Arts Commission

City of Joliet 150 West Jefferson Street Joliet, IL 60432 Meeting Minutes - Final Wednesday, April 19, 2023 5:00 PM City Hall, Council Chambers Arts Commission Commission Members Quinn Adamowski Giovanni Alvarado Lori Carmine Donna Franks-Tapley Eric Gorder Vince Logan Greg Peerbolte Lonnie Posley Ron Romero John Simpson, Jr. Peg (Marguerite) Stoiber Deborah Summers David Wheeler Ellis Wright Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Final April 19, 2023 Citizens who are unable to attend the meeting can email comments in advance of the meeting to publiccomment@joliet.gov. 1. ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 5:11 P.M. Present Lori Carmine, Eric Gorder, Megan Millen, John Simpson Jr, David Wheeler, Giovanni Alvarado, Sarah Palya, Ellis Wright, Donna Franks-Tapley and Emily Brzycki Absent Quinn Adamowski, Peg (Marguerite) Stoiber, Lonnie Posley, Priscilla Cordero and Greg Peerbolte 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES March 15, 2023 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes TMP-5624 Attachments: 1824_M_Arts_Commission_23-03-15_Meeting_Minutes A motion was made by Lori Carmine, seconded by Giovanni Alvarado, to approve COUNCIL MEMO #TMP-5624: March 15, 2023 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Carmine, Gorder, Millen, Simpson Jr, Wheeler, Alvarado, Palya, Wright, Franks-Tapley and Brzycki Absent: Adamowski, Stoiber, Summers, Posley, Cordero and Peerbolte 3. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS None. This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Commission members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak. 4. OLD BUSINESS None. A. 2023 Arts Commission Goals Commissioner Millen presented an overview of the Vision Committee's discussion on the future direction of the Commission. Millen discussed the lack of tangible items that have been produced by the Commission and that potentially a restructuring of the Commission is necessary. The Vision Committee proposed looking at three achievable goals for the year, including one event, one piece of public art, and one grant to pursue. Millen also discussed that having outside members involved in the Commission bogs down the Commission further and proposed amending the Bylaws to only allow existing Commissioners to serve on subcommittees. Commissioner Brzycki expressed her support of the Vision Committee's plan. Commissioner Palya stated that she believed the Commission was not structured to put on events and that the Commission should have a greater focus on policy. Commissioner Millen stated that the Commission's funds can be used as a pass-through to other arts entities in the City. Page 1 of 5 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Final April 19, 2023 Commissioner Millen stated that the full Commission should mostly be a status update meeting, and that the Commission's various committees would be working groups. Commissioner Brzycki asked if the Commission should work to support the Art Movement. Commissioner Millen stated that the Arts Commission needs to be the entity that applies for grants since it is housed within the City and has a SAM number, but that those funds could be passed along to other entities as needed. The Vision Committee proposed that the Bylaws, Vision, Funding, and Events Committees remain, but that Innovation and Incubation would be removed and Public Art would replace these Committees. Millen stated that staff would confirm the number of participants allowed on each committee. Additional discussion occurred on the role of the Events Committee and the mechanics of how that committee would operate. Changes to the Bylaws were discussed with respect to membership allowed and language defining a quorum. Staff was directed to research the legality of these changes and report back with potential amendments. The Commission discussed if an attendance policy was needed as well. Commissioner Millen asked if the group reduces due to attrition if the Commission would be in favor of a smaller meeting body. The Commission rounded out the discussion expressing its support to have a singular goal for each of the three proposed "working" committees. Discussion continued on grants and how much money the Commission currently has available and potential future grant opportunities. Commissioner Millen proposed a potential Art Walk event as a starter event as a way the FY2023 IACA GOS grant could potentially be spent. Commissioner Gorder provided an overview of how the Incubation Committee was working to plan for how and where art is located in the future. Gorder stated that a future-minded structure is still needed within the Commission. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Appointment of Quinn Adamowski to the Vision Committee A motion was made by Emily Brzycki, seconded by John Simpson, Jr, to approve COUNCIL MEMO #[FILE_NR]: [FILE_TITLE]. