HomeMy WebLinkAboutPAAC Agenda Packet 8-3-23Public Art Advisory Committee
Thursday, August 3, 2023
3:30 PM
Emma Harvat Hall
City Hall, 410 E. Washington
AGENDA
1.Call to order
2.Introductions of members and public attending the meeting
3.Public discussion of any item not on the agenda
4. Lucas Farms project update
5.Consider Black Hawk Mini Park interpretive panel project future
6.Staff updates
a.South District Bench project update
b.Sculpture Showcase
7.Adjournment
If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this program/event, please
contact Wendy Ford, Economic Development and Public Art Coordinator at 319-356-5248 or wendy-
ford@iowa-city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your
access needs.
PAAC 8-3-23 meeting packet page 1
Minutes Public Art Advisory Committee July 6, 2023
Emma Harvat Hall
Public Art Advisory Committee
Members Present: Juli Seydell Johnson, Andrea Truitt, Nate Sullivan, Ron Knoche,
Steve Miller, Jenny Gringer
Members Absent: Eddie Boyken, Anita Jung, Jeremy Endsley
Staff present: Wendy Ford, Rachel Kilburg
Public Present: Ethan Wyatt, Ray Michels, Dominic Dongilli
Call to Order Miller called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
Introduction of members and public attending the meeting New committee member Nate Sullivan was introduced and welcomed.
Farewell to outgoing member
Commission members thanked outgoing commission member Domonic Dongilli, who also shared his appreciation for serving.
Public Discussion of Any Item Not on the Agenda None.
Consider minutes of the June 8, 2023 PAAC meeting. Miller noted minor typo correction to minutes. Johnson moved and Gringer seconded that the minutes from the June 8, 2023 meeting be approved. Motion passed (6-0).
South District Bus Stop Bench update and concepts Ray Michels, Artist Mentor, introduced himself and indicated Ethan Wyatt, Emerging Artist, would not be attendance. Michels provided an update that the artists are working on refining the concept, that materials are within budget at this stage, and engineering and installation related costs are still unknown.
Ford asked Knoche whether planometric drawing could be provided. Knoche stated that they can share the site plans for the bus stop and sidewalk with the project artists and will need to work with the DOT to determine engineering requirements. Ray indicated he would like to meet with Knoche and Johnson to discuss next steps.
Miller asked whether it appeared the art could be placed in the right-of-way. Knoche believes it can be in the right-of-way but will require both City and DOT review and approval.
PAAC 8-3-23 meeting packet page 2
Michels shared they are considering incorporating a ski lift bench since it would already be appropriately engineered and could address mobility and accessibility concerns about the swing in the initial design.
Miller asked whether the survey had closed and Michels confirmed that no additional responses have been received and the hand holding a bench concept was still the frontrunner after approximately 218 responses. Miller asked for clarification on fabrication and material costs. Michels stated the artists will be fabricating the piece and
costs known so far are within budget, but many costs remain unknown, and estimates
are needed. The commission suggested Michels and Wyatt continue to provide monthly updates to the commission, and that a contract amendment may be considered if necessary to
adjust the timeline. Miller suggested the artists finish meeting with City staff and a
structural engineer before the August meeting, which Michels agreed to. Staff Updates Ford shared an update on the Airport mural project. The commission has raised
$25,000 and the mural will include components recognizing the contributions of some of
those donors. A benefactor intends to cover the gap of any remaining donations needed to achieve the total fundraising goal. Ford also provided an update on public art repairs. Ford and Johnson met with Dave
Dennis, who has previously helped renovate multiple City public art installations. Dennis
will provide cost estimates for repairs to Birds in Flight on the Sycamore Greenway,
One’s Reality near Riverside Dr. and HWY 6, and the wooden Kovalev sculptures in Willow Creek Park. The City will be assisting with removal of art for repair.
Finally, Ford shared an update on the Lucas Farms neighborhood public art project. The
project team has agreed to the plan recommended by the commission at the June meeting and will be on the August agenda to provide a progress update. Miller clarified that Ford communicated the expectations for Lucas Farm’s presentation at the August meeting, which Ford confirmed and cited the specific parameters contained in the June
meeting minutes.
