City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire Public Art Review Committee, 29 Mar 2023

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3.29.2023 Public Art Review Committee

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Great, we are ready to record or ready to start. So. Thank you. Kevin first time in the sea.

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um So I'd like to welcome everyone to the city of portsmouth public art review committee meeting.

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For of march 29, 2023 and I'll just make the note that this is our first inaugural meeting um and I.

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Am sean clancy, your staff liaison I'm responsible for economic and community development here uh at.

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The city of portsmouth and and uh just want to, let you know that going forward, hopefully.

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You will all uh kind of run your committee and I will be your your staff resource. Okay, may I turn.

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It over council cook um hi, uh if you don't know me, I'm kate cook um on the city council and I'm.

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Your city council liaison. um I hope that this is the only time I'm here sitting at the table. This.

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Is just for tonight to in uh to welcome you all answer, questions about ordinance! um That's why.

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I'm here, um but I will continue to be your liaison, I'm happy to come to all your meetings, probably.

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Sit in the back and then, if you have anything that you want me to address, you can, let me know.

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um But uh it's really your committee and I'm looking forward to seeing what you all do so.

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Any questions before we start in introductions great.

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I think we should start here at the table paul. Would you like to start? um Yes, my name is paul.

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Burke and uh we live right on south street and we've been living there for three years.

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um My in-laws moved into 1969 and uh we're legendary in the community, so hopefully I can.

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Live up to the alleged, at least in a small pot um as a professional, I've been a professional builder.

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For 50 years of running classic building and design, we've done a lot of historical.

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Restoration in newport, a beacon hill, providence, rhode, island on college hill- and um you know in.

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That capacity as a builder and designer, I think I bring a lot of um skills to this committee and.

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Willing to to work to that capacity to make it a success. Previously I've been lived in new york.

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In elliott, rather and not york and member of the planning board there for several years, remember.

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The comprehensive plan for three years, it was the first comp plan that we put together in.

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Elliott, at the same time, I was a member of on the board of the piscataqua sustainability initiative.

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Which was an education program that we looked to take the curriculum that sweden had put out for a.

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State sustainability, movement and it's under the title of the natural step, also volunteered for.

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Sea ray, which is a bite which was an offshoot of the psi that we did actually solar bond raisings.

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Using the bond raising techniques and did dozens of solar installations in the town of portsmouth.

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A number of great people in that area, um so um this is fun um after I finished a private.

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Parochial high school went on to study at risd and the artists from boston for basically one.

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Year, while I was going to the rhode, island, junior college and then the audience to the boston for.

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Three years, even though it didn't continue as a professional artist, I took those skills in to aid.

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Me in the conceptional conceptualizing people's plans and then doing blueprints and and taking.

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People from the process of concept to completion on projects, so we had about 50 years of doing.

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That so, I think I'd bring some basic skills, and hopefully it can be an asset to this committee.

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For 26 years and raised three children who have gone through the portsmouth school.

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Systems successfully, I work for bank of america, I'm in strategic communications and planning on.

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Their in their merchant services division and I recently joined the board of the portsmouth.

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Community garden, where I started working with city leaders and some city, council members and.

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When I saw this committee opening come up, I thought this would be another good way to give.

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Back so I'm a newbie to city committees, but I'm excited to contribute and I'm passionate about art.

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Thank you. My name is bob thorson. I am the old guy here. I've been here for over 50 years.

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I started out as the planning director for the city of portsmouth in 1971 from then to 1977.

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I was responsible for the market square project, the visual environment program, the his drafting.

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And implementing the historic district ordinance after that, after my service to the city, it became.

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A planning consultant for a number of years and did downtown revitalization planning all over.

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The country for the national trust for historic preservation, then I got into development work.

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I've done his historic preservation work and built the along with the business partner. The building.

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At 10 pleasant street, which is right back in the north church, we rehabbed the old police station.

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And actually I served on the blue ribbon committee to for a plan for the reuse of the police station.

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A number of years before that never knew I was going to end up owning it [laughter] um and then.

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I also have been a practicing artist and occasionally mostly abstract, art and.

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um Social commentary- and I was president of the hampshire art.

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Association for four years in the 90 in 2009 to 2005 to 2009 been a.

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um Worked on almost every single non-profit board in the city, the exception of the music hall.

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So I've been around a while welcome bob. Thank you. My name is jen meister on a 23 plus year.

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Resident of portsmouth and my background is in visual merchandising and store design as well.

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As marketing and when this came up, sean had asked me to help in the summertime that was great fun.

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It was really interesting, and I thought when this came up, it was like this is something I think I.

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Can contribute to and give some of my background expertise in design, so I'm looking forward to it.

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Thanks jim great, my name is alyssa murphy. I'm, I think 13-year resident of portsmouth have two.

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Children and I'm an architect I firm, is called place work. We have an office right downtown. We.

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Do mostly municipal and institutional work really focusing on places for community, so.

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Thank you, melissa uh nancy. Could you start us off on zoom, please.

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Sure, hello, everybody, I'm sorry to not be there in person. I plan to return.

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Back to new hampshire next week, after spending the winter in miami beach and.

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I look forward to meeting some of you beth. I volunteered at the community.

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Garden last year, moot hauling dirt. So I love that project. We love our volunteers.

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um I have sat on a lot of boards as well and currently on the board of pmac and the portsmouth.

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Historical society and I'm a subscriber at the athenaeum- I was a board member for art.

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Speak for several years and the director of arts speak and actually was part of art speak when we.

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Drafted the public art guidelines- that's in our attachment tonight that was adopted by the city.

