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HomeMy WebLinkAbout110712 Meeting Minutes Port Townsend Arts Commission November 7, 2012, 3:00 p.m., 3rd Floor Meeting Room, City Hall Members Present: Stan Rubin(chair), Kris Morris, Erin Fristad,Rosalind Russell,Nancy Rody,Linda Okazaki,Dan Groussman(minutes). Guests: Rick Sepler, David Timmons, Laureen Martin (Artist Selection Panel Member) Minutes: RR moved to accept minutes with slight narrative changes; second LO,unanimous approval. Chair's Report: SR had arranged for City Manager David Timmons to discuss with commissioners the budget for 2013. Rick Sepler attended to represent The City instead. Rick gave a chronological explanation of the budget cuts and the subsequent"hold" on the public art project. All cutback decisions took place within a short amount of time. Cutbacks are a result of declined revenues, declines in utility usage, a$2000,000 tax collection shortfall. RS emphasized that things are merely "on hold," and reiterated The City places a high priority on the arts. RS says the city will take three months and then reevaluate which projects will be picked up again. He says he hopes the public art project will be visited again in January. LM asked if she could see a copy of the coppy of the letter sent to the artists/finalists regarding the hold. RR mentioned she wished she and the panel had been better informed about the hold placed on the project and wanted to know why we did not follow through and at least pick a finalist. RS says she is right—adequate consultation would have been preferred. He says the challenge was that the procedures took place so fast and that staffing was a primary concern. DG asked if the Jefferson County Community Foundation I%for arts funds advertised on their website had yielded any income and suggested updating the web site to reflect a different city contact than Scottie? RS reported that he did not think any County 1% donations had been received to date. David Timmons came into the meeting at 4:00 p.m. Regarding the public art project underway,he"thinks we will be OK next year,"and said it is his goal to see it through. DT spoke of trying to get funding to place the Jaqua work at the old visitor's center. The new Jaqua project should supplement the 1%fund. DT double- checked on the PTAC budget and reports that the amount we are to receive for 2013 is $19,000, same as 2012. Frontage improvement for the Carnegie building could result in I% funds for the arts. Discussion ensued regarding possible donations for various public art spaces in town. Sheridan from Sims Way to the hospital will involve a sidewalk project. If we get a grant from the State,then we will receive 1%for the arts funds there too. DT said there will be some new sponsorship guidelines for non-monetary awards given to arts organizations by PTAC. Where there is a value added in lieu of rent,there needs to be some compensation to The City. The idea is that if The City waives the fee for facility use,there should be something done by the organization for the city. DT offered the example of the KPTZ people painting their own building. DT says he will meet with us next meeting to discuss these options. Public Art: EF says she will send an update to everyone involved in public art to keep them informed . . . will reattach all the letters to the artists too. KM recognized Rick Sepler for his efforts and hard work on the subject of Public Art. The Treasurer's Report: LO reports $1650 unallocated on our current ledger. She mentioned that if the city has fewer funds than we're used to, maybe the city could make the Cotton Building more available for arts functions. Budget: DG purchased additional web addresses: ptartscommission.com and ptarts commission.org. Stan is to submit the request for hosting to Ann. RS reported on the Playwright Contest. All the finalists were women,three were finalists who were chosen before. Roz explained the process of how they turn the chosen work into a final play including the actors reading the play cold. The event to honor the three playwrights is in February. New Business: Community Chorus submitted a funding support request to PTAC. LO spoke in favor of having the Commissioners approve the proposal for the Commuynity Chorus funding request proposal dated 10/5/12, highlighting its community value and quality programming. DG raised concerns about the group's intent to charge at the door without stating on their application that there would be a"no one turned away"notice at the entrance of the event. Motion to approve funding support for up to $400 made by LO, seconded by RM- unanimous approval. Meeting Adjourned: Next Meeting: December 5, Upstairs Meeting Room, City Hall, 3:00 p.m.