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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - City Council - Meeting Date: 1/17/2001 * PLEASE NOTE: Since the Glendale City Council does not take formal action at the Workshops, Workshop minutes are not approved by the City Council. MINUTES GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL & ARTS COMMISSION JOINT SPECIAL WORKSHOP GLENDALE CIVIC CENTER ONYX ROOM 5750 WEST GLENN DRIVE January 17, 2001 5:45 p.m. MAYOR & COUNCIL Mayor Scruggs, Vice Mayor Eggleston, and Councilmembers PRESENT: Clark, Frate, Goulet, Lieberman, and Martinez. ARTS COMMISSION Andre Licardi, Chair; Judy Atkins, Vice Chair; Charlotte Bellah; MEMBERS PRESENT: Denise Daniels; Gary Flowers, Dr. Kathleen H. Goeppinger; and Judith Olsen CITY STAFF PRESENT: Martin Vanacour, City Manager; Ed Beasley, Assistant City Manager; Rick Flaaen, Acting City Attorney; and Pamela Oliveira, City Clerk. 1. REVUE OF PUBLIC ART PROGRAM CITY STAFF PRESENTING THIS ITEM: Ms. Pam Kavanagh, Deputy City Manager; Mr. Warren Smith, Director of Parks and Recreation; and Mr. Wayne Baxter, Recreation Superintendent of Special Operations In 1983, the City of Glendale adopted an ordinance dedicating one-half of 1% of City- sponsored construction projects to fund public art. This program is known as the "percent for art program". Glendale has the distinction of being the first city in the state of Arizona to initiate such a program. The Arts Commission develops and operates under a strategic five-year plan that identifies goals and objectives to guide the percent for art program and meet the expectations of the Mayor and City Council. The current Five-Year Plan for Public Art, established by the Arts Commission in 1995, identifies the following four goals: 1 . As appointees of the Mayor and City Council, the Glendale Arts Commission seeks to encourage, strengthen, and expand visual and performing arts in the City of Glendale. 2. To make a significant commitment to arts education in the community. 3. To establish a procedure for the operation of the Glendale Arts Commission. 4. To increase public awareness and accessibility to the arts and cultural opportunities in Glendale. Over the past five years of this plan, the following activities have taken place: Year Sculptures Paintings Performing Arts Grants 1996 (5) $ 78,800 (11) $ 6,555 (0) 1997 (1) $ 80,000 (4) $ 3,150 (5) $ 9,700 1998 (1) $ 50,000 (7) $ 7,445 (4) $ 9,735 1999 (3) $294,000 (3) $ 4,225 (9) $20,200 2000 (0) (6) $ 4,135 (8) $19,750 2001 (0) (18) $12,402 (8) $19,720 TOTAL: (10) $502,800 (49) $37,912 (34) $79,105 GRAND TOTAL: $619,817 In 1998, additional accomplishments included raising the percent for art levy to 1% and establishing an arts preservation/maintenance fund. In 2000, a temporary contractual position funded out of the percent for art program for a Public Art Coordinator was authorized by City Council. Current projects under review and consideration by the Arts Commission include: • Maintenance and Preservation (ongoing) • Veterans' Memorial • Elsie McCarthy Sensory Garden • Civic Center • Performing Arts Grants • Water Reclamation Facility • Public Art Promotional Brochure • Web page • Skunk Creek Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge Future projects (within the next 2 to 3 years) that the Arts Commission will be working on include: '7 • Adult Center • Multi-generation Facility • Visual Arts Grant Program • Sine Building • Western Regional Park • Development of Public Art Master Plan involving citizen participation The members of the Arts Commission and the Mayor and City Council discussed the direction of current and future art acquisition policies so that a new Public Art Master Plan can be created. As a part of the discussion, staff reviewed the current financial status of the Municipal Arts Fund. The Municipal Arts Fund has a current balance of $643,239 The recommendation was to review this item and provide staff with direction. Councilmember Clark asked why the amounts in Fiscal Year 2002-03 were significantly higher than prior and subsequent years. Mr. Smith explained that it is based on funds approved annually in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Councilmember Clark asked if they anticipated a lot of construction during that period. Mr. Smith said they did and, in fact, they showed a total of approximately $48 million in capital projects for Fiscal Year 2001-02, with $91 million available for capital projects in Fiscal Year 2002-03. Mr. Smith referred to the City of Mesa's Public Arts Master Plan in Section 4 of the binder. Councilmember Martinez said he found Mesa's Master Plan helpful. He noted that the City of Mesa had focus groups obtain input from the citizenry. He expressed his opinion that they should also include citizen input in the City of Glendale's plan. He said the public art should reflect the diversity of the neighborhoods. Mr. Smith said they would like to hire a consultant to do an evaluation assessment and recommend procedures used to acquire art. He said they hoped the Council would be open to providing a set of goals and guidelines for the next ten years, based on community input and the evaluation of current policies. He stated that they picked Mesa's Master Plan because it showed their commitment to public involvement. Councilmember Clark said she liked the idea of a master plan that includes public involvement. She referred to Page 12 of the Master Plan, noting that the third bullet was important. She said she was also impressed with Mesa's attempts to encourage voluntary participation