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When then, councilor dwyer was on the council, um so very heavily involved in the public art.

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Policies of the city and establishing some protocols when art speak was still an entity.

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Then I was a city counselor for two terms. During that time um I sat on several public art review.

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Committees and ushered in some projects you might be familiar with, such as the music hall march, the.

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Music hall neon sign the foundry garage artwork, the hammers and the etched glass and the michael.

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Warhurst sculpture in the in prescott park, so um this is a subject, that's near and dear to my heart,.

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And I'm super homesick. I can't wait to get back to portsmouth next week. Can't come soon enough.

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Thank you nancy. Chris, do you want to go next? Please.

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In a policy policy, research policy, consultation in education and also a fair amount of work.

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In the arts for the national endowment for the arts and and others as nancy said, I was a city.

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Counselor, for cinnamon terms and during one of those terms introduced the public art ordinance.

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Which I was interested in doing because I had served again for seven years. It must be a theme.

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There, um as chair of the state arts, council and new hampshire, is one of the states that, for a long.

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Long time has had a percent for art or events, and so we over so we're overseeing quite a number of.

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Commissions percent for art, um during the time that that I chaired the council um always been.

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Interested in art and on the council, I also served on the planning board for four years in building.

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Reuse and a number of things that um are are related to to site development. I chaired the.

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Prescott park, master plan and ellen feinberg, who I know isn't here years ago ellen and I did the.

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Smithsonians save our sculpture um inventory of the entire seacoast for for public art, which was.

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A long-standing project the smithsonian had to document public art all over the country.

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um So I I'm interested in this from a policy standpoint and also from.

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Just from helping to kind of see through something that you know, we started a long.

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Time ago and has borne fruit, as nancy has said, but um I think now that particularly.

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More private entities are in are interested in having public art in our city. It's time to connect.

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Public art review to our land use boards and to kind of up the angie on how public art is.

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um Is treated both in private and public settings, so I see the connection to private.

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Versions, private, supportive public art through the historic district commission and the planning.

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Board and uh unfortunately often through the board of adjustments, so I'm hoping we'll be.

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Able to tackle some of those issues through this committee, great thanks chris and bob- are.

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You going to take a pass on introduction for tonight or how do you want to see that again.

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Oh there, what does it say, you're well catching some glare on your on your uh there. We go okay.

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Landscape architecture- architect, excuse me urban design, creative place, making.

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Okay morning, we'll give you a buy okay, so- uh and I guess ellen feinberg is not here. Ellen was also.

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Very involved, as chris said um in in art, speak and and lots of public art previous you'll hear.

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From ellen when she returns and mara whistling tomorrow, whistling yeah whistling is also not.

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Here, so those are our this is your committee? Okay, okay, um now that we know who's in the room.

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um So um I was playing, I didn't. I just happened to come across this. I.

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Was playing at the acquisition committee um in 2011? um There was one formed and.

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I don't think it ever met other than the initial meeting. Okay, fine anyway,.

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So again, council cook is here to I talk about the the ordinance and and the charge and and.

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uh Tonight we may start some conversations that need to continue, but really again, the.

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Thought was to get us together and start thinking about how to how to move forward as a group. So.

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uh I think for the group or if you want to open up to questions.

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um I'm happy to to provide a short summary sure um I sent around to the committee. The two art public.

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Art ordinances we have now um the the first one is the public art ordinance that chris dwyer spoke to.

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um That we refer to as percent for arts. um The second is the public art review committee.

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Ordinance you'll find that first in the packet I sent around, that's actually establishing ordinance.

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That the council just passed in december, that establishes this committee and there's also.

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A public art policy we used to have two: we just combined them into one policy um because it was.

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A little confusing um the structure, so the council and the process of adopting a new.

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Ordinance combine the other two policies into one, so we have also a public art policy. Those the two.

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Ordinances and the policy really govern the way we deal with public art in the city of portsmouth, but.

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The most important- um I guess the most important orange for you to know first- is the establishing.

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Ordinance for the committee that describes your powers and duties and responsibilities for the.

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Committee and then the other ordinance will tell you how the percent for arts program is.

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Is supposed to work, the policy is kind of helps guide the council on how we deal with public.

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Art and then you also saw a set of public art guidelines which nancy pearson spoke to before.

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So those guidelines were already established those guidelines. I use those guidelines when I.

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Drafted the ordinance for the public art review committee and this ordinance came about because.

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um When I first joined the council, I'd had several meetings with individuals in the.

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Community that cared very deeply about public art and the arts, and this was a glaring gap.

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In implementation of um percent for arts program, um what would happen is a lot of times the city.

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Would have a capital project that would trigger percent for arts, but we wouldn't have a an art.

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Review we didn't have a public art review committee in place, so then it's up to the.

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Council to make sure that we were actually following our own ordinance and putting money.

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Aside for public art, then, if we did do that, then it would be up to the city manager to kind of help.

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Put together a review committee and the reason that's the case is that the organization that used.

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To do that, art speak no longer exists, so so we were kind of in a situation where the city manager.

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Was kind of pulling together ad hoc committees are asking the council to do so, and that meant that.

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A lot of times things just fall fell through the cracks, so we knew that we had a gap at the city, an.

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Implementation of a percent for arts. We also knew that we didn't have anyone thinking more broadly.

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About public art and and the community, where should we be going? What is our strategic vision.

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In the long run for public art, so um when I wrote the ordinance I took the public art guidelines and.

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Tried to take the recommendations that came out of the public art guidelines to draft powers and.

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Duties for the committee and then that took went through a review process through the city, legal.

