Public Art Commission

Minutes of a Regular Public Art Commission Meeting February 9, 2023 A regular meeting of the Blue Springs Public Art Commission was held on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 3:30pm at the Fieldhouse. The Chairman called the meeting to order. Eleanor Frasier – Present City Council Liaison: Jerry Kaylor Ramon Magee – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Justin Stuart Taylor Beller - Present Community Member: Barbara Landes Pam May – Present Kamera Meaney- Present Kathy Cornelius- Present Cydney Carl- Absent A motion was made by Ramon and seconded by Kathy to accept the Minutes of the January meeting as presented; it passed unanimously. Financial Report. The financial report was available for review. There were no questions Auditor Recommendations for Public Art Funds Justin reported that the City funds had been audited. It was determined by the auditor that a specific purpose for the funds needed to be determined as budget funds and donations had been placed in the same budget line. After a review by Accounting, it was determined that $33,408.74 were related to budget and donations and $24,830.93 were unspent end of year monies that had been carried over and would be designated for art maintenance. In the future, any monies not spent cannot be carried over. Maintenance of Art Ramon reviewed the documents that related to the conservation recommendations for power washing of specific artworks and proposed conservation by Zahner Metal Conservation. Ramon made the motion to approve funding for completion of the proposed Phase 1, Step 1 cleaning and conservation/restoration activities on each of the artworks defined in the Proposed Artwork Maintenance 2023 Objectives. Pam seconded the motion. After discussion, the motion passed. Status/Information/Updates -“Regenerate”- Colonial Gardens has decided to purchase “Lily No. 1” by Artist Jake Balcom. Discussion was that PAC should not be involved in the cost of purchasing decision. PAC members expressed appreciation that this artwork would remain in Blue Springs. Eleanor asked if PAC would be interested in purchase of Artist Amie Jacobsons’ “New Growth”. The value of the art was designated as $8000 but if PAC chooses to purchase the art, $2500 of the honorarium paid to the artist to display the art will reduce the purchase price to $5000. Ramon made the motion to purchase the artwork using current funds for $5000. Kamera seconded. Motion passed. The location of the artwork will be a future decision. The two other artists will be notified to de-install their art by the end of March. -Veterans Way Memorial- Eleanor stated that Veterans Way Memorial has a separate fund for that purpose only. Eleanor suggested that we consider contacting funeral homes and cremation services to provide an information flyer describing the Memorial’s purposes and the offer that the Memorial receive funds in lieu of flowers for the deceased. This had been done previously by the Mike Leap family. In that instance, we used the money to purchase a bench in his name and for Vietnam Veterans. Eleanor asked Kathy to develop an initial document about the Memorial which describes how family and friends could donate to the Memorial in lieu of flowers. -Annual Public Art Commission Report to City Council- This year PAC is to provide a written document to City Council about the work of the Commission over the 2022 year. Justin felt the report should be completed by early March to get on the April agenda. Eleanor, Ramon and Justin will prepare the report and share the information with PAC at the March meeting. -“Public Art in Blue Springs” will be available on the City’s website in the near future. Using the information from the book “20 + 1 Years of Public Art in Blue Springs”, Community Development will create an interactive 1 webpage on the City’s website of the all the public art displayed in this period and locations of artworks currently available. Cats on Main Project by Downtown Alive! Ramon reported that the project has selected the artists who will prepare the Cats to be displayed on Main Street sometime in June. He stated that the project funds and plans are on schedule. Visitors/Public Comment: -None Other Business- -The February PAC meeting will be held on Thursday, February 9 at 3:30pm due to scheduling conflicts with the usual Wednesday meeting date. As there was no further business, a motion for adjournment was made by Kamera and seconded by Taylor. Meeting was adjourned at 4:45pm ___________________________________ Eleanor Frasier, Chairman 2