Citizens' Community Enhancement Commission

MINUTES JOINT MEETING OF THE CITIZENS’ COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMISSION AND DEKALB AREA ARTS COUNCIL CITY OF DEKALB June 6, 2016 The Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission (CCEC) of the City of DeKalb, Illinois, and the DeKalb Area Arts Council (DAAC) held a joint meeting on Monday, June 6, 2016 in the Story Time and Activity Room, Second Floor, of the DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak Street, DeKalb, Illinois. The meeting was called to order at 4:04 p.m. ROLL CALL Roll was recorded by Administrative Assistant Tammey Higgins and the following members of the Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission were present: Susan Johnson, Chair; Cohen Barnes; Bob Boey, Brad Hoey (arrived at 4:25 p.m.); Mike Mooney; Brad Pietens; and Lisa Small. Absent were Deborah Booth and Camyle Tate. Also present were: Management Analyst Jared Heyn and Administrative Assistant Tammey Higgins. In addition, the following members of the DeKalb Area Arts Council were in attendance: Alex Nerad, President; Jenny Jeep Johnson, Vice President; Debbie Armstrong, Director; and Billie Giese, Director. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION Chair Johnson asked for a motion to approve the agenda. Mr. Boey moved to approve the Agenda; seconded by Mr. Barnes. Motion carried on voice vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES None. BUSINESS Chair Johnson provided background on the actions resulting in the Joint Meeting. This included the process of getting artwork out, window clings and time constraints for display, developing a better idea of how things go up/stay up, creating a joint effort to get things done with the City, and overall development of a process to get things accomplished. 1. Introduction & Roles Chair Johnson asked individual attendees to introduce themselves and provide a short background on themselves. All attendees participated. Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission June 6, 2016 Page 2 of 4 2. Public Arts Projects Planned 3. Public Art Future Ideas 4. Discussion of Public Art Parameters 5. Discussion of Changes to City Ordinances/Permits to accommodate Public Art 6. Next Steps A discussion began encompassing all of the above-listed topics. Mr. Nerad initiated discussion by requesting the history of the CCEC. Chair Johnson provided the background on the formation of the CCEC by the late City Mayor Van Buer to facilitate community ideas to Council for consideration. CCEC members shared experiences of the CCEC including the task of creating the current City logo; the Mission Statement; working on improving the community from a perceived “C” level to an “A” level; creating both the Yards of Distinction and Lights of Distinction programs to honor the efforts of both homeowners and businesses in beautifying their properties; and the planters placed in the Central Business District, NIU campus, Public Library, and the Park District. Mr. Nerad provided information relating to the intent of the DeKalb Leadership Academy to support the placement of a couple public sculptures. He commented on the intent for later this year to move forward in placement at Park District locations, the Library, and also NIU campus. The definition of the ACE Corridor locations was stated as being on Lincoln Highway from the Convocation Center east to just past the City’s downtown area. He advised there was a current inventory of about 40 pieces of sculpture, mostly on the campus, but that DAAC was trying to get more off campus. He also commented on events such as Artigras, and art walks occurring at different venues throughout the corridor. Discussion then turned to what was perceived to be required from City Council. Having a dialog or bigger discussion on setting a process was deemed very important. Having Council be an advocate for public art was also a desired result. Mr. Nerad stated that with DAAC pushing from the “art side,” help was needed from CCEC’s side for dynamics to process through Council. Mr. Barnes shared his comments from a prior CCEC meeting and also his experience with the ABC grant program. He shared his belief of the need for a conversation on a long-term plan; the creation of a budget item for the process. He commented on the possibility of having a NIU Center for Governmental Studies report providing information relating to such costs. He also commented on the idea of having 10 – 15 sculptures to either consolidate or sprinkle throughout the corridor. Mr. Nerad shared the potential of a bike sculpture tour, walking tours which would enable community experiences within the corridor. Ms. Johnson submitted the consideration of events scheduled around annual change-overs such as agricultural harvest; taking the essence of the event and implementing it into a seasonal event, getting people into the downtown area and provide an atmosphere of bonding. Mr. Boey asked for a description of the ACE Corridor. Mr. Nerad provided information that the ACE Corridor included 33 different entities/organizations, 40 businesses, that there was a high density of venues within the corridor and that it was DAAC’s desire to leverage and utilize information to attract students and families. Discussion followed relating to utilization of the beauty of the lagoon area by NIU. Mr. Nerad brought the concern regarding location of sculptures on private or public property; the need for clarification of what could and could not be done. Concerns relating to approach to interest submitted by businesses with sponsorship potential, arbitrary editing of artwork, and the restatement of the ultimate goal being getting art into the community were commented on by Ms. Johnson and attendees. Mr. B. Hoey joined the meeting  Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission June 6, 2016 Page 3 of 4 at 4:25 p.m. Mr. Barnes commented on the issue of private sponsorship by stating that businesses weren’t aware of what is allowed. Ms. Armstrong commented on signage issues and Ms. Small commented on City permit requirements. Discussion then turned to the aspect of private sculpture. Comments