by commercial and business interests. She expressed her opinion that Glendale should also encourage its businesses to get involved by putting art in their buildings. She said she also appreciated the concept of civic artists who serve as consultants to City staff and design functional objects used throughout the City. She said she would also like to see the themes that are outlined in Mesa's Master Plan incorporated into Glendale's plan. Mayor Scruggs said Mesa's plan has an annual planning process for site selection. She said Glendale's plan should include similar site selection criteria rather than following the present process of placing art in every public building. She explained that sites which attract thousands of people should have more art than those facilities that do not. Mr. Licardi said they had discussed putting artwork in public schools and hoped to have the consultant help them through the selection process. 3 Ms. Atkins said one of the first questions the Commission asks is how accessible the site is to the public. Ms. Bellah stated that the hiring of a full-time Art Coordinator was a giant step towards enabling the Commission to put a plan together. Councilmember Martinez agreed that the City of Mesa's plan includes very good material. Mayor Scruggs asked if performance art would receive equal consideration with visual art in the five-year plan. Mr. Licardi said they had discussed going beyond the current ranking process. He said they were looking to improve overall art in the Glendale area. Mayor Scruggs acknowledged the fact that the Commission had worked hard to find ways to participate in furthering performance art. Mayor Scruggs said some parks in the City of Tempe have art structures that are designed for children to climb on. She suggested that the Commission explore the issue. Mr. Licardi said they had discussed ways to involve children in art, noting that vandalism is reduced if children are involved in the process. Councilmember Goulet asked if the budget includes an allocation for recording performing artists. Mr. Licardi said various issues regarding performing arts were currently being discussed as part of the Master Plan. Mayor Scruggs said the City had never done a true assessment of the broad citizenry's acceptance, importance, or rejection of the concept of public art. She stated that they had heard over and over again that citizens were looking for the City of Glendale to upgrade and offer some of the amenities and attractions that signify Glendale is a city that values the timeless. She suggested that the Commission attend district Council meetings as part of its public outreach to obtain a fresh prospective on public art. Dr. Goeppinger said she did not realize how extensive the City's art collection was when she first joined the Commission. She noted the need for the City to educate citizens as to what the collection contains and what it means to the City of Glendale. She said they should look at creating interactive web site information and getting more publicity as part of the long-term plan. Mayor Scruggs suggested including a one-hour presentation on Glendale's Public Arts Program as part of Glendale University. Ms. Kavanagh noted that they had a brief session regarding public art at the last Glendale University meeting. Councilmember Lieberman suggested that they put a brochure at the Visitors Center, specific to public arts. He stated that the brochures could also be included in mailings. Mr. Licardi said, now that they have a full-time coordinator, they have inventoried and photographed everything for the purposes of a brochure or web site. He agreed that people need to be educated on what the City has. Councilmember Clark recommended that focus groups be created and they reach out to as many citizens as possible. She suggested placing a survey on an interactive web site and printing the survey in the Glendale Connection for those residents who do not have ready access to the Internet. 4 Councilmember Frate suggested having a monitor at various pieces of artwork that explain the significance of the piece. Councilmember Martinez asked if any art was planned for Greenbriar and Sunset Vista Parks. Mr. Smith said those parks were not currently in the plan. Mr. Licardi said they had a budget of approximately $1 million and they could not do a fraction of the things identified without staff and additional research. He stated they have to look at how to do business as an Arts Commission and Council and how the community would best be served. He said the Commission was looking for direction from City staff as to the areas the Arts Commission can go and how it can best serve a growing community. Mayor Scruggs asked how they select which locations get art and if selection criteria would make selecting those locations easier. Mr. Licardi agreed that selection guidelines should be put into place to prevent things from getting out of balance. Vice Mayor Eggleston asked if the Commission had a timeframe for the Master Plan. Mr. Smith said they were not sure if they had to do a budget supplemental. He explained that they hoped to fund the Master Plan out of the 1% art fund. He said, in that case, they would be able to move very quickly. 