HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-04-29 - City Commission Public Art Workshop Meeting MinutesCITY OF TAMARAC
PUBLIC ART WORKSHOP
THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2004
TAMARAC COMMUNITY CENTER - PARADISE BALLROOM
8601 W COMMERCIAL BOULEVARD
TAMARAC, FL 33321
PRESENT: Mayor Joe Schreiber
Commissioner Edward C. Portner (arrived at 11:15 a.m.)
Commissioner Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco
Commissioner Karen L. Roberts
City Manager Jeffrey L. Miller
City Attorney Mitchell S. Kraft
Deputy City Manager Michael C. Cernech
Assistant City Manager Diane Phillips
Parks and Recreation Director Kathleen Margoles
Community Development Director J. Christopher King
Finance Director Dona Newman
Utilities Director Raymond Gagnon
Public Works Director Jack Strain
Fire Chief Jim Budzinski
Building Official Gary B. Jones
Public Information Officer Lucy Crockett
Purchasing/Contracts Manager Keith Glatz
Glenn Weiss, Public Art Consultant
City Clerk Marion Swenson
Assistant City Clerk Tom Schneider
Mr. Anthony Mijares, Vice -Chair, Economic Dev. Adv. Committee
Mr. Nate Caplan, Economic Development Advisory Committee
Mr. Ron Hawthorn, Economic Development Advisory Committee
Mr. Morton Winter, Chairperson, Planning Board
Dr. Alfred Wald, Planning Board
Ms. Joan Hinden, Planning Board
Mr. Jerome Ginsberg, Chairperson, Parks and Recreation Board
Ms. Dorothy Murphy, Parks and Recreation Board
Ms. Ilene Singer, Parks and Recreation Board
Mr. Andrew Flaxman, Parks and Recreation Board
City Manager Miller called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m., welcomed
everyone and introduced Parks and Recreation Director Margoles who spoke of
the two park projects for which public art is under consideration. Parks and
Recreation Director Margoles explained what has been done to date regarding
public art, and added that the walkway between the new Library and the
Tamarac Community Center is also a venue for public art. Parks and Recreation
Director Margoles said public art provides Tamarac the opportunity to create a
Public Art Workshop
April 29, 2004
sense of place. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles turned the podium over
to Assistant City Manager Phillips.
Assistant City Manager Phillips gave a presentation on the draft ordinance which
will be presented to the Mayor and City Commission shortly, and spoke of the
public art policy and research staff has done comparing public art in various cities
and throughout the nation. Assistant City Manager Phillips explained what public
art is and what it is not, and said successful programs provide for planning,
selection of art and funding. Assistant City Manager Phillips talked about the
establishment and role of a public art committee, and said the draft ordinance
provides for 1 % across the board funding to come from construction funds at the
time of permitting on new development and commercial redevelopment, based
on above -ground costs. Assistant City Manager Phillips added that the 1 % will
also be applied to City capital projects.
Mayor Schreiber said we must decide how much money we want to spend on
public art and set the budget accordingly, and suggested impact fees instead of
the percentage. Public art must be placed where the majority of people traverse,
and we should honor the history of the city; perhaps some monument to the
seniors that incorporates changing demographics of the city.
Mr. Flaxman questioned the percentage calculation and how the money would be
held. Assistant City Manager Phillips responded, and explained that an account
would be set up for public art funds which would be overseen by the Public Art
Committee as well as the Mayor and City Commissioners.
Mr. Ginsberg asked if there would be a City match or startup money and if there
are County funds available. Assistant City Manager Phillips said funding sources
would be in place and there are County funds available.
Commissioner Roberts questioned the affect the 1 % would have on the
affordable housing projects being built in the City and Assistant City Manager
Phillips said the 1 % is paid at the time of permitting.
Mr. Hawthorn questioned whether there is a connection between public art and
branding of the City, and whether the artist or an architect would assist the City in
branding? Assistant City Manager Phillips said it is an important component of
establishing a sense of place for Tamarac, and the Economic Development
Advisory Committee has moved forward in their discussions regarding branding.
Ms. Hinden said putting art in place does not have to be costly; many
organizations are willing to bring their exhibitions to City buildings. Sunrise built
an art center for exhibition, and Pembroke Pines provided for exhibition of art in
their City Hall. Assistant City Manager Phillips replied that Tamarac hosts art
shows at the Community Center.
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Ms. Murphy said locations at the east end of Tamarac need to be considered
when public art is planned.
Parks and Recreation Director Margoles introduced Glenn Weiss, Consultant in
public art planning and architecture.
Mr. Weiss said public art is an emerging American phenomenon and gave a
history of public art and spoke of the different types of public art. Branding
shows who lives here and who we are. Mr. Weiss showed slides of public art in
various Florida cities, as well as cities throughout the country and Europe. Mr.
Weiss spoke of methods of acquiring public art and community participation in
the process.
Mr. Ginsberg spoke of Rodin's sculpture "The Thinker" and said he was amazed
to find out that there are three copies of this statue; one of which is situated in a
subway station in France and it has not been damaged or spoiled with graffiti.
Mr. Ginsberg said art has to do with the people in a community and the culture of
the people. Mr. Ginsberg spoke of the World War II Memorial and said he feels it
is bland.
Deputy City Manager Cernech said artist George Gadson came up with a
concept for a sculpture which neither he nor the Mayor and City Commission
favored. Deputy City Manager Cernech asked how to detach personal feelings
from the process in order to allow the artist to move forward without the process
becoming negative. Mr. Weiss said the first few public art projects are always
difficult; however, artists, contrary to popular belief, are very responsive; when
they hear feedback from the elected and appointed officials and the community,
they try to see what they can do to match the community's desires and still
provide a quality product. There is no public art program in the United States
where 51 % of the people like the art; it is a series of art work that the public likes.
Public Information Officer Crockett spoke of the difference between artists who
create public art and other types of artists. Mr. Weiss agreed that public art is a
separate artistic field.
Ms. Singer asked for guidance as to the do's and don'ts of getting started, and
Mr. Weiss said to keep talking to people and ask for advice; figure out what is
best for your community. Ms. Singer asked if it is better to use one artist or
several artists and Mr. Weiss replied the committee must decide what it is they
want before they hire an artist, but it is better to hire several artists.
Commissioner Portner questioned the difference between an artist and a public
artist, and Mr. Weiss said it is comparable to the difference between an interior
decorator and an architect. One is more technical in nature
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Mr. Ginsberg asked how the Commission or group would go about hiring a
specific artist if they do not know what type of art they want, and Mr. Weiss
replied one has to ask, based upon the circumstances, what seems reasonable
and use one's best judgment. Then ask the artists to send their qualifications
and a sampling of their work.
Mayor Schreiber asked if public art becomes acceptable to people as time goes
on, and Mr. Weiss said it does grow on people over time; however it must be well
maintained. This is a great chance to help Tamarac develop its sense of place
and expand the public art program in South Florida.
Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said the next step in the process is
passage of the ordinance. Parks and Recreation Director Margoles said
Tamarac has been fortunate in the selection of the two artists it has used so far.
Mr. Olivero, who worked on the library, has been adaptable, flexible, and
sensitive to how a municipality responds to selecting and commissioning the art
work. A few weeks ago Tamarac hosted a Cultural Forum, and we were
cautioned not to market the City as a product, but rather how the community
looks, experiences of the residents, and what stories resonate for residents. If
we can articulate all three, we can make the public comfortable with the program.
Marion Swenson, CIVIC
City Clerk
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