Keep League City Beautiful Citizen Committee

Keep League City Beautiful Citizen Committee Meeting Minutes for February 1, 2022 At 6:03 p.m. League City Chair Jackie Liddell officially called the meeting to order. Committee members Dave Bowman, Jason Makepeace, Nina Makepeace, Beth Sears, Jill Reason, Frank Zgonc, Lisette McClung and Richard Williams were present. Also in attendance were League City employees Rosa Salcido and Sarah Greer Osborne. Councilmen Larry Millican and Andy Mann were also present along with citizen Mike Stone. There were no citizen comments to the board. A motion was made by Jackie Liddell to accept the minutes from January 4, 2022. Jill Reason made a motion to approve the minutes and Dave Bowman seconded the motion. Mike Stone, the president of Clear Creek Environmental foundation spoke to the committee about the upcoming one-day cleanup he initiated in 1999. By January 2015, the project had grown dramatically, and the community was invited to participate in the annual event. This year the event was reduced from a 4-weekend effort to a one-day event due to Mr. Stone’s health concerns. There was a discussion about needing dumpsters for the event and Osborne offered to help make them available. Stone mentioned the event happens rain or shine. McClung asked where can people sign up? Osborne replied leaguecity.com. Osborne also asked if the results of the cleanup were reported, and Mike said “no”. Bowman suggested reporting through the KTB site to get credit for the effort. Bowman asked that participants provide their own supplies and prepare for cold weather and wear tall rain boots. Zgonc offered to take photos on site. Makepeace asked if he could collect trash using a kayak. Stone replied “yes”. Osborne moved to the next item on the agenda. She mentioned the signal boxes on main street will not be ready to paint until the fall. Six new boxes have been selected for phase 2 of the mini mural project. She asked the committee to vote on which artists will be painting them. Osborne asked the members to consider two new artists, Doug Hiser and Mark Ratliff. Samples of their work were reviewed by all present. The committee unanimously voted Anat Ronan paint 1 box, Doug Hiser and Adam Socie were selected to paint 2 boxes each and Joy Matheson to paint 1 box. Millican asked about the signal box wraps that were to be designed by CCISD students. Osborne replied that the deadline to turn in the art is March 31, 2022. The goal is to have the CCISD boxes wrapped by the summer. Nina Makepeace chimed in that once the designs are approved, the schools will work directly with the company manufacturing and installing the finished product. Millikan asked, “How many boxes are in League City?” Osborne said she would investigate it and plans to have half of the boxes completed before the end of the year. Liddell and McClung mentioned that some artists don’t want to work outside. Osborne mentioned that the boxes designated to go on Main Street will be painted indoors and placed after they are completed. There was a discussion about a scout leader wanting to create a mural with eleven of her 7–8-year-old girls and the guidance of an artist. Frank suggested paint by numbers, Williams suggested chalk art, Osborne said Doug Hiser has worked on murals with high school students, Nina Makepeace suggested creating a piece with handprints. Because the troop has such young members, the group decided that it would be best to suggest the troop paint rocks for a Kindness Rock Garden. Councilman Andy Mann touched on the decision to find a buyer for the “Blue Building” who is willing to revitalize the center of town. Liddell and Bowman expressed concerns over moving meetings that are held in the building, including the art and stamp groups. The plan to paint a mural on the building is no longer an option. Osborne suggested an alternate location for a mural could be at the recreational building next to the Civic Center. An aquatic interactive theme would work since there is a swimming pool there. Other mural locations were suggested, like the underpass at Lynn Gripon Park at countryside, under the overpass along the birding trail, the side of the two-story building off I-45 which would require scaffolding. Bowman suggested the use of a manlift. Osborne commented that city equipment can also be used by the artist. These future murals may require grant money or need to be figured into next year’s budget. Osborne asked the group to review the pictures of the JC League statue. She extended an invitation to all those present to view the statue on site before the casting begins. The city van would be available to transport all members interested in attending on February 7, 2022. Jason Makepeace explained the casting process and the time necessary to complete the statue. Bowman asked about the production of a second dog. Osborne explained that she planned to order two dogs and a cat. A dog for the dog park and a dog and cat for the animal shelter. There