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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-05 Commission on Cultural Development Minutes � = . .�� � ,. @� - � CITY o� BANGOR Commission on Cultural Development January 5, 2024 Penobscot Room at Penquis CAP, 262 Harlow Street Meetinq Minutes Commissioners Present: Hollie Adams, Kelly Chenot, Nina Earley, Kal Elmore, Barbara McDade, Lovern Stockwell Others: Anne Krieg — Director of Development, Sarah Maquillan — Development Assistant 1. A quorum being present the January 5, 2024 meeting of the Commission on Cultural Development was called to order by Chair Earley at 8:31 AM. 2. Meeting Minutes— Motion passed to approve the minutes of the November 3�d and December 1 St meetings. 3. Report of Chair— Chair Earley gave a positive report on her attendance at the Bangor Authors' Book Fair & Literary Festival. 4. Financial Report— Balance of$13,000 as of today's date; this does not include deductions of$5,000 for Penobscot Theatre Company's fall grant and $1,000 for Christopher Packard's fall grant. After these deductions, $7,000 will remain. Development Director Krieg reported that she will check on whether there are additional funds for ARTober expenses, or whether these are included with the Commission's overall funds. Chair Earley and Vice Chair Adams stated that they thought an additional $5,000 had been allocated for ARTober; Krieg responded that she did not think this funding was granted by City Council for the current fiscal year. 5. Committee Reports: a. ARTober— No update at present; meeting will be scheduled soon b. Cultural Asset—As Committee Chair Greenlaw was not present, no update given c. Grant— No update from Committee Chair Adams; Earley confirmed that spring applications will be open in March and recommended a Committee meeting be scheduled before then 6. Hammond Street Ground Mural Project— Greg Edwards and Annette Sohns-Dodd (Bangor Beautiful), as well as Lisa Sockabasin and Becky Bailey (Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness) presented the project proposal, describing the proposed location and project's mission. Chair Earley and Development Director Krieg confirmed that action is requested on the part of the Commission to provide support for the City's approval of this project. a. Commissioner Elmore expressed concern over possible wear and tear on the sidewalk portion of the art. Edwards responded that, with traffic paint that will be used, the art is expected to last 3-5 years. Sohns-Dodd added that a simplified design will be chosen to allow for more ease in retouching efforts. Edwards added that the size of the mural will allow for imperfections to blend in more, and that they are consulting established best practices for murals regarding color choice, etc. Sockabasin added that the Wabanaki culture places an emphasis on the maintenance of beauty. b. Chair Earley expressed that her only concern is the ground location; unsure of how well art will last on asphalt. Sohns-Dodd detailed the benefits of the location, especially positive effects on � = . .�� � ,. @� - � CITY o� BANGOR traffic. Earley also asked to confirm that there are no parking spaces in the proposed location; Edwards confirmed this. c. Development Director Krieg mentioned research in other cities on how these murals can slow traffic and make the streets safer. d. Chair Earley asked if the art will be one piece that extends across the crosswalk to the other side of the street, or two pieces on either side of the street; Edwards responded that it will be two pieces. e. Commissioner Chenot expressed concern over possible vandalism. Edwards responded that the installation of bollards could be an option in the future. f. Sohns-Dodd referenced a similar project in Alaska which has been well-maintained despite the significant amount of snow experienced there. Vice Chair Adams asked about the age of this project; Edwards responded it is about one-year-old. Commissioner Stockwell asked to confirm that this means the Alaskan mural has already experienced one winter; Edwards confirmed this. Chair Earley asked whether the provided photo of the Alaskan mural was from when it was painted, or more recently; Sohns-Dodd and Edwards not entirely sure, but thought likely from when it was painted. g. Sockabasin discussed the possible participation in the project by WPHW students in their after- school program, and added that WPHW has adequate staffing for engagement and maintaining vibrancy. h. Chair Earley asked about the proposed timeline. Edwards responded that their goal is installation in late spring, with the art projected to last about 3-5 years (or until Hammond Street is repaved). Earley asked when the proposed date for the next repaving is; Krieg responded that staff is in the pre-planning stage presently, so will likely also be in about 3-5 years. i. Vice Chair Adams asked if an estimated cost is known yet. Edwards responded that it will likely be $20-30k in paint material due to the need for high-grade paint. Adams asked if the artists will be paid; Edwards responded that the artists are employed by WPHW so there is no additional payment needed. Adams also asked about possible funding sources; Edwards responded that this has not yet been discussed, but WPHW will likely handle this end of the project. Sockabasin confirmed this. Commissioner Elmore asked whether they are optimistic about the ability to receive necessary funding; Sockabasin confirmed that they feel confident they will do so. j. MOTION by Vice Chair Adams to provide support for the City's approval of the Hammond Street Ground Mural Project. SECONDED by Commissioner Chenot and voted unanimously. k. Vice Chair Adams asked about next steps. Development Director Krieg reported that the Commission's recommendation will be presented to City Council. 7. Events Calendar Follow-Up —Ad-hoc committee formed consisting of Commissioners Adams and Elmore; Adams confirmed that Justin Russell of Sevents will also be on this Committee. Chair Earley stated that an invitation to join the committee will be sent to absent Commissioners and meeting date should be set by end of January. Asked if Betsy Lundy of Downtown Bangor Partnership should be included; Krieg confirmed that she should. 8. Other Business a. Development Director Krieg reported that City Council will be appropriating funds for public bathrooms and mentioned that other cities have used the exteriors as art pieces. Commission's assistance requested in reviewing these art projects. Commissioner Elmore asked if these bathrooms will be year-round; Krieg confirmed that they will be fully installed on slightly raised concrete slabs and available year-round. b. Krieg asked that the Commission begin considerations of their proposed budget for FY25 and that this item will be on the next agenda. � = . .�� � ,. @� - � CITY o� BANGOR c. Development Assistant Maquillan reported that a new member will be joining the Commission at the next meeting. d. Vice Chair Adams expressed concern over members who are frequently absent, and whether there is an attendance requirement that would open up their seats if they are absent too often. Thought that there were guidelines which stated that there could be no more than three missed meetings per year. Commissioner Stockwell brought up excused absences for major illness, etc. which all agreed would still be acceptable. Discussion of how to address this moving forward — possibly send Commission-wide email to reaffirm interest, etc. 9. Adjourned at 9:14 AM.