HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-07-15 Arts Culture Commission MinutesEdina Arts and Culture Commission Meeting
Meeting Minutes
City of Edina, Minnesota
Edina City Hall Mayor's Conference Room
July 15, 2014
5:00 P.M.
I. Call to Order
Chair Meifert called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m.
II. Roll Call
Commissioners Present: Hafed Bouassida, Kandace Ellis, Barbara La Valleur, Ray Meifert, Anne Miller, Kitty O'Dea,
Thomas Raeuchle, and Steve Suckow.
Commissioners Absent: Dana Lappin.
Staff Present: Michael Frey, General Manager, Edina Art Center; and Susan Faus, Assistant Director of Parks and
Recreation.
Student Representatives Present: None.
III. Introductions
Mr. Frey introduced recently appointed Commissioner Steve Suckow, who gave a brief introduction to the Commission.
IV. Approval of Meeting Agenda
Chair Meifert noted the meeting agenda had been circulated and asked if there were requests for additions or changes.
No additions to the agenda voiced.
Motion by Chair Meifert and seconded by Commissioner Bouassida that the Arts and Culture Commission approve
the July 15, 2014 Agenda as presented.
Ayes: Hafed Bouassida, Kandace Ellis, Barbara La Valleur, Ray Meifert, Anne Miller, Kitty O'Dea, Thomas Raeuchle, and
Steve Suckow. Motion carried.
V. Adoption of Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes - Regular Meeting of June 26, 2014
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Chair Meifert asked if there were changes or corrections to the minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 26, 2014. No
changes voiced.
Mr. Frey noted that Items B, C, and D should be moved to Reports/Recommendations.
Motion by Chair Meifert and seconded by Commissioner Raeuchle that the Arts and Culture Commission approve the
Consent Agenda as amended.
Ayes: Hafed Bouassida, Kandace Ellis, Barbara La Valleur, Ray Meifert, Anne Miller, Kitty O'Dea, Thomas Raeuchle, and
Steve Suckow. Motion carried.
B. General Manager's Report
Mr. Frey stated that online registrations are going well.
C. Music in Edina Working Group
The Commission was informed that the second event is being held this Saturday, July 18th at Rosland Park from 6-9 p.m.
with music by Patty Peterson. The third event will feature Michael Nelson & Band. Commissioner La Valleur stated that
they will have a booth/tent at the event this weekend and she will be handing out cards for the August event on Friday
night. Mr. Frey added that there will be no food at the upcoming event.
Commissioner Ellis requested that all Commissioners do their best to email this info to as many contacts as possible.
Commissioner O'Dea stated that she put this info on Facebook. Mr. Frey added that comments from attendees were
that the event was a bit too long, having lasted 3 hours. He stated that 21/2 hours might be somewhat better.
D. Public Art Working Group
Commissioner La Valleur informed the Commission that there had been no meeting in the month of July. She provided
flyers created by the Communications Department so that the public might vote for their favorite sculptures in the City.
She requested that all Commissioners who had not voted do so, but reminded them that they can only vote once. She
spoke of the online public conversation that is available to the public until July 31st and informed the Commission that
this information will be fed back to the City Council in August. She stated there are 3 questions on the survey and urged
all Commission members to complete this prior to the deadline.
Commissioner Ellis stated that this is a good opportunity to mention the "percentage for art". Commissioner La Valleur
added that some participants in the survey have mentioned this.
Commissioner Raeuchle stated that there is a problem with this because it only talks about public sculpture and that's
not enough to make an arts community. Commissioner Ellis replied that the answers can be rephrased. Commissioner
Suckow added that everyone should remember that this is long term and that they should keep building on it one step
at a time. This 3-week period of opinions obtained online is a short time period and these comments can be built on and
learned from for the future.
Commissioner La Valleur inquired where the three questions came from. She was informed that the Communications
Department of the City had come up with the questions.
VI. Community Comment
No comments made.
VII. Reports/Recommendations
A. Grandview Committee
Chair Meifert stated that this committee met last Wednesday.