on the actions of the community of Pilsen putting a call out for submissions. Concerns for neighborhood approval for placement were shared which led to comments regarding ordinance regulations that control on all types of property. Mr. Nerad submitted the concept of providing a 4-foot by 4-foot concrete pad as a base. Ms. Johnson submitted the consideration of a meeting being held with representatives of the City, DAAC, and Park District to discuss and create the parameters of a program. She suggested the following points for consideration: 1 – create an organization; 2 – call upon artists; 3 – consider amount of stipend; 4 – group would pay for pad installation; 5 – lease term; 6 – potential purchase. Ms. Johnson also offered the consideration of the creation of a collection within the City; potentially on an annual basis, provided there was interest from the City to invest in sculpture. Ms. Johnson also commented on members of the program being part from the City and part private with the additional concern of half liking a piece and half not, and the important of having streamlined, cohesive parameters for approval authority. Further conversation related to determining what potential roadblocks currently exist for mural applications and art installations; the creation of an application of a generic approach that won’t need to be re-invented every time. Ms. Armstrong inquired with respect to public liability who would be responsible for damages. Mr. Nerad advised that artists hold insurance in pieces with additional layers of provided by both the sponsor and property owner. Mr. Barnes commented on the need for an ordinance to address art on private property; having the City open to the concept of private art on public property; and openness to the creation of an application to submit for approval. Mr. Nerad commented on the process occurring in other communities which made it clear upfront what was and was not allowed and different potential applications (fire hydrants, utility boxes, sides of buildings, etc.). Mr. Barnes offered the structure of an internal government agreement as an example for consideration. Diverse conversation followed covering the examples of the communities of Rockford and Champaign; building the reputation of DeKalb as being “art friendly” and supporting investments in business to be part of the creative atmosphere. Events such as musical concerts, public performances were also discussed. Concerns on how the City can figure out how to address this topic were shared amongst attendees. Ms. Johnson pointed out the recent Artigras Parade event wherein half of the downtown businesses were supportive, while the other half were not with concerns of the event interrupting their businesses. Comments continued concerning importance of supporting artistic efforts within the City, and how something so easy on the surface truly wasn’t so easy to achieve. Discussion on addressing Chapter 46 – DeKalb Arts Commission and correlation to CCEC’s mission was held. Attendees further commented on existence of multiple statistics and studies on integration of artistic activities/events which many were not aware of, Chair Johnson sharing recent interaction with City staff in Stage Coach renovations and encouragement received from staff. Discussion concerning the tangible contributions from the Leadership Academy occurred. Chair Johnson put forth the task of providing a letter to City Council asking for ordinance reviews to be performed to make them amenable to what CCEC is trying to accomplish. Mr. Heyn was deemed to be the contact person for this task. Mr. Pietens addressed the existence of Chapter 46 and discussion on getting that chapter active or having it removed followed. Ms. Johnson commented on the importance of these efforts not just being City-specific, but more area inclusive. Discussion on the importance of “picking battles” and the basis for the creation of DAAC as a 5013(c) followed. Ms. Small initiated discussion on exploring the collapsing of Citizens’ Community Enhancement Commission June 6, 2016 Page 4 of 4 two existing chapters into one, and then introduced Chapter 47 – Cultural Affairs as an additional target for inclusion. Mr. Hoey led discussion on re-envisioning and re-focusing on items that are already existing, learning which thrived and which didn’t. Mr. Nerad shared that DAAC wanted to be at the “table” as advocates and be a part of the process. MOTION Ms. Small submitted a motion for CCEC to explore submitting a request to the City to collapse CCEC, DeKalb Arts Commission (Chapter 46), and Cultural Affairs Commission (Chapter 47) into one entity. As Mr. Barnes seconded, discussion occurred to clarify request. AMENDED MOTION Ms. Small submitted an amended motion for CCEC to explore submitting a request to the City to collapse CCEC, DeKalb Arts Commission (Chapter 46), and Cultural Affairs Commission (Chapter 47) into one entity which included representatives of DAAC. Mr. Barnes seconded the amended motion. Motion carried on voice vote. Mr. Heyn then provided clarification to attendees that request must come from CCEC. Mr. Hoey advised attendees of his experience of good interaction with City representatives; that everyone sees the challenges. Ms. Small commented that DAAC as a 5013(c) is able to obtain donations. Mr. Heyn then advised of the intention of the City Manager and Community Development Director to attend the next regularly scheduled meeting of CCEC (June 20). Chair Johnson led discussion on intent for upcoming meeting including clings concerns, and revision of letter from CCEC to City Council on ordinance reviews. 7. Other Items Chair Johnson advised attendees that the next regularly-scheduled meeting with CCEC was June 20, 2016. Discussion occurred regarding the Scrivener’s error on the agenda reflecting a past month’s date. No further action was requested. ADJOURNMENT MOTION Chair Johnson requested a motion for adjournment. Ms. Small moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Hoey. Motion carried on voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m. __________________________________________ TAMMEY HIGGINS, Administrative Assistant