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Department, the governance committee and, ultimately, the city council- and this is where we ended up so.

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The first parts of this ordinance really deal with membership, which is the group of you here and your.

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Skill sets definition of public art which went through some tweaking with the legal department.

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um And then gets to powers and duty, which I think is really the meat of the ordinance.

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um Explaining all of your your tasks, there are quite a few. um This committee not only serves.

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To review programs or projects that come through percent for arts, the committee also is supposed.

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To develop plans for public art in the city, the city should also- or this committee should also.

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Deal with referrals from land use committees, if the land use committee seeks an opinion.

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On a piece of public art, that's coming before them, the committee should review the public art.

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um Any public art based upon in our acquisition policy based upon our public art guidelines.

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Whether or not it makes sense to acquire different pieces of public art that are offered as donations.

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To the city, this, the committee also has the task of um receiving donations and kind of.

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Soliciting those donations creating a plan for the city around how how we, ultimately, not only.

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Fund public art, through percent for arts, but get people to contribute to the public, art trust for.

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Additional public art in the community, so there are there's a lot in the the guidelines for this.

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Committee and I encourage you as a committee to discuss all of those things to think about.

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It very broadly to decide how how you want to proceed in addressing some of these. There isn't.

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um An immediate task for the committee, so that's what john and I were discussing so so I think it's.

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Really more important that the committee sits down and discusses all of the the tasks that.

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You have ahead ahead of you and how you want to approach them first and then your responsibility.

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To reporting, which is to report back to the city, council and and those reporting tasks, are not.

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um I don't think they're too um strenuous for a committee they're, pretty simple reporting tasks.

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To report back, but there is um quite a bit to think about think and and then um for those of.

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You who are not familiar with percent for the arts or the policy or the public art guidelines, I would.

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Recommend you spend some time reviewing those and asking questions, because you actually do have.

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Some people in the committee who, I would say are the experts. I am not the expert on those things.

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um But you you're fortunate to have those individuals serving with you so.

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All right, so I have a couple of technical questions. One is that.

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um And they said that people were appointed for staggering terms, but I haven't received any.

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Letter from anybody that I was even appointed and I don't think anybody else has either.

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And I don't know who's curious as to what that's what the staggered terms are. So I will. I will.

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Talk to the city clerk and see how those were designated, um so I will I will ask when this comes.

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Before the council, the way they come is just his names. Without a designation for the length of term.

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So the city clerk would have would have annotated that with the mayor. So, okay I'll ask this one.

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Yeah, I can follow up as well. You will these uh and then the other question I have is these procedural.

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Guidelines from from the former outspeak, um I I just um background information, because they're not.

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They're not in force in any way I mean they, the the concepts were developed. I mean came.

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Out I put into the other ones, but but these are just this is just background. I presume.

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um Those are the guidelines that we use as this for the city when we review public art um those.

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Current those are currently the guidelines. Okay, um and uh we had some people that were around. I.

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Was not around when they were initially adopted, but they they were adopted as our guidelines. So.

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By the city by the city, so for clarification, that they're now in in the ordinance that um they're.

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Not oh they're, not well. They the ordinance refers to um the public art guidelines, so um I would say.

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That this committee, though, is if the committees is down, and you know if there are any challenges.

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Around the public art guidelines or problems with the public art guidelines, this would be the.

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Committee to address that got it okay and to make recommendations back to the council right, yep, yeah.

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Are there any other questions around the the ordinance, the establishing ordinance.

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I should also note that um the way that we usually handle this at the city council level is if, if.

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You see any challenges in your ordinance that you ultimately think should be changed. As a committee.

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You can request that too, um so, so that's what I've been dealing with at the governance committee.

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Is I've got three or four committees that are making some changes asking for changes to their.

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Ordinance so they come to us and then we review them and if we think that they're reasonable, we.

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Tell them they're reasonable, then they send them to the city council for a request to change so so.

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um The goal is that this committee becomes the expert committee on public art in the community.

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I wouldn't want to think that the council is expert on public art. I'm I'm definitely not.

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That's why you're here? Because we need people who are thinking about public art and we need.

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Those people to have certain skill sets that we don't necessarily have at the council level.

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You have one question on the duties number 12 the identify and solicit funds. That seems maybe at.

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Odds with our role, as um you know, giving opinions on things. If we're also, then fundraising for them.

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That seems like there could be potential conflict there. I think the goal is to allow the committee.

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To solicit funds for projects, if the, if, if, for example, there is an opportunity- and the committee.

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Has identified an opportunity to work with a prominent artist that wants to place a project in.

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Portsmouth and our public art trust doesn't have enough funds in it to pay for that project. The.

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Goal is to allow the committee the ability to take donations from the public to help fund a project.

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So um it would not be to fund a project that is triggered by percent for arts, usually usually.

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Those those projects are already, you would go through the process of using the funds.

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That are designated by the city. It's not to say that a percent for the arts project.

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Couldn't couldn't be supplemented, though, if you think that a supplementation from.

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Existing funds that are already in the trust would would help bolster the project you could.

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You could potentially do that so um so the goal is was to allow that to happen.

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um So there's a one percent for the arts is currently there. There isn't any other funding.

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That the city contributes that's correct. That was updated today, there's no money sitting in.

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A in the art trust account interesting. um We could. We could clearly recommend that a.

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Allocation be put in the capital improvement program every year for our acquisition. Chris.

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um To contribute uh to some projects.

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Right, I really think this is an opportunity for a restart. If you will.

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um And and um right then, to have the ordinance dry. You know clear out clearly.

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State what what what is possible or what is not right and then to council cook's point.

