Cary Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department
Public Art Advisory Board

MINUTES

Wednesday, January 18, 2006
6:15 p.m.

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources
Conference Room
316 North Academy Street, Cary, NC  27511
Web Site: www.townofcary.org

PRESENT:  Carol Aupperle, Chairperson; Mathias Bishop; Ginger Hayes; Pat Hudson; Julia Kunkel Morrison; Carl Regutti; Smythe Richbourg; Ella Williams; Marla Dorrel, Council Liaison; Lejandro DeRomas (Teen Council)

ABSENT: Larry Schessel, Kelly Marie Fraiser (Teen Council)

STAFF: Lyman Collins; Denise Dickens; Vicki Hayes

GUESTS:  Bill Coleman, Town Manager; Amber Carey, student at South East Raleigh High; Tammy Jahad

A.    CALL TO ORDER – Carol Aupperle, Chair
        Carol Aupperle called the meeting to order.  She welcomed the new Teen Council Representative,
        Kelly Marie Frasier to her first meeting.  The Board gave brief introductions and welcomed her to the
        meeting.

B.    MINUTES
        November 18, 2005
       Julia Kunkel Morrison moved to approve the minutes of November 18, 2005.  Pat Hudson seconded
       the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

       Carol Aupperle announced there were several board members, Ella Williams, Larry Schessel,
       and Carl Regutti who have appeared in the paper with excellent articles about them. 
       
C.    NEW BUSINESS
        Introduction of Denise Dickens, new Public Art Coordinator
        Lyman Collins introduced Denise Dickens to the Board.  He explained she officially began with the
        department in January.  Denise discussed her background and explained she is looking forward to
        working with them in the future.  Carol Aupperle asked the members to give brief introductions of
        themselves for Denise.
 
D.    OLD BUSINESS
        ·         Town Hall Campus Gateway Project  
              Update
              Carol Aupperle read the following prepared statement:

              “I want to thank board members and others in the community who brought their questions and
               concerns about this agenda item to my attention in recent weeks. You gave me the opportunity
               to bring your thoughtful comments to the attention of our staff liaisons and our Town Council
               Liaison Marla Dorrel, prior to this meeting. That, in turn, will allow our board to obtain tonight the
               up-to-date information we need to fulfill our mission of representation and education.

               When Town Councilwoman Dorrel made the ceremonial remarks last Thursday at the first Town
               Council meeting in the new chamber, she spoke of town staff's outstanding customer service. 
               Tonight, we're seeing board process and that customer service at its best.  Our Town's Chief
               Executive, Town Manager Bill Coleman, has been providing ultimate oversight for Town Hall
               campus construction. The gateway project falls under that purview. To help our board achieve
               its mission, Mr. Coleman has taken time out of his busy schedule to come here tonight and
               give us a clear understanding of the true status of this project. Thank you, Mr. Coleman, for
               treating volunteer citizens with such esteem.

               Before I turn the floor over to Mr. Coleman, I would like to ask Lyman to refresh our memories
               with a bit of background on this project."

               Lyman Collins explained the overall Town Hall Campus project was initiated in 2003.  Cary
               Visual Art (CVA) proposed working with the Town to develop a gateway sculpture.  In March of
               2004, Council took under consideration approval of the overall public art design proposal for the
               Town Hall Campus Gateway Public Art Project by artist Catherine Widgery.  At that time
               Council allocated $15,750 for the etching of the glass bridge and recognized CVA’s matching
               funding of $15,750.  This Board was an integral part of helping staff gather input from citizens to
               provide to Council for further review of the project.  We have now arrived at the point where 
               staff and Council need additional information from this Board.

               Town Manager Bill Coleman thanked the Board for allowing him to attend the meeting.  Mr.
               Coleman updated the Board on what is transpiring with the glass bridge project.  He explained
               the project manager with Sanska had brought a request that additional funds were needed on
               this project.  At this time the Town has to look at the additional cost and the elements of this
               project to see if there are other avenues.  Mr. Coleman instructed the project manager to see
               what other avenues could be used and the cost.  More research is being conducted on what the
               total cost of additional funding will be for the project and should be available next week.  Mr.
               Coleman explained he would like this Board to provide feedback on where they stand with the
               project.

