Keep League City Beautiful Citizen Committee

Keep League City Beautiful Citizen Committee Meeting Minutes for July 5, 2022 Jackie Liddell called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Committee members Beth Sears, Lizette McClung, Dave Bowman, and Frank Zgonc were present. Also in attendance were league city employees Sarah G. Osborne and Rosa Salcido. Councilman Larry Millican and a private citizen, Aydan Bowman were also present. Frank Zgonc made a motion to accept the minutes and Beth Sears Seconded the motion. There was a discussion about the Fiscal Year 2022 Art Budget. Osborne passed out a handout outlining how money was spent and how it was distributed. The fiscal year runs from October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022. Osborne explained that there are 2 categories listed where money can be legally spent on art projects. The “Park Dedication Fees” category stipulates that art must be placed in parks to receive funding. A list of items purchased in the last few months was shown with the pricing broken down by item. The total for all the items was $150,000.00. Osborne mentioned that there is a plan to purchase an extension to the League Park Christmas tree later this year. It would add 8 ft. to the height and cost $7000.00. The money would come from the parks fund. Next year the parks budget will be $150,000.00. Osborne explained the Hotel Occupancy Funding (HOT funds) allowing for grants for businesses. She cited the tree sculpture at Helen Hall library, the pool mural at the municipal pool and a sculpture for the animal shelter. These funds could also go toward traffic signal boxes by professional or student artists for 2023. Osborne invited KLCB members to the next budget workshop which will be held on August 2nd at the Civic Center. A sample book of sculptures by Dale Rogers studio was introduced to the group. Osborne suggested putting $70,000.00 aside to bring in 12-15 “traveling exhibit” sculptures where 30k goes to purchase one of them. These sculptures would be placed at roundabouts, exit ramps or city facilities. These are all nature related and we hope that people who own businesses are open to purchasing additional sculptures after seeing them. Liddell asked about the Longhorn sculpture made from found objects. Osborne said it was moved from the Walter Hall house to the League City police department. The city is working on an interactive story map where pictures can be embedded. Sears asked if LCTX can be used and if it had been updated. Osborne replied “yes, and a new interactive navigation art page is being created as well”. The next item on the agenda was the First Responder Art Gallery. Salcido asked the group to refer to photos of the changes requested by the historian. Liddell asked, “who is the historian”. Salcido replied, “Jessica Crook is the historian for the League City Police Department”. Osborne interjected that Katie Benoit was the historian for the League City Volunteer Fire Department. New pictures and quotes will be added to both walls. McClung asked where the exhibit was located. Salcido replied, “Hometown Heroes Park building.” Jackie Liddell moved on to discuss the White Linen Night Art Crawl. She interjected that she was happy to see so many people dressed in white. Participants included families, and individuals of all ages. Everybody was positive and raved about how the event was so organized. Zgonc, said he got positive responses from both artists and visitors. Osborne also mentioned hearing positive feedback as well. McClung asked if this was going to be a recurring event. Osborne replied “yes.” Liddell suggested having the event in the fall. She added that Richard Williams and Jason Makepeace both sold art pieces. Salcido interjected that Jimmy Phillips sold two pieces. Bowman spoke with Jimmy and heard him say that the League City White Linen art crawl was the best one he’s been to. Osborne mentioned that the various groups participating in the event also had a good experience. Sears said she sampled the mead, something she’d never had before and really enjoyed. Osborne thought the aerial artist was good and planned to hire her again. Osborne asked Millican if he had attended the event. He thought it was a great turnout and asked, “how well did the artists do?” do you plan to charge for the booths in the future? It would help offset the cost to a degree.” He also thought adjusting the date due to the heat would be a good idea. Osborne suggested May. Sears found that there are lots of events from March-May and felt early June would be a better option. Millican felt the event had many attractions including historical homes, art, cars, and games. A cross section of people attended, making for a great turnout. Osborne mentioned the Parks and Recreation department adding to the success of the event. Bowman was impressed with the beautiful historical homes as he walked through the neighborhood. He said that the festival grounds got very crowded and there must have been thousands of people present. Osborne mentioned that now that this has proven to be a successful event, we can go after sponsorship to pay for the event. The tree cuff project was the next item on the agenda. Liddell mentioned that the tree cuffs looked great. Osborne said they got a lot of press and the group that make the cuffs had a table at the White Linen Night festival. Salcido added that the Houston Chronicle reached out to interview some of the members. Zgonc asked if we give citizens recognition for their work. Osborne said “yes”. The next Civic Center Art exhibit will open on August 5, 2022. The theme is “Animal Persuasion”. The invitation to participate was sent to over two hundred artists via MailChimp. The exhibit will be close on October 1, 2022. Eco Fest was the next item on the agenda. Liddell asked for details related to the event. Osborne talked about a tree giveaway and having the sustainability awareness event at the new League City Community Center. The event will be from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. There are lots of breakout rooms and places to put trees along with plenty of parking for visitors. Some of the people involved in the festival include Rosa Salcido, Ashley Jackson, John Orsag, Heather McKnight, Sarah Osborne, Beth Sears, and Dave Bowman. Bowman asked, “Who is the Chalk artist?” Salcido replied that Rebekah Tee was the chalk artist at the White Linen Night event, and she plans to invite her to be the chalk artist at Eco Fest. Osborne mentioned that last year the kids were emulating the chalk artist. We hope to put together a recycled art exhibit area. Liddell suggested contacting the Baytown Art League. Richard Williams was unable to attend the meeting but asked Salcido to ask the committee to consider inviting Mary Jo to future KLCB meetings. She could help with events like Eco Fest and any nonprofit arm we may want to have in the future. Sears mentioned a “trash bash” that could be sponsored by an organization like the Houston Galveston Area Council. Osborne said we do call outs for litter volunteers but haven’t had much success, perhaps we can make it fun, and more people will come. Bowman talked about trying to reach out to the HOAs and not being very successful. Osborne suggested making it an event and not just a cleanup. Bowman thought a 2-to-4-hour cleanup followed up by a party may work. He then asked if the Fall Sweep was happening after Eco Fest. Osborne replied “yes”. The Fall Sweep dates fall between September 22-November 20, 2022. Both Sears and Bowman have participated in Eco Fest and the Fall Sweep. Osborne suggested reaching out to CCISD and clubs within the schools. Liddell mentioned that the clubs can adopt blocks around their schools. Osborne said, “People want to be acknowledged”. Posting pictures on social media showing the group and the street they adopted would get them recognized. Osborne talked briefly about an event that is in the planning stages. The date for this black-tie affair is October 22, 2022. The “Diamond Ball” will be held at South Shore Harbor. The proceeds will be going directly to the art initiative. Liddell adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m.