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um If you want to go back and address some of those things because you're out here on the ground.

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In the real world- and maybe things are outdated- that that's the opportunity sure right, yep.

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You know, and as far as getting uh public funds, isn't it a way if we can really get a criterion.

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To find what really quality artwork is, I think, we'll draw funds into the city. You know if you.

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Go back to the renaissance. The medicis uh family in italy really was at the forefront of doing.

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Exactly what we're proposing or doing right now and we can see other other residents in town- have.

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Embraced that and done this on their own, so we have an opportunity if we can really hit those.

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Those projects that excite the money is here we have to market. We have to be that we have to be.

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The people that pull it together, and so when everybody reads it it makes sense, certainly.

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We live in town, we know the burdens of living in town tax, wise and I think, to sell us to the town.

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We have to look to expand it to independent people or businesses and say just like they do with the.

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Td garden in boston manual put your name on it. You got business, so let them let let us maybe consider.

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That as one of the goals of how we could maybe attract money into this into this to fund the arts.

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And paul just just to build on that, so my responsibility is, is the business advocate here.

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In city hall, I also recently took on responsibly for community development, which oversees the.

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Cdbg distribution, crest that you mentioned right so there's a reason why I'm I'm in this.

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Role to facilitate and support what you're, what you're all want to accomplish and going forward.

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Are there any other questions for me.

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And I'm happy to be here whenever you need me and I'm happy to continue to answer any questions for you from the council side of things or if.

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You want anything to go to the council, just I'm happy to to help shepherd that, for you.

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Chris nancy or bob anything you want to add you.

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Think we should hear from your experience or thoughts.

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um Great well next on the agenda is establishing the committee structure.

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And speaking to council cook earlier, I don't, the group may not be prepared to.

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Do that tonight, but I certainly wanted to put it on on the agenda for you to think.

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About or or execute on, or or, however, you want to address that. Well, I like to make a motion.

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On that right now, I think bob thorson right now. If anyone else wants to challenge that.

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um So it's really really it's a so perhaps I would like to make the first motion that I nominate for them to be chair.

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Of this committee, because anybody second, this motion well hold on just a second happily a second.

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I actually am out of the city a lot um and as much as I would.

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I'll have to consider it. I think I shouldn't do it um we're we're away all winter. Yes,.

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Well, we're normally we all went here, but we have a flooded house in florida right now, but um so.

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Anyway, um that's that would be a problem and I'm otherwise. I would consider it. Thank you, mr flores.

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While you're thinking about this um just I serve when I come, I serve as leads out to a couple of.

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Committees, some committees have co-chairs for kind of some of those reasons of coverage. Others.

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Will have a chair right and a vice chair, yeah and really those are the two things to think.

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About in terms of leadership, and then the only really the only other critical position is, is.

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I'll say: secretaries, that's still the term reuser secretary for the committee for recording, though.

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Yes, mrs stuff, yes, the question I have about that sean is if we're having a recording of, um is that.

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Going to account for the minutes of the meeting, here's how I learned it. Yes, uh what needs to be.

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Recorded in the minutes uh is the attendance, okay or lack thereof, uh any motion and second and vote.

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um But in turn and critical points, but yes, the recording is there. So um I will tell you that.

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When I take the notes for the edc, I just hit the high points and the motions and attendance and.

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Refer to you know the really good stuff on the recording for people to to watch. So yes, it's not.

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A I don't think it's overly onerous the way I do it, but that's what I would recommend right because.

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Because I do think it's extremely important in each meeting, at least in an outline form that what.

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We do is we cover the topics that we're addressing um and certainly as sean said, if there's a motion.

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To be made, we put that down too so that way, not only for us but for the town or for future.

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um Overview of this committee to see to prove to people that it's a real committee, we've.

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Thought our way through each step, and um it will be helpful for us as you go.

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Back and say you know, do we discuss that and there are the minutes and certainly.

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um In past fundament on the planning board of the comp plan, the minutes were always typed up.

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And given they were given to us prior to the next meeting, whether that's possible or not, is.

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We can discuss that, but it's very important then when we meet we can do a brief overview. Do those.

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Minutes seem accurate, should something else be added to the minutes that wasn't included.

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In the transcribing of that last meeting, so I I think that's that is an important thing.

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To consider how we can document how we move this forward and paul council correct me if I'm wrong.

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I am not too good at secretarial work, you know, envisioning an idea making it happen, but spelling.

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Was always my weak link in in school? So so here's something about as as a appointed committee, there.

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Are requirements that the agenda is published online and that the minutes are published? Okay,.

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X, amount of time afterwards and what I did learn uh through my other experiences, if it's a day or.

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Two after the meeting I will send a draft to the committee to say please correct me what.

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Did I miss, and that draft also goes to the city clerk and is put up online as a placeholder until.

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The final minutes are put in, but that way we're meeting our. I guess right to know or or whatever.

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Our ordinances are in committee public. um I just wanted to add for those who haven't served on a.

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City committee, or been involved with this city, it's really important to know the right to know.

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Law and public meetings, the responsibilities when you're having public meetings and and to.

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Note that that we, you can't solicit information of each other via email, because you're creating.

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A meeting online when you're doing so so, if you want to, if you, if things, should go out between.

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um Meetings there should nothing should go out um basically sent to everyone. It should be blind.

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Copied so people can't reply and reply all and inadvertently create a conversation that would.

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Be considered a meeting online that wasn't noticed so um so it's really important. You.

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Have discussions in this public setting and that all of your meetings are well noticed? I.

