Minutes 08-23-11
MINUTES OF THE BOYNTON BEACH ARTS COMMISSION MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2011 AT 6:30 P.M., AT FIRE STATION NO. 2
2516 WEST WOOLBRIGHT ROAD, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
PRESENT:
Barbara Ready, Chair Debby Coles-Dobay, Public Art
Anderson Slocombe, Vice Chair Administrator
William Combes
Donn Davenport
Nubia Richman
(arrived 6:39 p.m.)
Halena Wolf
(arrived 6:38 p.m.)
Robyn Lorenz, Alternate
Christine Moeller, Alternate
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Ready called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS
Self introductions were made and it was determined a quorum was present.
III. AGENDA APPROVAL
Chair Ready requested that Item VII. Project Updates, A. PNC Bank Public Art Proposal
Presentation be moved up on the agenda to immediately after Item V. Announcements.
Motion
Ms. Moeller moved to approve the agenda as amended. The motion was seconded by
Mr. Davenport and unanimously passed.
IV. APPROVE MEETING MINUTES
Ms. Coles-Dobay advised she had changes to the minutes. On page 6, when the
presentation was done for Florida Association of Public Art Professionals, she stated
that all of the Boynton Beach projects were submitted. She wanted to add clarification
that those were projects completed in 2010. Also on page 6 “Sompra Arts Sculpture”,
should be Sompura Artists Sculpture”.
Motion
Mr. Combes moved to approve the minutes as amended. The motion was seconded by
Mr. Davenport and unanimously passed.
Meeting Minutes
Arts Commission
Boynton Beach, FL August 23, 2011
V. ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS
A. Report on August 4, 2011 Art Center Art Camp Showcase
Chair Ready commented the caliber of the children’s art this year was much higher.
This year there was actual art, pictures and different mediums. Ms. Coles-Dobay
commented that Subbora Jackson, an artist, was hired to elevate the programming and
her contribution helped to improve some of the programs and projects worked on. There
were magazine covers and videos. Selections were made for the Arts Commission
award that celebrates art created during summer camp. There were many parents
present for support.
B. Report on August 19, 2011 CRA Ocean Avenue Projects
Chair Ready commented it had rained during the ribbon cutting. Work had been started
on the art feature for the amphitheater and it looks good. Ms. Moeller pointed out there
was an article about this in the Boynton Times. There was more work to be done on the
art feature. Ms. Coles-Dobay reminded everyone of the mangrove tree trunk concept. It
was currently being powder coated and would be mounted in the middle of it so it would
have a congruent look to the whole piece.
Ms. Coles-Dobay advised the CRA had a ribbon cutting for the projects they are
building in the Ocean Avenue District, from the amphitheater at the Children’s
Schoolhouse Museum to the Marina entryway feature. At the Marina entryway, there
was a new Avenue of the Arts pad site. There are projects being completed and more
to come.
VI. PROJECT UPDATES
(moved from VII)
A. PNC Bank Public Art Proposal Presentation
Gina Anderson from PNC Bank and Tom Milavec, LEED AP of Gensler Architects were
introduced by Ms. Coles-Dobay. They gave a presentation on the Public Art Proposal
at PNC Bank.
Mr. Milavec advised Gensler received conditional site plan approval last week from the
City Commission. Matt Rowen, an artist, was working with this project, as well as a
landscape architect, Jonathan Toner. The concept that was being sought was an ECO
wall. Mr. Milavec also advised they met with the Planning and Zoning Department and
were responding to their comments on what the art wall should be. It started off small
but was growing into a larger piece. The green wall would be a mesh pattern design
and very organic in nature. Local plants would be used to create a pattern. He pointed
out details of the design in the presentation. He advised signage would be introduced
that would explain the history of Boynton Beach and what was going on with the
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Meeting Minutes
Arts Commission
Boynton Beach, FL August 23, 2011
building itself. He commented that PNC was very firm on their commitment to putting in
highly efficient and highly sustainable buildings, using natural daylight in every manner,
making it a green opportunity and an educational piece. Continuing on with the visual
presentation, Mr. Milavec explained the extra piece on the wall was beyond what was
originally required and the larger element would help reduce the daylight on the wall.
This art piece was becoming integral to the performance of the building. There would be
native species that were low maintenance and would require little water usage. Pruning
would be simplistic.