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Carmine, Gorder, Millen, Simpson Jr, Wheeler, Alvarado, Palya, Wright, Franks-Tapley and Brzycki Absent: Adamowski, Stoiber, Summers, Posley, Cordero and Peerbolte B. City Square Design Input City Square Design Input TMP-5610 Attachments: Joliet City Square Design Open House Brochure Joliet City Square Design_ Presentation Boards A motion was made by Franks-Tapley and seconded by Simpson to move the City Square Design Input agenda item ahead of Old Business. The motion carried unanimously. Jayne Bernhard, Senior Planner with the City of Joliet, presented an update on the City Square project downtown and requested targeted feedback from the Page 2 of 5 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Final April 19, 2023 Commission on the site's preliminary design. Ms. Bernhard mentioned that the development team is investigating installation of an iconic sculpture piece that could potentially be changed out over time. Bernhard presented a history of the project along with anticipated infrastructure upgrades to Chicago Street to coincide with future City Square construction. Preliminary design of the site was further discussed. Ms. Bernhard presented the two preliminary design options and the differences between the two options. Bernhard stated that Option 1 seems to be the preferred option. Design and technical considerations for Option 1 were further discussed. Commissioner Alvarado asked the development team to consider planting a greater diversity of trees, possibly by planting Cherry Blossom trees in addition to trees with traditional autumn colors. Commissioner Palya inquired about ongoing maintenance, to which Ms. Bernhard added that discussions on long-term maintenance costs are ongoing. Commissioner Brzycki inquired about safety and vandalism. Bernhard added that the Joliet Police Department is looking at added police presence downtown and various strategies to maintain safety. Commissioner Simpson asked about evening lighting. Bernhard responded that other cities such as Cleveland have theatrical lighting in their city squares. Discussion continued about the style of lighting that could be utilized. Further discussion on the use of the stage ensued. Bernhard stated that there would be no restroom space at the square, but that certain event providers may be required to provide portable restrooms for certain events. Commissioner Carmine asked about the future location of the existing statues. Ms. Bernhard said she would look into this. Bernhard stated that a survey will be sent out soon to pinpoint community identifiers. Commissioner Gorder asked about the benches shown in Option 1 and why they wouldn't be facing the stage. Bernhard stated that those spaces aren't necessarily intended to be viewing locations for the stage, but rather, to generally just enjoy the square. Ms. Bernhard stated that the City is seeking feedback on what pieces of art might be located in the square and that future engagement with the Commission might be necessary. Additional discussion was had regarding the potential location of a Christmas tree. C. Update on Grants Staff liaison Heitner presented information on the Back to Business grant opportunity that is available and encouraged commissioners to have eligible entities apply. Heitner mentioned that the City was partnering with the Joliet Latino Economic Development Association to hold office hours to assist potential applicants. D. Summer of Steel and Stone Staff liaison Heitner asked if there was any alignment with the Arts Commission and the Art Movement in putting on the Summer of Steel and Stone event. Commissioner Wright stated that Art Movement would be willing to partner with the City to receive grant funding. Page 3 of 5 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Final April 19, 2023 6. NEW OR OLD BUSINESS, NOT FOR FINAL ACTION OR RECOMMENDATION A. Committee Reports Discussion ensued pertaining to the timing and location of future committee meetings . i. Vision Provided during Old Business. ii. Funding None. iii. Incubation None. iv. Innovation Commissioner Carmine presented an overview of the April Innovation Committee meeting. Carmine described the webpages that the Committee helps run on the City's website. The Committee is interested in populating more content on the City's Arts and Culture webpage and asked the full Commission to send along events and ideas to populate the page . Carmine stated that at least one featured artist per month is desired for the webpage . The Committee also discussed potential ideas to populate the "Call for Artists" webpage and encouraged the full Commission to send along potential opportunities for local artists. Commissioner Carmine also discussed potentially updating the Arts Commission webpage with Commissioner bios. v. Events None. vi. Bylaws None. 7. PUBLIC COMMENT None. This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding non-agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Commission members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak. 8. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Carmine, seconded by Franks-Tapley to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 6:41 P.M. A motion was made by Carmine, seconded by Franks-Tapley, that this be adjourn. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. Page 4 of 5 Arts Commission Meeting Minutes - Final April 19, 2023 This meeting will be held in an accessible location. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact Christa M. Desiderio, City Clerk, 150 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432 at (815) 724-3780. Page 5 of 5