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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPAAC Packet 09-06-18Public Art Advisory Committee Thursday, September 6, 2018 3:30 PM Helling Lobby Conference Room 410 E Washington St AGENDA Call to order Public discussion of any item not on the agenda Consideration of minutes of the August 2, 2018 meeting Review of Southeast Junior High Art proposal for the Longfellow Tunnel Review of Proposed Amendment to Zoning Code related to Public Art In-Lieu Frees in Riverfront Crossings Committee announcements or Committee reports Staff reports Adjournment If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this program/event, please contact Marcia Bollinger, Neighborhood and Development Services at 319-356-5237 or marcia- bollinger@iowa-city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs. MINUTES PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE AUGUST 2, 2018 – 4:00 PM LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM – CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Erin Fitzgerald, Tam Bodkin Bryk, Wendy Brown, Steve Miller, Ron Knoche, Juli Seydell Johnson NOT PRESENT: Vero Rose Smith STAFF PRESENT: Marcia Bollinger, Morgan Musselman PUBLIC PRESENT: PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA: There was no public discussion of items not on the agenda. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF THE JULY 12, 2018 MEETING Knoche moved to approve the July 12th minutes. Seydell Johnson seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. REVIEW OF RFQ FOR CITY HALL LOBBY ART PROJECT Bollinger stated that the interest of the review of the RFQ for the City Hall lobby art project is to make sure the committee doesn’t have similar issues to those they had earlier in the process. Bollinger stated that she is particularly interested in making sure the committee phrases clearly that the project needs to be visually appealing to everyone. Seydell Johnson stated that she likes the RFQ and thinks it is very clear. Fitzgerald asked if Bollinger intends to include photos and measurements of the space in the official RFQ. Bollinger stated that photos of the stairwell and a few other angles will be included in the RFQ, which will be online. Fitzgerald asked if the initial RFQ included information about the terrazzo floors and brushed aluminum handrails. Bollinger said yes. Fitzgerald confirmed that the budget is lower than before because the committee had already paid out $1,000 in the first attempt at completing the project. Bollinger said yes and stated that the committee could allocate more money to the project from the Fiscal Year 2019 funds. Knoche stated that the committee needs to update the timeline. Fitzgerald asked if the City Manager has a special interest in this piece and if he has a specific timeline in mind. Bollinger said no, that his focus is more on the quality than the timeline at this time. Fitzgerald asked the committee if they want to move the timeline a year and a month ahead of what was initially listed. Bollinger stated that the committee could move some things closer, such as the deadline for applications. Brown asked if under the “Goal” section of the RFQ the committee wants to write “an eye-catching artwork with broad appeal for the many audiences that use this facility” because the committee wants the piece to be approachable by many people. Bollinger stated that she likes that and asked Brown if she would like to send some language to Bollinger after the meeting. Fitzgerald stated that she likes the word “approachable”. Bodkin Bryk stated that she likes the phrase “broad appeal”. Fitzgerald asked if the RFQ mentions anything about lighting and if the City intends to provide lighting for the piece. Seydell Johnson said that ideally, no. Fitzgerald stated that under Preliminary the ”Considerations” section of the RFQ, the committee could mention considerations of lighting. Fitzgerald stated that she thinks there should be something about the longevity of the piece mentioned in the RFQ. Bollinger stated that they committee doesn’t need to get into that much detail in the RFQ, but that the committee could create a more detailed outline once the artist is selected. Fitzgerald stated that the updated date she has for the response deadline is Friday, September 28, 2018. Miller asked if the RFQs will be reviewed on the following meeting, Thursday, October 4, 2018. The committee updated the selection of finalists to that date on the timeline. Fitzgerald confirmed that the presentation of design to the Public Art Advisory Committee will occur on Thursday, December 6, 2018. Knoche stated that the notification of finalist selection will occur on Friday, December 7, 2018. Bollinger stated that the execution of project agreement will occur Friday, January 4, 2019. Knoche stated that the final design review by the Public Art Advisory Committee will occur Thursday, February 7, 2019. Bollinger stated that the project should be completed by Friday, June 28, 2019 in order to stay within the fiscal year. Knoche asked if the location to which the applications should be delivered is stated in the RFQ. Bollinger responded that the application is entirely electronic. Fitzgerald stated that Bollinger should make sure the date changes in the “Selection” section from Thursday, Nov. 2 to Thursday, Oct. 4. Fitzgerald asked the committee if they still want to select four finalists or if they want to lower it. Seydell Johnson noted that the RFQ says “up to four finalists” and that the committee can choose less. Bollinger stated that the committee also has to section out a stipend of $250 per finalist and that a part of the discussion for FY19 should concern