Arts Commission

Arts Commission Minutes City of Bellingham, Washington Tuesday 5:00 PM June 3, 2025 Mayor's Boardroom & Zoom Video Recorded https://meetings.cob.org Call to Order The Arts Commission meeting (video) was called to order by the Chair at 5:01 PM. • Commission members present: Patricia McDonnell (Chair), Amy Chaloupka, Blake Hudson, Jody Bento and Phillip Freytag • Commission members absent: Eric Shew Staff members present: Darby Galligan, PCDD; Taylor Webb, PCDD; Carol Rofkar, Public Works Guests: Jamin Agosti and Eliza Carver -Approve April and May Meeting Minutes Amy moved approval of the April minutes, Patricia seconded. Approved. Phillip moved approval of the May minutes, Jody seconded. Approved. Agenda Items . Lakeway Underpass Mural p. 10 Darby clarified that the Arts Commission needs to make a final recommendation on the mural design based on their past direction, and explained the redirection of the design based on new direction and feedback. The Commission discussed the fact that the faces cover so much area creating a space for tagging and graffiti, especially along the street level at sidewalk level in a space that receives a lot of foot traffic. Concern about the Public Works department ability to color match for graffiti removal, especially with faces and skin tones. The members need these questions to be elevated and answered prior to being able to recommend approval. Carol indicated that Public Works needs to be involved in the discussion of maintenance expectations. . Sunnyland Intersection Mural p. 14 Eliza, the artist working with the Sunnyland Neighborhood Association, described the concept for the intersection mural and some options based on her past work. Mural is proposed at Ellis and North Street, which is a proposed bike boulevard. This would build on the success of a project that was done by the neighborhood last year.  There was discussion of maintenance and expectations over time. Some Commissioners were comfortable with having the mural fade over time, as long as the expectations are clear that it won’t be maintained by the City. Also noted that approval of the adjacent neighbors is required and has happened. MOTION: Amy Chaloupka/Jody Bento moved to approve the concept design. VOTE: Motion approved unanimously. . Parkview Percent for Art Approach p. 18 Darby described the Parkview Safe Routes project and the site visit conducted by staff, arts commissioner and Parkview PTA representatives, as well as the sites that were selected as a potential location. Staff recommendation is to solicit vertical pieces (one or multiple) with lighting or glowing elements that is whimsical and artistic. [see language in cover sheet]. MOTION: Jody Bento/Phillip Freytag moved to approve the recommended approach and to try and include it in the RFQ. VOTE: Motion approved. . Deaccession of "Turn" by Lee Imonen p. 23 Staff returned to the Commission with additional information about the piece regarding communication with the artist to request approval to move forward with the deaccessioning process. MOTION: Patricia McDonnell/Phillip Freytag moved to approve deaccessioning of the Turn piece. VOTE: Motion approved. . Combined RFQ for Upcoming Percent for Art Projects p. 34 Taylor described the background and intention of the combined RFQ and how the selection process would work. There was some discussion about the qualifications and criteria for selection. A recommendation to focus the criteria on qualifications, references and experience was made. It was also suggested that: • Don’t require specific responses to the available projects. • Ask for budgets of past work as part of resume and include public artwork for institutions beyond just public agencies. • Provide a rough outline of when the implementation might occur. Commissioners are welcome to provide more detailed edits, and staff will send a follow-up email with portals and request information for any additional methods for outreach. Other Business . Public Comment Period . For the Good of the Order and Announcements  Darby provided an update on filling remaining vacancy and possible training or tour opportunities. Taylor provided an update on bronze maintenance underway and Darby let the Commission know that staff is investigating repair of the Sentinel electrical work and graffiti removal. Carol provided an update on PacOPs/Binkley piece and WhatComm. Taylor provided an update on Storybrook Park. Meeting adjourned at 6:44 PM Minutes prepared by: ____________________________________________ Taylor Webb, Development Specialist II Minutes edited by both staff and Arts Commission members.