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Think that that's really critical it's been, it's been challenging to get people there.

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With all the transition to zoom, I think people start getting confused about what constitutes a.

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Meeting what doesn't constitute a meaning? It's also important to know that we do not have the.

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Authority to have meetings just via zoom, so you have to have a quorum in person um by state law.

A

Actually, I'm thinking is it permissible for one of us to talk to somebody else on the committee.

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If they, if they have, if they know somebody has knowledge that they don't have without.

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um Without that concentrating a meeting- yes, it's okay to talk to another person on the.

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Committee as long as you don't hit quorum with the number of people you're talking to so I would.

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Avoid talking to five or more people about the same issue outside of the meeting so um and and.

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Note that if you're also talking to people in a series of conversations that also constitutes.

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um uh Triggering quorum, so if one person sends something to another and then it goes on in a.

B

Chain and you hit six, you will have violated the right to know law as well. So so I just I.

B

Think that that's that's just really important to understand the guidelines around public meetings.

B

um So but it gets exciting when you have great information to share. So it's just.

A

It's a good, it's a good reminder, and I and I remind the edc on a regular basis uh when I.

A

Send out information to not reply all and and it's a reminder because it's exciting.

A

When you have great information to share and you're you're committed to what you're up to.

I

We are a review committee and not a land use committee. I can see and we're not caused.

I

That judicial I can see there are, there could be aspects that are of our review.

I

That that might be considered similar to the restrictions as a planning board member, exactly.

I

Under so that, it would be important also, I think, sean to get that clarified.

I

Because, for example, as a planning board member, you can't talk to anybody about.

I

um And I don't mean just your fellow your fellow committee members, I mean for somebody who would.

I

Have a project under review or whatever you you know you, you can't be in dialogue with them about.

I

um Your opinion about uh such a project- and I could see where some of the things that we.

I

Might do would would kind of be in a gray area related to that, so I think it would be important.

I

Maybe to clarify that with the city attorney about when we get into that type of situation, you know.

I

It's really clear what your behavior should be as a planning board or htc or other member, but.

I

These other committees are a little fuzzy on that right. Great thanks chris. I made a note to do that.

B

I was just saying just a thank you too for those comments, because it's it's important to.

B

Note that when you hit a stage where you're starting to issue a request for proposals,.

B

um There there are very distinct guidelines around that as well and legal. The legal department will.

B

Come in and brief, uh the committee on the rules around an rfp so um for those of you who aren't.

B

Aware of those roles, they'll make sure that you're very clear on what they are and as an example.

A

We're working on an rfp now, where I'm supporting the the subcommittee for the cultural plan and.

A

That rfp has been reviewed by legal it'll, come out from staff because the city is going to pay.

A

For that, so it's not your responsibility to do the rfp it's to make the request and make sure you're.

A

Having there what you'd like and then the city executes, according to our guidelines and our rules.

A

Other thoughts on on structure or not tonight, um the other thing I'll just mention, is, as.

A

Council could mentioned: there's no there's no backlog of projects waiting for your review.

A

So you've got some time to really think about how you want to operate in thinking it through my own.

A

Experience other you know. Some groups like the edc, meet every first friday of the month at 7, 30.

A

In the morning, and they we go through our business, but it's not. This is a. This is a different kind of.

A

um Situation so, however, you all decide what works best and and in terms of putting some structure.

A

And consistency together in in working through your understanding of of the ordinance and your.

A

Your responsibilities, um just let me know what I can do to be supportive, but in not, but and.

A

For future meetings, again, you'll be whoever will be sending the agenda to the city clerk, who will.

A

Then notice it as councilor cook said, and that's this whole idea of being because it is a public.

A

Committee um appointed by the city council, those are the rules, but it gets in a grove. It's as I.

A

Say I do the agenda, I do the minutes, I come back. I get the final minutes. I send them back, they go.

A

Back online everyone's happy: well, you know sean. I think I think the template's already been out.

C

There, because this essentially is a comp plan for the odds, and I think when we look at that. Look at.

C

A comp plan, the first thing that's done is we take an inventory of all the sculptures that that are.

C

In our area and then through that, we have a base to work from from also what could be added to.

C

That is, we could look at what other communities have done, to embrace the odds and and and and.

C

uh Include that one of the things I think is to convince the public that what we're doing is to.

C

Their benefit and by to do that, I think we need to create a criteria for how we judge that the.

C

Artwork, that is written down, so anyone can come and read it. Then it does open it up to public.

C

Discussions because we do have a public comments that can be incorporated, so this could encourage.

C

The public to be part of the conversation which, ultimately any comp plan, does you.

C

Know you develop the baseline on it, you bring it in front of the public, and then you start that.

C

Process in in the natural step, which embraced the sustainability movement not only for sweden but.

C

Also, it was the model for the world. The most important factor was the ability to encourage.

C

A conversation in a democratic process that we could bring the best out in in the community.

C

And give them equal stand on the opportunity to bring the best not only of our thoughts and and.

C

Experience but of the community around us engage the community, make it a living experience, not only.

C

For us, but for the community make it accessible hey. I did have a question on number six or I think.

D

It's five or six initiate public forums. What has been the historical approach to doing that.

I

I was waiting for someone.

A

I was the first chair for art speak and we did have. um We had some presentations, for example, of.

I

The type that was just talked about to be able to inform people about opportunities for public art.

I

What public art was? We did, as you might remember, a long time ago, a temporary overnight art which.

I

Got people engaged in a temporary public art which was really you know one of the largest.

I

Things happening around the world right now of less permanent and more temporary public art.

