Arts Commission

Arts Commission Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Tuesday 6:00 PM August 6, 2024 Mayor's Boardroom & Zoom https://meetings.cob.org -Call to Order The Arts Commission meeting (video) was called to order at 6:00 PM. Commission members Present: Amy Chaloupka (Chair), Kate Clark (Vice Chair), Phillip Freytag, Patricia McDonnell, Eric Shew and Jody Bento Commission Members Absent: Paul George Staff Members Present/ Presenters: Tara Sundin, PCDD; and Taylor Webb, PCDD Approval of Minutes Amy Chaloupka requested that the July minutes be updated to make it clear that the Arts Commissioners was not the jury for the Downtown Beautification and Activation grant. The minutes have been updated to reflect this request. Patrica McDonnell moved, and Kate seconded to approve the July minutes with the suggested edit. All in favor, motion carries. Agenda Items Presentation 1. Farmer's Market Mural Proposal p. 6 Chloe Knox, Bellingham Farmer’s Market Director, gave a presentation regarding a proposed mural on a shipping container located in the Depot Market Square parking lot. The Farmer’s Market did a call for artists and selected local artist, Laura Thompson. The proposed design was presented to the Arts Commissioners with acknowledgment that the colors of the design may be changed slightly if the artist so chooses. Overall, the design concept was well received by the Commissioners. They suggested that in the future, it could be beneficial to create guidelines or a list of best practices to standardize artist compensation and process for muralists. Amy Chaloupka moved, and Eric Shew seconded a motion to approve the design and move forward with the installation process for the Farmer’s Market Mural. All in favor, motion carries. Tim Hohmann, Public Works Engineering Manager, presented on the following upcoming capital projects that will contain Percent for the Arts funding allocations: Public Meeting 1. Eldridge Ave/ Squalicum Creek Bridge Art Approach p. 15 Eldridge Ave- Squalicum Creek Bridge Replacement (ER018) The Eldridge Bridge was built in the early 1900s and has historic and aesthetic architectural elements. The bridge replacement is funded through a federal grant. Federal grants have restrictions on how the grant funding can be used; the funding cannot be used for art directly, but it can be used to add artistic elements into the bridge. Public Works staff is proposing that the bridge replacement use the Percent for Arts funds to incorporate aesthetic elements (historic and/or artistic) into the bridge design such as lighting and railing. They recommend bringing the design back to the Commission for input on the inclusion of these elements in collaboration with staff and the design consultant team. Amy Chaloupka moved, and Patricia McDonnell seconded a motion to continue discussions of incorporating aesthetic and historic elements into the Eldrige Bridge design. All in favor, motion carries. 2. James-Bakerview Roundabout Art Approach p. 19 James-Bakerview Roundabout (ES0473, ES0537 & ES565) Three capital projects are currently underway in the King Mountain/ Meridian Neighborhoods: James/ Bakerview Roundabout (ES0473), Telegraph Rd (ES0537), and James St Segments 3 & 4 (ES565). Due to the close proximity of the projects to each other, Public Works staff is recommending the Percent for the Arts funds of all three projects be combined to install art in the James/ Bakerview roundabout. Staff believes the roundabout is the most ideal location to incorporate artwork due to its high visibility. The initial estimate of the combined funds for Percent for Arts is approximately $155,000. Commissioners stated that this budget seems appropriate for a nice sculpture in this location. Since this project is similar to the recent Percent for Arts project in Cordata in which a sculpture was installed in a roundabout, the Commissioners suggested modeling this RFP off of the one used for that project with approved edits for process improvements. Jody Bento moved, and Kate Clark seconded a motion to combine the Percent for Arts funds for all three projects to be utilized for an art installation in the James/ Bakerview roundabout as well as to use the recent Cordata project as a model for this project and process. All in favor, motion carries. Other Business 1. Public Comment Period Adonia Cairns wanted to introduce herself – she is part of the art community and is a tribal member and events coordinator for the Children of the Setting Sun. 2. For the Good of the Order and Announcements • At the September meeting, an agenda item will be added to discuss and vote on moving the BAC meeting time from 6:00pm to 5:00pm. • Another reminder was given to Kate and Paul that their terms will be expiring soon. It was requested that they inform staff if they would like to renew their terms or not. • Staff gave updates on the following upcoming projects: o Parkview Elementary Safe Routes to School/ W Illinois & Meridian roundabout Percent for Arts approach will come to the BAC in the next couple of months once school is back in session. Staff want to check-in with school stakeholders before an approach is finalized. o The proposed Percent for Arts code amendment has been advised in consultation with the City legal team and internal staff discussions about complexities in the code are still being workshopped. Additional conversations with the Mayor are required before it comes before the BAC for a formal recommendation. • Commissioners requested a new link to the Conservation Report since the old link expired. Staff sent an email with the new link and recommended the Commissioners download and save the report for their records. The topic of how to address and prioritize conservation/ maintenance of art in the City’s collection will be added to the agenda in the coming months. Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Taylor Webb, Development Specialist II Minutes edited by both staff and Arts Commission members.