HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-03-06 Council Work Session MINUTES
OF THE WORK SESSION
OF THE EDINA CITY COUNCIL
AND EDINA PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE
HELD MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2006
AT 5:30 P.M.
Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 5:35 P.M. in the Community Room of
Edina City Hall. Answering rollcall were the following members of the City Council:
Members Housh, Hulbert, Masica, Swenson and Mayor Hovland. Members of the
Edina Public Art Committee in attendance included: Linda Kieffer, Chair, Dick
Crocket, Brad Benn, Diana Hedges, Pat Greer, Kristen Christianson, and Kay Wetherall.
Staff present included: Gordon Hughes, City Manager,John Keprios, Park Director, Ceil
Smith, Assistant to the City Manager, Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications Director
and Debra Mangen, City Clerk.
Mayor Hovland noted the purpose of the work session was to review the design for the
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stained glass window proposed for installation in Edina City Hall. Ms. K e
reviewed briefly the process the Edina Public Art Committee had followed to date. She
introduced Michael Pilla, the artist who had been commissioned to prepare a stained
glass design.
Mr. Pilla explained he was a stained glass artist and a restoration consultant. He listed
various projects he has been involved in the design and installation of new stained glass
windows, including the Hopkins Public Library. Mr. Pilla displayed a small window
he had made, and outlined the difference in the technique he used to create his stained
glass, noting he used copper and not lead in the architectural elements of his windows.
He also explained that he covered the soldered joints of his windows with a cover
fabricated from copper making the window not only more interesting to view, but also
resulting in a stronger product.
Mr. Pilla showed the picture of his design and explained it represented the waterfall
and mill that were part of Edina's history. He said the window wall adjacent to the
elevator in City Hall was the proposed location for the finished window. Mr. Pilla said
the window will span both the first and second level of City Hall and be able to be
viewed from either story. He presented samples of the glass representing both the color
and style that would be similar to that proposed to be used in the Edina window.
Mr. Pilla explained that the window would take him approximately six months to
create and about one week for installation. He said the cost of the commission was
$60,000. If authorized he would ask for twenty-five percent of the commission for
completion of the design; twenty-five percent to begin fabrication, another twenty-five
Minutes/Special Edina City Council/March 6, 2006
percent prior to installation and the remaining twenty-five percent when installation
was complete. Mr. Pilla stated he worked alone, but did employ other artists to aid in
the fabrication of projects under his direction.
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Dick Crockett, Edina Community Foundation Director and Edina Public Art Committee
Member briefly reviewed the financing for the proposed project. Mr. Crockett
reminded the Council that$20,000 had been reserved in the 2005 City of Edina Year End
General Fund Balance for this project. He added that the Community Foundation had
$12,000 in the bank and also received a donation for the project of $3,000 from Xcel
Energy with the promise of an additional $2,000. Mr. Crockett added with the Utility
Check-off program that would be initiated during the summer of 2006, he felt confident
the remaining$25,000 funds would be received.
Consensus of the Council was positive towards the project and they directed staff to
place the item on the March 21, 2006, Council Agenda for formal action. Mayor
Hovland thanked the Edina Public Art Committee for their work in placing public art
within City Hall.
Mayor Hovland adjourned the meeting at 6:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Debra MA g4,, City Clerk
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