HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_ARTAB_11.18.2009Minutes of the Meeting of the
Arts and Culture Board
City of Georgetown, Texas
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Present: Charles Aguillon, Melanie Dunham, Jane Paden, Penny Plueckhahn, Georgene Richaud,
Mandy Solin
Absent: Steve Proesel
Staff Present: Eric Lashley, Library Director; Judy Fabry, Library Administrative Assistant
A. Charles Aguillon called the meeting to order at 3:06 p.m.
B. Announcements regarding upcoming events.
Charles announced that the Board could expect to hear or read in the near future about the
financial problems that the Georgetown Symphony Society is facing. They have no
sponsorships this year. Charles said that is situations like this that make the sponsorship
grants the Board will be giving so important to the community.
C. Citizens wishing to address the Board. No citizens were present.
D. Consideration and approval of minutes of last meetmg.
Georgene moved to accept the minutes of both the October 21, 2009 and October 22, 2009
meetings as distnbuted. Jane seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
E. Consideration of and possible action on
1. Meetings with City Councilmembers and. Mark Thomas, Director of Economic
Development — Charles Aguillon
Charles recently met with Dale Ross, City Council member, and Chris Dyer, director of the
Williamson Museum. Mr Ross explained why he had been so opposed to the Mules
sculpture and he said that he is much happier with the Board spending its allocation for
grants instead of public art Charles believed Mr. Ross would support future funding for
the Board. He also spoke informally with Pat Berryman and Keith Brainerd during Art in
the Square and both seemed pleased with the work the Board has done recently,
particularly the sponsorship program.
Charles also met with Mark Thomas, director of economic development for the City. He
reported the positive feedback he'd gotten fromthe restaurants that stayed open during the
weekend of Art in the Square. Thomas was complimentary about Art Month He suggested
he be included in any planning the Board may undertake for developing the City's cultural
resources. He also recommended getting as many people involved in those plans as
possible, including Paul Brandenburg. Thomas asked for video clips that may exist of arts -
related events and recommended talking with Jeff Novak about using arts events to help
market Georgetown. Charles also brought up the idea of applying to the Arts Commission
for a Cultural Arts District designation and he left the information about applying with
Thomas. Charles was encouraged by Thomas' interest in bringing different kinds of music
to downtown events and especially his idea that there should be a City employee whose job
is to coordinate music at City events. Charles suggested that such a person could
coordinate all cultural activities and should work with the Arts and Culture Board.
Charles said he would work with Eric to identify the players for a downtown planning
committee.
Penny asked whether the money that had been approved for an amphitheater in San
Gabriel Park could be diverted to use for a downtown music venue.
2 Update on San Gabriel Park sculpture display project — Eric Lashley, Charles Aguillon,
Steve Proesel.
Eric reported that Espinoza delivered the stone last week. It is stored under the bleachers at
the stadium m the Park. Georgene said she would go to look at the stone to confirm that it
is what she and Penny had chosen Penny said she had spoken recently with Steve and that
he seemed to feel uncomfortable working on the sculpture project because he knows so
little about it. Eric said he will work with Steve to brmg him up to speed. Eric will choose
the locations for the sculpture pads. Georgene said she would help if necessary.
Penny made a motion to pay 5100 to each sculptor who agrees to place his/her work in the
Park for a year. Charles seconded the motion. Penny said she wanted the opportunity to
discuss this idea because the Pogues had said they wished Marble Falls was able to give
some kind of financial help to the sculptors who place their works there, but they just did
not have the money. Georgene said she could see the positive side of Penny's proposal
the City will be getting 25% of the price of any piece that is sold, plus we're asking the
sculptors to put the metal plate on their piece so it can be spot-welded to the metal plate on
the limestone base. Also, the artists may have to pay movers to deliver and remove their
pieces. However, she also could see the other side of the issue: the Board presented this
program to Council as one with no costs attached. Agreeing to give the artists any
compensation could be the beginning of a slippery slope. Penny pointed out that the
Wildflower Center doesn't give the artists any financial help. Mandy asked why the City
was taking a percentage of if pieces sold and suggested it might be better to remove that
from the contract. Eric said he thinks the new City Attorney needs to review the contract.
No one knows whether the City can enter into a sales agreement like the one proposed. the
motion was tabled until the January 20 meeting.
3. Update on event sponsorship program, schedule for January meetmgs to consider
applications — Judy Fabry. Judy said she had received some comments from Steve
(representing the Festival of the Arts) regarding the applications and two requests for the
Word file for the application, one from. Chris Dyer (Wilhamson Museum) and the other
from Bob Horick (Festival of the Arts). No grant applications have come m yet.
The Board members agreed to meet to consider the applications at 3:00 on January 6, 2010.
The will have their regular meeting on January 20 to continue dehberations, if necessary,
and to discuss regular business. They will take their decisions regarding the sponsorship
applications to Council on January 26 At that time they will also seek approval of the
Letter of Intent for establishing a Cultural Arts District. The letter is due to the Commission
on the Arts by January 31.
4. Update on landscaping of the Mules sculpture - Judy Fabry
Judy reported that last week Bob Coffee worked on the illegible date on the sculpture and
he also installed the Board's plaque. Michael Seery, of the City's facilities staff, has
developed a landscaping plan for the area around the sculpture, which he discussed with
Bob that day. Michael said it would be finished by late December.
5. Budget report - Judy Fabry.
Judy passed out a summary of the past month's expenses, a copy of which is attached to
these minutes. There were no questions. Charles asked for an additional $108 for two more
banners for the Arts and Culture booths at downtown events Georgene moved the expense
be approved and Jane seconded the motion. It passes unanimously. Charles will add the
City s new arts webpage url (arts.georgetown.org) to the banners.
6. Cultural District program - Charles Aguillon.
Charles said he would send the Board the link to the Texas Commission on the Arts
website where the Cultural District program is discussed. He said a letter of mtent (that
Georgetown wants to apply for district designation) needs to be submitted by January 30.
He asked the Board whether they think they want to take the lead in this project. Penny
asked who else would if the Board didn't? Eric wondered who the letter shouldcome
from —the City (City Manager? Mayor?) or the County? Would the County need to be
involved? Charles was uncertain about those issues.
fhere was some discussion about what geographical limits a cultural district might have.
Charles said he thought it should be the area of the Downtown Historical Overlay plus the
present and former libraries.
7. Future arts -related programs - Charles Aguillon
Charles said another thing he and Mark Thomas talked about was the unwelcoming
ambience of downtown after dark. They agreed that it would be good to have the buildings
outlined in lights, as they are at Christmas, all year 'round. Neither knew who to approach
with this idea.
8. Reminder of cancellation of December 2009 meetmg - Judy Fabry
There will be no Board meeting in December
Respe yily sub tte
Georgee Richaud, Secretary
Cha guillon, Chair