is a plan to order multiple smaller versions of the dog to be placed throughout the city. The historical society discovered that the dog’s name was “Scout”. A sign will be produced telling JC League’s story, the meaning of the Easter eggs and a video will be made of the casting, welding, and installation process for the statue. The next item on the agenda was the Great American Clean Up and litter clean-up efforts. Osborne mentioned the city having an adopt-a-street program and plans to reach out to the person in charge of it. Bowman cited that the events are more successful when the community is involved. Osborne mentioned the Fall Sweep drawing many participants. Bowman indicated the setting up of the cleanup efforts was the biggest problem, and more people would get involved if that piece was handled. Osborne mentioned that there has been a struggle to get groups to organize efforts like HOA’s. Jason Makepeace suggested finding individuals or subsets of homeowners within the neighborhoods looking to do service work instead of going through the HOA. These groups could post on social media or “Next Door” pages. These groups could create something like the Fall Sweep and KLCB can send out the invites. The art gallery opening featuring 39 artists was scheduled to open on 2/4/22. Committee members were invited to attend or help with the event. Williams, McClung and Liddell offered to assist with the exhibit opening. Trail sign updates were given by Osborne. A photo op reveal was scheduled for 2/12/22 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. which included the Tweet Heart trail. The sculpture that will be moved from the Walter Hall House to the Helen Hall library needs to have a sturdy base made. The base will be made by someone on the League City staff. Terry, the artist, will be invited to the unveiling of the sculpture once it is relocated. Williams asked about the items in the barn at the Walter Hall house. He would like to tour the space with KLCB members. Liddell mentioned that some of the rusted tools can be used. Osborne asked the police department if they could donate gun parts to incorporate into future art. Osborne made an announcement that two trees in League Park are dying and need to be cut down. She asked if any artists would be interested in sculpting the wood into works of art. Jason Makepeace expressed interest. Liddell and Williams recommended a Bay area sculptor, Jimmy Phillips. Bowman suggested a meeting to look at the trees before they get cut down. Liddell suggested doing interactive animal sculptures that hold up well. Williams mentioned the maintenance of the piece would need to be considered if it was placed outside. Bowman gave feedback on the signal box images he saw in City Matters. He would like to see pictures of the trail signs and city entryway signs. Osborne said she will get something in March. David Hoover is working on obtaining a grant by submitting a plan and designs for the signage. Osborne mentioned that TxDot money is coming to beautify entryways. Sears mentioned she learned about what can and can’t be planted. Osborne mentioned that a landscaping plan is underway with space left for art. Bob Duke is working with Jason Makepeace to create the designs using metal to create a different aesthetic look. Jason Makepeace invited the KLCB group to attend one of his aluminum sculpture casting classes. The classes are held every Monday and Wednesday. The whole process can be viewed from waxing to pouring. Osborne showed the 60th anniversary logo to the group that was unveiled at “State of the City”. A video of the event is on the League City website. Osborne thanked Bowman for making a base for a tree prop that was used for the event. McClung thanked Osborne for coordinating and hosting the Plein Air event. Nina knows of 5-6 kids that attended. Osborne said 20 CCISD students participated. McClung mentioned that lots of people are asking about a League City art Center. Williams suggested having artists in residence by offering free studio space and are willing to teach classes. Osborne thought it would be a great idea to have one of the artists create a nonprofit arm. The Ghirardhi house is a possible location to create such a space. Williams expressed that the artist must be on site 2 days a week. Osborne also mentioned the old League City school is being converted into a community center. It will host summer camps along with evening and weekend classes. Bowman asked if the blue building is being sold. What would happen to meetings held there? Osborne said not to worry for 6 months, and the community center will likely have the meetings moved there. Zgonc mentioned the Bird’s Eye View painting and how impressed he was with its restoration. Osborne said the painting will hang in the community center hallway as one walks into the building. A meeting will be held at the new center to view and measure the space for historical art. The meeting was adjourned by Liddell at 7:54 p.m.