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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/04/2020 - Minutes 1 | P a g e RENTON MUNICIPAL ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, February 4, 2020 Members Present: Brianna Burroughs, Duffy Delgado, Evelyn Reingold, Kaie Wise, Marsha Rollinger, Mary Clymer, Neil Sheesley, Susan Jessick Staff Present: Jessie Kotarski, RMAC Administrative Assistant Chip Vincent, CED Administrator Guests: Armondo Pavone, Mayor, City of Renton Kim-Khánh Văn, Councilmember, City of Renton Kiley Thornton, Arts Commissioner (pending approval of Mayor’s appointment at the Feb 10 Council meeting) Christie Randolph, Arts Commissioner (pending approval of Mayor’s appointment at the Feb 10 Council meeting) Abdoul Gafour, Water Utility Manager, City of Renton Ron Straka, Utility Systems Director, City of Renton Eric Ott, Civil Engineer, Kennydale water tower Project Manager, City of Renton Tara (and Felix) Steed, Ascendance Pole and Aerial Arts Maggie Nation, Ascendance Pole and Aerial Arts Alan Wyatt, Capital Projects Manager, City of Renton Community Services Department Steven Platt, Architect, Cosmos Development Kevin McPherson, Wenatchee Youth Circus Call to Order: Meeting was called to order by RMAC Chair, Mary Clymer at 6:00 pm. Introduction of Guests: Mayor Armondo Pavone offered a brief introduction and welcome to the first official meeting of the Arts Commission in 2020. Abdoul Gafour presented the three designs that were shared with the Kennydale neighborhood for their comments on the selection of the art for the water tower project on N 30th Street. The artist selected for the project is Peter Goetzinger of Artistbrothers. Of the three designs, the neighborhood survey results (70%) indicate a majority approval of the design featuring evergreens and a landscape theme. A motion was made and approved to support the neighborhood’s selection of the tree theme with a request that the artist consider a design revision to include sky scenes that would represent different times of the day (from sunrise to night time). MSC (Marsha/Evelyn) Tara Steed and Maggie Nation, representing the Ascendance Pole and Aerial Arts studio located in downtown Renton, took the opportunity to provide a brief overview of the class offerings at the studio. Commissioners were encouraged to attend one of two open houses they offer each year at which the public is invited to see the space and view performances put on by students free of charge. They briefly explained the scholarship program designed to assist students who cannot otherwise afford the benefits of studio time and instruction. Qualified applicants are considered on a quarterly basis for a 3-month “unlimited membership” (a value of $720) at 75% of the cost. Steven Platt from Cosmos Development spoke to the Commission about the upcoming design plans for the River Front Plaza at the site of the former City Hall building at 200 Mill Ave S. Steven is charged with developing the 2 | P a g e Art Program for the project and is seeking involvement from the Commission early in the project in order to allow for the art to feel more integrated in the overall design and not appear as an afterthought. Some themes that were discussed include the use of light as art, emphasis on Renton-themes and art that is interactive in nature to engage the community. Additionally, It was recommended by the Commission that the city-owned Hunt Fountain, currently located at the 200 Mill site, be considered in the development plans. Kevin McPherson addressed the Commission representing his position as a member of the Board for the Wenatchee Youth Circus. The Wenatchee Youth Circus has performed for the past 28 years at Renton River Days and has been told that they do not have the support to return for the 2020 festival. The circus is currently seeking options for a show in Renton. They are currently looking at the possibility of August 1 but have not yet found an available venue. The approximate cost for a 1 day show would be $3,000 + venue fees. Alan Wyatt presented the updated designs for the proposed art at Sunset Neighborhood Park. The concept maintains the vertical element and vibrant color of the original proposal and replaces the “feather” design with a “wing” concept. The concept takes into consideration the role aviation plays in Renton and the Sunset community and compliments the aviation hangar style of the neighboring Highlands Sunset Library. The Commissioners questioned the access to the space under the structure and concerns with the possibility of pedestrians hitting their head on the “wings.” There were questions about landscaping underneath and whether or not lighting will be included in the design. Alan spoke to these