               Lyman Collins explained we entered into a contract with Catherine Widgery’s two years ago
               that included the top and bottom rail, with light on top rail and the etched glass in between.
               Ms. Widgery was not responsible for installation because this cost was built into the Town
               Hall project budget.  Julia Kunkel Morrison asked what was over budget the glass or the rails.
               Mr. Coleman explained the problem is moving the glass between the manufacture and Ms.
              Widgery.  Lyman Collins explained the project managers have changed over the course of
               the project.  Carl Regutti asked if the contract with Ms. Widgery had not been established
               and signed.  He doesn’t understand how there can be questions, if we have a contract with
               Ms. Widgery.  Carl explained he volunteered to be on this Board and it is frustrating to have
               the “Gate of Lights” project be cancelled and now funding issues with the etched bridge.
               This Board has worked extremely hard with staff, the public and Council since the Board was
               established to bring public art and its awareness to the community.  Mr. Coleman
               explained changes can come about when construction begins that would pose a need for a
               contract change.  Julia Kunkel Morrison said a lot of money has already been spent on this
               project.  Carol Aupperle asked if during the contract changes if other elements were changed
               like the rails that were to be installed?  Smythe Richbourg asked what made the project late.
               Mr. Coleman explained the contractor Sanksa was behind schedule on the project and
               $16,000 additional dollars were requested by Sanksa to facilitate the project.  Smythe did
               not understand how the contractor being late on the project was now our problem.  Julia
               asked if the Town has a contract with Ms. Widgery then doesn’t the Town have to pay her?
               Council woman Marla Dorrel explained that Mr. Coleman attended the meeting to get
               feedback and provide the Board with the information he had.  Again at this time no
               decision has been made because the actual cost has not been determined.  Julia asked if
               the overall budget was over or just the bridge.  Mr. Coleman explained that additional
               funding is requested by Sanksa to complete the bridge.  Lyman explained the artist;
               Ms. Widgery is not requesting more money.  Mr. Coleman explained it is not direct cost for
               the art, but additional cost for the manufacture of the railing to hold the glass.   Mr. Coleman
               reminded the Board that this project was added after the blueprints were drawn.  Ginger
               Hayes asked if Ms. Widgery had begun etching the glass.  Lyman explained the glass has
               to be manufactured.  Once that is complete then Ms. Widgery would etch the glass, then the
               glass would go back to the manufacture to be tempered and then installation could begin.
               Lyman said there are a number of sub-contractors that are involved on this project.   Julia
               suggested the Board make a recommendation to Council.  Council woman Dorrel suggested
               the recommendation be specific.  Ms. Dorrel gave an example of wording: The Board wants
               the project complete or the Board wants the project complete at all cost.  Julia asked if this
               project is not completed would it hurt our relationship with CVA.  Mr. Coleman explained
               he had met with CVA representatives.   Smythe was concerned if we back out of this
               contract with Ms. Widgery what are the repercussions?  How would this effect the Town
               reputation or image? Carol asked what is the appropriate action for this Board to consider and
               how does the Board stay in the process?  Council woman Dorrel explained the Board could
               hold a special meeting to review the evaluation.  Carl explained the Board may not be able
               to sway the decision on this project, but the knowledge gained from this experience will
               help the Board approach future projects.  Mr. Coleman explained he hopes to have the
               information completed by end of next week. 

               ACTION:  Julia Kunkel Morrison made a motion to recommend to Council in consideration of
               the partnership with Cary Visual Art (CVA) and the contract with Catherine Widgery, as well as
               the Town’s reputation, time invested and image, that if the cost of the etched glass bridge
               comes in at a reasonable cost that the Town proceed as planned with project.  Smythe
               Richbourg seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

               The Board discussed when a special meeting could be scheduled to discuss the report.  Carol
               Aupperle asked Mr. Coleman if he would be able to release the information on January 25^th.
               Mr. Coleman replied if the information was ready he would release it to staff.  Carol asked
               if the information was not ready then it would not go before Council until February.  Mr.
               Coleman said that was correct.  Carl Regutti asked Laura Coats, Executive Director of CVA
               where they stood on this issue.  Ms. Coats explained CVA will be working with the 
              Town Manager and other staff on the cost.  She stated CVA is committed to the project and
               is willing to offer additional funds if necessary.