I

And we did that, for you know a couple of rounds so that, along with those were sessions where artists.

I

um Share information: I believe we have the folks from nifa who do the new england foundation for.

I

The arts, our regional arts organization, talk about public art and nancy. I think I think.

I

Art speak to some did a forum also on public art. We did a lot of forums and especially as.

H

We were ramping up to do um the foundry garage rfp. We talked about public art, we talked about.

H

Place making creative place making and then we we also held a public forum with the archaeological.

H

Findings of that whole area, so yeah we- and this is a community that loves public art. We don't need to.

H

Educate this community a lot, it gets it and um just to the gentleman's point we we do have a.

H

Set of criteria that is adopted by the city that has been used for many many art installations in.

H

The city so definitely go back and take a look at those, because it's really a criteria. That is that.

H

Is not about how I subjectively feel about this thing, that's in front of me, but everybody's look.

A

And so definitely we want to all make sure we understand those, but I just want to say.

H

One last thing, which is, I think it would be really beneficial for this group to discuss.

H

Our structure, and maybe one or two key points that we want to hit the ground running with.

H

um So that we can come to our next free meeting, you know, but it's on the ground ready to go.

I

The the other set of forums that was a pretty extensive was around the african bearing ground.

I

When we did the african daring grounds, um it might be good to, along with what nancy said, to identify.

I

A few examples of public art in the city and talk about how they exemplify the criteria that could.

I

Be something that we do at a next meeting that I think that that always helps to sort of say. Oh.

I

Yeah, what do I mean by that criteria or not? You know some may not exemplify what the criteria.

D

I think those examples are a great idea, um just another tactical question on the.

D

Forum, so you would basically create event committees that would develop. You know, use.

D

Of city, council or the library or somewhere to hold these events and then did we leverage or.

D

Would we leverage the city newsletter to get the news out? Is that how it worked tactically yeah.

A

I'll say: yes, I was in a meeting today with a working group of a subcommittee of a committee.

A

Asking about forms and and that's exactly right: we we have our. We have our space, we have our.

A

Channels we have two, we have our uh public information officer. We now have a director.

A

Of communication, we have many channels with which to communicate and invite people to forums and and.

A

This is part of the city's work, so it's it's not if we feel like doing it. We are committed.

A

To doing it and supporting what you want to accomplish- and I honed in on that because I.

D

Think that might be a place I can add value is developing some of the communications for some.

D

Of our outreach and liaison with the city on that from a strategic community right, so the.

A

Way that works is the committee would would be responsible for the content and then the city.

A

Will make sure it gets out and accomplishes your goals? Just we have things that need to.

A

Happen before it hits the public right but great. Thank you. I guess my biggest question right now.

F

Is from a timing standpoint because there's a lot that's going to happen. That needs to happen.

F

And I know there's no money right now, but is there something like what is in the future? Is it like do.

F

We have to be ready in three months. Six months I mean, do you have any timeline that we have.

F

That, because that's going to really determine how fast we have to get all these things done.

I

um You know I would talk to two things: one one commission, that was never the money.

I

Was set aside for, and it was never developed, was for the middle school.

I

um It was, it was put on for a while by the school board, but that I believe, still exists.

I

But that money still exists, um a new police station will be on the horizon. That will.

I

Generate a substantial amount of percent for our money, so I mean there are some things that are.

I

Are out there and then, as we have private folks, presenting opportunities for public art that they.

I

Need to have approved by our land use boards. That's the potential for this committee to get.

I

Involved in how we begin to to to move through that process, and that doesn't, I don't think chris.

A

That doesn't require that the city has funds that I mean there's. If people are if people are making.

A

Private donations there's the whole process of how they, I think you guys saw that it would how.

A

That's to be placed and how it's be maintained, etc, etc. So um yeah, I think, there's going to be.

A

Work and there's going to be projects and there's going to be public art to be to be reviewed.

G

And the lend you sports because in the past I think public art, if it was in the historic.

G

District, it was part of what went to the historic district commission or something like that or.

G

There's been confusion about what's a sign and what's art, and so I have the land use board sort.

G

Of been briefed on now, you have this committee and you should be passing things on to them or.

G

How does that interplay? um I can answer that, to some degree, so par in drafting the ordinance.

B

I had a lot of conversations with the legal department around this and what requirements.

B

You could have of land use boards because they're, quasi-judicial and they're governed by our rsa.

B

We're kind of limited in what we can tell them. They have to do, but there had been a request.

B

On the part of more than one land use board for assistance in reviewing arts projects that came.

B

Before them, so the legal department is very well aware in establishing this committee that that.

B

Provides an outlet for our land use boards. It provides an opportunity for them to refer.

B

A question to this committee for review or for an opinion that would then come back to them. So.

B

That they could make a more informed decision about a project, so um the legal department was.

B

Very excited about being able to share that with the land use boards, so um I would anticipate that.

B

They will be well briefed on the existence of this committee and its ability to review.

G

And to that point their discretion, so things could come to us at any time be ready. Gotcha.

B

um I think that one of the other things that that you should also be aware of is that the.

B

Committee will start a master planning pro or the city will start a master planning process anytime.

B

Between july and january of next year, and this committee also has the opportunity to provide.

B

Input on master planning process around public art as well. So that's that's also in the guidelines.

B

So that's something that is coming forward right, we're due for a master plan. We have our climate.

A

Action plan and we have a cultural plan being developed. There's lots of planning going on so.

A

I think it's it's. uh The timing is good, just in terms of whether it's just cross-referencing, the.

A

Different plans and making sure that that things are accounted for it in a master plan right.

