Arts & Culture Commission - February 28, 2018
The Special Meeting of the Arts and Culture Commission of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the City Commission Room at City Hall at 5:00 o’clock p.m., Wednesday, February 28, 2018.
The Arts and Culture Commissioners present or absent were as follows:
Present: Arlette Preston, Jon Offutt, Deb Williams, Denese Odegaard, Mark Johnson, Michael Olsen
Absent: David Bertolini, Tim Lamey, Jessica Jung
Chair Preston called the meeting to order and welcomed Members to the meeting.
Item 1: Order of Agenda
Mr. Olsen moved to approve the order of agenda. Second by Mr. Offutt. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 2: Minutes: Regular Meeting of December 20, 2017
Mr. Johnson moved the minutes of the December 20, 2017 Arts and Culture Commission meeting be approved. Second by Mr. Olsen. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3: 2018 Budget
Ms. Preston presented on the 2018 budget no further discussion was held.
Item 3a: Electrical Box Art Proposal (Chris Schlepp BID)
The commissioners who were not present at the February 21, 2018 were given a copy of the meeting to watch so they could see the presentation. Commissioners discuss what is the role of the Arts and Culture Commission and discussed process. The commissioners would like to see the call for artist opened up to all community members. They would like to see Mr. Offutt be present on the selection committee. Should the commission be fully funding projects? A goal of the Public Art Master Plan is to work with partners. In the call for artists the commissioners note that the term “professional artist” cannot be defined and therefore should not be in the call. The commission does not want to limit anyone from applying.
Mr. Johnson moves to table the proposal until the March 21, 2018 meeting. Second by Mr. Offutt. All members presented voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3b:RedBall Project (Brad Bachmeier)
The commissioners who were not present at the February 21, 2018 were given a copy of the meeting to watch so they could see the presentation. The commission discussed if they gave the asking amount would the money be able to be refunded if the project does not come to fruition.
Mr. Olson moves to approve the $15,000 funding request for the RedBall project with the condition that if the project does not go through the commission would get refunded the full $15,000. Mr. Offutt seconds. All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 4: New City Hall Report – RFP for Exterior Panels
Ms. Rakowitz presents on the exterior panels of City Hall. The RFP would be distributed through social media, commissions within the city and the general public. The commission would create an advisory committee for choosing the art which would then be presented to the full Arts and Culture Commission and then to the Mayor.
Mr. Olson moves to distribute the RFP for the exterior panels. Ms. Odegaard seconds. All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 5: Monthly Management Report – Hayes
Ms. Rakowitz presents the monthly management report. Commissioners discuss if the piece should be restored and what the overall theme of the city’s collection should be. If restored there should be a plaque stating that the piece was restored.
Mr. Olson moves to restore the Hayes piece through insurance. Mr. Offutt seconds. All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 6: Managing Controversy
Ms. Rakowitz presents the managing controversy policy and why it is important that the city have this policy. Mr. Olson agrees that it is critical to have a controversy policy. The commission would like staff to bring forward the full policy at the March meeting.
Item 7: Public Art Status Report
This item was not discussed at this time since it did not require an approval by the board.
Item 8: Native American Commission Liaison
Ms. Preston presents the addition of a Native American Commission Liaison. The Native American Commission would pick a member from their board to sit as a nonvoting member of the Arts and Culture Commission. The commission would like to see other liaisons from the community.
Ms. Williams moves to approve the Native American Commission Liaison. Mr. Johnson seconds. All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 9: Arts and Culture Commission Seat Vacancy
Ms. Preston lets the commission know that there is currently a vacant seat on the commission. Mr. Lamey will no longer be able to serve on the commission. Ms. Preston also states that Mr. Bertolini has offered his resignation if the commission would choose to accept it. The commission formally accepts Mr. Bertolini’s resignation.
Item 10: 2018 Work Plan
Ms. Preston presents on the 2018 work plan and the allocation of staff’s time.
Mr. Olson moves to approve the 2018 work plan as a living, breathing document. Ms. Williams seconds. All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 11: Other Business or Public Comments
Chair Preston called for public comment. No comment was offered.