Mr. Davenport inquired as to how the green wall works. Mr. Milavec explained the lower
wall would be five feet. There are two planes. On one plane, they were trying to use
reconstituted concrete from demolition of the existing property to format the lower wall.
There was another plane just north of that and that would contain the green wall. The
second wall would be around 11 feet. The educational signs would be on the larger
wall. There would be no dirt, but rather a metal screening pattern that allows the plants
to grow upwards, twine and grow, and attach themselves. A low drip irrigation would be
integrated into the wall structure. There was continued discussion about the wall and
the irrigation system for the art structure.
Ms. Anderson advised the building would be a minimum certified LEED. All of PNC
Buildings are at a minimum certified level. Silver level was strived for and hopefully, with
this building, it would get to that level. All the points in the building, such as the
innovation, the interior energy design, the lighting, and the educational points all help in
getting the building LEED certified.
Ms. Lorenz made a suggestion to keep the green concept going, to possibly have bike
racks that are artistic and sculptural that could be incorporated somewhere in the
design. Ms. Anderson advised their logo was the same bike rack design that would be
incorporated into the plans.
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Mr. Milavec advised it was hopeful the building would begin on September 13.
Motion
Mr. Slocombe moved to approve the art design and was seconded by Ms. Richman.
The motion unanimously passed.
VII. KINETIC ART SYMPOSIUM AND EXHIBIT PLANNING
A. Brief discussion about status and committee updates
Ms. Lorenz stated she was conducting research on vendors and had a small list of
vendors that make handmade kinetic art. She also had a list of fabricators. Questions
should be put together so people could be contacted.
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Meeting Minutes
Arts Commission
Boynton Beach, FL August 23, 2011
Ms. Coles-Dobay advised she heard from Karen Nobel, Tom Pierson, and Jeff Fessler
from the Palm Beach County school district. They had the proposal and would meet to
discuss it and she would be available to answer any questions they might have. She
also advised she met with Palm Beach State College personnel, which included the
Provost of the Lake Worth campus, Maria Vallejo, Roger Ramsammy, Dean of
Academic Affairs, Vernon Grant, Associate Dean of Humanities, Patricia Richie,
Assistant Dean for Trade and Industry, Eric Kennedy, Associate Dean of Trade and
Industry, and Mark Alexander, Director of Theater, who was the initial contact. Carisse
LeJeune, Interim Assistant City Manager, attended with her. As teachers could attest,
when certain criteria and goals and expectations have to be met, it was hard to
introduce something new and integrate it. However, they were so excited about the
project and what it had to offer, they were trying to figure many ways to integrate and
work together with all the different departments to work on a kinetic project. The next
step would be they would meet internally and would look for some funding and grant
opportunities and would meet with us again.
Mr. Davenport advised he decided on the copy and would expect a proposal within the
next ten days. The idea for the first component which is the website, has been
reserved, and something should be ready for that within a month.
Ms. Richman advised she had been trying to get a better and clearer idea for a subject
for kinetic art, since she would be working with children of different ages. For the
younger children, she thought possibly mobiles and for the older children, a kinetic topic
geared to science or education. She thought the solar system would be good and would
not have a lot of expense involved.
There was further discussion among the members on different ideas, concepts and
materials. It was suggested that instead of a solar system idea to make it an “Objects in
Space and Motion” idea to fit in more with a kinetic art theme. All ideas were in the
beginning stages and would become more solid and detailed as time progressed.
VIII. EXHIBITS
A. Avenue of the Arts artwork selection
Ms. Coles-Dobay provided a visual presentation on the different art selections for the
Avenue of the Arts. She explained each slide and gave a brief narrative on each one as
to material, finish and size. There were ten pieces described which included: The Wave
(available November), Twisted Botanical Wave (available November), Inverted Curve
Undulation, Big Bird 1995, Alcyone Days, The Magic Canoe, Ascending II 2009, Six
series of three photographic panels each, Flora 2010 and Square Wave 2011.
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Meeting Minutes
Arts Commission
Boynton Beach, FL August 23, 2011
Ms. Coles-Dobay handed out a sheet that listed the artwork and asked the Board
members to rate their choices of which piece should go in what location. She reminded
the members that the Ruth Jones Cottage was still under construction and that site
would not be available until November.