2. PUBLIC ART PROJECT — VETERANS' MEMORIAL In January of 1997, the Arts Commission responded favorably to the opportunity presented by the Glendale Veterans' Memorial Association to provide artwork that would serve as part of a Veterans' Memorial. The Commission recommended the initial "concept of artworks" for a Veterans' Memorial, as created and presented by artist Joe Tyler of Sun City West. The Commission requested authorization to proceed with this project, contracting with Mr. Tyler and a design team to finalize the artwork design and a site plan for the Veterans' Memorial. The Commission has selected the green space on the east side of the Main Library, on the corner of 59th Avenue and Brown Street, as the optimal site for the Veterans' Memorial. In January of 1997, the Glendale Veterans' Memorial Association presented a request to the Arts Commission to participate in a public art project that would serve as a Veterans' Memorial. In April of 1998, Mr. Bob Manzetti, both a Glendale resident and a veteran, presented a proposal to the Arts Commission to donate scrap metal off the USS Arizona to incorporate into the Veterans' Memorial. In March of 1999, advertisements were distributed to solicit artists who were interested in this project. 5 In February of 1998, the Arts Commission identified six potential sites for the Veterans' Memorial. Discussion of criteria used for siting this project included public accessibility, vandalism, parking, accommodations for ceremonies, and high visibility of artwork. In June of 2000, a "Call to Artists" Request for Quotes (RFQ) was distributed to artists on the mailing list, artistregister.com, and the Arizona Commission on the Arts newsletter. Seventeen artists responded by the deadline. In August of 2000, the Arts Commission evaluated and ranked the 17 artist applications. Four artists were selected as finalists and invited to make formal presentations to the Arts Commission. In October of 2000, finalists' presentations were held. The Arts Commission unanimously selected the artist Joe Tyler and his concept and recommended forwarding it to the City Council at the earliest date possible. Mr. Wayne Crusinberry of the Glendale Veterans' Memorial Association and Mr. Bob Manzetti, honorary member of USS Arizona Memorial Association, were present at the October 2000 Arts Commission meeting for the selection of the artist/concept. The selection of the site for the Veterans' Memorial was discussed with the Library Director and staff prior to release of the RFQ in April of 2000. The City's Engineering Department was consulted in April of 2000 with regard to site considerations. A public meeting, inviting citizens and veterans to meet the artist and view the "concept", will be scheduled prior to finalizing the design. The total project cost has not been finalized. The Arts Commission has budgeted a minimum of $75,000 for the artwork and $30,000 for contingencies related to this artwork. This includes preliminary engineering estimates for site-development in the amount of $31,112. The total estimated cost will amount to $136,112. The artwork for this project will be funded out of the Municipal Arts Fund, which has a current balance of $643,239. The recommendation was to review this item and provide direction. Councilmember Frate said he found it difficult to visualize the amount of space the memorial would take. Mr. Licardi asked Councilmember Frate to visualize an area on the east side of the library. He said the design team would work with City staff to place the memorial within that space. Mr. Smith pointed out the fact that the model is based. on approximately 40-feet across. Councilmember Frate asked if the heat radiating from the metal would be a liability for the City. Mr. Licardi said the only parts that would be metal would be the limbs and leaves. He stated that the artist mentioned a variety of materials, including protective coatings, that could be used on the lower elements of the memorial. He noted that a public meeting would be scheduled before the final design. 6 Mayor Scruggs asked if they knew how large the grass area was. Mr. Smith said he did not. Mayor Scruggs said it would be nice not to have the 4th of July ceremony in the parking lot of Sahauro Ranch Park. Mr. Licardi noted that the trees would provide a great deal of shade. Councilmember Clark asked what sites had been considered and if the east side of the library had been decided on as the actual site. Mr. Smith said they had looked at a lot of sites, including the Civic Center and the entire park system. He said the site on the east side of the library was the only one to meet all of the requirements. Councilmember Clark said the new Adult Center would have been a perfect site. She acknowledged that the Adult Center would not be online in time. Mr. Smith said one of the reasons they felt the east side of the library would be a perfect site was because of its proximity to the new Adult Center. Councilmember Clark asked if there had been any significant issues, including retention issues, with regard to the library site. Mr. Smith said they had talked to the engineer, who confirmed that it was feasible to put the memorial at that site without effecting drainage. Councilmember Lieberman said he liked the site because it is highly visible from the road. He asked Mr. Manzetti and Mr. Crusinberry if they both approved of the design. Both Mr. Manzetti and Mr. Crusinberry indicated that they did. Councilmember Goulet asked how the memorial would be lit in the evening and how parking would be handled. He then asked if a pathway would be designed to provide access from the library. He also asked if there would be any fencing along 59t" Avenue, Mr. Licardi said all of Councilmember Goulet's questions would be answered by the design team, Engineering Department staff, and the artist. Mr. Smith stated that the artist had recommended specialized lighting for the trees, flagpoles, and