Commissioner Raeuchle stated that the committee talked about what they need to do and what has happened up to this
point. He also briefly went over the history. Commissioner Raeuchle spoke about the new Art Center, which it is felt the
Commission should have an opinion about. He stated that this goes back to 2007 and approximately every two months
there has been some activity in regard to this. He stated that there is a great deal of data somewhere that can be
retrieved and reviewed. Commissioner Raeuchle stated that the reality remains that the Art Center is maxed out at this
point.
Commissioner Ellis talked about previous discussions, with the outcome being that it was desirable to have a facility for
the arts and that needs to be recommended.
Commissioner Bouassida stated this has always been on the table. The only reason for waiting was that there was a new
commission being appointed. He opined that this is a fundamental issue and he feels that the Commission needs to
make a recommendation. He stated that this is the time to do it.
Commissioner Raeuchle stated that there is a timeline that the City is following and he will ask Economic Development
Manager Neuendorf for that timeline and will provide it to Mr. Frey. He stated that the Commission should be ready to
participate and that the development partners and commissions should all be involved by September.
Chair Meifert opined that the Commission should be very specific with its recommendations, know what the areas of
focus are, and lay it out clearly. He stated that, obviously, the Commission will not get everything they want, but it is the
Commission's charge by the Council to provide our opinions and state what it is felt that the needs are. Commissioner
Ellis stated that the Commission needs to let it be known that it's in favor of the new Art Center.
Commissioner La Valleur inquired if it will be Arts & Culture or just Arts. Commissioner Ellis replied that there is no
terminology decided upon at this time. Commissioner Raeuchle added that green space should be a part of the plan.
Commissioner O'Dea stated that there are some people who'd like to see a rec center included, and Chair Meifert
replied that that is already available at Edina High School. Chair Meifert stated that he believed the Commission should
have something drawn up and ready to go by October. Commissioner La Valleur thought this should be even earlier and
there should be a work session, perhaps in September.
Chair Meifert reminded the Commission of all of the green space now available in the City, taking into consideration
Fred Richards Golf Course and Pentagon Park. He opined that it is important to get feedback from the community,
noting that arts and culture is less intrusive than a rec center.
Commissioner Raeuchle felt that the Commission should not argue "against," but argue "for" what they felt was
important. Commissioner La Valleur reminded the Commission that it was the working group from the community that
had come up with the 11 areas of interest.
Mr. Frey reminded the Commission that this has been an idea for a very long time and that, in 2007, a sports dome was
proposed but failed to be passed by the voters. Commissioner O'Dea reminded the Commission that the Council does
not want the Fred Richards Golf Course to be converted to any type of single-use project. It is important to engage the
community in this decision at all levels and all ages.
Commissioner Miller stated that it's important to expand the concept, not just making it bigger but including performing
arts in the new Art Center. Chair Meifert stated that's important, since the City doesn't have a performing arts center
presently.
Commissioner Raeuchle afforded the idea that their recommendations should be complete at least one week prior to
the September meeting. Commissioner Bouassida inquired what should be done at this time. Mr. Frey stated that these
minutes are distributed to the Councilmembers and they will see what this Commission is working on, and what is being
discussing as to the recommendations.
Motion by Commissioner Bouassida, amended by Commissioner Suckow, and seconded by Commissioner Raeuchle
that the Art and Culture Commission take further action to participate in the creation of a Center for Art & Culture in
the City of Edina and further directs the Grandview Committee to deliver a recommendation prior to the meeting in
September.
Ayes: Hafed Bouassida, Kandace Ellis, Barbara La Valleur, Ray Meifert, Anne Miller, Kitty O'Dea, Thomas Raeuchle, and
Steve Suckow. Motion carried.
B. Ways & Means Committee
Commissioner Miller stated that there was a meeting of this committee on June 28th, during which they went over every
word and every detail. Chair Meifert stated that some changes were made at that time. Commissioner Miller informed
the Commission that the next step will be meeting with the City Council, doing a dry run of the presentation and having
slides available. Chair Meifert has worked on this in the past. He stated that the City will also have overall
recommendations by that time.
