HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_ARTAB_08.02.2007Minutes of meeting of the
Arts and Culture Board
City of Georgetown, Texas
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Arts and Culture Board members present: Charles Aguillon, Richard Bartko, Nancy Blansett, Addie
Busfield, Paul Gaffney, Jane Paden, Penny Plueckhahn, Georgene Richaud, Ruth Roberts
City staff members present: Eric Lashley, Library Director; Judy Fabry, Library Admin. Asst.
Regular Session
Call to Order at 2:02 PM
A. Ruth Roberts called the meeting to order at 2:02 p.m. She asked all members to remain focused
on the posted agenda and she drew their attention to a draft calendar of work for the next six
months that Judy had handed out.
B. Announcements from the Chair and Board members
Nancy Blansett mentioned that the Native Plant Society had given Wolf Ranch an award
for its landscaping.
Rich Bartko reported on the cost of getting plaques made for donated art work. At Yours
For Keeps the cost would be 35� /sq. in. for the plaque material and 150etter for the
inscription. Rich offered to design the plaque and to send the file to the vendor.
C. Citizens wishing to address the Board. None were present.
D. Consideration and approval of minutes of last meeting
Addle Busfield moved and Nancy Blansett seconded the motion to accept the minutes as
distributed. The motion passed unanimously.
E. Consideration of and possible action on
1. Presentation of letter from Paul Brandenburg g ated 1& 23, 2007, minutes from the May 15'
2007 Citv Council meetine, and minutes from the Tuly 25, 2006 Citv Council meetine- Eric
Lam
Eric explained that the minutes of the Council meetings were included in the packet to
remind Board members of what took place a year ago when they met with Council and also
to clarify what took place at the May 15, 2007 Council meeting. Eric apologized for not
having checked the minutes sooner to see what the direction to staff had been. However,
after the July 18 Arts and Culture Board meeting he asked Paul Brandenburg for
clarification, which prompted the letter from Paul to Ruth and the Board.
Eric emphasized that the motion that Council passed on May 18 did not specify any amount
of future funding for the Festival of the Arts. He said that Council had given money in the
past to the Palace Theater and to Larry McCormick, but that those grants should have no
influence on the budget decisions the Board would make at this meeting.
Eric also reminded the Board that Council approves the budget for the upcoming fiscal year
in September. They have been uncomfortable with organizations coming to them midway
through the fiscal year and asking for funds. The Council wants the Arts and Culture Board
to establish a process for applying for money for the arts and to make that process work
within the City budget timeline and framework.
Georgene asked what else the Council might feasibly add to the Board's plate. Nancy
responded by saying that she thinks the Board can set guidelines that would limit what
responsibilities they are willing to assume. Georgene then asked whether the Board would
write guidelines that are exclusive or expansive. Ruth spoke of the Board's civic
responsibility and Penny suggested writing a five -year plan to lay out what the Board wants
to do.
Ruth reminded the group that grants, if given according to the system Plano uses, would not
support anything new for Georgetown. She asked if that is what the Board wants. Charles
responded that until recently the Board's focus had been the visual arts in public places.
Grants weren't even in the picture.
Georgene reminded the Board that if they spend wisely and make the City look good, the
program will succeed and expand.
2. Presentation of draft budget for FY 2007 -08 public art appropriation — Ruth Roberts
Georgene Richaud moved to accept the draft budget Ruth had presented. Paul Gaffney
seconded the motion. Discussion began with the $4,000 allocated for hanging systems in
City facilities. Charles suggested that the amount needed to be increased to pay for the cost
of improved lighting. Judy said that the recent addition of five canister lights at the library
cost $1300. She also reported that a survey of City staff showed interest in having rotating
displays of art at the GMC, City Hall, and the Rec Center. Ruth suggested changing the
amount for hanging systems to $6,000.
There was discussion about what the contingency appropriation would be used for.
Someone suggested that it might be needed to pay for cleaning or maintenance of artwork.
Ruth suggested changing the name of the account to maintenance /contingency.
Discussion took place about how the public art appropriation might be used and whether
grants fit into the proposed budget. It was suggested that Council be told that the Board is
willing to make grants but that the focus of their attention to this time has been on art for
public places.
Georgene amended her motion, asking that the budget be accepted with the discussed changes
to increase the art hanging systems allocation to $6,000 and to reduce the amount for public
art to $70,000. Motion passed unanimously.
Penny Plueckhahn explained the history of the Festival of the Arts and how it has
received its funding in the past.
be seeking funding 4,.,..., the City fR-F dhe -20-0-8 event. (as corrected by Plueckhahn at the
August 15, 2007 Board meeting.)
3. Prioritization of locations for commissioned /purchased public art — Judy Fghry
Ruth tabled this item until the next meeting.
F. Agenda items for next meeting — Tudy Fabry
• Possible outdoor performance venue in San Gabriel Park where current football stadium
is
• Visit from Parks master planning consultant
• Cost estimates for proposed public art projects (eagle and steer sculptures)
Meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles Agu' on, Secretary
r
r-
Ru oberts, Chair