Arts Commission

Arts Commission Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Tuesday 5:00 PM December 3, 2024 Mayor's Boardroom & Zoom https://meetings.cob.org Call to Order The Arts Commission meeting (video) was called to order by the Chair at 5:00 PM. • Commission members present: Amy Chaloupka (Chair), Phillip Freytag, Patricia McDonnell, Eric Shew and Jody Bento • Commission members absent: None • Staff members present: Darby Galligan, PCDD; Taylor Webb, PCDD; Carol Rofkar, Public Works (presenter), Jonathan Schilk, Parks and Recreation (presenter) • Guests: Alex McLean Approve November Meeting Minutes Patricia moved and Jody seconded to approve the November minutes. All in favor, motion carried. Agenda Items 1. Pacific Street Operations Building Phase II Artwork Update p. 5 Taylor provided background on the Pacific Street project. Clayton Binkley (artist) has been working with Carol Rofkar to implement. The artist has proposed changing the materials from plaster to ceramic and the colors from white to blue/green to reflect a tributary and variation in the design. Lighting proposal has been developed to highlight the art and allow for easy maintenance. Staff will be visiting the artist studio in January to assess the progress of the piece. Jody is interested in attending the field trip. Information only, direction provided. Request for additional information and rendering(s) about how the newly proposed colors will contrast with the silver metal background and an explanation of the artists’ decision. 2. Downtown Activation and Beautification Proposals p. 13 Darby provided a brief overview of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee’s recommendations for the next round of downtown activation and beautification projects to be funded by lodging tax revenue. None of the projects require BAC review but updates on the program status will be provided periodically. Information only  3. Review of Jury Recommended Finalist for the Storybrook Park Percent for Art Project p. 31 Taylor provided an update on the review of three semi-finalists for the Storybrook Park artwork project. The proposal Stand in Reflection by Polymetis was recommended by the jury after extensive deliberation. The artist team will work with Parks on final siting decision. There was some discussion regarding the durability of a piece made with birch wood; artists are open to considering other materials (Alaska yellow cedar, reclaimed wood). Discussion of maintenance plan and expectations regarding the duration of the piece. Recommendation to include drainage. Patricia moved that the artist team be selected as finalist with the condition that further information is provided about the aging and longevity of the proposed material. Amy seconded. Motion carried. 4. Arts Commission Selection of Chair and Vice Chair for 2025 p. 69 Patricia was nominated for the Chair. Unanimous vote. Eric was nominated for Vice-Chair. Unanimous vote. Other Business 1. Public Comment Period Alex McLean asked about the budget for the Storybrook Park artwork and project status. The original RFP was requesting up to five (5) locations. He would like the BAC to consider reissuing the RFP out of fairness and clarity should be provided in future projects. Also commented that yellow cedar has a shelf life of about 10 years and is soft. 2. For the Good of the Order and Announcements Taylor thanked Jody and Patricia for their assistance with the bronze maintenance assessment. A conservator is being contracted to work on five (5) bronze pieces. Taylor mentioned the BAC could do some work with maintenance policies and activities while additional funds are being sought. Amy reminded everyone that the Museum has extensive maintenance and conservation experience and that the BAC should continue to coordinate with the Museum to leverage resources. Discussion about updating the policies and procedures as it relates to maintenance and conservation and seeding a maintenance fund by setting aside a percentage of each of the 1% projects for that purpose. Discussion of use of wood, not to prohibit the use but to clarify expectations. Next agenda: reviewing pending Commissioner applications, continued recruitment for new BAC members. Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Taylor Webb, Development Specialist II Minutes edited by both staff and Arts Commission members.