putting money back into this project, to make up for the fact that the committee has already spent $1,000. Fitzgerald asked if the committee would like to move into a discussion of the FY18 funds. Knoche asked if the committee selected finalists on the Thursday meeting and then notified the finalists that following Friday last year, and if that is the committee’s intention for this updated timeline as well. Knoche asked if the committee had had meant to move the selection of finalists to the Thursday meeting in the deadline instead, as the updated timeline states, rather than that following Friday. Fitzgerald stated that they should change the selection of finalists to Friday, October 5, 2018 and suggested that the committee changes it to “notification of finalists”. Knoche stated that this should also be updated in the “Selection” section. Fitzgerald stated that the deadline to apply written at the end of the RFQ should also be changed. Bollinger stated that she will redraft the RFQ and send it to the committee members for their approval. Fitzgerald asked the committee if they would like to move to a discussion of allocation for Fiscal Year 2019 funds. DISCUSSION OF ALLOCATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019 FUNDS Bollinger stated that she had pulled out information concerning what the committee had been funding over the last couple years. Bollinger stated that in FY18 the committee had $15,000 they had allocated $400 to the Longfellow tunnel, $8,000 for matching funds, and $6,000 for the community garden project at Chadek Green, and $10,000 for the City Hall art project. Bollinger stated that in FY17 the committee allocated funds to the STEAM wall installation at Robert E. Lee Recreation Center, $1000 for the Longfellow tunnel because the committee had thought a mural would be painted twice a year, $2,000 for maintenance, and $8,000 for matching funds. Bollinger stated that the committee has received $25,000 for FY19 and that she has spoken with the City Manager and that he does not have any specific plans for the committee, so the funds are flexible. Knoche confirmed that the $25,000 does not include the carryover from the City Hall art project funds. Brown asked if the committee is responsible for anything concerning the Snelson sculpture. Miller asked if there is any maintenance that needed to be done on that sculpture. Seydell Johnson stated that the committee will have a role in the Snelson sculpture relocation because a change in an ordinance is needed to relocate it. Seydell Johnson stated that the funds the Parks Department is receiving from the developer for this location are actually in a separate district, right next to where the park is, so the district needs to be reallocated, which requires a recommendation from the Public Art Advisory Committee. Seydell Johnson stated that the development funds have to be very closely tied to exactly where the development is happening and that the Parks Department had originally thought that the park was part of the area where the development is going and where the money is coming from. Miller asked if the committee should make a motion today. Seydell Johnson stated that the committee does not know the correct language for a motion at this point. Knoche asked if the money put up for the public art fund was tied to a similar district map as the park money. Seydell Johnson stated that she thinks the issue is that the Riverfront Crossings district does not include the park, only the surrounding area. Seydell Johnson stated that she does not have more information for the committee at this time and that she does not believe any money for FY19 needs to be allocated to the Snelson sculpture. Bodkin Bryk suggested that the committee reallocates $1,000 to the City Hall lobby art project. Fitzgerald asked if the committee wants to change the funding for the project to $10,000 plus an additional $1,000 to be distributed as a $250 stipend to each of the finalists selected. Bollinger stated that the City Manager’s initial vision for the City Hall lobby art project was to have multiple installations. Brown stated that the idea of multiple installations seems like a complication to the project. Fitzgerald stated that were she an artist working on this project, she would like to be aware that the larger piece would be expanded to other installations as a theme, and that she would not do so for the initial funds provided. Fitzgerald asked if the committee would like to allocate $1,000 to the City Hall lobby art project. The committee agreed upon th at allocation. Fitzgerald asked if there are going to be two installations for the Longfellow tunnel this year. Bollinger stated that there were some issues with spring installations due to moisture, so the installation of the mural would be moved to the fall. Fitzgerald asked if the committee would continue to fund $400 for that project. The committee agreed upon that allocation. Fitzgerald asked the committee if they would like to increase the funding for matching funds. Seydell Johnson stated that she thinks $8,000 is adequate for the number of responses received. Bodkin Bryk noted that the responses the committee has been receiving are increasing each year. Miller suggested planning to allocate $8,000 for now and reassessing that after funds have been decided for all other projects. The committee agreed to allocate $8,000 to the matching funds. Seydell Johnson suggested doing another artistic entrance to a community garden, similar to the Chadek Green placemaking project, as there are five other gardens that could use an entrance. Brown asked which park is the next largest. Seydell Johnson responded that the next largest park would be Weatherby but