HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_ARTAB_12.19.2007Minutes of Meeting of the
Arts and Culture Board
City of Georgetown, Texas
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Board members present: Charles Aguillon, Richard Bartko, Nancy Blansett, Addie Busfield, Paul
Gaffney, Penny Plueckhahn, Georgene Richaud, Ruth Roberts
Board members absent: Jane Paden
Staff present: Judy Fabry, Administrative Assistant for the library
Regular Session
A. Call to order at 2:05 p.m.
B. Announcements from the Chair and Board members.
® Ruth announced that Linda Scarbrough is willing to serve on the public art panel. Francisco
Choi will not. She left a message for Karalee Nunn and Tom Nichols but has not heard from
them.
Eric is on a well- deserved family vacation
C. Citizens wishing to address the Board. None were present
D. Reminder of February 2008 expiration of terms of four members.
® Paul Gaffney said he would not reapply, Rich Bartko said he would not reapply, Georgene
Richaud said she was undecided, and Nancy Blansett said she would reapply.
E. Consideration and approval of minutes of last meeting. Georgene moved that the minutes be approved
as distributed, seconded by Rich. The motion passed unanimously.
F. Consideration of and possible action on
1. Response to Dar Richardson —Judy Fabry
Judy asked the Board to respond in writing to the proposal Dar Richardson made at the last
meeting. Ruth moved that she would write a note to Mr. Richardson telling him that the Board
looked forward to working with him on a sculpture show in Georgetown, motion seconded by
Georgene. Nancy said she had already corresponded with him by email and had told him that
the Board viewed favorably his proposal to have a sculpture show in Georgetown. The motion
passed unanimously.
2. Response to Howard Bellau regarding purchase of prints —Judy Fabry
Judy explained that Eric had been approached by Mr. Bellau about purchasing some prints to
hang in the library. Eric said he could not make that decision; the Arts and Culture Board would
have to decide. Everyone applauded Eric's move, and after considering photocopies of the
prints, Ruth moved that Eric should not purchase the prints because he had no budget to do so.
Georgene seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
3. Report on hanging systems for City facilities - Nancy Blansett, Addie Busfield
Addie said that Nancy had done a very nice job of demonstrating the hanging system to Greg
Olmer at the Rec Center and that Greg had been extremely enthusiastic. They had determined
the number of rails and rods Greg would need and Judy has already ordered the parts. Nancy
handed out copies of the information she had given Greg and Karen Frost (in Planning and
Development) about the process of acquiring art and a sample agreement for artists to sign
when they are lending their art. Penny and Georgene both recommended that the City Attorney
look at the agreement, particularly at the "hold harmless" clause, which they thought might not
protect the City sufficiently. Judy said she would ask Eric to bring this to the City Attorney.
4. Report on Plano's RFO process and schedule for responses - Penny Plueckhahn
Penny had not spoken with anyone in Plano.
5. Report on Austin's RFO process and schedule for responses - Ruth Roberts
Ruth spoke with Jean Graham at Austin and learned about the ASAP system they use for
advertising RFQs. Ruth said that the Board could advertise their RFQs on the ASAP system.
6. Report on meeting with Tom Yantis - Ruth Roberts
Ruth showed slides of the downtown locations she and Tom looked at as possible sites for
public art. (1)The first was the "alley" between Council Chambers and the first storefront east on
7th Street. The next was (2) the northeast corner of the Courthouse Square, followed by (3) the
area in front of the bays of old Fire Station No.1 on Main Street between 8th and 9th, then across
Main Street to (4) & (5) either side of Grace Heritage Center's front entrance, continuing south
on Main Street to the (6) west edge of the large public parking lot located between 9th and 10th
streets, and finally, (7) the southeast corner of the Courthouse Square. Ruth recommended the
seventh location for its size and high visibility.
Georgene moved that the Board adopt the southeast corner of the Courthouse Square as the
location for the first piece of public art. Rich seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Penny asked whether the County would have to approve the art that the Board selects. Ruth
said she didn't think so, since the City owns the land on which the piece will be located.
7. Acquisition of public art for location on the downtown Square - Ruth Roberts
Discussion of the RFQ followed. Ruth said that since the cost of purchasing hanging systems for
City facilities has been much less than what had been budgeted (only $482 instead of $6000) she
thought the RFQ should say that the maximum budget for the project would be $77,000. Charles
argued that the Board needs to leave itself some negotiating room and money for contingencies.
Ruth proposed $73,000. Judy then brought up the subject of removing the drinking fountain
from the site where the art will be placed. She asked what the Board would do if they had to pay
for that removal. Paul suggested that the Board should keep at least $6000 in the bank for
contingencies —an amount that is less than the usual 10% reserved in contingency funds. The
group agreed that the budget for the art will be advertised as $70,000.
Some believed that the draft RFQ that Ruth had distributed needed more "context" for the art
work —more history of Georgetown. Ruth said that she would rework what Linda Scarbrough
and Laura Weir Clark had written to the Board (see minutes of November 21, 2007 meeting) and
add it to the draft.
The members agreed that proposals should include no more than 10 jpgs of the artist's existing
works. Georgene agreed to send Judy 10 jpgs to see whether a file that size would get through
the City's email filter.
Members also wanted the RFQ to be advertised online through the City's Purchasing
Department, through the Austin website, and through Dar Richardson s organization.
Nancy Blansett left the meeting at 3:20.
8. Development of a directory of local artists - Nancy Blansett.
Item was postponed until next meeting.
Agenda items for January meeting:
discuss proposing a change in the Ordinance that created the Arts and Culture Board to
eliminate the designated Board positions for representatives of GISD and Southwestern
University. Change wording to "attempt to include" (these representatives), or to have
them be present on an ad hoc basis.
Georgene moved and Paul seconded to adjourn the meeting 3:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles Aguillon, Secretary
/L� K & F
Ruth Roberts, Chair