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Minutes 11-18-21 Minutes of the Art Advisory Board Meeting Held on November 18, 2021, at 6:30 P.M. In the City Commission Chambers, City Hall 100 E. Ocean Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida Present: Courtlandt McQuire, Chair Glenn Weiss, Public Art Manager Marcia Levine, Vice Chair Clovis Moodie Ace Tilton Ratcliff (Arrived 6:35 p.m.) Hector "Sam" Velazquez Kelli Drum Ellen Jones, Alternate (Arrived 6:38 p.m.) Absent: Cynthia Alexis I. Call to Order Chair McQuire called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. a. Roll Call Self-Introductions were made. A quorum was present. b. Excused Absence Requests None. c. Appointment of alternate(s) for absent member(s) None. d. Agenda Approval or Amendments Motion Ms. Drum moved to approve the agenda. Mr. Velazquez seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. e. Introduction of Sam Velazquez Meeting Minutes Art Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 18, 2021 Chair McQuire welcomed Hector"Sam" Velazquez to the Board. Mr. Velazquez stated he was born in Puerto Rico and moved to the United States. He spent his adult life in New York, California, Texas and Indiana. He majored in music at the Conservatory in Music Cincinnati as a composition major and he ran schools in Puerto Rico and Syracuse, New York. The last school he ran was Community School of the Arts in New York. He has done a lot of fund raising for those organizations. He retired, went to Puerto Rico and was restless. He spent another 10 years with the Boys and Girls Clubs and he is fully retired, but he still spends time with organizations in the Palm Beaches and the Treasure Coast. He was glad to be here. II. Approval of Minutes Motion: The October 9, 2021 meeting minutes are approved as written or amended. (Ex. A under separate cover). Motion Vice Chair Levine moved to approve. Ms. Drum seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. (Mx. Tilton Ratcliff arrived.) III. Informational Items from the Board Ms. Drum announced she started an Arts non-profit as she was granted a fiscal sponsorship by Side Project Inc. They will provide art supplies to all underfunded organizations and therapeutic rehabilitation programs, schools or anyone that provides an art program or art therapy programs. They will be a resource to provide free supplies if they are underfunded and a public resource. Mr. Velazquez advised he lives in Leisureville and is on the Beautification Committee. The redid all their entrance signs and painted the clubhouses. They have a few things they want to do, one of which is a mural. He contacted Mr. Weiss and they hope to get it going at one of the clubhouses in the near future. Chair McQuire stated he is on the ballot running for City Commission in District III. He is looking to continue art programs and help bolster and better fund them. IV. Announcements/Reports A. Boynton Beach Arts & Cultural Center Exhibitions a. Laura Marsh & Gillian Kennedy Wright: Through Nov 22 Mr.. Weiss hoped all saw the show. 2 Meeting Minutes Art Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 18, 2021 (Ms. Jones arrived.) b. Affordable Art Show: Holiday Edition. Dec 3 to Dec 20 Mr. Weiss explained people are applying to show their work for the above show. December 2nd will be the opening night. City employees can participate, Ms. Drum asked if Board members could attend as well. Mr. Weiss agreed to check. The point of some exhibitions is to bring many artists into the facility and celebrate the new space. He was disappointed with the turnout for Ms. Wright and Mr. Gillian. They are lesser known artists in the community, but they have excellent work. He hoped to get 60 artists to participate. c. Africa Diaspora Exhibition: February 13 to March 25 Mr. Weiss explained he just released the call to artists for the above exhibit. He hoped to coordinate it with an event called "The Picnic" which is a large, primarily African American event, taking place at the amphitheater. The City is now renting the amphitheater space and started signing their first contracts. The first event is from an event company called Genesis. Both events will take place just that weekend. Chair McQuire suggested putting a table up front and have Board members volunteer to man the table. It was noted the contract was not signed yet. Mr. Weiss explained he is compiling lists of artists and he has 350 artists. It is important to make sure their work is as encompassing and diverse as possible. He does not want to miss anyone and requested members aware of Boynton Beach artists that have not yet been contacted pass on the artist information to him. B. Grants a. NEA ARP ($50,000) Announcement in December or January Mr. Weiss announced they are still waiting from ARP program, which is different from the City's American Rescue Plan. Awards should be announced in December, but are more likely in January C. ARP Funding Proposal to City Commission: Grants to Artist/Fabricators. (Ex B) Mr. Weiss included, if the members want to advocate for the City's ARP funds to be spent in the arts, one application for the City's Bureaucracy system which is a collaboration with local fabricators and artists to be paid and recoup some of the loses they incurred in 2020 If interested, members can go online to the City website and type in ARP. The City is getting $13.6M. Chair McQuire advocated for their program and encouraged the members to do so. Ms. Drum also