that she suggests Creekside Park because it is currently being renovated this fall and includes a community garden, or Willow Creek Park because a new playground is being built there and it would be a good side to add an artistic element to. Bodkin Bryk stated that she thinks the committee should continue with the theme of funding public art to be created for parks that have community gardens. Seydell Johnson suggested speaking with Cara Briggs Farmer directly because the committee has enjoyed working with her and she has experience working with Backyard Abundance due to the Chadek Green project. Seydell Johnson stated that keeping the same artist would add an element of continuity between the community gardens. Miller suggested bumping up the funding for this project to $10,000 because Briggs Farmer had informed the committee that the price of steel has more than doubled recently. Fitzgerald stated that $10,000 seems high and that she is concerned that if funding for FY20 is lower than $25,000, the committee would have to reduce funding for future phases of this project. Fitzgerald stated that funding could be contingent upon the size of the park. Sydell Johnson stated that each park would be its own individual project and that it makes sense to her to fund the project according to the size of the designated park. Fitzgerald suggested returning to this project at the end of the budget discussion to see if the committee has extra funds. Bollinger stated that Creekside did not participate in the Neighborhood Art Project and is lacking an identifying piece of public art that other areas do already have, such as Northside and Goosetown. Brown asked if any other neighborhoods have requested an identifying piece of public art. Bollinger stated that Lucas Farms has expressed interest and had received a neighborhood grant to create historical signs but that they would like a larger-scale entrance way that works along the same motif, so it is already designed in some sense. Fitzgerald suggested allocated $6,000 for Creekside and returning to it after other projects have been addressed. Fitzgerald brought up the idea of interactive art at city bus stops. Seydell Johnson requested that the committee does not go further with this idea. Fitzgerald brought up the idea of a poet/artist in residence. Bollinger stated that the inspiration for this idea was the city of Saint Paul’s which employs an Artist in Residence. Bodkin Bryk expressed concern about this idea as she does not think the committee’s budget is ample enough to employ an artist and that she enjoys working project by project. Fitzgerald stated that the committee has $9,600 remaining. Fitzgerald suggested funding the beautification of a space. Fitzgerald stated that the office meeting space in Old Brick for the organization Girls on the Run is run-down and in need of renovation. Brown questioned this space being considered a public space. Seydell Johnson stated that the committee would have to open this to an application process for all local nonprofits. Fitzgerald stated that this is an issue many nonprofits face because money is allocated to other areas and not the improvement of offices or meeting space. Bodkin Bryk stated that it sounds like a good idea but complications arise from the space not being publicly accessible or visually available to the public. Bollinger stated that she likes the idea of engaging local nonprofits to install public art in their facility and improve the spaces for their clients because such organizations do not have the resources to go through that process, but that such a process would likely have to be arranged with an artist-in-residence-like figure. Seydell Johnson stated that one of the biggest draws to the downtown area during the RAGBRAI overnight was the breakdance competition. Seydell Johnson stated that the competition cost around $600 and was run by Chuy (Jesus Renteria) from Hancher and drew a large crowd of all ages. Seydell Johnson stated that performance art is a type of art that the committee has not quite addressed before, and that she thinks it would be a good idea to do so, either as its own event or as part of a Party in the Park. Seydell Johnson suggested allocating $2,000 to this and coming to a specific agreement later concerning how that sum will be distributed. Seydell Johnson stated that the opening of Riverfront Crossings is set for some time next spring, which could be an opportunity for the committee to arrange an artistic element to the opening. Fitzgerald suggested interactive art, art that allows kids to come to the park and create something, such as pottery. Fitzgerald suggested allocating $2,000 to this project. Seydell Johnson stated that the Chauncey Swan Park development would be opening in 2019 and that public art could be placed there to compliment the building and the park. Fitzgerald stated that the committee has $5,600 remaining. Bodkin Bryk suggested adding to the community garden project. Fitzgerald suggested adding $1,600 to that project. Knoche asked if the committee needs to set aside some funds for maintenance. Bollinger stated that some funds should be set aside and that the committee had set aside $2,000 in previous years and that some of those funds could be used to improve the Iowa Avenue Literary Walk. Seydell Johnson stated that the committee could also pair with the Bookmobile to get art into the communities, either in an “art week” where the Bookmobile would have crafts and art-related books. Bollinger stated that the committee doesn’t need to make that decision today, and that they need to leave some money for maintenance. Fitzgerald stated that after allocating $2,000 to maintenance, the committee has $2,000 