HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-12-18 Arts Culture Commission MinutesEdina Arts and Culture Commission Meeting
Meeting Minutes
City of Edina, Minnesota
Edina City Hall Community Room
December 18, 2014
4:30 P.M.
I. Call to Order
Chair Meifert called the meeting to order at 4:32 p.m.
II. Roll Call
Commissioners Present: Hafed Bouassida, Kandace Ellis, Dana Lappin, Barbara La Valleur, Ray Meifert,
Kitty O'Dea, Thomas Raeuchle, and Steve Suckow.
Commissioners Absent: Anne Miller.
Staff Present: Michael Frey, General Manager, Edina Art Center.
Students Representatives Present: Sophia Munic and Jack Ready.
III. Approval of Meeting Agenda
Chair Meifert noted the meeting agenda had been circulated and asked if there were requests for
additions or changes.
Commissioner La Valleur asked that the Public Art Working Group be considered under Reports rather
than the Consent Agenda.
Motion by Chair Meifert and seconded by Commissioner La Valleur that the Arts and
Culture Commission approve the December 18, 2014 Agenda as amended.
Ayes: Hafed Bouassida, Kandace Ellis, Dana Lappin, Barbara La Valleur, Ray Meifert, Kitty O'Dea,
Thomas Raeuchle, and Steve Suckow. Motion carried.
IV. Adoption of Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes — Regular Meeting of October 23, 2014
B. General Manager's Report
C. Music in Edina Working Group
D,--Publie-Art-Wer-king-G-reup
Chair Meifert asked if there were changes or corrections to the minutes of the Regular Meeting of
October 23, 2014. No additional changes were reported.
The Arts and Culture Commission approved the Consent Agenda as amended.
V. Community Comment
No comments made.
VI. Reports/Recommendations
A. Grandview Committee
Commissioner Raeuchle had nothing further to report.
Commissioner O'Dea reported that she attended the December 4 public meeting and stated that there
had been guiding principles from the last round of meetings that were used in order to receive input on
possible options. She believed that the intent was to obtain general input with example pictures used
but stated that some people viewed the session as presenting actual options rather than examples.
Commissioner Suckow stated that the meeting was heavily attended, advising that all the electronic
voting equipment was used. He stated that there was a core group spread throughout that spoke in
favor of an arts and culture building while others spoke in favor of athletic aspects. He stated that
perhaps better expectations could have been set for the public.
Commissioner Lappin felt that staff believed that the meetings would draw input from all residents of
Edina and stated that instead it is the people that want their input heard. She did not believe that all
residents of Edina have an interest in Grandview.
Commissioner O'Dea stated that staff did a good job relating the size of the parcel, which is three acres,
to other areas in the City.
Commissioner Ellis stated that she also felt that perhaps the purpose of the evening was to introduce
the developer to the public that has been involved in the process. She stated that people were crowded
into a small classroom and felt that a comment could have been made to link the project to a possible
location for community meeting space. She stated that there seemed to be negative comments as
people were leaving the meeting, perhaps because of the past process.
Jack Ready agreed that it was difficult to see and that it felt like there was not a purpose to the meeting.
Commissioner Ellis stated that she found the use of the electronic equipment to be a beneficial method
of obtaining immediate response and opinion.
Commissioner O'Dea stated that in some of those situations a use was presented with a modern
building and believed that it was difficult for residents to unlink the picture used from the general idea.
Commissioner Ellis stated that she felt that there was support for a center for arts and culture.
Commissioner Raeuchle stated that at this point at least a community building for the arts is part of the
serious discussion.
Commissioner La Valleur stated that perhaps the follow up email sent to those who attended the public
meeting could be distributed to the remaining members of the Commission that were not able to attend
the meeting.
Commissioner Suckow stated that staff had stated that there would be a possibility for a member of the
Grandview group to come to the Arts and Culture Commission meeting.
Commissioner Raeuchle stated that perhaps the Grandview meeting includes a larger group with an
interest in the arts.
Mr. Frey advised that the Commission can vote to televise the February meeting rather than the January
meeting.
Motion by Commissioner Ellis and seconded by Commissioner La Valleur that the Art and
Culture Commission televise the February meeting.
Ayes: Hafed Bouassida, Kandace Ellis, Dana Lappin, Barbara La Valleur, Ray Meifert, Kitty O'Dea,
Thomas Raeuchle, and Steve Suckow. Motion carried.
Motion by Commissioner Suckow and seconded by Commissioner Raeuchle that the Art
and Culture Commission ask someone from the Grandview group to present to the
Commission at the regular January meeting and invite others with an arts and culture
interest.
Further discussion: Commissioner Bouassida cautioned against inviting too many other people to the
meeting.
Commissioner Raeuchle stated that perhaps the group of invited people could be narrowed and
advised that he would work with Mr. Frey to determine who will be invited.
Ayes: Hafed Bouassida, Kandace Ellis, Dana Lappin, Barbara La Valleur, Ray Meifert, Kitty O'Dea,
Thomas Raeuchle, and Steve Suckow. Motion carried.
B. Edina Vision Update
Commissioner Suckow stated that the process is ongoing but did not have anything new to report since
the previous update.
C. Ways and Means Committee
Mr. Frey stated that City staff has completed the donations and sponsorship policy, which was approved
by the City Council in November and can be distributed to the Commission. He stated that the policy
is fairly general and advised that the Council is very supportive of any fundraising efforts this group or
any other desires to do. He cautioned that there is a fine line between sponsorships and advertising
that must be kept in mind.