went to an ARP non-profit side of it, 3 Meeting Minutes Art Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 18, 2021 EMEMMOMMMIM but learned most of the money had already been committed. There is about $3 million left. Ms. Jones also went to the first meeting, before the non-profit meeting, where they presented the entire budget. She noted there were five categories to receive funds and they were stringent, in terms of explain how COVID impacted them. Mr. Weiss explained the funds have to serve the people COVID had impacted. D. Boynton Inlet Pump House with Greater Boynton Beach Foundation Mr. Weiss noted Mr. Eugene Fagan, Chair of the Greater Boynton Beach Foundation, was present. Mr. Weiss had done some research at their request regarding painting the Boynton Inlet Pump House. Mr. Fagan, an architect residing at 101 S. Federal Highway, stated he was also a member of the Recreation and Parks Board and both Boards had agreed the pump house is ugly. It is a prominent piece of architecture, but it is a County building. Chair McQuire suggested he bring the design or sketch or similar work the artist has done to the next meeting. Mr. Fagan advised he wanted to bring a proposal of what the Art Advisory Board may want to see. Chair McQuire asked when the information is gathered, he email a picture of the pump house. Mr. Fagan advised he reached out to the fishing community and they informed him they cannot see it when they are at sea. The lighthouse at Jupiter is painted red and is visible offshore. They asked the pump house be colorfully painted to serve as a marker when fishermen are offshore. The pumphouse is 24' x 24'. Mr. Fagan explained they would like to present the final design, the artist and work they have done for final approval. Mr. Fagan stated the actual approval jurisdiction would be the Palm Beach County Art in Public Places program. The entire cost of the project would be coming from the Foundation budget. Mr. Velazquez asked, regarding the previous item, if there are deadlines for artists to submit for the ARP funding proposal. Mr. Weiss explained right now there are no artists, it is the City Commission deciding whether to spend money on art or other programs. E. Work Plan Progress Mr. Weiss commented he should have prepared a list for the members and where they are in the mural process in order to keep the members informed. One thing dragging is the mural program, which has not yet gone to the City Commission. He advised it will likely not make it onto the agenda until January. There are mural ideas coming forward. He commented they had a $20K budget for murals this year, for Art Advisory Board projects and private artist collaborations. He did not think they should make any decisions until an official program is adopted He noted the City is building a new water quality lab on Golf Road at Congress and he was approached about doing something on the building frontage. The landscaping will be redone. Three hundred yards away is Congress Middle School, which is the only STEAM school, so they have science and art and the maybe there is a chance to collaborate. He requested the members keep their eyes open for mural locations. It was noted the location for the lab was heavily traveled. Chair McQuire liked the idea of working with the middle school and thought it 4 Meeting Minutes Art Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 18, 2021 would have a positive impact. He also hoped they could get two murals out of the budget. Mr. Weiss advised he would speak to the principal and teachers to determine interest and how to integrate student participation into the project. He thought they should hire a professional mural artist experienced in working with that age group and the artist would work within the school to develop a mural concept. Ms. Moodie shared an experience working with water quality experts and recalled in a past job in Boca, they brought in one of their chemists who brought water samples with him. He went to several classes and taught the children how water is processed. When he was finished, the children understood how water gets into their homes and is purified. He thought if they want to include science, they should have work with people in the City to serve as a speaker and have meaningful collaboration with the staff and students. The timing is important as there are upcoming school exams. She commented Boca did have a successful program for a number of years. Mr. Weiss noted the City just hired a new head of the water department and she is a scientist. Ms. Jones mentioned she pulled up five ways how the City could use ARPA funds. When it was explained to her, it was clear it would be a stretch for a lot of the things the Art Advisory Board wanted to see funded. The categories for funding were: • To support public health expenditures; • Address the negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency; • Replace lost public sector revenue; • Provide premium pay for essential workers; • Invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure. Ms. Jones learned the monies have to be obligated by the end of 2024 and she was surprised one third of the funds were already encumbered. She noted the funds have to be spent by 2026. Mr. Weiss noted Miami Dade conducted a study and there was a national study that showed that any artist during the first nine months of the pandemic, on average, lost $20K in income. He pointed out other jurisdictions across the country have used it as a rationale for funding. He was aware small time fabricators were also hit hard.. V. Action Items Approval of Jacoub Reyes as the Artist for the Quantum Eco Park Design Team (Ex C.) Mr. Weiss showed an aerial of the Quantum Eco Park scrub area and commented the City will make the park more accessible via modest improvements including pathways and small shelters. At a prior meeting, the Art Advisory Board approved $5K for the project for an artist to join the team to help enhance the experience and the landscape. 