Arts Commission

City of Joliet 150 West Jefferson Street Joliet, IL 60432 Meeting Minutes - Final Wednesday, January 18, 2023 5:00 PM City Hall, Council Chambers Arts Commission Commission Members Quinn Adamowski Giovanni Alvarado Eryn Blaser Lori Carmine Priscilla Cordero Erick Deshaun Dorris Donna Franks-Tapley Eric Gorder Megan Millen Sarah Palya Greg Peerbolte Lonnie Posley John Simpson, Jr. Peg (Marguerite) Stoiber Deborah Summers David Wheeler Ellis Wright Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Final January 18, 2023 Citizens who are unable to attend the meeting can email comments in advance of the meeting to publiccomment@joliet.gov. ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. Present Quinn Adamowski, Emily Brzycki, Lori Carmine, Priscilla Cordero, Donna Franks-Tapley, Eric Gorder, Megan Millen, Sarah Palya, Greg Peerbolte, John Simpson Jr, Deborah Summers, David Wheeler and Ellis Wright Absent Giovanni Alvarado, Erick Deshaun Dorris, Lonnie Posley and Peg (Marguerite) Stoiber APPROVAL OF MINUTES Present Quinn Adamowski, Lori Carmine, Eric Gorder, Megan Millen, John Simpson Jr, David Wheeler, Priscilla Cordero, Sarah Palya, Ellis Wright, Donna Franks-Tapley, Greg Peerbolte and Emily Brzycki Absent Erick Deshaun Dorris, Erick Deshaun Dorris, Peg (Marguerite) Stoiber, Lonnie Posley and Giovanni Alvarado September 21, 2022 Commission Meeting Minutes for TMP-4994 Approval Attachments: Meeting Minutes_09.21.2022 A motion was made by Lori Carmine, seconded by John Simpson, Jr. to approve the September 21, 2022 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Adamowski, Carmine, Cordero, Gorder, Millen, Palya, Simpson Jr and Summers Absent: Alvarado, Dorris, Posley and Stoiber Abstain: Brzycki, Franks-Tapley, Peerbolte, Wheeler and Wright CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS NA This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Commission members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak. OLD BUSINESS NA NEW BUSINESS NA Page 1 of 4 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Final January 18, 2023 NEW OR OLD BUSINESS, NOT FOR FINAL ACTION OR RECOMMENDATION A. Introduction of Ray Heitner as New Staff Liaison Staff liaison Ray Heitner introduced himself to the Commission. B. Introduction of New Commission Members New Commissioners Emily Brzycki, Donna Franks-Tapley, Ellis Wright, and Greg Peerbolte introduced themselves to the Commission. C. For Discussion: Recruiting New Commissioners The Commission discussed several qualities that are desired for new Commissioners including grant writing experience, funding procurement, marketing experience, having working relationships with local, regional, and state artists networks, and government policy experience. Commissioner Adamowski explained that the Arts Commission was set up to perform most of the work that is necessitated by the Commission, but that City staff may eventually play a larger role in helping with the Commission's planning, policy, and administrative needs. The Commissioners further acknowledged that it may take some time to asses what gaps in capacity and knowledge exist amongst the Commission, provided that there are several new Commissioners. D. Arts Alliance Illinois Policy Agenda Listening Sessions Commissioner Dorris put together several virtual listening sessions with the Arts Alliance a lot of responses. While Commissioner Dorris will be leaving the Commission next month, he still plans on being involved with artistic endeavors in Joliet. Commissioner Adamowski said that he will work to find someone on the Commission who will work on Policy related research and formulation. E. Committee Reports Staff provided an overview of current Committee rosters and what gaps exist. Several new appointments will be made for the February 15, 2023 Full Commission meeting. Additional discussion took place with respect to the Bylaws Committee. Commissioner Adamowski volunteered to serve on this Committee. His appointment will be on the February 15, 2023 Full Commission agenda. i. Funding Commissioners Franks-Tapley, Cordero, and Wright volunteered to participate in the Funding Committee. Their appointments will be on the February 15, 2023 Full Commission agenda. Commissioner Cordero asked if the City's Grant Writer could be used by the Commission. Staff will report on this inquiry at the February 15, 2023 meeting. ii. Incubation Commissioner Adamowski provided an overview of the Incubation Committee. He stressed the need for a Public Arts Policy, and requested the Incubation Committee meet in February Page 2 of 4 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Final January 18, 2023 to discuss this further, in addition to finalizing the City's statue assessment. iii. Innovation Commissioner Carmine provided an overview of the Innovation Committee. She stressed that the Committee works on marketing the Commission in addition to pressing needs with short-term goals. Commissioner Peerbolte volunteered to join the Committee. His appointment will be on the February 15, 2023 Full Commission agenda. iv. Events Commissioners Bryzcki, Franks-Tapley, and Wright volunteered to join the Events Committee. Their appointments will be on the February 15, 2023 Full Commission agenda. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Several Commissioners inquired about how to satisfy any required training that is necessary to comply with the State's Open Meetings Act. Staff noted that it will supply the Commission with information pertaining to training obligations before the next Full Commission meeting on February 15, 2023. Commissioner Cordero provided an overview of the City Center Partnership's "Ready to Rock" guitar sculpture event. The event would feature 12, 6 ft.-tall guitars that would be decorated and placed in a walkable manner throughout Downtown Joliet between May and September. The goal is to work with local artists but that regional artists may be utilized as well. The City Center Partnership intends to do another guitar sculpture campaign in 2026 once the City Square project is completed. Commissioner Brzycki inquired about the Commission's social media presence. Commissioner Carmine mentioned that the Commission has a webpage on the City's website, but that updates are needed. Commissioner Cordero inquired about the status of PACE's mural project at Gateway Center. Commissioner Adamowski has attempted to connect PACE with City staff to discuss next steps. Adamowski reiterated that the process is further complicated by the lack of an Arts Policy. The Commission agreed to examine Elgin's Arts Policy and to potentially include a modified version of the policy as recommendation for Joliet to adopt. Commissioner Gorder asked if there is a place where artists are looking for events/projects where the Arts Commission could advertise. Commissioner Carmine responded by saying most outreach is limited to what is on the Arts Commission webpage and individual social media promotion. PUBLIC COMMENT NA This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding non-agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Commission members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak. ADJOURNMENT Page 3 of 4 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Final January 18, 2023 Motion to adjourn made by Carmine, seconded by Cordero. The motion to adjourn was carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:53 p.m. This meeting will be held in an accessible location. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact Christa M. Desiderio, City Clerk, 150 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432 at (815) 724-3780. Page 4 of 4