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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-01-22 Arts Culture Commission MinutesEdina Art and Culture Commission Meeting Meeting Minutes City of Edina, Minnesota Edina City Hall Community Room January 22, 2015 4:30 P.M. I. Call to Order Chair Meifert called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. II. Roll Call Commissioners Present: Kandace Ellis, Barbara La Valleur, Ray Meifert, Anne Miller, and Steve Suckow. Commissioners Absent: Hafed Bouassida, Dana Lappin, and Kitty O'Dea. Staff Present: Michael Frey, General Manager, Edina Art Center; and William Neuendorf, Economic Development Manager. Students Representatives Present: Sophia Munic Community Members Present: Terry Minarik, Confluence III. 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. The Arts and Culture Commission approved the January 22, 2015 agenda as presented. IV. Adoption of Consent Agenda A. Approval of Minutes — Regular Meeting of December 18, 2014 &___Generatmartageris_Repert C. Music in Edina Working Group D. Public Art Working Group Mr. Frey advised that there is not a General Manager's Report. Motion by Commissioner Suckow and seconded by Commissioner La Valleur that the Arts and Culture Commission approve the Consent Agenda as amended. Ayes: Kandace Ellis, Barbara La Valleur, Ray Meifert, Anne Miller, and Steve Suckow. Motion carried. V. Community Comment No comments made. VI. Reports/Recommendations A. Grandview Site Update — Mr. Terry Minarik, Confluence, and Mr. Dave Anderson, Frauenshuh Mr. Neuendorf identified the Grandview site noting that although the parcel has been discussed several times in the past there has been much more focus recently. He advised of recent public meetings that have been held with Edina residents as well as high school students and noted that there were common themes received. He stated that staff will continue to obtain input from other groups within the City. He reported that the City is still in the informational/exploratory phase of the project and advised that staff did receive the comments and vision for a community building forwarded from this Commission. He stated that this is an opportunity for the Commission to provide input on the project. He stated that there will be a discovery session on March I 1 th to review the information received from the public meetings. He hoped to have options available in April with a decision to be made by the Council in June. Commissioner Suckow asked for additional information on the themes staff interpreted from the December public meeting. Mr. Minarik stated that a report was developed which provides the information that had been placed on the City website. He noted that the students were much more open to flexibility and variety. He stated that the students were very aware and thoughtful noting that there were questions prepared. He advised that the results from that session would also be composed into a report and would be posted to the City website. Mr. Neuendorf reviewed some of the themes and wants that arose from the meetings thus far including space for art, seniors, teens, community, performing arts as well as indoor and outdoor uses. He stated that parking and transportation were also mentioned. He stated that an overall theme of flexibility came across as well as the desire for private enterprise as well whether that would be residential and/or business. Mr. Minarik stated that the size of the site would fit well with a portion dedicated to a parking ramp as well as shared transit. Commissioner Ellis referenced a parking ramp behind Jerry's and questioned if perhaps that could be used for this site as well as shared parking. Mr. Neuendorf stated that the design staff has been asked to keep that option in mind. Mr. Minarik stated that the ramp could not be expanded because the two levels do not connect, there is separate access to each level and cars cannot travel between the two levels. Commissioner La Valleur stated that perhaps a green roof element could be added to the project. She was surprised that a senior center would be suggested because there is a very nice senior center in Edina less than five minutes from this site. Chair Meifert questioned what the City of Edina is in need of that could be placed on that space. He stated that while it would be nice to incorporate some of those elements mentioned perhaps the focus should be on what the City is lacking such as performance arts space. He questioned if there are amenities that other communities have that Edina does not. Mr. Minarik agreed that the City does not have a community performance arts space, noting several neighboring communities that have that amenity. He stated that perhaps the frustration with the senior center currently is the large amount of space and the lack of parking. He explained that there have been times when the parking is full but yet the senior center is not even close to utilizing the amount of space in that location. Commissioner Ellis stated that perhaps a coffee shop element could be added to the lower level of the library in order to