Arts Commission

City of Joliet 150 West Jefferson Street Joliet, IL 60432 Meeting Minutes - Final Wednesday, July 17, 2024 5:00 PM City Hall, Council Chambers Arts Commission Commission Members Donna Franks-Tapley Eric Gorder Tom Grotovsky Vince Logan Ron Romero John Simpson,Jr. Peg Stoiber Deborah Summers Ellis Wright Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Final July 17, 2024 Page 1 of 1 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Final July 17, 2024 Citizens who are unable to attend the meeting can email comments in advance of the meeting to publiccomment@joliet.gov. 1. ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. Present Eric Gorder, John Simpson Jr, Ron Romero, Donna Franks-Tapley and Tom Grotovsky Absent Peg (Marguerite) Stoiber, Ellis Wright, Vince Logan and Deborah Summers 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Attachments: Arts Commission Minutes_June 19.2024 A motion was made by Tom Grotovsky, seconded by Eric Gorder, to approve COUNCIL MEMO #TMP-7539: Meeting Minutes - June 19, 2024. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Gorder, Simpson Jr, Romero, Franks-Tapley and Grotovsky Absent: Stoiber, Wright, Logan and Summers 3. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS None. 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. 4. OLD BUSINESS A. Update on City Square Sculpture Project Staff Liaison Heitner provided an update on the City Square Sculpture project. Heitner mentioned that a press release had been issued advertising the public's opportunities to vote on the chosen sub-finalist submissions. Heitner explained that the Arts Commission will ultimately make a finalist recommendation to the City Council. He also asked for volunteers for in-person voting sessions. Commissioner Simpson asked if anyone from the public can vote for the sub-finalist submissions. Heitner further explained that voters will be able to choose up to three finalists with each vote. Heitner also explained how the City intends to advertise the voting process. Simpson also asked about the time frame once the five finalists are chosen. Heitner explained that the Arts Commission will likely have a special meeting on September 11th to have the Commission listen to finalist proposals, followed by a normal meeting on September 18th to have the Commission finalize a recommendation to Council. B. Update on Community Policing Sculpture Project Staff Liaison Heitner provided an update on the refurbishing process for the sculpture . Heitner stated that the work on the sculpture has been completed, and that the City is working with a Page 1 of 3 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Final July 17, 2024 subcontractor to secure a base for the sculpture and with city staff to put some landscaping in at the site. Heitner stated that there has been a delay in getting the mosaic tile received, but that they hope the tile will be installed in August. Heitner also stated that funds from this year's IAC GOS grant would be used for this project. Commissioner Grotovsky asked if the old tile from the previous column could be used. Heitner responded that it was the artist's preference to have new tile installed. Heitner stated that it's possible that administrative funds could be used to remove the old column. Chairman Romero asked about the George Mikan sculpture. Heitner stated that there isn't much of an update to provide at this time, but that the Route 66 park could potentially be a suitable future home for the sculpture. Commissioner Grotovsky asked if the old JCA gymnasium could be a potential site for the Mikan sculpture. Heitner said he would check with staff on this idea. C. Update on the Utility Box Decoration Project Commissioner Romero provided an update on the utility box decoration project. Romero stated that the City Center Partnership is currently matching various artists with the available utility boxes in Downtown. Romero also provided a brief explanation of the CCP's Agreement with the City for review of all design work. Romero stated that the plan was to have these boxes decorated this year. He also stated that there should be an emphasis on repeating this project next year and in years to come, if it is successful. The Commission acknowledged exploring other locations outside of Downtown if another project partner could be found. D. Update on the FY2025 IAC GOS Grant Application Staff Liaison Heitner provided an update on the IAC GOS Grant Application. Heitner stated the application would be submitted within the week. Chairman Romero also stated that there are other grants the Commission should be exploring. E. Discussion of Potential Projects for 2025 Commissioner Grotovsky expressed interest in fixing and creating new murals. Staff Liaison Heitner provided an update on the City's deaccessioning process for murals Downtown. Commissioner Gorder suggested putting together a street-art festival that would incorporate graphic art on walls. The festival could also incorporate music and dance. Gorder envisions a small, but interactive festival. Gorder also recommended revisiting the potential for establishing a pop-up art gallery. Heitner stated that staff was further along with discussions on the idea this last year, but the project was sidelined with the Commission reorgranization. Chairman Romero stated that there have Page 2 of 3 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Final July 17, 2024 been discussions about having a space within Union Station for a future art museum . Commissioner Grotovsky suggested a west side night market within an unused parking lot to help distribute arts efforts. He also suggested a community street painting event that would be interactive. Commissioner Gorder also stated that it was important to gauge public interest on potential programming of future art spaces.Chairman Romero also suggested that Commissioners explore various surrounding towns to see what has been working in those places. Staff Liaison Heitner stated that he would put together some notes for the Commission to help narrow focus on 3-5 potential projects for the next meeting. 5. NEW BUSINESS 6. NEW OR OLD BUSINESS, NOT FOR FINAL ACTION OR RECOMMENDATION A. Presentation from Friends of Community Public Art Chairman Romero provided an update on his discussions with Friends of Community Public Art and its interest in refurbishing various murals, sculptures, and mosaics throughout Joliet. Romero stated that past Agreements have all expired. 7. PUBLIC COMMENT None. 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. 8. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Tom Grotovsky, seconded by Eric Gorder, to adjourn the meeting at 6:12 p.m. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Gorder, Simpson Jr, Romero, Franks-Tapley and Grotovsky Absent: Stoiber, Wright, Logan and Summers 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 3 of 3