Frank Varga, the selected artist for the Carolyn Sims Memorial at Wilson Center. Ms. Coles-Dobay explained they had applied for two grants, which were not awarded. Moving forward, Palm Beach County had a matching grant program that appeared to be a good fit for this project, and would match from $10K up to $100K. Ms. Coles-Dobay had a handout, which included a schedule. Mr. Varga was selected in August 2006 and had included a budget in his proposal. The members would now be discussing with the Sims family members, how to make this a community project by involving the residents, and how they could support it, and involve the family of Carolyn Sims in the process. Ms. Coles-Dobay explained Mr. Varga had already received information about the background of Carolyn Sims and had also conducted research in the development of the artwork. She reported the project already met most of the grant criteria for municipalities. Ms. Coles-Dobay read the criteria for the grant. She distributed a handout depicting the work Mr. Varga had created conceptually, for this memorial. The first part of the work was a sculpture to symbolize the spirit of community and celebrate the value of citizenship. The second part would be an actual relief or bust of Carolyn Sims. Mr. Vargas explained he had a two dimensional visual that he described and which he called the "Spirit of Florida". A conceptual drawing of his project had been distributed. The piece would be cast in bronze, and placed on an octagonal or hexagonal green granite base. He elaborated this idea for the project was a very different concept for a sculpture. The piece, as it was being created and videotaped, could be an educational experience. Children from the local schools could view the work in progress. Mr. Varga had used this concept before when he created the Barefoot Mailman for Hypoluxo. The accompanying video airs on Public TV from time to time. He also commented there was an art exhibit in Italy that used the concept. The piece would be given a theme and a contest to name the sculpture could be held. The student who selected the name would be given a prize and the name could be placed on a bronze plaque on the base of the sculpture. The concept was to get the community involved. The second part of the project involved a portrait bust of Carolyn Sims. Mr. Varga would invite the family to view the bust as it was being created. It would also provide the opportunity for the family to offer comments and criticism. The placement of the bust was discussed and it would have the bronze plaque, also, commemorating her contributions. The Arts Commission 2 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Boynton Beach, FL October 24, 2006 was invited to his studio to become a part of the process. He would give a lecture about the process he follows, which could educate individuals about what is involved. Ms. Richman arrived at 6:57 p.m. Chair Beau-Lieu arrived at 7:04 p.m. Ms. Lentz thought a video would be a good idea. Mr. Varga indicated in the portrait of her life, they could elaborate the bust was made to commemorate her life. The portrait would be from the beginning of life and her work continues on. This aspect was a part of her. The sculpture was the beginning of her efforts and community contributions, and the bust was to celebrate her in a physical manner. Mr. Javaro Sims liked the idea. He explained his mother's life was the children. He thought it was excellent when the children visited the facility, they would be involved in the creation of the work. Mr. Guarn Sims thought the artwork would have been only a bust, but thought the expanded concept with the added education was wonderful. He was willing to help coordinate the effort with the school district and thought all the schools would probably want to take part in the process. He noted Galaxy had participated in commemorative events in the past from other cities. This project was the only project he could remember that was right in the heart of the community. Ms. Coles-Dobay sought Mr. Guarn Sims' opinion about incorporating the schools into the process. Mr. Guarn Sims was the Principal at Galaxy Elementary School and would be familiar with the best approach to take to secure the school districts involvement. The children would be educated about the process and could take pride when they visit the facility, that they took part in the criterion. The Arts Commission would develop a curriculum. Mr. Sims recommended bringing the concept to the Education and Youth Advisory Board and indicated he would be involved as much as possible in the development of the curriculum. A prepared curriculum and the request would make the project much more convenient to endorse. Mr. Wally Majors, Recreation and Parks Director, commented the Recreation and Parks Department has an after school program with approximately 300 children. The children would eventually be going to the Wilson Center, but were currently at the Hester Center. The staff there was always looking for projects. The Arts Center was also a great venue. Mr. Varga indicated he would bring the children in at different stages and he had experience with this type of effort in the production of the video. The children or the school could make an appointment to view the work in progress. Ms. Arflin thought a small task force should be formed. Ms. Coles-Dobay noted the main focus at this time would be soliciting feedback and then the program could be structured. The Sims family was in agreement and would assist. Mr. Javaro Sims recommended contacting the churches. The Arts Commission noted St. Johns Baptist Church, had a school and once a curriculum was developed, they could then present the project to the Church board. 