bring in teens that might use their bicycles to access the site. Mr. Minarik stated that there is also perhaps a stigma attached to the term senior center and noted that some residents would be more willing to visit a community space rather than something termed for seniors. Chair Meifert stated that this will not include everything that everyone wants and noted that in reality many Edina residents would not even use the building. He stated that Minneapolis has the second strongest performing arts presence after New York and believed a performing arts space would be beneficial. Commissioner Suckow questioned if the City is committed to including a private component to accompany the public aspect in order to fund the use. Mr. Neuendorf agreed that there is a plan to incorporate private and public components. Chair Meifert questioned if there is a deadline for public input. Mr. Neuendorf advised that a few options will be presented in April, with additional public input to follow and a Council decision to be made June 2nd. Commissioner Ellis stated that she would like to see better access to the current senior center as well, including an overhang that could prevent ice near the entry. Mr. Minarik stated that the inventory of the parks and recreation/trails had been done and staff is moving forward in the Strategic Plan process as well. He advised that the Committee meets on a monthly basis and stated that the group is hoping to be finished this spring. Sophia Munic stated that she would love to see an art element on the site and would like the space to be more general as a community rather than specific age groups. She also believed a small rock climbing feature would be a great aspect. She confirmed that she will have a presentation prepared for the Commission at the February meeting regarding Images. Commissioner Miller questioned if there had been thought to creating an art center in another space or whether this had come about because of this space possibly being available. Mr. Minarik confirmed that the art center idea has come about in this project because the space would possibly be available. He recognized that there is a need for more space for the existing art center. Commissioner La Valleur questioned if there had been thought to creating a center which would combine the art center with a performing art center. Mr. Neuendorf stated that although that is a great concept there has to be enough space as well as a source of funding that would ensure the viability of the center. B. Election of Vice Chair Motion by Chair Meifert and seconded by Commissioner Suckow that the Art and Culture Commission table the election of a Vice Chair to April. Ayes: Kandace Ellis, Barbara La Valleur, Ray Meifert, Anne Miller, and Steve Suckow. Motion carried. C. Donations Policy Chair Meifert stated that the information was included in the packet and he did not feel that there was any surprising information in the policy. He stated that perhaps the Ways and Means Committee should meet to discuss additional aspects, such as specific events that could benefit from fundraising under the Arts and Culture Commission umbrella. Mr. Frey agreed that the next step would be for the Ways and Means Committee to meet and develop a document that would be used specific to the arts. Commissioner La Valleur discussed some of the fundraising and sponsorship opportunities used for public art. She commented that Collin Nelson's monthly sessions have been going great and thought that The Author's Studio could be a great event to support. Chair Meifert agreed that the focus for fundraising could be Music in Edina, The Author's Studio, art exhibitions and public art. He noted that he will approach the film festival group once more to determine if they would like to join as a working group or whether they would like to simply continue to be independent. It was determined that the Ways and Means Committee would meet on January 29th at 4:15 to 6:00 p.m. at the Edina Art Center. Commissioner Miller stated that as a new member she would like to see on paper how these groups are funded. VII. Correspondence and Petitions Chair Meifert asked if there was any correspondence or petitions. None voiced. VIII. Chair and Board Commissioner Comments Commissioner Ellis encouraged the Commission to tell others about the Music in the Edina event on February 14th Motion by Commissioner Suckow and seconded by Commissioner La Valleur that the Arts and Culture Commission thank Commissioners Bouassida and Raeuchle for their service to the City and their efforts in developing this group into a Commission. Ayes: Kandace Ellis, Barbara La Valleur, Ray Meifert, Anne Miller, and Steve Suckow. Motion carried. Commissioner Miller commended Commissioner La Valleur for her photographic exhibition and wished her continued success. IX. Staff Comments No comments. X. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Miller and seconded by Commissioner Suckow that the Arts and Culture Commission adjourn the meeting at 5:50 p.m. Ayes: Kandace Ellis, Barbara La Valleur, Ray Meifert, Anne Miller, and Steve Suckow. Motion carried.