Board of Commissioners Meetings

145 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Special Called Meeting on July 2, 2018 A special called meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Henderson, Kentucky, was held on Monday, July 2, 2018, at 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, in the third floor Assembly Room located in the Municipal Center Building at 222 First Street, Henderson, Kentucky. There were present Mayor Steve Austin presiding: PRESENT: Commissioner Patti Bugg Commissioner Robert N. Pruitt, Sr. Commissioner Austin P. Vowels Commissioner Bradley S. Staton ALSO PRESENT: Mr. William L. “Buzzy” Newman, Jr., City Manager Mr. Eric Shappell, Acting City Attorney Mrs. Jennifer Latimer, Acting City Clerk Mrs. Donna Stinnett, Community Relations Manager/Public Information Officer Ms. Abby Dixon, Henderson Tourist Commission Executive Director Ms. Jordyn Myracle, Ohio Valley Art League Executive Director Ms. Lindsay Lacosto, Downtown Henderson Partnership Executive Director Ms. Missy Vanderpool, Henderson Audubon Board of Realtors Executive Director Mr. Charles Kirkpatrick Mr. Dennis Moran, Ohio Valley Art League Board of Directors Chairperson Mrs. Joan Hoffman Ms. Amber Wood, Realtor Ms. Susie Rideout, Artist Mr. Curt Hamilton, Curt Hamilton Law Ms. Sharon Stricklin Mr. Brian Bishop Mr. Mike Richardson, Reserve Police Officer Mr. Doug White, the Gleaner ________________________ PRESENTATION: The Perch Art Committee, Mural Presentation ABBY DIXON, JORDYN MYRACLE, LINDSAY LACOSTO, AND MISSY VANDERPOOL, members of the Perch Committee and/or the Perch Art Committee, gave a brief history of the pocket park; the open call for artist submissions; the artist selection process; the meaning of the draft art submitted and revealed the revised artwork; that signage similar to the History Walk signage will be installed; the economic and wellness benefits of public artwork; the positive impact public art has on a community; and reminded everyone that this will be paid for with private funds and will be placed on private property with the owner’s support. CHARLES KIRKPATRICK was the only audience member to suggest that while this was a beautiful rendering in his opinion it was not a good fit for Henderson. Several audience members DENNIS MORAN, JOAN HOFFMAN, AMBER WOOD, SUSIE RIDEOUT, CURT HAMILTON, and SHARON STRICKLIN spoke in support of the artwork and/or the artist, reiterating that the purpose of public art is to start a conversation and that the demographics of Henderson are changing and that change should be embraced. COMMISSIONER BUGG indicated that she had reached out on social media to ask citizens their opinion on the submitted artwork and received over 200 comments with the majority in agreement that it was not a good fit for Henderson and with all of the other comments received by others she would again not be in support of this design. 146 CITY OF HENDERSON – RECORD BOOK Record of Minutes of A Special Called Meeting on July 2, 2018 COMMISSIONER STATON responded that while things did not unfold as expected as far as the process went; the results are a better finished product that represents how the riverfront is enjoyed by visitors. He reiterated that the mural is 100% privately funded and that the building owner was unable to attend but did want to relay his 100% support and the people in the building also support the project. COMMISSIONER PRUITT indicated that all of the negativity on social media was not fair to the artist and that he would support the revised drawing and loves that it includes the diversity of our community. COMMISSIONER VOWELS indicated that this project started almost two years ago and has been a true community effort. He stated that to do anything other than approve this would be a disservice and make us bad partners. Not agreeing with the artwork is not a reason to not approve it as long as it is not lewd or indecent. This could be the first of many in town. MAYOR AUSTIN thanked the entire Pocket Park Committee and the Art Subcommittee for their work on this project and indicated that he respects their opinion and believes that this will be the first of several around town. MOTION by Commissioner Staton, seconded by Commissioner Pruitt, approving the mural to be located at 231 Second Street for the Perch pocket park. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Bugg ------- Nay: Commissioner Vowels ----- Aye: Commissioner Staton ------ Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ------- Aye: Mayor Austin --------------- Aye: ________________________ MEETING ADJOURN: MOTION by Commissioner Pruitt, seconded by Commissioner Vowels, to adjourn the meeting. The vote was called. On roll call, the vote stood: Commissioner Bugg ------- Aye: Commissioner Vowels ----- Aye: Commissioner Staton ------ Aye: Commissioner Pruitt ------- Aye: Mayor Austin --------------- Aye: WITHOUT OBJECTION, Mayor Austin declared the Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:35 p.m. ___________________________ Steve Austin, Mayor ATTEST: July 24, 2018 ______________________ Maree Collins, City Clerk