Chair Meifert stated that perhaps coordination should be done in order to move ahead in this direction,
with a presentation to be made at the January meeting.
D. Music in Edina
Commissioner Ellis stated the group met to discuss the next event on February 14th which will be a
concert with a dance with the Rockin' Hollywoods playing. She reported that another event will be held
on April 26th to support the Minnehaha Music Orchestra, noting that the Orchestra would be
fundraising with Music in Edina sponsoring the event as previously discussed. She hoped that the group
could continue to work towards the jazz concert proposed for July.
Commissioner Raeuchle questioned if any other groups had reached out to the Music in Edina working
group.
Commissioner Ellis stated that the group has not received requests from other groups.
Chair Meifert stated that perhaps Music in Edina could work with the Chamber Choir to partner for an
event.
Sophia Munic stated that perhaps the Chamber Choir would not be available and suggested checking the
availability of the Varsity Choir.
Mr. Frey stated that the mission of Music in Edina is to help fund groups in Edina that are in need of
assistance, noting that while it is great to support the choirs, those groups are well supported by the
School District. He stated that the 2015 Work Plan was well received and advised that the Council is
strongly in support of an arts and culture community calendar. He noted that he placed that item on
the Work Plan for the Art Center and advised that he will begin the process.
Commissioner Ellis stated that she will attempt to research the calendar as well.
E. Public Art Working Group
Commissioner La Valleur stated that the group did not meet the past month. She stated that the only
issue was whether or not a vote would be needed for the addition of new members. She stated that
since approval is not needed because this is now a working group, she simply advised of a new member
that will be joining the working group.
VII. Correspondence and Petitions
Chair Meifert asked if there was any correspondence or petitions. None voiced.
VIII. Chair and Board Commissioner Comments
Commissioner Raeuchle commented on the Promenade Phase 4, noting that the discussion began the
previous year. He stated that he, Commissioner La Valleur and Mr. Frey met with a consultant to
provide artistic input on the project. He advised that a report will be available by the end of the month
for the public. He stated that originally the intent was featured towards water and natural water
treatment but explained that cannot be the direction because of contamination found deep in the
ground. He advised that the new concept focuses more on animal and insect habitat and as a wildlife
corridor within a densely populated area. He suggested that programming for the parks, including
events which provide an artistic or cultural aspect into the parks, be an item of focus for the 2015 year.
Sophia Munic stated that Edina Images held its first fundraiser and generated $200.
The Commission suggested that Sophia Munic make a presentation to generate support of Images at the
January Commission meeting.
Commissioner La Valleur reported that her opening was very successful with 1 10 people in attendance.
IX. Staff Comments
Mr. Frey reported that the City Council approved the Work Plan for the 2015. He advised that the
Council had concern that the percentage for the arts ordinance would not be supported by Statute.
Commissioner La Valleur noted that is in line with the desire of the Commission, as the Commission
had previously decided not to move forward with a percentage for the arts ordinance. She stated that
the idea had been to possibly pursue the concept as a policy rather than as an ordinance.
Mr. Frey noted that concept could be further researched.
Commissioner Ellis referenced the idea of fundraising and questioned if the working groups should
fundraise as the working group or under the umbrella of the Commission.
Commissioner Raeuchle stated that if a grant application were to be written, it should be done in
whatever manner that would be most successful. He stated that for sponsorships it would be
fundraising for the working group while a grant could be applied for more under the Commission.
Commissioner Bouassida stated that he did not think there would be a right or wrong answer but
believed that the fundraising should be done under the larger umbrella of the Commission.
Chair Meifert stated that once the new guidelines are reviewed the Commission can then identify a
fundraising strategy. He recognized the frustration this process has brought.
Commissioner O'Dea thanked Commissioner Bouassida for his efforts on the Commission as this is one
of his last meetings.
X. Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner La Valleur and seconded by Commissioner Suckow that the Art
and Culture Commission adjourn the meeting at 5:35 p.m.
Ayes: Hafed Bouassida, Kandace Ellis, Barbara La Valleur, Ray Meifert, Kitty O'Dea, Thomas Raeuchle,
and Steve Suckow. Motion carried.
Public Art Edina Highlights
Edina Arts and Culture Commission
January 22, 2015
Bill Neuendorf, City Economic Development Manager and Dave Anderson,
Frauenshuh consultant, answered questions on the Grandview
Redevelopment Project and sought Public Art's comments on the 3.5 acre
site. The next public meeting about the project is March 12th.
The Healing was unfortunately vandalized again with the result that one of
the rock tower steel poles broke when artist Joel Carter attempted to
restore it to its original vertical position. We're discussing signage and other
deterrents to vandalism. Lighting is simply too expensive.
Michael Frey reported a man was injured when he walked into How to Build
a Bird House mobile sculpture the sculpture at 50th and France. The City's
HR Department is handling the claim for the City to cover medical
expenses following a cut to his head.
Our 2015 Call for Sculptures will be sent out within the next three weeks.
There is renewed interest in having a life sized K-9 Sculpture to honor
Kodiak and Diesel, two K-9 officers both of which have died after retiring to
be placed in front of the Police Department at the front of City Hall. A local
artist has expressed great interest in the project.
At a working session with the City Council for The Promenade Phase Four
expansion, the City heard plans for purchasing Oxymoron and Three
Dancing Hill Cranes as cornerstones for the project. City officials will be
getting back to the City Council about funding sources for the project.
We welcomed a new member, Katy Elfstrand, owner of b Sharp Hair Salon,
3939 W. 50th St.
Barbara La Valleur
Public Art Edina
Chair