HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/13/2018 - Minutes �
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� RENTON MUNICIPAL ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Members Present: Dave Samek, Neil Sheesley, Evelyn Reingold, Bill Huls, Susan Jessick
Staff Present:
Chip Vincent,Administrator, Community and Economic Development
Jessie Kotarski, RMAC Administrative Assistant
Guests:
Alan Wyatt, Parks Planning & Natural Resources, City of Renton
Brianna Burroughs, prospective Commissioner
Adam Rosencrantz,Theater Manager, IKEA Performing Arts Center
Call to Order: Meeting was called to order by RMAC Chair, Neil Sheesley at 6:05 pm.
Introduction of Guests:
Alan Wyatt presented an update on the plans for Kennydale Beach Park and the search for a new home for
Tommy the Turtle. City Council has approved the use of$14.5 million for deferred maintenance and the Parks
Department plans to use some of those funds to update the design and play equipment at Kennydale Beach
Park. The Department will incorporate the turtle into the new Park design, making sure the Turtle is an integral
part of the overall look and feel of the Park. The estimated timeframe for the project is summer 2019. The
Commissioners have requested that the Department consider the addition of an interpretative sign to provide
the public with the history of the Turtle.
Alan continued his presentation with an update on the plans at Sunset Park. The project is currently in Phase 2
and at 75% design completion. The request for the Arts Commission is to assist the Parks Department in
identifying an artist that can work with the park design team to create a piece (or pieces) of art to be installed in
the completed park. Alan's presentation provided an overview of the park look and feel including materials,
selected play and fitness equipment, benches, gazebo design, rain garden and water "mist" feature. Alan also
noted that extra conduit is being added to the central location identified for art and that the park will feature
free Wifi (should these items be necessary for selected art featured in the park).
The Commissioners have requested additional information from Alan to help in the selection of the artist,
including:
• Space limitations (dimensions of the allotted area for art)
• Timeline for installation
• Budget for art
Approval of Minutes:The October 2018 minutes were read and approved. MSC(Susan/Dave)
Correspondence and Announcements:
• 4Culture Listenin�Session:The event is scheduled for November 27 from 10am to 12pm at the
Renton Civic Theatre.
• Buildin�for Culture: Carco Theatre will be applying for the 4Culture Building for Culture grant
(closing November 14). The theatre will be applying for a new marquee.
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• Seattle Symphony in Renton: The Seattle Symphony met with the IKEA Performing Arts Center and is
looking at two potential dates to offer a free concert; Oct. 24, 2019 or February 25, 2020. The
Symphony has requested recommendations for potential local partners to collaborate with in an
effort to create a community-driven event that caters to the unique identity of Renton. The
Symphony is currently working with Quintin Morris, A Key to Change, and will look into partnering
with the Renton schools as well.
Budget:
• City Council will meet on November 19 for the second final reading of the proposed budget; including
the request for$102,900 from the General Fund to support the Arts in addition to the 1%for Art fund.
• A recap of the current 2018 remaining funds indicates that there is approximately$26,000 remaining in
the Arts & Culture budget.
• Items remain on the project list that was established at the Annual Retreat in February. This list will be
re-sent to the Commissioners to identify projects that can still be completed by the end of the year.
• Any funds not used in the calendar year will be rolled over to 2019.
General Business:
• Art Maintenance—The City is entering into contracts with local art restoration business, Artech. These
repairs will be funded by the Facilities Department. Artech will repair and clean three identified City-
owned art pieces:
o Summer Breeze
o Going Global
o Terrazzo benches outside of City Hall
Galvanizin�Art Prolects:
New Business:
• Small Business Saturday—The Annual Tree Lighting and Small Business Saturday are scheduled for
November 24, 2018. The day-long celebration will include kid's activities (arts and crafts), support for
Downtown businesses, live music performances and the arrival of Santa at the Pavilion. Additionally, the
Santa House will be open three Saturdays in December for kids to get their pictures made with Santa at
no cost.The Arts Commission has been asked to support the event with a sponsorship of$1000 which
will help with the cost of decorations (for Small Business Saturday and Santa House), art activity kits and
costs related to the musicians. A motion was made and approved to fund Small Business Saturday
(hosted by the Renton Downtown Partnership) and the Santa House in the amount of$1,000. MSC
(Evelyn/Bill)
Old Business:
• Vi�or Mural— In response to comments from the Commission about the original design for the mural at
Vigor Fitness, the artist Alexander Codd is proposing a new concept for the public art piece that will
feature iconic athletic figures and the faces of Renton. Alexander plans to capture the likenesses of local
Renton citizens and celebrate the diversity and character of the community in this mural to be installed
at the Vigor building in Spring 2019. Alexander has proposed a budget of$7,500 for the project. Funding
has been provided in part by the Port of Seattle (through a grant to the Economic Development
Department) and by the building owner, Luka Hocevar. The request to the Arts Commission is to help
fund the project in the amount of$3,000. A motion was made and approved to fund the project in the
amount of$3,000 pending approval of the final mural design to incorporate local historical figures of
Renton. MSC(Bill/Evelyn)
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• Boone Kirkman mural (complete!)—The mural is complete and a celebration of the project is scheduled
for Wednesday, November 21 at La Hacienda between 5 and 7pm. A motion was made and approved to
sponsor the event in an amount not to exceed $500. MSC(Bill/Dave)
• Olde Fashioned Halloween Party (Oct 27)—The event was attended by an estimated 750 kids and their
families. More 30 downtown businesses participated in the Trick or Treating and there were 21 entries in
the scarecrow competition. The event was a huge success. Thank you to Neil and Evelyn for judging the
scarecrows. Merrill Gardens took first place and The Pencil Test received the People's Choice award.
• Renton's Own Rock Show(Nov 3)—The event was attended by 130 people. One takeaway from the
event is that the free admission may have encourage attendance from a disrespectful crowd. The
Theatre staff observed rude behavior from some of the patrons and a lack of respect for the space (lots
of iness was left behind). The recommendation was made to consider charging a nominal fee and
perhaps a recommended donation that will then be used to support a selected non-profit.
• Utilitv Box wraps in Sunset (update)—The designs are complete and will be installed by the end of the
month.
• Utilitv Box wraps in Downtown—Artist, Yvonne Chan has submitted three designs for the Arts
Commission to select from for the utility box downtown.The Arts Commission has made the request that
an additional 2 utility boxes be identified Downtown so that all three designs can be used.
• Utilitv Box wraps in Benson Hill —The artist, Camp., has submitted her final design and is working with the
installers to wrap the box in Benson Hill before the end of the year.
• Dra�on Update— Marsha will be meeting with Western Neon on Tuesday, November 20 to finalize and
approve the design of the dragon's head.The fabricators indicate that the project is still on target for
completion by the end of the year.
Committee Reports:
• Vacancies—The Committee to fill vacant commission positions has made the recommendation to
approve the appointment of Brianna Burroughs and Kaie Wise following two very successful candidate
interviews. A motion was made and approved to appoint Brianna and Kaie to the Arts Commission
effective immediately. MSC(Bill/Susan)
The meeting was adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
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