left. The committee decided to leave the $2,000 as fluff. Fitzgerald reviewed the allocation of funds: $1,000 to the City Hall lobby art project, $400 to the Longfellow tunnel, $8,000 to matching funds, $7,600 to the Creekside community garden art project, $2,000 to performance art, $2,000 to a kid-centered interactive art event at Riverfront Crossings park, $2,000 to a maintenance fund, with $2,000 left over as fluff. Bodkin Bryk suggested subtracting $500 from the performance art budget and reallocating it to the fluff sum, so that the committee would have $2,500 left. Seydell Johnson said that if the committee leaves $2,000 as fluff, it could eventually be redistributed to matching funds or the performance art. Fitzgerald asked the committee if they would like to take $600 from the Creekside Park project and use that as extra money. Seydell Johnson stated that the Creekside project, due to the size of the park, would likely need that full $7,600. Bodkin Bryk stated that she would rather drop the budget for performance art down to $1,500 and that the committee could put more money towards that project later on if desired. Miller stated that the allocations are not permanent, and that the City Hall lobby art project and the Creekside community garden project were both pieces that will likely be around for a while, and a worth investing more money in. Fitzgerald stated that the committee was at $22,500 for tentative commitments of funding and $2,500 left. Miller asked if the committee had used the maintenance fund from FY18. Bollinger responded that the committee had not made a maintenance fund for FY18 because it had added extra funds to the matching funds budget. Fitzgerald stated that one new project that will require maintenance this year is the Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp placemaking project. Miller asked if there is room for new public art in the Ped Mall or if that has already been decided. Bollinger stated that all public art that had been there before the renovation, except the “Dorothy” sculpture, will be relocated within the Ped Mall once construction is done. Fitzgerald asked about the bridge being built near Hancher and suggested adding signage that would explain the history of the area or something similar. Knoche stated that they were working on a plaque with the library about the history of the crossing in that area and that they will mount it on the southeast side of the bridge. Miller asked if this is the automobile bridge or the pedestrian bridge. Knoche stated that it is the automobile bridge. Seydell Johnson moved to approve the allocation of funds for Fiscal Year 2019. Brown seconded. Motion passed unanimously. COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS OR REPORTS: Fitzgerald stated that she thought the city looked nice for RAGBRAI. Brown stated that she enjoyed herself. Miller stated that he thought it was fun. STAFF REPORTS: Bollinger stated that the Southeast teacher and her students will be attending the next meeting to present their proposal. Fitzgerald announced that she is selling her home and will no longer be an Iowa City resident and that she will probably be on the committee until October. Bollinger stated that they will need to post the position opening. ADJOURNMENT: Knoche moved to adjourn. Miller seconded. Meeting adjourned 5:17 p.m. Public Art Advisory Committee Attendance Record 2018 Name Term Expires 9/7 11/2 1/4 2/1 4/5 5/3 6/7 7/12 8/2 Bodkin Bryk, Tam 01/01/19 x x O/E x x x x x x Brown, Wendy 01/01/20 x O/E x x x x x x x Erin Fitzgerald 01/01/20 x x x x x x x x x Knoche, Ron x x x x x x x x x Seydell- Johnson, Juli O/E x x x x x x x x Vero Rose Smith 01/01/21 -- -- x O/E x x O/E x O/E Steve Miller 02/01/21 -- -- -- x x x O/E x x Key: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused --- = Not a member Date: September 6, 2018 To: Planning & Zoning Commission From: Anne Russett, AICP, Senior Planner, Neighborhood and Development Services Department Re: Amendment to Title 14, Zoning Code of the Iowa City Code related to Public Art In- Lieu Fees in Riverfront Crossings (ZCA18-00002) Introduction The proposed amendment to the zoning code (Title 14 of the Iowa City Code), changes the requirement that public art funds received for height bonuses be spent in the same Riverfront Crossing subdistrict as the subject property that contributed the funds. The amendment allows the funds to be spent anywhere within the Riverfront Crossings district. Background The Riverfront Crossing’s form-based code outlines several bonus height provisions, including one for public art. This bonus provision grants developments one additional story if a public art contribution is made equal to one percent of the value of the project. The first project to use this provision since the adoption of the Riverfront Crossings form-based code was the project at 707 S. Dubuque Street. This project contributed one percent of the project costs to public art to receive a height bonus. The total amount contributed to the City’s public art fund equals approximately $73,000. Upon receipt of the contribution, the City recognized the limited potential uses for the funds since the zoning code requires the funds to be spent within the same subdistrict as the subject building, which in this case is the Central Crossings subdistrict. The City and the Public Arts Committee wish to relocate the sculpture (see Figure 1) currently located along N. Dubuque Street to the Riverfront Crossings Park. The sculpture, Four Module Piece Form II by Kenneth Snelson, is considered one of the more valuable pieces within the City’s collection. Its current location along N. Dubuque Street is not ideal. Moving it to Riverfront Crossings