general area. He said the lighting had yet to be designed, but cost estimates of lighting the area were available. He noted that the library is closed when most veteran-related holidays are celebrated, thus providing ample parking for the ceremonies. He said they had also asked the artist to work with the design team and the consultant to design walkways from the library and sidewalk along 59' Avenue. Councilmember Goulet noted that Sahauro Ranch Park has had some problems with vandalism. He asked how the memorial would be protected. Mr. Smith said this would be one of the most vandal-proof projects they have done. He said the artist explained that tagging or etching could be very easily corrected. He noted that the memorial would be coated and treated to be vandal resistant. Mr. Licardi referred to several of the artist's pieces in the City of Tempe. He noted that none of them have been damaged. Councilmember Martinez asked if any thought had been given to displaying the names of Glendale citizens who were lost during the wars. Mr. Licardi explained that there are five plaques, one for each of the armed forces, providing ample opportunity to incorporate specific dedications. Mr. Smith stated that the Glendale Veterans Memorial Association originally recommended they not include names. A veteran in the audience explained that they did not want names inscribed on the memorial because it would have to be continually updated. He said they would prefer to have the names of the three organizations only. Councilmember Martinez said he still believed this issue should be given additional consideration. He said he liked the site. 7 Councilmember Lieberman said there would be more than adequate parking, except on Sundays, if the buildings were laid out as proposed. Councilmember Clark asked if handicapped accessibility had been addressed. She said handicapped parking should be available closer to the memorial. She said she really liked the design because it has a sense of serenity and dignity. Mr. Licardi noted that the Arts Commission's vote of approval for the memorial was the most overwhelming vote it has ever had. Mayor Scruggs agreed that the design had grown into something that would attract people. She said they should respect the veteran memorial organizations with regard to inscribing individual names on the memorial. She said she viewed the memorial as a tribute to all veterans. Councilmember Martinez agreed that it was a memorial to the living veterans. He noted, however, that it should also memorialize those who died in service to their country. Mr. Frate asked who would be responsible for raising and lowering the flags. Mr. Licardi said the flags would be lit at all times, allowing them to fly continuously. Mr. Frate asked if there would be any ongoing costs associated with maintenance of the memorial. Mr. Licardi said the cost would be minimal. He noted they already do grounds maintenance in the area. Councilmember Goulet asked if water would be available onsite. Mr. Smith said he would take that question to the design team. Vice Mayor Eggleston thanked Mr. Manzetti for his years of dedication to this project. Ms. Atkins noted that other clubs, including the Glendale Women's Club, had expressed an interest in participating. Councilmember Clark expressed her opinion that there are liability issues, especially with regard to children. She said they needed to be especially sensitive to protecting children. Ms. Daniels asked how the area would be ventilated to prevent it from becoming too hot. Mr. Licardi said the trees would help to naturally ventilate the area. He noted that other areas where the artist's works are displayed do not seem any hotter. Councilmember Lieberman noted that several other parks have bronze statues which are exposed to the heat and he questioned whether the City had ever suffered a liability claim. Mr. Flaaen said they had not had any liability issues with regard to metal statues. He recommended that the branches be placed at a sufficient height to prevent children from climbing on the memorial. Mayor Scruggs expressed the Council's consensus to move forward with the Veteran's Memorial Project. The meeting recessed for a short break. 8 3. DISCUSSION ON ARTWORK FOR CIVIC CENTER One of the Arts Commission's greatest challenges has been the purchase of public art for the Civic Center. At the March 21 , 2000 Workshop session, the Arts Commission submitted a proposal to the City Council to commission artist Howard Ben Tre to provide four wall-mounted, cast glass forms at a cost of $300,000. Associated costs related to installation and lighting were anticipated at $50,000, for a total project cost of $350,000. Mr. Ben Tre submitted a proposal to the Arts Commission for two floor sculptures at a cost of $300,000, plus two large paintings at $25,000. The total cost of installation and lighting remained at $50,000, for a total project cost of $375,000. This proposal had not been formally presented to the City Council. The Commission requested input from the City Council regarding acquisition of art for this facility. Councilmember Goulet said he did not get the sense that the rotunda area was lacking in color or design. He questioned whether the proposed artwork was needed. He stated that it is a significant item in the budget and he was concerned with the artist's proposal. He questioned where the artwork would be displayed. He explained that he believed quality artwork should be shown in the best location and given the most appropriate visibility. Councilmember Martinez agreed that the building