A

And I haven't been through that process, but I I definitely am going to have a seat at that table.

A

um And and so again, as your liaison, you know I I can make sure that I'm listening for the.

A

Different groups that I'm supporting, where I see those opportunities to get together or have input.

B

uh Can I ask everyone, is there, is there a general sense of.

B

um What kind of structure you're thinking about? Is there anyone who's really interested in stepping.

B

Up and leading the committee or being part of that leadership structure, does everyone want to think.

B

About it for a while, I want to see where you are noting the time and the hard stop at 6 30, because.

B

The committee should either make a decision to not make a decision tonight and come back at.

B

The next meeting and make one or do go ahead and move forward with that tonight, but also establish.

B

A regular meeting time for the next meeting and and anything that you want on the agenda.

E

uh Chris, I have a question for all of you. Would you consider being the chair.

I

Thinking about it and identifying what was just said, what our cycle of.

I

Meetings will be, uh you know, just to make sure anyone who takes an officer shift is. Is.

I

Is realistic about what it will take? I also like for this committee the idea of co-chairs that.

I

I think sean uh mentioned, and I I would say I'd probably be more comfortable within that.

I

um You know that approach, I think a number of us travel for work and travel in other.

I

Cases- and so that may be the way to go with this, this type of committee right.

C

Is morrow the only uh committee member- that's not here this evening, mara and ellen feinberg.

C

You know, perhaps it would be best if all of the committee members are here, including the two that.

C

We're seeing on online right now, we can be face to face and ponder this question and I think I think.

C

It'd be appropriate to have morrow and the other committee members here and and make that decision.

E

I mean it'd be great if everybody was here when we, when we actually made that yes determination.

F

Based sorry, based on what I'm hearing, I think we almost have to establish a monthly meeting.

F

Until we can actually get things rolling and see exactly what other things that.

F

We have to get done so my proposal is at least a monthly meeting, starting in april.

C

I would suggest that maybe it's twice a month, you know just to get things rolling it just.

C

Takes a little bit of time- and I think I think there's enough groundwork if we did.

C

It on monthly meetings. I bet it would take three months before we established a review, the town's.

C

Ordinance on their criteria right now see if it fits the model that we see it with the talents.

C

That we bring together at the table now it might, that might be, uh have to be adjusted in some way.

C

um I think maybe we need to keep meeting somewhat flexible, depending on how the committee feels we.

C

Need to address things, maybe so I don't know how everybody else feels about that.

A

I'll just say so, the things to consider is that any meetings need to be noticed. Put the notice.

A

Out and be public, and just as you think about that I mean it just takes a little more work.

A

I would think how many days do we need to before the meeting uh sean? Is it like seven days or ten.

C

Days, I think, unless I think seven days is a good yes, like with the planning board. Yes yeah, it falls.

A

In those same, I think it'll be difficult to have flexible meetings. Yes, and even a week out I mean I.

D

Can look to commit to a certain monthly cadence or even yeah? I had a question about subcommittees or.

G

Task forces and how does that nurse, if we wanted to you know, if we had things we felt needed to.

G

Be done more quickly, could we assign or working groups I like that phrase, one of those things they.

E

Have to be recorded? No, okay, no, okay! So that's so how many people, but we can't have more than.

F

How many people then, could be the maximum on a working group? um I would stick to four four or.

B

Less okay, um so you can as long as you don't hit quorum, you can't have quorum in a group.

B

um That's working on something outside of this group, so make sure you stay in your forum. Have it.

E

A working group of three or four, yes, you can say this is your charge for the month and report back.

A

So when you come in for that month, you've made you've made progress and you can present to the.

A

Larger group and you can vote as a larger group. Absolutely that's! That's what I see in other.

A

Committees too, yeah to move forward that would work. You can also have individuals that are just.

B

Taking on certain tasks and deal with it- and you know that's kind of what the council does right.

B

Now it's certain individuals are dealing with certain tasks and they bring them to the council.

E

From now would be the 26 approximately of april is that does that work for people.

A

I'd say it's a wednesday night yeah as well. Is this time.

A

Work, we have, we have the time crunch tonight, because the board of adjustment is coming.

A

In if we can, if we can find a night where we don't have a meeting starting at seven.

B

I would actually just as soon have a.

E

um A hard stop. Okay, we can spend a lot of time. I see a lot of heads going up and.

A

Down so I'm taking that as a okay, I don't want to be meeting for three or four hours.

D

Yeah 26 works and- and I can only do evenings- I don't know if anyone else can.

A

I I think there was some pretty good feedback that this is a good time, which is why we said it.

A

uh Nancy and chris and bob the 26 is that work for the next gathering great.

A

Great, is it um five or five fifteen? What time would you 5 15? You sound like yeah, 5 15., and I.

A

Don't know if I don't know if there's a meeting that night but I'll find out just to give us if.

A

We can go to 645 or 6 30.. Do we meet here because of the recording? Yes, that's the idea. Yes, yep. Okay,.

F

So, are we going to establish it then that we are going to meet the last wednesday of the month.

E

Yeah, well, I don't know, maybe we'll come put that into the agenda that'll be on the agenda yeah. So.

F

Who's gets to write the agenda since we don't have. Let me just make a suggestion um for now, because.

B

People's schedules book out really really far. I would recommend that you schedule for the 26th, but.

B

Everybody make a placeholder in their calendar for the the fourth wednesday in may, as well.

B

If that works for everyone, just just in case no see that will be gone, yeah I'll be in france.

B

Okay, so um so it might be, you know I just. I would suggest that you, you schedule out another another.