3 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Boynton Beach, FL October 24, 2006 Mr. Majors explained the funds for the matching grant would come from the Park Impact Fees. Fundraisers for the project were discussed and Ms. Coles-Dobay indicated the funds did not have to go towards the artwork; it could be for a Carolyn Sims scholarship. Mr. Sims recommended if funds would be solicited, the project should be ongoing. Individuals would want to see something tangible. It was important how the information was presented and put out to the community. Mr. Guarn Sims thought there would be individuals and organizations that would assist and make donations. Mr. Majors reported the bid opening for the Wilson Center took place and the contract would be awarded at the next City Commission meeting. West Construction from Lake Worth was being recommended for the award. A contractor would be breaking ground in December and the contract called for the project to be completed within one year. This project would be the kick off for the Heart of Boynton (HOB) plan. Mr. Javaro Sims thought it would be important to involve the entire community. Ms. Arflin suggested a videographer interview people who interacted with Carolyn Sims. Mr. Varga would work with the family to determine at what point in her life Ms. Sims would be remembered. Mr. Varga would not be submitting a maquette of the portrait bust, but he would provide one for the Spirit of Florida and a three-dimensional sketch, which he would turn over to Ms. Coles- Dobay. The sketch could be used as letterhead. Ms. Coles-Dobay suggested holding workshops or lectures would be helpful. Vice Chair Urs thought this project could also motivate other developers in the community to incorporate public art in their project. Ms. Coles-Dobay thanked the Sims family for their support and participation in the project. Ms. Budano provided an update on the Boynton Beach Assembly at Hutchinson Island. She reported the entire Assembly had glowing comments about Recreation and Parks. Ms. Arflin explained the consensus at the Assembly was that the department consistently exceeded expectations. Mr. Majors thanked the Commission and announced the department had also received National Accreditation. Ms. Coles-Dobay reported Barbara Ready had been moved from an alternate member to a regular member. It was noted Christine Moeller was also now a member of the Arts Commission. There was consensus to cancel the December Arts Commission meeting. If necessary, the Arts Commission would meet twice in January. b. Review Eternal Flame Memorial Ms. Coles-Dobay distributed a handout advising the Arts Commission agreed with the Eternal Flame Memorial location being moved and then sending the letter to the artist about the change. She indicated the Arts Commission had originally indicated the proposals were to be in by November 24, 2006. She suggested moving the deadline back to mid-February. The Arts Commission had no objections to the change in deadline. There would be a panel to judge the proposal, which would consist of Commissioner Ensler, two members of the Veterans Advisory 4 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Boynton Beach, FL October 24, 2006 Commission, Chair Beau-Lieu and a member of the Recreation and Parks Department. The panel would be judging the short-listed artists. c. November 8, 2006 City Commission meeting strategy Ms. Coles-Do bay explained Ms. Ready had read a prepared letter to the City Commission. There was still more to do at the next City Commission meeting on November 8, 2006. She explained the Legal Department prepared an amendment to the Ordinance. The first amendment exempted the projects that had applied prior to October 5, 2005 that were requesting a site plan extension. The second amendment involved a change in the time of the collection of the fee from the time of permit to the time of issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. Ms. Coles-Dobay gave suggested language changes. Vice Chair Urs suggested reversing the percentage of the fee collected to 70% collected first and then the 30% later. It was recommended the Arts Commission attend the meeting and to contact the City Commissioners. Ms. Coles-Dobay indicated it needed to be clear that the art fee pertained to both private and public projects, which included City projects. There was also a question raised whether a building could be considered public art if commissioned by an architect or an artist. The Arts Commission expressed the issue was specifically identified in the Ordinance. They acknowledged an architect could be an artist; however, the architect had to have public art experience. Suggested language changes would be the building could be considered public art when the Arts Commission approved it and architects could be considered artists if they had produced publiC art and were approved by the Arts Commission. The Arts Commission would conduct liberal reviews, but the important issue was the public art experience. Ms. Coles-Dobay explained every developer coming into the City, since October 5, had received the information on the program. The Arts Commission had offered to work with the developers, and it was noted Mike Rumpf, Planning and Zoning Director had a pretty good handle on the program. Other than Mr. Rumpf, there had not been anyone available to work hand in hand with the City. Ms. Coles-Dobay gave a presentation on what constituted a building art building. She announced she would be showing it at the November 8 City Commission meeting. d. Avenue of the Arts i. Artists and Artwork Ms. Coles-Dobay reported there were seven submissions by artists, which the Arts Commission reviewed. She had met with all internal departments about where they were trying to place the art. Bases for the artwork were needed and she was trying to obtain cost estimates for reusable bases. It was suggested Ms. Coles-Dobay contact Burkhardt Construction about the bases. Ms. Coles-Dobay reported in January they were looking to have artwork installed. Six artists had previously been selected. The Arts Commission reviewed other pieces of art submitted by 5 Meeting Minutes Arts Commission Boynton Beach, FL October 24, 2006 various artists and liked some of the work. Ms. Coles-Dobay asked the members to make notes on the pieces and a consensus was reached to add those artists to the list for final consideration. ii. Sculpture Site iii. Timeline iv. Event planning These items were discussed earlier in the meeting. Ms. Ready and Ms. Lentz left the meeting at 8:46 p.m. VI. Boynton Beach Arts Marketing Materials A logo had been selected a logo. VII. New Business Items There were no items discussed. VIII. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by consensus at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, G (1 Catherine Cherry-Guber Recording Secretary 110206 6