5 Meeting Minutes Art Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 18, 2021 He noted 10 artists applied and he was pleased with the number and diversity of the artists. Three artists were shortlisted: Giovani DeDwin, Beth Ravitz and Jacoub Reyes. It was done via a call to artist and Mr. Reyes was the highest ranked artist. Mr. Reyes lives in Orlando and has an extensive work history, not only in the arts related to nature, which is about flora, fauna and animals in Florida, but he earns half his income creating butterfly gardens in Florida and works extensively with youth-based organizations to provide art and access to nature through his work. He is well respected and provides a few artists in residency in other places in the country. Examples of his work were viewed. George Genteel, the landscape architect, is very supportive of it. The last project was a beautiful garden in the Convention Center in West Palm Beach where there used to be public access in the garage, which may have been installed during COVID. Quantum Eco Park is 60 acres and because there are limited funds, the project will consist of a few pathways through and a new entry from Miner Road, and in the future access to the water. Right now it may just be a path. . Motion Ms. Moodie moved to approve Jacoub Reyes as the artist for the Quantum Eco Park design. Ms. Drum seconded the motion. Chair McQuire thought it was an impressive body of work and it would not get much better than that. Mr. Velazquez agreed as did Ms. Jones. Vote The motion passed unanimously. Approval of Montoya/Ortiz for the Avenue for the Arts 2022 (Ex D) Mr. Weiss wanted to ensure all knew what the Avenue of the Arts was and explained this was the first project the Art Advisory Board held in the early 2000's. There has been a number of Avenue of the Arts events, in which art is leased; creating an exhibit. The process involved a Call to Artists and artists apply. It is a difficult process to acquire a lot of high-quality work, because there are a limited number of artists that make sculptures on specifications. There are 10 large scale works in Tamarac and it frequently occurs in other places. This is part of social activities such as tours, receptions and solo exhibits. In 2017, the program changed and in both cases, a single artist was selected to do the work, such as Albert Paley in 2019. Images of the brochures were viewed and kinetic work from the last show was added to it. Mr. Weiss put feelers out about who was available in Palm Beach and Luis Montoya and Leslie Ortiz were not contacted. They have had a beautiful studio in West Palm 6 Meeting Minutes Art Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 18, 2021 Beach since the 80s. They sell their work all over the world, but not that much in Palm Beach County. They focus on high-end galleries, but there are not a lot of high-end galleries that deal in sculptures in this area. Mr. Montoya is in in 70s and Ms. Ortiz in the late 50s. Images of their work were viewed. He asked if this was something the Board would be interested in to replace the kinetic work as opposed to issuing another call to artist. Ms. Drum and Mx. Tilton Ratcliff liked the pieces. Ms. Moodie liked the oil cans as did Chair McQuire. Ms. Jones noted they are a local resource to tap into. Chair McQuire advised issuing an RFP would put them behind. It is challenging to find large sculpture. Motion Mr. Velazquez moved to approve the artists. Mx. Tilton Ratcliff seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. VI. Old Business Purchase of Artworks from Kinetic. (Ex E) Mr. Weiss noted at the last meeting, a motion made and not seconded to acquire the piece. He researched issues related to the fiberglass and he spoke to the manufactures of the sculptures and learned in the last five years, new chemicals were added to the resin which significantly slows the yellowing of the fiberglass. The paints used on the pieces are high metal contact so they do not fade the same way other paints do. He was comfortable that if there has been any yellowing he has not seen it and pointed out the piece was in direct sunlight for six months. He feels comfortable the work would be durable for many years. If something happened and it loses some of its translucence, it would be recoated. The manufacturer of the piece has an exceptional production facility for fiberglass in the United States and they specialize in artist works only. Chair McQuire recalled there had been discussion about pieces being damaged, but thought it was a risk they run with any piece. He thought the piece had an impact and was pretty. There is $15K available for purchases this year. Chair McQuire asked if the funds carry over if unspent. Mr. Weiss responded they do, but they have to be spent by September 30th of 2022. Mr. Velazquez requested further clarification regarding the piece being durable for many, years and learned it is a stable material that can be repaired and