Parks and Arts Commission

THE CITY OF LIBERTY LAKE PARKS & ARTS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 7TH, 2022 - 4:00 PM CALL TO ORDER: Chair Laina Schutz called the meeting of the Parks and Arts Commission to order at 4:00 PM on November 7th, 2022. ROLL CALL: Commissioner David Himebaugh Present Commissioner Nancy Hill Present Commissioner Laura Frank Present Commissioner John Bahr Present Commissioner Tom Chamberlain Present Vacant Adjunct Position #2 Commissioner Tara Cael Excused Adjunct Bob Schneidmiller Present Commissioner Laina Schutz Present Ops. & Maint. Director Jennifer Camp Administrative Assistant Tait Hunter APPROVALS: Commissioner Schutz opened the discussion regarding the September 12th meeting minutes. After no discussion, Commissioner Hill motioned for approval, which was seconded by Commissioner Himebaugh. The motion carried unanimously. CITIZEN COMMENTS: No comments were made at this meeting. STAFF REPORT: New Commissioner– Jennifer Camp introduced the newest commissioner, John Bahr, to the rest of the group. He provided a brief introduction of himself, including his library-adjacent garden. Commissioner Openings– The still vacant position, adjunct position #2, was discussed as well as the term limits of the currently filled positions. Application forms are being accepted now, which will include background checks. Budget Update– The proposed City budget should be finalized by Council within the first or second meeting of December. WinterGlow Support– The opening ceremony will be November 19th, and volunteers are still being accepted for the duration of the event and its dismantling. D.A.R. ‘Never Forget’ Garden– This would be a project, initially started by the National Honor Guard, which would be placed in one of our parks. There are currently 17 gardens in the Spokane area, and amongst other po- tential locations, Liberty Lake is a desired place for another garden. The current proposed location would be the flag pole at Pavillion Park, however the mural dedication is intended to go there, so Jennifer Camp provided addi- tional ideas for locations. Some suggested were Rocky Hill Park, the Diamonds, Orchard Park, and possibly Town Square Park. Commissioner Frank cited a discussion had with the Historical Society, wherein they offered to do- nate the dedication for the mural and have it at the flag pole. It was questioned whether having both at the same location could be confusing or cause detraction from one or the other. It was determined a location would be cho- sen possibly at the next meeting. Further discussion will take place as the two projects would be on hold until the weather improved. NEW/ UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Hoop Town U.S.A. Update– Due to a change in employees, Commissioner Hill did have to re-submit the request NEW/ UNFINISHED BUSINESS CONTINUED: For the Liberty Lake project. The team at Hoop Town confirmed they would honor previous discussions with previ- ous employees. The Call to Artists has been postponed for now. ACTION ITEMS/ DISCUSSION/ PRESENTATIONS: Ordinance– Commissioner Hill opened the discussion regarding a proposed ordinance where a percentage of the budget for a project could be dedicated and set aside for public art. Jennifer Camp did state that this has been brought up before Council before, and has been rejected. The hesitation stems from the use of tax payer dollars for funding of project add-ons. City Administrator Mark McAvoy spoke and provided his input on this possibility, noting that there is always room for reconsideration and further discussion. He did recommend reviewing the cur- rent funding mechanism for the commission, and further recommended the commission consider how funding is leveraged for projects. Commissioner Himebaugh noted that the initial funding of the commission was supposed to come from an ordinance, to prevent commissioners having to go out and secure funding. It was recommended by staff to revisit the Public Art policy. General Discussion— Commissioner Schutz stated the donor logos have been placed on the utility boxes. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:39 PM