Athens Justice and Memory Project

MINUTES Athens Justice and Memory Project Team Meeting #14 Wednesday, February 16, 2022 5 pm – 6:30 pm Virtual WebEx Meeting A. Hattie Thomas Whitehead started the meeting stating this team was assembled by Mayor Kelly Girtz in September 2020 and that the team was working together on avenues of atonement outlined in the Linnentown Project resolution. B. Moment of silence for Linnentown decedents  The Committee took a moment of silence to acknowledge and show respect to those who were no longer with us. C. Attendance: some members are calling in via phone  Hattie Thomas Whitehead, Committee Chair and First Descendant of Linnentown  Bobby Crook, First Descendant of Linnentown  Christine Davis Johnson, First Descendant of Linnentown  Freddie Jackson, First Descendant of Linnentown  Dr. Jennifer Rice, UGA Professor and Researcher, Parliamentarian  Kelly Girtz, ACCGov Mayor  Commissioner Mariah Parker, ACCGov Commissioner, District 2  Commissioner Mike Hamby, ACCGov Commissioner, District 10  Niki Jones, ACCGov Assistant Manager, non-voting/supporting member  Selah Gardiner, ACCGov Inclusion Office, non-voting member  Blaine Williams, ACCGov Manager, non-voting/supporting member D. Ms. Thomas Whitehead announced that the Linnentown resolution was adopted one year ago and thanked the Athens-Clarke County government and the Justice and Memory Project Team for their work since the adoption. E. Ms. Thomas Whitehead stated that the minutes of the December 15, 2021 meeting were distributed to members in advance of the meeting.   On a motion by Dr. Rice; second by Commissioner Parker; the minutes of the December 15, 2021 meeting were approved. F. Dr. Rice provided updates on the Linnentown Walk of Recognition activities.  The walk of remembrance is intended to remember, honor, and teach about Linnentown and urban renewal in Athens-Clarke County.  Location: along Finley Street, south of Baxter Street  Features: Three historical signs and a mosaic installation created through academic coursework and coordinated community engagement facilitated by Drs. Bustle and Rice.  Key dates: approval of the general concept on December 7, 2020; discussion with Dr. Bustle on April 19, 2021; approval of the mosaic process and partnership with Dr. Bustle on May 17, 2021; and site visits with Manager Williams and ACCGov staff in July 2021.  Design concept and community workshops: Dr. Rice shared renderings including a base structure and added imagery provided Dr. Bustle’s students. Community workshops would continue to engage local community to receive ideas and to create mosaic pieces.  Next steps: hire an interpretative graphic design firm for the historical signs, hire a site manager, determine materials needed for mosaic pieces and installation, resolve the status of the Finley Street at Baxter Street right of way, and continuation of workshops with youth and UGA students through the spring.  Manager Williams provided insight on the need to collaborate with the Transportation and Public Works Department to assure alignment with traffic engineering needs.  Mayor Girtz asked about capacity of county/city government staff support of site/project management. 1. Manager Williams stated that technical work was needed from someone with construction experience. 2. Dr. Rice added that the part-time role would include working with materials, construction, policy site visits, safety, and volunteer coordination. 3. Manager Williams added that there was a need for two separate positions: project coordinator and site supervisor 4. Commissioner Parker added that ACCGov typically used calls for proposals for public art projects with interactive components. 5. Stephanie Raines, Arts Division Administrator, provided insight on differences between the project and typical work of the Athens Cultural Affairs Commission. Community led project would lead to the finalization of a design concept to be approved by the Mayor and Commission. Upon approval, city staff would hire a site supervisor via a Request for Qualifications or Proposals.   Selah Gartner inquired about the process of creating the structure the art would be affixed to. 1. Mayor Girtz stated that staff could assist. 2. Dr. Rice stated that she was aware of the need for structural soundness to be solidified by an engineering firm. 3. Manager Williams stated that an artist with experience in sculpture could work alongside the project coordinator and site supervisor.  Selah Gartner shared that staff had begun mapping and surveying the Finley Street/Baxter Street right of way.  Mayor Girtz stated that there would be an opportunity to provide an update on the Project Team’s activities at a Mayor and Commission work session in March or April 2022.  Dr. Rice inquired about the status of funding for the mosaic. 1. Mayor Girtz stated that a formal agenda item would be presented to the Mayor and Commission featuring a project budget and a request for funding in the FY22 budget. He added that he would work along with Manager Williams and designated staff to prepare the presentation. 2. Manager Williams clarified that a finalized design was not necessary for the budget request. He stated the Cultural Arts Commission would be made privy to scale, size, and placement (pending determination of right of way status) G. Mayor Girtz stated that Covid-19 cases were continuing to be monitored and that the Project Team retreat initially scheduled for January 19, 2022 would be rescheduled at a later date. H. The meeting was adjourned.