Miller asked if there was unallocated money leftover in their FY23 budget. Ford shared that the only money not already encumbered are the funds that have not been spent down for repairs and restoration. She reminded the commission they had decided to
set-aside $8,000 in unallocated Public Art Matching Grant funds to address the need for repair and restoration of existing public art. Ford also shared that the City Manager’s Office will be considering what to do with the public art funds paid through fee-in-lieu of a Riverfront Crossings development.
Gringer asked about the Blackhawk Mini Park indigenous art and interpretive signage project. Ford stated she did not have an update and Gringer shared her perception that the artist would probably not be able to complete the project. Ford stated she would be reluctant to carry the funds forward for an additional year without progress. Knoche
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asked what deliverables were received by the original artist already. Ford shared that an interpretive panel design was received but is too low-resolution to be able to proceed.
Johnson asked whether the funds can be carried forward for a different project if this
project is not possible. Miller agreed. Ford shared some background on the project. Truitt expressed her desire to salvage the project and Ford suggested the commission add it to the August meeting agenda. Staff will discuss options for moving forward with the City Attorney’s Office, in absence of the ability to communicate with the artist.
Knoche suggested the Iowa City Public Library may be able to assist with research.
Adjournment Knoche moved to adjourn at 4:41 pm. Gringer seconded. Motion passed (6-0).
PAAC 8-3-23 meeting packet page 4
Public Art Advisory Committee
Attendance Record
2022-23
Name Term Expires 8/4/22 9/8/22 10/13/22 11/3/22 12/1/22 1/5/23 2/2/23 4/6/22 5/4/22 6/8/23 7/6/23
Ron Knoche X X X* X X X X X* X X X
Juli Seydell-
Johnson
X* X X X* X X* X X X X X
Steve Miller 12/31/23 X X X X X X X O/E X X X
Eddie Boyken
12/31/24 X X X X X X O/E X O/E O/E O/E
Andrea
Truitt
12/31/25 X X X O/E X X X X X X X
Dominic Dongilli 6/30/23 X O/E X O/E X O X X X X ---
Anita Jung 6/30/23 X O/E O/E O/E O/E X X X X X O/E
Jenny
Gringer
12/31/23 --- X O/E X X X X O/E O/E X X
Jeremy Endsley 12/31/25 --- X X O/E X X O/E O/E X X O/E
Nate
Sullivan
6/30/26 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- X
Key: X = Present X* = Delegate attended O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused --- = Not a member
PAAC 8-3-23 meeting packet page 5
Memorandum
To: Public Art Advisory Committee
From: Wendy Ford, Public Art Coordinator
Date: August 1, 2023
Re: Black Hawk Mini Park interpretive sign project
Background
November 2021 PAAC discussed options for use of BIPOC funding allocation. Bollinger suggested they
form a subcommittee to further investigate the logistics of his proposal while keeping things moving at
the same time. Miller, Purington, Boyken, and Seydell-Johnson volunteered to be on the subcommittee.
January 2022 scheduled meeting with Dawson Davenport cancelled due to no response after several
attempts. Staff suggested the committee consider opening the opportunity to other indigenous artists
through an RFQ process. The committee agreed with this direction and Bollinger stated she would have
an RFQ available for review at the February meeting.
February 2022 PAAC reviewed RFQ for BHMP. From the February, 2022 minutes, Knoche recalled that at
the previous meeting the members had decided to likely work with Davenport on the project, but since
he had not responded to the email at that time that if he was unresponsive, the Committee would issue
the RFQ. Bollinger recalls the Committee deciding to proceed with the RFQ regardless. Ford clarified she
knows they did not decide a deadline for Davenport to respond before proceeding with the RFQ but said
since the City has been interested in working with him before and he has reciprocated that interest that
it makes sense to proceed by working with Davenport. She asked the Committee if Davenport’s slow
response time was a concern with proceeding to work with him. Truitt supported moving forward
working with Davenport but proposed setting up a meeting with him set out parameters for the project
before releasing the FRQ. Knoche said he was concerned that if the Committee were to release the RFQ
and collect responses while likely planning to work with Davenport, responders might not actually have
an opportunity to work on the project. Miller supported proceeding by working with Davenport
assuming he will be responsive and timely. Dongilli agreed, adding that Davenport proposed a matching
fund project a couple years ago and is a very good applicant for this project as an Indigenous artist and a
community member of Iowa City. Truitt agreed and reiterated the importance of having a strong first
meeting to establish the project. Bollinger said she would move forward with scheduling a meeting with
Davenport and the subcommittee for this project. Dongilli moved to proceed working with Dawson
Davenport for the Black Hawk Mini Park Project. Boyken seconded. Knoche suggested that the
Committee doesn’t have enough information to decide to move forward with Davenport, but rather
should make the decision to table the RFQ and proceed with the subcommittee meeting. Dongilli
rescinded motion. Knoche moved to table the RFQ for the Black Hawk Mini Park Project. Dongilli
seconded. Unanimously approved.
