HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-10-06 TC MinNUNUTES OF THE
PRESENT: Mayor Scott Bradley and Aldermen Bill Frey, Don Redding, Fred Held, and Larry
Corson
ABSENT: Alderman Buddy Brown
OTHERS PRESENT: Town Manager Trent Petty, Executive Assistant/Acting Town
Secretary Ginger Awtry
1. CALL TO ORDER.
Uiaor 110d11% called g -to order at 1:40 m.
2. DISCUSS THE FORMATION OF A PUBLIC ART PROGRAM FOR THE TOWN
OF WESTLAKE.
Mayor Bradley opened the discussion with an explanation of why it is desirable to have a public art
program in the Town of Westlake. He went on to explain that Town Manager Trent Petty has laid
out a suggested program for the Town to follow in setting up the program. Mayor Bradley added
that many cities in the NE Tarrant county region have very active programs with visiting and
resident artists. It was noted that several cities have been very creative with the various places to
display the art and appear to be successful with their programs. The meeting was turned over to
Mr. Petty for further discussion and backgreund information.
Mr. Petty reminded the Board of the initial plans to incorporate art elements into the campus but
budget constraints prevented the first planned piece of a blacksmith statue to be placed outside the
gymnasium entrance. Mr. Petty explained that the majority of municipal art funds are derived from
the hotel tax revenues. 15% of the dollars brought in from this tax or I % of room revenue can be
allocated for public art. Other cities may have an exception with additional revenues from their
convention and visitor's bureau and festivals. An excellent example was given of Grapevine and
Southlake. Mr. Petty stated that from the history of our hotel tax revenue, the To could spend up
to approximately $60,000 per year on public art.
Mayor Bradley shared with the Board that he and Mr. Petty have met with the artist Lamberto
Alvarez. Mr. Alvarez lives in Southlake and has expressed significant interest in a program for
Westlake. Mr. Alvarez has already produced a few pieces of art that depict the Town of Westlake
and is willing to obtain a sponsor for a portion of the art program. Mr. Petty added that Mr. Alvarez
uses many different types of mediums in his artwork. Mayor Bradley stated that Mr. Alvarez
offered to come to the Academy's Gallery Day event and help the children create a composite art
work to auction, and that Mt. Alvarez also offered to do an art seminar for the children.
Town Manager Trent Petty advised the Board that the scope, desires and policies of the program
should first be determined, and then a specific artist could be selected. Mr. Petty asked for the
Board's thoughts and direction of the information presented to date. Mayor Bradley added that a
resident, Lisa Wax, already initiated contact with him to express her support and interest in a public
art program for the Town. She is active in a similar program in Ft. Worth and thought they might
be able to lend support as well.
Alderman Larry Corson asked if we have any agreements or obligations with developers for public
art. Mr. Petty informed Mr. Corson that we do not but it has been successfully integrated in other
municipalities. Mayor Bradley added that an ordinance might need to be added in the near future to
incorporate this suggestion.
Mr. Corson and Mr. Petty, along with Mr. Bill Frey and Mr. Don Redding, contributed to a lengthy
discussion of the following: possible commitments from residents, the Board's responsibility to
allocate the art funds consistent with the desires of the citizens, concern of possibly sending the
wrong message to residents of financial commitments for artwork while neglecting other needs of
the Town, desire to hear the citizens' thoughts, the balance of desires and needs of the residents,
organization of program with roll out and committee formation, research from other cities'
programs, and expected costs of various mediums in artwork.
Mayor Bradley asked Mr. Petty to research ordinances from other cities that have integrated a
financial plan for public art. Discussion ensued on the possibility of corporate funds, private
donations, developer agreements, and matching dollars.
Mr. Petty summarized his directions from the Board to research other municipal ordinances and
developer agreements, and to compose a Resolution creating the public art program, designating the
scope, the creation of a committee and the parameters of the funding, Mr. Corson expressed the
need to include in the Resolution the reporting procedures for the committee such as quarterly
reports back to the Board of Aldermen. It was decided by those present to wait until a committee is
formed before considering a contract with Mr. Lamberto Alvarez.
Mr. Petty suggested that we place on the website a notice for interested citizens to contact the
Town, that we hold a joint meeting with the Westlake Academy Foundation Board and Gallery Day
committee, and that we hold Town Hall meetings in order for everyone to effectively work together
for the su=ss of the program.
Mayor Bradley asked Mr. Petty to draft a letter for the community to notify them of the public all
program and to canvass the community's support.
A discussion ensued concerning the 50% "owable percentage of hotel tax revenue that can be
spent for historical purposes with examples given of the many historical sites obtained by
neighboring communities. The Westlake Historical Preservation Society's revenue and expenses
were reviewed. Mr. Petty suggested that the Board review all related fimds/budgets to ensure equal
opportunity for funding.
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ATTEST:
Ginger R. Awtry. Acting Town Secretary
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Scott Bradley, •