Commissioner Miller stated that the Commission should continue refining their recommendations, but work towards a
final document. Commissioner Raeuchle stated that it would make sense to start working with the City on this at this
time. Mr. Frey stated that they are beginning to do this now and Ms. Faus added that the timeline is ASAP. She has a
meeting with Assistant City Manager Karen Kurt tomorrow. Assistant Manager Kurt is taking a lead role in putting the
policy together for donations, etc. She stated that the City appreciates the hard work of this committee and they are
planning to have a final draft in August.
Commissioner Raeuchle wondered if it made sense to present the Commission's recommendations to the City Council
and opined that perhaps they should just work with City staff, giving them the Commission's feedback and getting
feedback from the staff. Commissioner La Valleur reminded the Commission that they still have time for this since the
meeting is scheduled for August.
Chair Meifert advised that he felt it would be best to have general guidelines, but allow room for the individual
commissions to give their input as well. Commissioner Bouassida stated that nothing is preventing the Commission from
starting to work on this now, so as not to forget about it.
Ms. Faus stated that she will show Karen Kurt what has been recommended, but that the Council doesn't want a specific
policy, but something more general. That's one of the reasons it's taken 2 years to write this proposal. Mr. Frey stated
that he will share what was discussed by the Commission tomorrow morning at the 9:00 a.m. meeting. Commissioner
Raeuchle requested that Mr. Frey then share the feedback he receives with the Commission at the next meeting to
ensure that the Commission's concepts have been reflected in what was transmitted in the meeting.
Chair Meifert stated that it would be best to work with corporations now who plan to be donors and not wait until
February, which is after many corporations have made their donations for 2014.
Commissioner Miller inquired if other commissions are presently working on this. Ms. Faus stated that she was only
aware of what the Park Board is presently working on. Commissioner Raeuchle reminded the Commission that the
Historical Society is sponsoring the Historic Homes Tour, which is also doing fundraising.
Commissioner Bouassida stated that this is the time for the Commission to actively pursue this issue and it's essential
that it is stated in the minutes as such. He asked that the Ways & Means Committee present an update to the
Commission at its next meeting and supported making a motion stating the same. Chair Meifert inquired if this could be
ready for the August meeting, which is the 28th of August. It was decided that this should be the plan.
Motion by Commissioner Bouassida and seconded by Commissioner La Valleur that the Art and Culture Commission
make a presentation regarding this issue at the August 28, 2014, meeting.
Ayes: Hafed Bouassida, Kandace Ellis, Barbara La Valleur, Ray Meifert, Anne Miller, Kitty O'Dea, Thomas Raeuchle, and
Steve Suckow. Motion carried.
VIII. Correspondence and Petitions
Chair Meifert asked if there was any correspondence or petitions. None voiced.
IX. Chair and Board Commissioner Comments
Commissioner O'Dea stated that she is not working on the Edina Film Festival any longer, so she's not sure what the
status is. Chair Meifert added that he will be meeting with them and has some recommendations to provide. He would
like to see it moved back to a working group.
Commissioner La Valleur inquired when the students will be starting. Commissioner Raeuchle responded that they will
be nominated and start again in September. Commissioner La Valleur also inquired regarding Fall into the Arts. She
stated that she's getting a schedule together in order to interact with the public. Mr. Frey is the Chair of this event,
which is a benefit for Edina Crime Prevention. He stated that commissioners and authors from the Author's Studio can
also speak with the public at the Public Art table.
Commissioner Raeuchle opined that funding should be put aside to discuss goals, etc. Many of the Commissioners were
in agreement with that statement. Commissioner Ellis requested that Mr. Frey look at what has been done in the past
and make some changes and provide this information for the next meeting of the Commission.
X. Staff Comments
No comments.
XI. Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner La Valleur and seconded by Commissioner Miller that the Art and Culture Commission
adjourn the meeting at 6:13 p.m.
Ayes: Hafed Bouassida, Kandace Ellis, Barbara La Valleur, Ray Meifert, Anne Miller, Kitty O'Dea, Thomas Raeuchle, and
Steve Suckow. Motion carried.