is beautiful and that the proposed artwork may not be necessary. He said he was personally satisfied with the tapestry on the wall. Councilmember Clark said she was familiar with the artist's work and did not feel it was appropriate for the Civic Center. She explained that the Council had requested four wall sculptures and the artist submitted two wall pieces and two paintings. She stated that, after viewing blocks of glass against the colors of the walls, she would not support those pieces for that location. She pointed out the fact that the tapestry was purchased to allow time to find major art pieces that would fit the scope and size of the area. She said Councilmember Lieberman shared her view. Mayor Scruggs acknowledged that it would be uncomfortable for the Commission to go back to the artist and decline his proposal. She suggested that they view it as the artist not holding to his contract with the City. She said the City had specifically asked for four wall-mounted or hanging glass pieces for the rotunda area and their request was based on functionality of the space. She said the artist did not comply with the City's request and, in addition, raised the price. She noted that the paintings would be located behind the doors and the other two pieces do not achieve the City's objectives. She said the tapestries are on loan and have given the City the opportunity to see the walls with color. She said the City's goal was to bring color into the rotunda, not to create an experience that draws visitors. Councilmember Martinez asked how the City had arrived at a budget of $300,000. He explained that he thought the bid originally went out open. Mr. Licardi said the bid went out open and the budget was set after receiving the bids. Mayor Scruggs stated that, at the Workshop, the Council knew it would cost approximately $300,000. 9 Councilmember Martinez said he had a problem with spending that kind of money on two pieces of artwork because, when half of the Arts Commission budget is spent on one item, it does not leave money for other items. Councilmember Clark said the Civic Center is a major facility in Glendale and, as such, demands a major investment in artwork. She agreed with Mayor Scruggs that the artist did not meet his contract and the pieces are not appropriate for the rotunda. Vice Mayor Eggleston said he would like to see something of an elegant nature placed high in the rotunda. He expressed his opinion that the proposed pieces would not be suitable for the Civic Center. Councilmember Goulet said the Council, perhaps subconsciously, was trying to turn the Civic Center into a museum. He asked if that was the best use of the Civic Center and if it best served the artwork. He questioned whether the benefit of the artwork would be lost amongst the activities of the Civic Center. Councilmember Clark expressed her opinion that art belongs everywhere because it has an effect on people, regardless of its location. Councilmember Goulet clarified his position by explaining that he believed they should have artwork of some sort in the rotunda. He said he simply questioned whether this artist met the intent of the contract. Councilmember Martinez reiterated his opinion that the proposed items were not worth the cost. He said public art differs from art found in a museum. He stated that this artist's work might be better suited for a museum environment. Mayor Scruggs agreed that art belongs everywhere. She stated that the City cannot afford to purchase pieces that do not work for the building. She said she likes the warmth and texture that comes from fiber and she believed it would better suit the rotunda. She clarified that, had the proposed pieces been right for the location, the Council would have considered purchasing it even at the increased price. Mr. Licardi requested that Council provide specific direction to enable the Commission to narrow its focus. Dr. Goeppinger said she heard guidelines from the Council that artwork for the rotunda should introduce color and texture, hang from the wall, and not interfere with functionality. Ms. Bellah said the Commission had been given different guidelines over the past three years. She asked how high a priority this issue should be given in comparison with the other items the Council had instructed the Commission to more forward on, such as the Master Plan and memorial. Councilmember Clark said pieces of art may be found when looking for artwork for another facility. She said she would not give the issue a number one priority. She asked the Commission to consider mixed or unusual media choices. Mayor Scruggs agreed with Dr. Goeppinger 10 Mr. Licardi explained that they had looked at the building as a whole prior to its construction to try to develop a theme. He stated that they then started contacting artists, without assigning cost restraints or other restrictions. Mayor Scruggs apologized for not having been involved from the beginning. She stated that they were not looking for the Commission to fill the Civic Center with artwork. Mr. Licardi said that had been made clear. Ms. Daniels summarized by saying that she heard the Council state it wants a tapestry, but nothing too conventional, and that it does not want to spend the entire budget, but wants a signature piece for the rotunda. Mayor Scruggs said they were all excited about the Master Plan project and the Council supported the Commission's efforts. Councilmember Clark thanked the Arts Commission. She stated that she was very excited about the Master Plan concept. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. I'