HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-11-16 Public Arts MIN
Public Arts Advisory Committee Minutes
November 16, 2023
Regular Meeting
4:00pm–5:30pm, Siskiyou Conference Room
51 Winburn Way
Minutes
I. CALL TO ORDER:
a) Introductions and other news – Stef Seffinger is now officially the Parks liaison to
the PAAC; Beca Blake has been notified by the Mayor that her appointment to
PAAC will be on the consent agenda at the next council meeting.
b) Quorum count – quorum achieved.
Committee Members Present: Liaisons & Staff Present:
Chair, Ken Engelund Jennifer Chenoweth, Associate Planner
Laura Bloom Councilor Gina DuQuenne
Tessa Elbettar Stef Seffinger, Parks and Rec Commissioner
Cassie Preskenis
Stanley Smith Liaisons & Staff Absent:
Heather Warden
Special Guests:
Committee Members Absent: Peter Finkle
II. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
“We acknowledge and honor the aboriginal people on whose ancestral homelands we work
– the Ikirakutsum Band of the Shasta Nation, as well as the diverse and vibrant Native
communities who make their home here today. We denounce the egregious acts of the
colonizers and government and recognize the horrific impacts that still exist today. We honor
the first stewards in the Rogue Valley and the lands we live and depend on: Tribes with
ancestral lands in and surrounding the geography of the Ashland Watershed include the
original past, present, and future indigenous inhabitants of the Shasta, Takelma, Athabaskan
people. We also recognize and acknowledge the Shasta village of K’wakhaha - “Where the
Crow Lights” - that is now the Ashland City Plaza.”
Read by Chair, Ken Engelund
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a) October 19, 2023 regular meeting
Chair Engelund motioned to approve the draft October 19, 2023 meeting minutes with
no corrections. Cassie Preskenis seconded; All approve the October 19 meeting
minutes.
Note: Anyone wishing to speak at any Public Arts Advisory Committee meeting is encouraged to do so. After you have been recognized by the
Chair, give your name and City of residence. You will then be allowed to speak. Please note the public testimony may be limited by the Chair.
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Public Arts Advisory Committee Minutes
IV. PUBLIC FORUM (for items not on the agenda) Peter Finkle spoke at the City Council meeting
on November 7 during the public forum after the PAAC annual presentation. He mentioned
to the council his work photographing public art and called on the council to encourage
creativity throughout town.
V. LIAISON REPORTS
Liaisons: City Council Liaison, Gina DuQuenne; Council DuQuenne thanked Chair Engelund
for the PAAC presentation update at the City Council meeting on November 7 and thanked
Peter Finkle for his contributions to Public Art in Ashland. DuQuenne noted that the Mayor
suggested the PAAC consider artworks at the south end of Ashland. Community
Development Liaison, Jennifer Chenoweth; Community Development received a call from
Art Builds Community - they are researching public art funding through private
development support in Oregon cities; and APRC Liaison, Stef Seffinger; Commissioner
Seffinger discussed that Parks is working on making up a deficit in capital improvement
projects - this may affect future projects outside the budget cycle; also discussed starting
potential new uses in the parks such as camping and special events like weddings.
VI. DISCUSSION ITEMS
a) City Council Annual Committee Update Presentation, November 7 - Ken presented a
PowerPoint presentation that was well received by the City Council. The Mayor
noted that it would benefit the community to have art in the south end of town.
b) PAAC Study Session Planning (potential date January 19, 2024) – All agreed that
January 19 could work for a Study Session date. Another option is to hold the Study
Session on January 18 during the regular meeting and extend the meeting time to
end at 6:00. A vote during the December meeting will determine the date.
c) Public Arts Map Walking Tour – StoryMap final review and comments; the group
reviewed the StoryMap and had a few comments to GIS in regard to wording. Jenn
will send the comments to the GIS department.
d) Marking Ashland Places (MAP) II – review of potential site selection and next steps;
The Historic Preservation Advisory Committee (HPAC) conducted a ranking for the
potential location of the downtown historic hub artwork. They voted for the
entrance to Lithia Park. Ken is arranging a subcommittee meeting next week
(November 21) with the HPAC and Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission
(APRC) members.
VII. OTHER BUSINESS AND UPDATES
a) Velocity (bouncing ball sculpture) repairs – no update
b) Golden Connections Medallions Installation & Bids – no update
c) ODOT Controller Boxes – call for artists has good interest, but only one submission
so far; section panel is coming together- Stan motioned to approve the selection
Note: Anyone wishing to speak at any Public Arts Advisory Committee meeting is encouraged to do so. After you have been recognized by the
Chair, give your name and City of residence. You will then be allowed to speak. Please note the public testimony may be limited by the Chair.
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Public Arts Advisory Committee Minutes
panel for the ODOT controller boxes as recommended by the task group. The
motion was approved.
d) Crosswalk Project – Update; bids for the thermoplastic installation at crosswalks
range from $7,000 to $18,000 depending on complexity of design and area of
coverage; looking at one near SOU and one near Lithia Park – Action item: Stef will
find out the rules for art in the parks and update the group during the next regular
meeting.
e) Haines & Friends Grant – no update was available during the meeting; however,
the following day PAAC task group received a letter that the project was not
selected for funding at this time.
f) Micah Blacklight “Ancestors Future - Crystalizing Our Call” – no new update
g) John Pugh Mural “Where the Crow Lights,” Elks Building – no new update
VIII. ADJOURNMENT - Next Meeting Date: Thursday, December 21 @ 4:00pm (discussion
regarding date of next meeting)
At least four members can attend the meeting in December so the next meeting will be
held on December 21. Chair Engelund requested a motion to adjourn the meeting. All AYES
to adjourn.
Note: Anyone wishing to speak at any Public Arts Advisory Committee meeting is encouraged to do so. After you have been recognized by the
Chair, give your name and City of residence. You will then be allowed to speak. Please note the public testimony may be limited by the Chair.
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