February 18, 2022 Subcommittee met with Dawson Davenport and discussed sculptural project and an
interpretive plaque describing history of Black Hawk Mini Park and the history of the land it occupies.
May 5, 2020 Dawson was not able to make the PAAC meeting at the last minute, however the PAAC
approved his concept. Discussion of the Artist agreement was tabled until payment terms were figured
out with Davenport.
July 7, 2022 PAAC meeting. Dawson presented the concept which was now plaque (the sculpture idea he
had pondered had become cost prohibitive). Also discussed was the manufacture of the plaque by ASI
sign manufacturing for around $3000. With only a $5000 budget, this would only leave $2000 for the
art. It was moved and seconded that we approve the concept pending additions of color and move
forward with the initial payment of $1667.
PAAC 8-3-23 meeting packet page 6
August 4, 2022 PAAC meeting:
Ford reminded the Committee that Dawson Davenport had shown his concept at last month’s meeting,
which was approved at that time. She also showed the near final version of his design to the committee.
At the last meeting, Dawson had indicated he would be okay with having a 3rd party sign manufacturer
take his design and incorporate it into the finished product. An estimate from ASI for that sign was
$3,402.
Ford then explained that the agreement with Dawson would need to be modified from the original
draft. Working with the City Attorneys office, they drafted a version that would ensure Dawson receive
the initial payment of $1667, as had been stipulated in the first draft he saw, but because the 3rd party
manufacturer would eat up $3,400 of the $5,000 budget, would risk not receiving any more.
Ford reminded the committee that at the last meeting it was suggested that the artist should receive at
least as much as the sign manufacturing would cost. In order to do that, however, an increase for the
project budget would need to be budgeted into the FY23 budget to be more fully discussed later in the
meeting. It was discussed that for the remaining $1804, if approved, Part 2 of the project would be the
write up of biographical and historical information on Black Hawk and the Mini Park, accessible by QR
code on the plaque. Dominic mentioned the already existing Black Hawk Mini Park webpage saying it,
too, would be a good resource.
Steve asked if there were any concerns with adding $1,804 from the FY23 budget. Ron stated concern
about increasing the budget and wondered how the original $5,000 was determined. Anita suggested it
was an optimistic budget figure, and Steve confirmed that even at $5,000 there was not a lot of room in
the budget, but he agreed that adding a little more to the budget is fair to the artist. Tyler Baird
indicated Juli
was okay
with the
increase. Ron
moved to
approve the
$1,804
budget
increase from
the FY23
budget,
Dominic
seconded,
and the
motion
passed (7-0).
There was no
more contact
with Dawson
after this
point.
The budget changes are explained above. To date, Dawson has received $1667 for the completion of the
concept.
Black Hawk Mini Park project; staff recommendation to increase budget
5,000.00$ Original Budget
Draft agreement planned for 3 installments of $1667.00
1st installment would be owed after concept approval in draft agreement
Subsequently, PAAC offered having a 3rd party manufacture the panel
Dawson accepted that offer
-3,402.00$ ASI's estimate
=1,598.00$ FY22 project budget remaining for artist
There was a suggestion that the artist be paid at least equal to manufacture costs
+1,804.00$ If we add this amount to FY23 budget for Part 2 of the project
=3,402.00$ Then, Dawson's fee would be equal to the ASI production
Part 2 of the project would include the web based
biographical info on Black Hawk and
historical info on Black Hawk Mini Park
6,804.00$ Total project cost
1,667.00$ paid to Dawson; we do not have high enough quality file to do the project
PAAC 8-3-23 meeting packet page 7