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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCPAAC Minutes 05.18.21Carmel Public Art Advisory Committee (CPAAC) Meeting Minutes May 18, 2021 The May 18, 2021 CPAAC meeting was called to order by co-chair Julia Saltsgaver at 5:01PM and took place virtually via Microsoft Teams with the following present: 1) CPAAC members Ms. Saltsgaver, Christina Thomas, Dru Doyle, Donna Tutwiler, Jill Reese, Bill Cooler, Cathy Strawn, Karen Poyser and Kelvin Okamoto; 2) City employees Jennifer Stites and Sharon Kibbe; 3) City councilors Jeff Worrell and Tim Hannon; 4) Carmel Redevelopment Commission Executive Director Henry Metetsky George Zhang with Omni Productions was present to coordinate the Facebook livestream. 1. Meeting Minutes Ms. Saltsgaver asked for a motion to approve the minutes. Mr. Okamoto and Ms. Doyle indicated that had not seen the minutes. Ms. Stites confirmed that she distributed them to all committee members. City of Carmel employee, Jennifer Stites, will begin keeping CPAAC meeting minutes in June 2021. Ms. Strawn offered a motion to approve with Ms. Poyser offering a second. Both Okamoto and Doyle recused themselves while all others voted to approve the minutes. 2. Update and Review of Indiana Black Heroes and Heroines Mural Mr. Metetsky offered to respond to the committee’s questions that MS. Kibbe provided to him prior to the committee meeting. Even though it was concluded in the April 20, 2021 committee meeting that the funds used to pay for this art are public funds and noted in the minutes, there was initial discussion as to whether the funds used to pay for this art is public funds with the discussion again concluding that the funding is publicly sourced. Mr. Metetsky expressed his opinion that regardless of funding source, full disclosure is sought by way of providing this project to the committee for review. CPAAC represents the public to review and provide an advisory position on planned public art. The basic provisions are 60 days prior to purchase, more than $5,000 public funding, in a public right-of-way with the group to provide an advisory response to the artwork and its location. In response to Mr. Metetsky’ s uncertainty as to whether this is the purview of this committee, Councilor Hannon, Mr. Okamoto, Ms. St rawn, Ms. Reese and others indicated that the most current ordinance and previous pieces submitted to the committee for review does indicate it is appropriate to submit this piece to this committee prior to the monies being spent for review and approval. As to the question of materials to be used, Mr. Metetsky highlighted the Kilz Level 3 would be used to prepare the surface with additional materials for the actual artwork. He further indicated that the City Department of Community Services has granted a letter of support that addresses signage ordinance concerns via Mr. Nathan Chavez, City of Carmel Sign Administrator. Councilor Hannon also indicated that Mr. Chavez has led the effort to update and communicate Carmel’s signage ordinance including a presentation to the Plan Commission. Mr. Metetsky stated that he did have the Spencer family approval to use their son’s image on the artwork. He stated, in his opinion supported by a cursory intellectual property review with City legal advisors, that it is not necessary to have the approvals from Tameka Catchings, Kenneth (Babyface) Edmonds, Mike Epps, Janet Jackson and Madam C.J. Walker to use their images in this artwork. He again questioned if this was a legitimate 2 committee concern. Mr. Okamoto pointed out that the committee provided similar response relative to the Homage to Hoagy artwork that ultimately resulted in the City receiving obtaining usage rights for Mr. Hoagy Carmichael’s music. The building owner will commit to appropriate lighting. He shared that the art placement timeline is 7 years. Ms. Saltsgaver requested that 5 years be the duration as is consistent with committee guidelines given to and accepted by other artists. At this time there are no other development projects that could obstruct the view of the artwork, yet all agreed that projects could be conceived and announced at any point going forward that could impact view. There will be no signage or labels to provide artist, subject or relevance information to the public at the mural. Ms. Saltsgaver thanked Mr. Metetsky for the information and asked that he or Ms. Kibbe (submitted original intake form) update the formal intake form with this information for the committee to officially review and reply to this submission. While he was hesitant to agree, Ms. Strawn and Ms. Poyser pointed out several inaccuracies and incomplete information on the original submission form and requested an updated form with accurate and complete information be provided to the committee. Ms. Saltsgaver asked that it be provided by the committee’s June 15 meeting. City of Carmel Report This is a standing agenda item. While the City did not report, Councilor Hanon provided an update regarding the $25 million bond approval. The components relative to the CPAAC are the 96th Street roundabout art pieces, Zotec Way landscape art and water tower light display. Mr. Metetsky confirmed that Jeremy Kashman, City Engineer will provide input forms and appropriate information for the 96th Street roundabouts estimated at $2.5 million and Zotec Way landscape art at a later date. The Zotec Way highlights include landscape art near Zotec with City investment of $250,000. Zotec has committed to provide 50% of the funding. Councilor Hannon gave an overview of the water tower light display indicating that the initial due diligence has been authorized and will focus on the engineering and structural ability of the tower. After discussion, Mr. Metetsky stated that the basic process involves design consultant preliminary work, engineering study focused on structural and lighting feasibility, further design consultant scope followed by CPAAC submission and review before going to Carmel City Council to sign off on prior to actually investing the funds. Councilor Hannon stated that it is in the best interest to have CPAAC review timely and would not support the project at council vote without CPAAC input and review. A timeline was not clearly confirmed. Introduction of Sophia Square Project. Ms. Poyser indicated Nancy Heck and others leading this effort reached out to her to generate committee input. Indiana Arts Commission and Karolyn Brumley, City of Carmel Community Relations are also facilitating this effort. The wall space on the west side of Sophia Square near a stairwell will be the placement for this effort. Sophia Square is privately owned with the underground parking garage available for public use per Councilor Hannon. A call out for entries has been released with submissions due by June 3. The selection committee will review submissions with the intent to narrow to five submissions to proceed by June 15. Final designs will be further narrowed to 3 finalists by September 2 with the intent to submit to CPAAC for review. After that the finalists would be made public September 11 to encourage Carmel’s citizens to vote on the designs. The organizers have asked CPAAC to participate in the selection process by including interested committee members on the selection committee. Mr. Okamoto and Ms. 3 Poyser volunteered to represent CPAAC to help narrow the submissions to five. Ms. Reese, Ms. Saltsgaver and others were very enthusiastic about this process and public input opportunity. Meeting Format – Transition from Virtual to In Person Ms. Saltsgaver updated the committee that we are now at a point to transition to in person meetings at the City offices. Ms. Stites did a walk through with Ms. Saltsgaver May 13. All on the committee very eager to return to in person meetings. After discussion, the start time was confirmed to be 6PM. Ms. Stites will staff and take minutes as will Councilors be invited. Councilors Hannon and Worrell indicated they will continue to participate. Adjournment Ms. Saltsgaver adjourned the meeting at 5:58PM. Submitted by Julia Saltsgaver