        ·         US 1/64 Pedestrian Bridge
              Update
              Denise Dickens distributed a copy of the “Call to Artist”.  She explained that this project will not
              be an integrated project.  Lyman Collins explained the artist will have to look at the bridge as a
              blank canvas – this will not impact the construction at all.  Carl Regutti asked if a project
             completion date was in the “Call to Artist” information.  Denise explained at this time a nine
             to ten month completion date, but that is not definite.  Carl suggested the Board review
             contracts.  Lyman explained he would pass this along, but questioned if the Board would want
             to do this for every project.  However, the contracts are part of the public record.   

        ·         Cary Dog Park
              Update
              Denise explained she is working on the “Call to Artist” and will focus on Cary and local artists for
              this project. Hopefully this project will move quickly with installation in July.  This would allow for
              a dedication/kickoff in August. 

      ·         Walunt Street Park
             Update
             Lyman Collins explained Cary Visual Art (CVA) has agreed to work on this project with the Town.
             The recommendation is to have an artist be included from the ground up on this project.  CVA
             has agreed to allocate $20,000 to go towards the construction of public art, but this information
             has not yet gone before Council. 

     ·         Other Items
            Carol Aupperle thanked the Board members who attended the January 10, 2006 Town Center
            Civic Study meeting.  Ella Williams explained she had a friend that was opening a new
            business in the downtown area.  She said on opening day he had an easel with a balloon
            outside the store and was told by the Town he could be fined for this.  She asked how the
            Town is going to make an art district, when the Town has such strict rules on signage.
            Lyman Collins said he would pass this information along to the appropriate people.

F.     REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
        Cary Visual Arts – Pat Hudson
        CVA Annual Meeting – Cary Visual Art held its 2005 Annual meeting on December 5^th at the
        Page-Walker Arts and History Center.  CVA President Daphne Ashworth presented an overview of
        committee accomplishments and Executive Director Laura Coats presented An Overview of Public
        Art.

Temporary Exhibition:

o        Seven artworks have been placed along Academy Street as part of the temporary exhibition.

o        A location has not been identified for the placement of Richard Green’s Summer Dreamer.

o        CVA has approved three more artists for inclusion in the temporary exhibition.  The artists are Michael Jacobson, William Brian Hibbard, and Paris Alexander.

Walnut Street  Park:  CVA supports the inclusion of public art at   Walnut  Street  Park  and plans to contribute $20,000 towards the construction of public art within the park.

Stone Creek Village:  CVA will be working with McGinnis Development Group, LLC to incorporate art into Stone Creek Village, a mixed-used project at the corner of High House Road and  Davis Drive.  The project will house over 130,000 sq ft of premium retail space, almost 200 residential units, and over 50,000 sq ft of class A office space.  We hope to select and install artwork by the fall of this year.

Animal Scramble:  The Animal Scramble is a triangle-wide community arts project planned for calendar year 2007.  A variety of animal forms will be painted by regional artists and displayed throughout the triangle.  The exhibition will culminate in a public auction.  CVA will be participating as a charitable beneficiary of the Animal Scramble auction.

Public Art Opportunity Applications:  CVA is utilizing a uniform application process to evaluate new public art projects and partnerships.  Organizations and groups interested in working with CVA on public art projects should contact cva@caryvisualart.org or 531-8149 for an application.

Sears Farm Road Park Sculpture: Community members have submitted a variety of suggested names for the kinetic sculpture.  Artist Russ ReBert is reviewing the suggestions.

Wishing Well Young Artist Exhibit at WakeMed Cary Hospital: The ongoing exhibition currently features artwork by students of the Explore! Beyond School Center.  The program will be expanding to other private and public schools in Wake County.

The CVA Discovery Committee researches artists, artworks, and sites for public art in Cary.  The committee, composed of 12 voting members, advises the CVA Board of Directors about placements and acquisitions.  Visitors are welcome to attend the meeting.  If you would like to attend the meetings, please contact the CVA office at 531-8149 or cva@caryvisualart.org.

        ·         Fine Arts League of Cary – Ella Williams
             Ella Williams reported the Fine Arts League (FALC) has been discussing how to redesign the leadership roles
             of the organization.  A team management system has been suggested and the current FALC Board is
             researching the system.  

            FALC is currently working on the Annual Art Show to be held March.  At this time FALC has confirmed
            $3,000 in prize money to be awarded at the show.

            The Teen Art Show Committee is working with the Herb Young Community Center on their show coming in
            May.  This show is awards prizes to each artist as well as money to their school.

       ·       Other Organizations
            
G.    ADJOURN