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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-16-17 WPACAC Min tt • 3 MINUTES OF THE TOWN OF WESTLAKE, TEXAS PUBLIC ART COMPETITION ADVISORY COMMITTEE OCTOBER 16, 2017 PRESENT: Chairman Russel Tether, Katie Blair, Rebecca Lawton, Vice-Chairwoman Chris Worley, Paloma Anoveros ABSENT: Cheryl Vogel, Barry Whistler, Judy Deaton, Sue Canterbury, Terry Oldham OTHER PRESENT: Robin McCaffrey, Ron Ruthven, Nick Ford VISITORS: Scott Bradley, Kelly Bradley SUMMARY OF MEETING MINUTES: The meeting began at 11:12AM October 16, 2017 and opened with a roll call of all who were presently attending. The meeting then continued with approval of the minutes from the previous meeting held on September 18, 2017. Discussion on the scale, visibility, location specifics, and artwork details for the proposed location mentioned in the previous meeting. Robin presents photos of the future fire station location and the potential location of the public art that resides within the landscaped bio-swale. A small discussion takes place about potential massing and focus issues the site may have working with the current backdrops. Robin and Russel confirm that the capacity of the bio-swale area is designed for a 100 year rain event lasting 24 hours (or an 8 inch rain event). Discussion ensues about height of the public art relative to the height of the water the swale could potentially contain. A discussion is continued about how the art can interact with the water as it rises or lowers. Rebecca Lawton and the WPACAC expresses concerns for the art to not appear that it is in peril due to the surrounding water features and lean towards artist that integrate their work more WPACAC Minutes 10/16/2017 Page 1 of 3 -- environmentally. The discussion continues with the fact that the scope of the art could be anything with regards to the type of art (sculpture, abstract, environmental, digital, interactive, etc...). Chris Worley asks about the structural integrity of the soils in which the art could be placed on top of. Robin responds that generally the sandy soils in the Westlake area are satisfactory for building upon compared to other cities in the metroplex, which tend to have clayey soils. It was determined that the visibility of the art should be at street level (on the same plain as the streets). The art has the potential to engage the trail network and pedestrian flow in the area. Ron Ruthven states the Parks and Recreation department will potentially be maintaining the public art and the detention area. It was then suggested that a maintenance plan be required upon submittal of a piece of art from the artist based on its materials, location, etc... Robin suggests gathering input from fire department as far as logistics of allowing the public interact with the area. It is suggest that some parameters from the city need to be provided to the artist so they can be as flexible as possible within the confines of the location they are working in. Paloma states that it is crucial to understand whether if this is an accessibility issue or design issue as many artist lean toward making their work interactive. A discussion began on how important this first piece of public art is. As the inaugural public art -- work in the town this will set a precedence for the rest of the public art in the town. Discussion continued as to who is the audience of this piece of work is and its visibility to commuters from the road and pedestrian walkways. Another discussion took place about the traffic signals and the traffic signal boxes regarding their color and their potential ability to block the viewing of the public art. A discussion took place regarding Westlake's sense of place with regards to its roads structure and how this piece of public art will be able to enhance and interact with the roadways that are already established in the town. The WPACAC will recommend to the Town Council during a workshop session on October 30c" 2017 the proposed location and the significance of the first piece of Public Art. Specifics of the criteria will be presented at future Council meetings such as accessibility, security, interaction, type of art, etc... It was determined that a timeline for the Request for Qualifications and the Request for Proposal be created and more specifics need to be determined before going to Council. Levels of budget for art competition were discussed and that this would need to be included in the RFP. Scope of the budget should include the actual artwork itself, installation, structural, landscaping, electrical, maintenance, etc... A schedule and milestone dates for the artists will need to be given as part of the RFP. W PACAC Minutes 10/16/2017 Page 2 of 3 Ron suggest meeting on different day of the week other than Monday as most public meetings in Westlake are on Monday. A discussion began as to what sets Westlake apart from other cities. It was determined that Westlake is the destination and that the Westlake has the ability to create a sense of place with the addition of public art in strategic locations. It was determined that potential artists could come nationally and that the WPACAC branding should be focused nationally as well. The necessitation for a vision statement and missions statement were discussed as to give direction to potential artists. This could branch off of the Town's already established visions, mission, and values. The next meeting is on November 13, 2017 from 11:00AM to 1:OOPM. The meeting was adjourned at 1:05 PM. APPROVED BY THE PUBLIC ART COMPETITION ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON MARCH 19, 2018. ATTEST: Chairman, Russell Tether Ron Ruth n, Planning and Development Director WPACAC Minutes 10/16/2017 Page 3 of 3