B

Month, so you have two two meetings: that's a good idea, 31st, or will you still be in france? Yes, I'm.

E

In france till the fourth and we leave on the 14th, I'm gone for almost three weeks.

B

Yeah so note that it might be difficult to get everyone and that's that's the challenge. We.

B

Have we have a few people traveling this week, so um especially when you get to summer right.

B

um Yeah and I think, as you have a meeting and you you have different groups or different.

A

People working on things you'll start to see what what will work for this group to.

A

Help you move forward, without maybe being encumbered by. We all must be in this place.

A

Once a month, in order to do anything, there's there's lots of ways to okay with the ball.

F

um So when is our next meeting after the after the 26th, we need to come up with something on.

F

The books like you said because I think that's really important, because once we establish that.

F

Then it's easy it's easier to work around that may 31st last wednesday. I would vote.

G

For that, I can't do the 24th. I can't either what's that, if we're going to have one in.

D

May well it's not memorial day weekend, but it's the short 29th is the yeah short week. How about.

E

The 24th- I can't make it, but I can't either I can't either get three in the dark, but we have.

D

To do one in may so maybe on the 31st. Is that what I'm hearing everyone on 2k with the 31st.

D

Do we want to do june two, or can we, while we're all together.

D

Fourth, 28th.

A

I think I think again, placeholder is good, and then you can always adjust this way. You've got them on the calendar for three months. You'll see.

A

What your attendance can be and if you need to make any changes.

G

And john, do you send invitations or to someone from the city send the invitation so that we have.

G

A zoom link, I think, I'm I'll be doing it until you establish yourself. We do that ourselves once you.

A

Have a structure: I will gladly hand that off, but I will certainly take this on and get so. It's out.

A

There uh kevin will help you with the zoom link and we'll just make sure you guys can function.

A

um Until you're ready, you're selecting me may 31st right, yes and then june 28th june 28th june 29th.

E

Wednesday yeah.

A

um Do we have any public comment? I don't think we have any public comment on zoom or public members.

A

On zoom, we don't have any here in the room, so we can uh do you expect people to join on that so.

H

Can I can I get a sean? Can you feedback what we've decided to put on the agenda aside from selecting.

H

Our structure, the members, what was the other thing that is on going to be on the agenda for april.

A

I I would I would reflect that question back to the group. I didn't. I didn't write anything. Oh, I.

H

Thought sorry, I was writing down the dates, nancy that just the placeholder dates for the next three.

A

Months, but it's a good question: are there some things we want to tackle? Well, I would suggest.

D

Identifying with a few of the projects and the things that we can currently have and looking at.

I

The review criteria with those in mind so existing projects that have already been reviewed and put.

I

It kind of see what questions might surface about the guidelines. I think it would be a way for.

I

People to get warm up to the criteria, all right, chris and nancy, with your experience, do you want.

D

To pick two and walk us through those next time, well, I think nancy. Maybe the foundry would be one.

I

um You know I I was worked on the african bearing ground. I could certainly do.

E

Right sure, can I encourage everyone to do be on the agenda. Would be this whole.

E

Issue of public art, vis-a-vis land use decisions for projects.

E

um um I I don't want to make it more complicated than it is for um applicants, because we already.

E

Have the most difficult land use process of about any city? You know anywhere.

H

Sorry, I just wanted to um add to that that I was part of the mural for ruth belay. That's.

H

Hanging on court street- um and yes, that was the first time uh that any project that I was part.

H

Of uh had to go through the land use boards in order to get approval for a mural, and it was a.

H

Really thorny and strange process for us and for the board members who did not feel well equipped.

H

To be discussing the merits of art, you know the the zoning board right, and so we actually.

H

Sat down with the zen planning, director and city manager, where we're now two planning directors.

H

Out from that, and we actually have great plans and proposals to uncouple uh art from signage.

H

And but that all went away two directors ago, so I really, I really feel like this. This group.

H

To your point could provide some guidance uh to to perhaps look at ways that we could.

H

um Yes, make it less complicated for applicants and to really decouple artwork from from signage.

H

Because right now, there's no way to do that: yeah and and also land use decisions.

E

Thank you yeah. They don't want to be doing it. No.

E

I I right and they're not enough. Some occasionally might be equipped to do it, but most of them aren't.

B

It was the ruth play um uh murals that triggered my interest in setting up a public art review.

B

Committee, so because of the challenges around land use and the land use, boards did recognize.

B

That they didn't have the expertise and right they were looking for expertise, yeah.

A

Great so I I I've got a couple of agenda items that I will float out to the group and- and I.

A

Can be certain you can certainly correct me if I don't get it right, but we'll put ourselves in.

A

Place to be able to have a a fruitful meeting on the 26th of april and and by then you will have.

A

Determined how how you're going to set up your structure, I hope, should everyone and anyone send.

D

You a note if they're interested in a leadership role, so we could at least see who's on the roster.

D

For that, is that how I think for now, I'm your point of contact until you relieve me of that.

A

So I'm more than happy to collate uh interest and um determine the best way to share that if.

A

That works, maybe yeah just so. We don't come to the next meeting thing right. No, it's tough to.

A

Just throw it on the table and uh right we really didn't prep for that, but this is yeah. That's why.

A

I say this is the opportunity to now go back and think, and it's great that you have a meeting on.

A

The calendar to address it because then you'll be able to move forward that much more quickly. Okay,.

A

Bob anything for the group thanks for hanging in there on zoom [laughter].

A

Great we had the next meeting scheduled. I I guess I will. I would entertain a motion to adjourn.

E

So moved, can I get a second second great, all in favor.