recoated. The translucent material has been significantly improved in the last five years in terms of stabilization. The Perez Museum in Miami Beach, has a giant fiberglass head on the lawn the Museum spent $2M for. Vice Chair Levine welcomed Mr. Velazquez and thanked Mr. Weiss for including the purchase of artwork from the kinetic event on the agenda. At the last meeting, they reviewed the Public Art budget and they had funds to purchase art from the 7 Meeting Minutes Art Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 18, 2021 Symposium. She is passionate about public art and, in particular, artist Frank Hyder. The Janis project installation is a phenomenon around the world and she was glad he agreed to exhibit in Boynton Beach. Last month, she made a motion to purchase the piece which glows and shines at night. After the last meeting, the Board needed more information for the meeting. She contacted Mr. Hyder to adjust his prices. He agreed to do so. The piece is already at cost, but he wants the City to have the art. The Janis message is of inclusion, racial diversity, kindness and love. Motion Vice Chair Levine moved to purchase Frank Hyder's Janis art as a permanent installation for Boynton Beach with the funds they have allocated for public art. Mr.. Velazquez seconded the motion . Mx. Tilton Ratcliff requested clarification if purchasing the piece, would use almost all of these funds early in the fiscal year, leaving $2K for the rest of the year. It seemed so early. Ms. Drum commented, from a budgeting standpoint, it does not make sense to spend so much money early in the game. Vice Chair Levine explained they are not using the entire budget. The budget for direct purchases is $15K. Ms. Jones commented $13K of the budget would go for the Janis piece leaving nine months in the fiscal year. She was less worried about spending it so early, if it is a piece the City Commission wants. It may spur the City to allocate further funds for direct art purchases, regardless of what the City allocation was. Mr. Weiss explained at the September 9th meeting, the budget for the new art program includes $20K for the pilot program for murals . He requested the $15K for the diversity program remain in place until they hear from the NEA. The public art fund is $200K in the red. The developer did not build the apartment buildings on either side of the Town Square. The money that should have come from the construction of everything was spent on the Ralfonso piece and other pieces to complete the Town Square. The direct cost for Ralfonso's piece was $350K to the fabricator and about another $50K to $60K for the lighting and foundations. The City Commission and City Manager are willing to wait and seed the money until the apartments are constructed. Ms. Moodie queried when the existing kinetic art was going to be removed and learned some was already removed and some will be removed by February. The Butterfly will be moved to the Schoolhouse Children's Museum. The Janis piece is a good price. The City received good offers to purchase the Mechanical Horse and the Butterfly, but the funds were not in the budget. Mr. Velazquez asked if the $19K would be available for purchases. Mr. Weiss responded it was, but it was not advisable. Chair McQuire commented if they buy the Janis piece or any other price, they should hold a casual event for the artist. Ms. Drum agreed with Ms. Jones's earlier comments. It seemed unlikely the Art Advisory Board 8 Meeting Minutes Art Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 18, 2021 would receive more funds. Ms. Drum did not want to be in a position where they cannot spend funds on anything else because they purchased one piece. Mr. Velazquez asked if there was a time limit to purchase the piece. He also stated he thought Boynton Beach was moving forward to reawakening interest in this part of town and really liked the sculpture. It is unique and he is unaware of any other city nearby with anything like it. Ms. Jones commented it follows very well with progress she has seen on the Avenue and the events she and her family attended. She thought they should vote on it and have a discussion about the budget in general. If they do not have a second discussion, they will always be in a quagmire of what they have and where they are. Ms. Moodie asked if the purchase could be deferred to a later time. She thought they had to move the art, but did not think an artist would say no to the purchase of art. She thought instead of moving it, they purchase it and keep the art in Boynton. The City is paying a rental fee to him of$750 a month for the piece. He will go down a couple of thousand more. If approved, the cost could be $11 K as he mentioned $11 K. Motion Ms. Jones moved to amend the motion to approve $11 K for the purchase of Janis. Mr. Velazquez seconded the motion. The motion passed. VII. New Business Financial Preparation. Presentation by Ms. Jones Ms. Jones stated she was asked to be an alternate on the Board as she has experience with city, state and federal budgets, and all types of planning, but not so much art. She took part in a City Commission meeting explaining the City Commission meeting explained the budget commencing October 1St and ending September 30th. She wants the Board's work to be a smaller version of that to have similar visuals and narratives that explained the Art Advisory Board Budget every fiscal year so they can be proactive in knowing what budget requests might be and