HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_ARTAB_01.18.2006Minutes of the meeting of the
Arts and Culture Board
of Georgetown, Texas
January 18, 2006
All members present, Rich Bartko and Charles Aguillon arrived late.
City staff present: Judy Fabry, Library, Administrative Assistant, Bobby Ray, Acting
Director, Community Development; Melissa McCollum, Development Planner; Rebecca
Rowe, Historic District Planner
Chair Paul Gaffney called the meeting to order at 2:04.
Addie Busfield moved and Ruth Roberts seconded a motion to accept the minutes of the
December meeting as published. Passed unanimously.
Paul Gaffney reported on the resolution regarding the Courthouse construction wall that the
Board presented to Council on January 10. Since a member of the Council was aware of a
committee that was meeting with Commissioner McDaniel regarding the Wall, the item was
cancelled and the Council suggested representatives from the Arts and Culture Board attend
the meeting scheduled for January 13. Paul Gaffney and Ruth Roberts attended that meeting
along with representatives from DGA, the CVB Advisory Board, and the Main Street
Advisory Board. Ruth distributed to board members copies of the design proposal presented
to Commissioner McDaniel at the meeting. McDaniel said the group would meet again.
Natalie Dowling moved and Jane Paden seconded a motion to adjourn the regular meeting of
the board. Passed unanimously.
WORKSHOP SESSION:
Chair Paul Gaffney called the workshop session to order at 2:20 p.m. and
introduced Bobby Ray, Acting Director of Community Development, who had
been invited to speak about the Unified Development Code (UDC). Mr. Ray
introduced Melissa McCollum and Rebecca Rowe, staff members who are also
knowledgeable about the UDC and about issues relating to the Downtown
Overlay District and Historic Districts.
Mr. Ray gave a Powerpoint presentation about how the UDC works and how the
work of the Arts and Culture Board could become a part of the UDC. The printout
of his presentation was distributed to board members.
After Mr. Ray's presentation Rebecca Rowe spoke briefly about coordinating
guidelines for public art with the Historic Architectural Review Commission's
(HARC) guidelines. She suggested that someone from HARC participate in
developing the guidelines for public art to ensure that the guidelines of the two
boards do not conflict. Once the Arts and Culture Board's guidelines are accepted
by HARC, it would not be necessary to bring eachpublic art project to HARC.
However, actual placement of public art in the historic districts would probably
fall under HARC's jurisdiction. (HARC reviews changes to site or sti ucture of all
buildings in the Downtown Overlay and all commercial buildings in the Old
Town Overlay.)
4. Addie Busfield brought up the subject of gateway signage over IH-35 in Kyle that
she thought was attractive. Discussion followed about gateway signage for
Georgetown.
5. Paul Gaffney suggested that the first work of the Board should be writing the
ordinance that Mr. Ray said would be necessary to allow the Arts and Culture
Board to participate in the public and private development processes. The
ordinance needs to stipulate an amount of each Capital Improvement Project (CIP)
budget that will be dedicated to public art. Also, guidelines for soliciting and
selecting public art need to be established.
6. Ms. McCollum recommended that the board not try to become involved in any
signage issues except perhaps the way -finding signs that Tom Yantis is working
on. She suggested talking to him about the work that has been done so far.
7. Natalie Dowling suggested that the board should work on signage at the City
level rather than trying to work with TXDOT She thought that CVB and
Economic Development are the people who should be working on signage.
8. Paul Gaffney asked how wide a net the board wants to cast with respect to
signage.
9. Rich Bartko drew the board's attention to the art plan of the City of Ventura,
which Mary Louise Poquette had brought to the meeting in December. He
believed that everything the Arts and Culture Board needs to do is already
outlined in the Ventura plan.
10. Paul Gaffney reminded the board that if they want to get built into the
development process —to be able to influence CIPs, PUDs, and signage—they
need to establish their presence with an ordinance.
11. Addie Busfield suggested that letting other City boards and commissions know
about the existence of the Arts and Culture Board and offering assistance in art -
related decisions might be the best way to be effective in the development
process. General discussion followed about the purpose of an ordinance and what
the guidelines might include.
12. Jane Paden suggested that the board needs to be involved in getting artwork
displayed in existing City facilities.
13. Volunteers to work on specific tasks before the next meeting included: (1) Natalie
Dowling and Ruth Roberts will work on the defining the scope of an ordinance
and drafting guidelines for selecting public art; (2) Penny Plueckhahn and Jane
Voltz will draft the board's "big ideas"; (3) Paul Gaffney will talk with someone
on the CVB Board about signs (4) Jane Voltz will talk to Randy Morrow about art
in the parks; (5) Charles Aguillon will investigate sources of grant money; (6) Rich
Bartko will contact Lamar Advertising about billboard usage.
14. Judy Fabry explained the Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Statement
information that she passed out to each board member.
15. Paul Gaffney adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m.
I
Judy Fabry, Acting Secretary
Paul Gaffney `Chair