issues and assured the Commission that conduit will be provided to the art location for lighting and the orientation of the art pieces will be addressed to provide maximum view of surfaces, avoid overlap onto adjoining walkways, and to provide visibility of CCTV cameras and police. The “wings” will be a design exclusive to the city of Renton. A motion was made and passed to approve the direction and further development of the “wing” concept for the art at Sunset Neighborhood Park. MSC (Duffy/Evelyn) Approval of Minutes: There was no regular meeting in January. Correspondence and Announcements:  Puget Sound Educational Service District Regional High School Art Show – Evelyn and Neil agreed to serve as judges at the annual art show on Thursday, February 13 (they will be joined by Christie). A motion was made and passed to support the PSESD annual art show with a gift certificate to Dick Blick in the amount of $200 to be presented to the selected “RMAC Commissioners’ Choice” at the award ceremony on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, 6-8 pm. MSC (Kaie/Neil) Committee Reports:  Grant Committee – Susan presented the new grant process established by the Committee for 2020. The updates to the process include: o A streamlined, single category grant to eliminate confusion (special projects, program and GAP categories are all considered through one application process) o Applicants will be required to attend a Commission meeting to present their proposal. o Grants range from $1,000 and $10,000 (exceptions will be considered upon request) o Applicants will need to register for a City of Renton business license (there is no fee for a non- profit license) o Requests less than $1,000 will be considered an ‘ask’ of the commission, and a letter of intent is requested. o Commissioners making requests for project support should not be present during decision- making discussions. o Contracts will be required for all grant recipients (and will include specific requirements such as time limitations, rotational schedules, performance completions, etc. 3 | P a g e o A grant writing workshop is scheduled for Thursday, April 23 at the Renton Library and will be presented by the Grants Committee to assist interested applicants with the RMAC grant process.  Vacancy Committee – Carlos Michel has stepped down from the Youth Position with the Arts Commission. Following the approval of the appointments of Christie Randolph and Kiley Thornton to the Commission, the youth position is currently the only vacant position on the Commission. Budget Update: A total of $26,243.71 from the 2019 budget remains for discussion and allocation.  Renton Hill Utility Box wrap – A motion was made and approved to support the creation of an original art piece to wrap the PSE switch box located at 1203 S 3rd Street with a $5,000 budget allocation. MSC (Susan/Evelyn) The artist fee will be $500 for a design for the box, and the remaining funds will be used to pay for the vinyl wrap installation.  Renton Housing Authority Utility Box wrap – A motion was made and approved to support the creation of an original art piece to wrap a City utility box located at a Renton Housing Authority project at 1518 Kirkland Ave NE with a $2,000 budget allocation. MSC (Marsha/Kaie) The artist fee will be $500 for a design for the box, and the remaining funds will be used to pay for the vinyl wrap installation.  Collection Photography – To better promote and catalog the City art collection, a motion was made and approved to utilize the remaining 2019 funds to contract a photographer to take professional photos of the collection. MSC (Marsha/Brianna) New Business:  Promotional postcards – Susan presented samples of postcards that can be printed to share Arts Commission information with the public. The postcards feature images of city-owned art, a short description of the piece and contact information for the Arts Commission.  Summer Music Sponsorship – Duffy presented an opportunity for the Arts Commission to take a leadership role in the city’s summer music scene with a sponsorship proposal that would include: o $11,000 in matching funds for three day stage opportunity at the 2020 Renton River Days o $9,000 for musician support for a three part downtown summer concert series The goal of this sponsorship is to help grow the visibility of the Arts Commission and provide support for local musicians and more opportunities for the public to experience a variety of musical performances. A motion was made and approved to allocate $18,243 to support an RMAC branded summer concert series; and to set aside at least $1,000 for promotional items [yet to be determined] to promote RMAC at public events. MSC (Bill/Neil) The meeting was adjourned at 8:05pm.