Park will give it more prominence and also provide an opportunity to make some needed repairs. Over the past year, the Public Arts Committee has been working toward moving this sculpture to Riverfront Crossings Park [Attachments 1 & 2]. The public art bonus provision could provide the committee with the funds needed to make this goal a reality. August 31, 2018 Page 2 Figure 1. A photograph of Four Module Piece Form II (1968) from its current location along North Dubuque Street. Proposed Amendment Staff proposes an amendment to the Riverfront Crossings form-based code to allow public art funds received for height bonuses to be spent anywhere in the district, including the park, as opposed to only within the same subdistrict as the project that requests the bonus. Staff proposes this amendment for the following reasons: •The Riverfront Crossings Master Plan identifies areas within the district appropriate for public art [Attachment 3]. The largest area identified is the Riverfront Crossings Park, which is identified as “public parks and open space” on the regulating plan – not a subdistrict [Attachment 4]. Since the Riverfront Crossings Park is not identified as a subdistrict it cannot benefit from the public art bonus provisions, even though the master plan identifies it as a key location for the placement of public art. •The amendment keeps the funds within a defined area, but provides more flexibility in the use of the funds for the benefit of the entire district. The Public Art Committee will be reviewing the proposed amendment at its meeting on Thursday, September 6, 2018. Staff will have an update on the outcome of that meeting at the Commission’s September 6, 2018 meeting. Comprehensive Plan Consistency The proposed amendment supports the comprehensive plan and the following Arts and Culture Goal and Strategy: •Develop partnerships that build community support for and access to Arts and Culture. o Collaborate with the school district, businesses, and other organizations to expand the reach of Arts and Culture resources in our community. The proposed amendment also supports the vision of the Downtown & Riverfront Crossings Master Plan, which includes a framework element focused on public art. This element identifies several areas appropriate for public art, the largest of which is the Riverfront Crossings Park. August 31, 2018 Page 3 Staff Recommendation Staff recommends that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommend adoption of the following proposed amendment to 14-2G-7G-6 of the Iowa City Code by the Iowa City City Council, contingent on the approval of the proposed amendment by the Public Art Committee: Height Bonus For Public Art: One additional floor of building height may be granted for a contribution to the city's public art program equal to one percent (1%) of threshold value of the project. Threshold value is the sum of all construction costs shown on all building permits associated with the project, including site preparation. For alterations to existing development, the threshold value is the sum of all construction costs as defined above plus the value of existing improvements to the property, as listed in the city assessor's records. Funds contributed shall be used by the city for public art within the riverfront crossings district subdistricts where the subject building is located as approved by the public art committee. Attachments: 1.Original Location of Four Module Piece Form II 2.Proposed New Location of Four Module Piece Form II 3.Public Art Framework Element of the Riverfront Crossings Master Plan 4.Riverfront Crossings Regulating Plan Approved by: _____________________________________________ Danielle Sitzman, AICP, Development Services Coordinator Department of Neighborhood and Development Services ATTACHMENT 1 Proposed Snelson Sculpture Location ATTACHMENT 2 downtown and riverfront crossings plan48 public art Artists have pioneered the redevelopment of neighborhoods across the country. Whether activating an area by occupying marginal buildings or vacant storefronts, enhancing the perception of an area by publicly displaying art and holding gallery nights/ walks, or building a “creative class” that helps stimulate the local economy, art is a key element in any progressive community, and will be a key element in the Downtown and Riverfront Crossings District. Many opportunities exist for incorporating art into the District, including: Art Incubator Program Develop an incubator program to place artists (both studio and gallery space) into vacant buildings on a temporary basis in order to fill empty storefronts and provide low-cost opportunities for starting artists. Public Art Place art in public spaces, such as the new regional park, the pedestrian mall, Clinton Plaza, Station Plaza, Riverside Drive entrance monuments, riverview greens, and along the Clinton Street Promenade. Community Arts Center Explore the possibility of developing a Community Arts Center in the administration building at the former wastewater treatment plant or other suitable location within the Riverfront Crossings District or Downtown. Functional Art Establish a policy to integrate art/design into functional infrastructure, such as street furniture, streetlights, bridges, power substation fencing, etc. Gilbert Street Arts District Create an Arts District within the Gilbert Street District. This district would be low-scale and organic in nature, and be incorporated into the existing building stock, keeping artist live/work/sell space functional and affordable. As the district matures, the Maiden Lane Mews could be developed, and lined with live-work studios and galleries. Right: Public Art Location Diagram ATTACHMENT 3 ATTACHMENT 4