Arts Commission

City of Joliet 150 West Jefferson Street Joliet, IL 60432 Meeting Minutes - Final Wednesday, November 20, 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 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Final November 20, 2024 Citizens who are unable to attend the meeting can email comments in advance of the meeting to publiccomment@joliet.gov. 1. ROLL CALL Present Eric Gorder, John Simpson Jr, Peg (Marguerite) Stoiber, Ron Romero, Donna Franks-Tapley, Tom Grotovsky and Deborah Summers Absent Vince Logan 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Meeting Minutes - October 2, 2024 TMP-7821 Attachments: Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - October 2, 2024 A motion was made by John Simpson, Jr, seconded by Tom Grotovsky, to approve COUNCIL MEMO #TMP-7821: Meeting Minutes - October 2, 2024. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Gorder, Simpson Jr, Stoiber, Romero, Franks-Tapley, Grotovsky and Summers Absent: Logan 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 the Formulation of a Public Art Policy for the City of Joliet Chairman Romero provided a history of the Public Art Policy document and an overview of its contents to date. Romero expressed his support for moving the document forward for Council consideration and approval. Staff Liaison Heitner mentioned that the Policy was tabled when the City thought it might pursue a Public Arts Master Plan, which would have contained much of the same information. Since the Public Art Master Plan has not materialized, Heitner stated the Commission should continue its work on drafting the Public Art Policy document. Romero and Heitner also acknowledged that the Public Art Policy could be a component of the Public Art Master Plan. Romero stated that the Public Art Policy should be passed by ordinance by the City Council. Chairman Romero asked that Councilwoman Suzanna Ibarra come up to share her thoughts on the document and its review by City Council. Councilwoman Ibarra stated that it should be reviewed by Corporation Council and the City Manger's Office between Thanksgiving and Christmas. She further stated that the document should probably be presented as is to Corporation Counsel for review. Heitner stated that his comments should probably stay in the working draft and that he could work with staff on any edits that are needed . Councilwoman Page 1 of 4 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Final November 20, 2024 Ibarra stated that the Commission should not send the Policy to City Council until it is written exactly the way the Commission wants it written. Heitner stated the document would be circulated among staff for review with a revised document sent to the Arts Commission in January for review. Public Art Policy Draft TMP-7924 Attachments: Public Arts Policy draft 1_RH.edits B. Update on the 2025 Illinois Arts Council General Operating Support Grant Staff Liaison Heitner provided an update that the City was awarded a $20,450 General Operating Support Grant from the Illinois Arts Council for 2025. Heitner stated that he expects those funds will be in receipt by January of 2025 and that staff is currently working with the Illinois Arts Council to review and return the grant agreement. C. Update on the Poet Laureate Program and Recent Readings and Workshops Staff Liaison Heitner provided an overview of the Poet Laureate speaking appearances and activities to date. Heitner stated that an additional poetry workshop is scheduled for February 4th at Bicentennial Park. The Commission discussed ways to help promote the workshop event, given the low attendance that has occurred at previous events. Heitner stated that the even could be advertised on the City's social media platforms and Arts and Culture webpage and that other Commissioners are welcome to share the event on their social media platforms. D. Update on the 2025 Arts Fest Project Staff Liaison Heitner provided some background on the idea for having a street art festival . Commissioner Simpson stated that it might be best table the idea, given the amount of construction that is around the city right now. Commissioner Grotovsky stated that a smaller scale event outside of downtown could be beneficial to the city. Commissioner Franks-Tapley asked about whether the mall area, or space around the high schools could be used for such an event. Heitner stated that the Commission would need to better scope out the details of the event before the City engages with a private property owner. Commissioner Franks-Tapley asked about the old courthouse block and whether it could host a festival . Heitner stated he could look into whether an event at the old courthouse space is possible . Heitner stated that the Commission should try to better define what it would like to do with the Arts Fest. E. Update on Mural Prioritization and Potential Project Candidates for 2025 Page 2 of 4 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Final November 20, 2024 Commissioner Franks-Tapley provided some background on an artist who might potentially be interested in helping the city create some murals. Chairman Romero stated that the viaduct locations near the ballpark could be ripe locations for future mural work. Staff Liaison Heitner stated that the City would probably want to issue an RFP for mural work. Chairman Romero discussed the idea of a possible Tourism Improvement District to help fund improvements downtown, including provision of artwork. Romero also stated that there are additional grant opportunities including funding via sponsorships. The Commission discussed whether the viaduct spaces made sense for mural work, given the chance that murals could erode with water leakage. Heitner suggested that the Commission should focus on 2-3 locations where it might make sense to put up a mural, with intent to bid mural work out in the Spring. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Recommendation to Apply for the 2025 Asphalt Art Initiative Grant Opportunity A motion was made by Tom Grotovsky, seconded by Peg Stoiber to deviate from the agenda to move on to item 6A, Discussion on the 2025 Asphalt Art Initiative Grant. The motion carried by a vote of 6-0 (Franks-Tapley momentarily absent). Commissioner Stoiber made a motion to pursue the grant opportunity with Cornerstone Services. The motion carried by a vote of 7-0. Asphalt Art Initiative Memo TMP-7927 Attachments: Asphalt Art Initiative Memo 6. NEW OR OLD BUSINESS, NOT FOR FINAL ACTION OR RECOMMENDATION A. Discussion on the 2025 Asphalt Art Initiative Grant Opportunity Staff Liaison Heitner stated that it would likely be difficult to put together a grant application by January, since a separate non-profit organization needs to effectively manage the grant for the Arts Commission. Heitner stated that he liked the intent of the grant and provided an overview of various examples. Commissioner Gorder stated that a grant like this could potentially align well with a street art festival. Heitner asked if the Commission has specific locations they would want to pursue through this program. Commissioner Grotovsky suggested running the grant opportunity past Cornerstone Services, which has a facility near the ballpark. Commissioner Simpson expressed concern over whether Cornerstone's Board could meet and approve the application during the window provided. The Commission suggested a project on Mayor Art Schultz Drive could be an option. Councilwoman Suzanna Ibarra also suggested the Boys and Girls Club as a potential partner agency for the application. B. Discussion of Potential Items of Expenditure for 2025 Staff Liaison Heitner stated that he would report back at the next meeting with a list of potential expenditures for the Commission to review. Page 3 of 4 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Final November 20, 2024 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 Peg (Marguerite) Stoiber, seconded by Tom Grotovsky, to adjourn COUNCIL MEMO #[FILE_NR]: [FILE_TITLE]. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Gorder, Simpson Jr, Stoiber, Romero, Franks-Tapley, Grotovsky and Summers Absent: Logan This meeting will be held in an accessible location. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact The City Clerk Office, 150 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432 at (815) 724-3780. Page 4 of 4