The members voted on each piece individually and started the discussion as to where
each piece would be placed. After a lengthy discussion, it was decided to place the
following artwork pieces in the following locations:
Twisted Botanical Wave – Ruth Jones Cottage
Ascending II – City Hall and Boynton Beach Blvd.
Nature Panel – City Hall and Seacrest Blvd.
Large Flora – Civic Center
Surfboard Panel – Hurricane Alley, Veterans Park
Goddess – Marina Entrance
Undulating Wave – Hotdogopolis, 416 E. Ocean Avenue
Big Bird – 135 E. Ocean Avenue
Canoe – in front of Apartment Building
The Wave – 308 East Ocean Ave.
Ms. Coles-Dobay and Vice Chair Anderson would investigate the Marina inside site for
the square wave piece.
IX. NEW BUSINESS
A. None
X. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. City Branding presentation
Ms. Coles-Dobay explained the purpose of the presentation. When the vision planning
was done, one of the things was keyed to create a vision of Arts in Public Places.
When the Arts Commission presented the vision plan to the City Commission, the
discussion came up as to what the City stands for and the image statement for the City.
The Commission agreed the tagline of the City should reflect the historical, seaside,
small aspect of the City that speaks to the international culture and diversity and urban
growth of the City. The recommendation was to investigate the term “Gateway to the
Gulf Stream” or possibly “the Heart of the Palm Beaches” There were discussion with
all of the Arts Commissions contributions and other vision planning throughout the City
with workshops, vision planning, CRA planning and City planning. We are now working
on looking at the Gateway to the Gulf Stream tagline and what it means and rebranding
the City. “We” is a committee that was formed – a partnership with the CRA, the City
staff and the Chamber of Commerce.
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Meeting Minutes
Arts Commission
Boynton Beach, FL August 23, 2011
Ms. Coles-Dobay proceeded to show the visual presentation. She explained that the
City of Boynton Beach already had a brand, but the power and passion of the brand did
not extend to every corner of the community. Many times when that happens, it creates
a fragmented and disjointed impression of the City. The Commission wanted a
branding statement that would “have a mixture of attributes that have value and
influence that will create a promise and delivery of an experience.” Boynton Beach
should be a year round destination with increased number of visits to the area that
would positively impact the business partnerships in the City. In February, the
Committee took many documents and discussions the public had already had. For
example, the 20/20 Redevelopment Master Plan occurred in September 1998, the Heart
of Boynton Community Redevelopment Plan in November 2001, the Boynton Beach
Assembly in October 2006, the City of Boynton Beach Master plan in January 2009, the
City of Boynton Beach Florida Climate Action Plan was done with community input in
July 2010, and finally, the Art in Public Places vision plan in August 2010. Combining all
the information and identifying what rose to the surface, the Committee developed a
survey which was published in the Post and posted on the Chamber, CRA and City
websites and was also posted in County organizations. The comments were that
Boynton Beach was a family-friendly type of place to be.
The Committee began working with a company familiar with branding, logos, designs
and campaigning. They reviewed the tagline to determine whether it still met the items
that rose to the surface in the branding survey and the documents that were highlighted.
They reviewed them and edited the choices down to three they felt Boynton Beach
represented. Obviously, they should address a message which was what are the City’s
tangible things, green spaces, shopping, dining, waterfront access, parks, and
intangible things such as the location and the weather. Boynton Beach was the closest
to the Gulf Stream anywhere in North America which awarded some advantage in the
marine connection. Boynton Beach was the gateway to the International airports,
seaports, highways, cultural diversity, unique amenities, events and businesses.
The next step was to go back to the stakeholders of which the Commission was one of
them. A presentation was done at the Chamber luncheon and the members of the
Committee are giving presentations to other boards in the City to get feedback on this
process.
Ms. Coles-Dobay showed the members of the Board the three choices and explained
the meaning of each one. She asked them to provide written and verbal opinions on
each of them so she would have some Board feedback to bring back to the Committee.
There was continued discussion on the branding choices and the pros and cons of each
one. The next step would be to go back to the Commission and they would give
direction on what the next steps would be, whether they want more research or whether
they liked it the way it was. Costs associated with changing out the logos and branding
would have to be considered, as well.
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Meeting Minutes
Arts Commission
Boynton Beach, FL
August 23, 2011
XI. FUTURE BUSINESS
None
X. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 8:53 p.m.
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Ellie Caruso
Recording Secretary
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