HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_ARTAB_02.11.2009Minutes of the Meeting of the
Arts and Culture Board
City of Georgetown, Texas
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Members Present: Addie Busfield, Jane Paden, Ruth Roberts, Mandy Solin
Members Absent: Charles Aguillon, Penny Plueckhahn, Georgene Richaud
Staff Present: Micki Rundell, Finance Director, Leticia Zavala, Comptroller; Eric Lashley, Library
Director; Judy Fabry, Library Administrative Assistant
A. Ruth Roberts called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m.
B. Announcements from chair regarding upcoming events. Ruth noted that an article appeared in
the Williamson County Sun about the "Art Park" that has been proposed for the open space behind
the businesses that face 8th Street, between Main and Austin Ave. The writer stated that the
proposed park is supported by the Arts and Culture Board. Ruth and the other board members
wanted it noted for the record that the Board did not offer this project any support when Shelly
Hargrove presented it at the October 15, 2008 meeting
C. Citizens wishing to address the Board. None were present.
D. Consideration and approval of minutes of last meeting. Mandy said that the URL that she gave
us for the solar sculpture is not correct and she wants it removed from the minutes. She will give
Judy the correct URL. Ruth moved to accept the minutes as distributed at the meeting with that
correction. Jane seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
E. Consideration of and possible action on
1. Presentation by City Finance Department staff about 09-10 budget process. Micki Runde11
told the Board members that the City is expecting no revenue growth in the corning year and,
an fact, is anticipating the need to cut expenses. She spoke about Council's brief consideration
at their meeting on February 10 of changing the mechanism by which they fund the Arts and
Culture Board (current funding is 1/4% of the General Fund). The Council moved to have
staff bring them funding options that are not attached to the General Fund. Recently the
Council changed the social services funding which also had been a percentage of the General
Fund, to a capped amount of $7 per capita. That cap represented a $2/capita decrease from
the current level of funding.
Micki announced that she was moving the Arts and Culture Board's current appropriation to
an account where it may be carried over into subsequent fiscal years. She said that she and
Paul Brandenburg will create the funding proposal that Council requested, but that she
would return to the Board's March meeting to share that proposal with the members before
taking it to Council. She suggested that it is possible that funding for festivals might be a part
of that proposal, as Councilperson Berryman had requested.
Ruth asked Micki whether it was wise for the Board to continue working toward the creation
of a master plan for the arts within the next year. Micki said it might be better to wait and see,
or, perhaps to keep working on the plan, but not to expect any buy -in from this Council. She
said that this is a ' short-sighted" Council that prefers solutions to problems that do not make
major commitments of future resources. She added that that is not necessarily a bad thing.
Ruth then asked what Capital Improvement Projects are coming up and Micki said that there
are none. Renovation of the Albertson's property is on hold an.d she expects it may be sold.
Any expansion of the police facilities will be at the old library.
Micki invited the Board members to send her any suggestions they may have about
alternative means of funding the Arts and Culture Board.
2. Appointment of community representative for Recreation Center art selection panel —
Ruth Roberts. Ruth reported that Bill Sattler, Council representative for Sun City, has agreed
to be on the art selection panel for the proposed artwork for the Rec Center.
3. Board input for presentation to Parks Board on February 12, 2009 — Eric Lashley, Mandy
Solin Jane said she would try to send some examples of sculpture to Mandy before the
meeting on Thursday night. Addie and Ruth said they would attend the Parks Board
meeting.
4. Planning for February meeting with Juli Fellows including identifying stakeholders to
invite — Eric Lashley, Ruth Roberts. Mandy opened the discussion by saying she thinks the
master plan should be shelved She sees no reason to do the hard work and spend the money
for a plan that may not be accepted or implemented. Jane said she agreed. But, Mandy said,
the new problem is what to do with the Board's money. She wondered whether it is wise to
spend it all this year, if they don't have to.
Ruth asked whether Mandy meant to spend the entire budget on the artwork for the Rec
Center. Mandy said definitely not. She's worried that the proposal Finance takes to Council
may involve no appropriation for the coming year, so the Board needs to save something in
case that happens. Ruth said that she believes the Rec Center is a good place to showcase art,
but she also doesn't want to spend the entire budget there
Jane moved to cancel the planned meeting on February 28 with Juli Fellows. Ruth seconded
the motion, which passed unanimously.
Discussion continued about how the budgeted amount that had been set aside for the master
plan might be used One idea was to do something to promote awareness of the art shows at
the library Mandy brought up the Arts Calendar and said that Lacy Vain, keeper of
Southwestern's arts calendar says the City calendar doesn't work. Her information does not
get entered accurately. Perhaps the Board should employ someone to take care of a city-wide
arts calendar —perhaps in conjunction with the Sun. Channel 10 was another suggestion of a
place to advertise, but no Board member could say that they personally use Channel 10 for
information.
This discussion will be continued at the March meeting.
Ruth adjourned the meeting at 3:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane Paden, Secretar
Ruth Roberts, Chair