understanding the different category. It could guide future efforts from outside resources. The City did a good job explaining the proposed budget. She wanted the Board to be proactive. There is a template. The Board could decide what item they want to increase and by what percentage. She asked if they could appoint a small group to discuss the matter and Mr. Weiss can work one-on-one with members. Anyone else interested in the budget to put their finger on the pulse and look for additional funds in a purposeful way should let Mr. Weiss know. It was mentioned Mr. Weiss did a great job with the NEA grant, but with the progress and opportunities available in the City, there is probably a better way for the Commission to be involved. Chair McQuire suggested partnering with the CRA as their job is to eliminate blight. The kinetic event is a five-star event, but they do not have a way to support the arts the way 9 Meeting Minutes Art Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 18, 2021 they would like too. Chair McQuire asked how replacing the $200K the City provided, although not all the Town Square buildings would take place, would occur. Mr. Weiss responded the City Manager and the City Commission said it was fine to continue on. The City will receive the money when the apartments are built. Ms. Jones added there were only two departments that had a decrease for FY 2022 and the Art Advisory Board was one of them. The decrease was 30%. She thought they needed a projected budget ahead of time. Chair McQuire suggested attending the City Commission meetings and noted COVID played a part in this. Ms. Jones thought they should compare the City's budget structure with the Board's structure and have a similar packet so all are on the same page. Ms. Jones thought the budget discussions need to be bumped up for sophistication and she suggested she and one or two others meet with Mr. Weiss to learn about the budget. Mr. Weiss can make a presentation of their budget, and inform them of the problems with it. He has to take certain things like consultant and/or artists fees and spread it across the budget, which is difficult. They need a better narrative and visuals. Mr. Weiss advised the internal process starts in February. Ms. Moodie asked who the art budget is presented too. Mr. Weiss did research with the Finance Department and developed a best guestimate and spread it and the programs across the budget and how much you have as a result. When that occurs, it goes to the City Manager. She makes the recommendation and it is presented to her by July. Mr. Velazquez thought they need to prepare a white paper showing why they are important and what they need.They need to prove the value of the program. The program is entirely funded by developer fees paid for by the developer. Ms. Jones thought over time, the Art Advisory Board could form a budget that could include having 20% come from the City and 5% perhaps by grants. Chair McQuire explained the City budget is not supporting the program at all. It was affected by Covid and there is no other support other than that. Ms. Moodie questioned what the Board has control over and what they do not. They may want to brainstorm ways they can demonstrate to the stakeholders and gatekeepers that the Art Advisory Board has an added value as people pay attention to things that have value. They may need a two-pronged approach and ask for additional funding. Mr. Weiss was amenable to meeting with the members individually or they could ask for another special meeting. Ms. Moodie noted many cities do not have an art manager. She thought there could be learning and teaching opportunities within the monthly meetings. Chair McQuire suggested Ms. Jones meet with Mr. Weiss and report back to the Board. Ms. Jones was trying to be supportive of the many hats Mr. Weiss wears. When they meet she will get narratives and visuals that will be clear and concise about the current budget and she will research how other cities this size are funded when not from the City's budget. Mr. Weiss noted the City now has a grants manager. 10 Meeting Minutes Art Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida November 18, 2021 (Mr. Velazquez left the meeting at 8:09 p.m.) VIII. Public Comments IX. Future Agenda Items A. Diversity in Public Art Program B. Future Art Events: Guided Tours, Zoom Talks, Monthly Art Walk, Etc. C. Digital Interactive Tour and Map like Otocast D. Coordination of Public Art on Boynton Beach APP E. Continuous Social Media and other Marketing of Public Art Mx. Ratcliff advised she likes item A. Mr. Weiss will prepare a report. They had the workshop, they had goals and the City Commission agreed to them. He thought they should be included. Chair McQuire commented on items C and part of D, stating he used the Boynton Beach app. He asked if the Board could help propagate the app for the Art Advisory Board. Mr. Weiss explained they have a new person to handle social media. Chair McQuire wanted digital space to continue. Ms. Moodie commented when the guided tours and talks start, it will add value. Mr. Weiss commented in January he can talk more about a solid plan. Ms. Jones noted there were some funds for an assistant and there are four finalists. (Mr. Velazquez returned at 8:12 p.m.) X. Adjournment Motion Ms. Moodie moved to adjourn. The motion was duly seconded and unanimously passed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m. Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 11