Public Arts and Culture Advisory Council

PUBLIC ARTS & CULTURE ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY September 12, 2016 5:00 p.m. Members present: Chair Lindsay Brubaker – Niles Park District Janet Spector Bishop – School District 63 Michael Crisci – Niles Historical Society Mary Dowd Demas – Artist Debi Gajewski – Artist Cory Hance – Artist Dr. John Kosirog – School District 71 James Kozak – VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Susan Lempke – Niles Public Library Carol Luc – Artist Rossana Macejak – Niles Sister Cities Katie Schneider – Niles Chamber of Commerce and Industry Staff present: Village Manager and Project Manager Steven Vinezeano Mayor Andrew Przybylo Staff Liaison Cathy Spadoni Members absent: Ericka Stoor-Burning – Artist Staff absent: Trustee George D. Alpogianis I. Call to Order Chair Lindsay Brubaker called the meeting of the Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council to order at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 12, 2016 at the Niles Historical and Cultural Center, 8970 N. Milwaukee Avenue. II. Approval of Meeting Summaries Janet Spector Bishop made a motion, seconded by Susan Lempke to approve the meeting summaries of July 11, 2016, August 3, 2016 and August 8, 2016. On voice vote, all concurred.  Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council September 12, 2016 III. Organization Representative Reports Niles Public Library – Susan Lempke reported that Maker’s Fest is coming up on November 12 and that the Community Block Party held in partnership with the Village of Niles and Culver School on September 10 was successful. School District 63 – Janet Spector Bishop reported that the One District/One Author reading program is about to be launched and will include guest readers as well as a visit from an author. VFW – Jim Kozak reported that the Niles VFW Post #7712 is merging with the Park Ridge VFW Post #3579. Once the merger is official, the new post will be named Niles Memorial Post #3579 and will be housed at the White Eagle banquet hall. Village of Niles – Secretary Spadoni reported that the Bugle newspaper printed a “correction” of the erroneous headline that stated “Lakota Group to create Niles’ art, culture master plan.” The headline should have stated “Lakota Group likely to create Niles’ art culture master plan.” We are waiting for a correction of the erroneously reported cost of the master plan: It should have stated $30,000, not $300,000. Niles Park District – Lindsay Brubaker reported that summer programs have ended and fall programs are beginning. Artist Debi Gajewski reported on her activities at the Niles Historical Center: November – presenting the history of Thanksgiving; December – teaching Iris folding; January – hosting a luau; March – combining a “tea” with a vintage hat program. This winter, she will paint the stones that will be used for the Farm on Franks Community Garden entryway. Mayor Przybylo suggested partnering with the Optimist Club to develop a contest for computer programming. He is working on a project with the Forest Preserve and JohnsByrne on Oakton at Caldwell that may allow us to establish an exercise area and a second rain garden in Niles that could provide educational opportunities for area school children. Niles Historical Museum and Cultural Center – Mike Crisci reported on monthly drumming circles, an appraisal event by John Leonard on September 22 and a photo-scanning project. Niles Sister Cities Association – Rossana Macejak reported that a delegation from Jeoju City, Republic of Korea, is interested in becoming a Niles Sister City and was here in August to exchange a Letter of Intention for Friendship with the Village of Niles. The 2017 Taste of Sister Cities is in the planning stages. Artist Cory Hance reported that his band recently played for the Niles Park District Summer Concert Series at Oak Park. Niles Chamber of Commerce – Katie Schneider reported that they are working on the 2017 Guide and need ideas for the cover design. 2  Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council September 12, 2016 School District 71 – Dr. John Kosirog reported that Culver School is working with the Village of Niles on composting and recycling and is #1 in the area for composting. IV. Old Business a. Review and Select a Master Plan for Approval by Village Board Chair Brubaker stated that the Master Plan Proposal subcommittee recommended approval of the Lakota Group at the last meeting. However, the vote to approve was postponed due to a lack of a quorum. Katie Schneider made a motion, seconded by Debi Gajewski, to select the Lakota Group to create the Arts and Culture Master Plan. On voice vote, all concurred. The Village Board of Trustees will vote to approve at their September 27, 2016 meeting. Steve Vinezeano asked for volunteers to form a subcommittee to work closely with the Lakota Group as they develop the plan. Cory Hance and Debi Gajewski volunteered. Working under the assumption that they will be approved by the Village Board of Trustees, the Lakota Group has been invited to the October 10 Council meeting to kick off the project. b. Upcoming Projects – Snow Plow Art, Community Garden Grant School District 63 Summer Learning Program students completed a snow plow, and Mark Twain Elementary School is currently working on one. The Niles Park District Ice Rink is interested in the project. There has been no response from Culver School or St. John Brebeuf School. All projects must be completed by October 15, 2016. This is the Council’s first sponsored project, and we hope there will be more participation next year when we are able to give the schools more notice. The Community Garden (Farm on Franks) had a work day where much work was completed. Debi Gajewski will paint the stones for the entryway. c. Review and Select a Logo Design After discussing each of the five logo design concepts submitted by LS+Team, the Council narrowed down the choice to Concepts 4 and 5. Concept 5 was selected by a vote of 11-1. Members then discussed changing the overall “shape” of the logo to be less rectangular and more square. Secretary Spadoni will contact LS+Team and ask them to submit a modified design for approval. V. New Business a. Review of Niles Arts and Culture Project Applications An application was submitted by Vicki LoBianco Peake of Niles. It was determined that more information is needed before the Council can either award or reject the application. A subcommittee – made up of Carol Luc, Steve Vinezeano and Cathy Spadoni – was formed to meet with Ms. Peake to gather more specific details of the plan (including timeline, budget, staffing) and learn more about her qualifications and background. 3  Public Arts & Culture Advisory Council September 12, 2016 VI. Open Discussion Secretary Spadoni presented the upcoming meeting schedule, including 2017. Because of numerous scheduling conflicts on the date of the next regular meeting (October 10, 2016 – Columbus Day), the meeting is cancelled. The November 14, 2016 meeting will be the Master Plan kick-off meeting with the Lakota Group and will be held at Village Hall because of the availability of audio/visual equipment. Jim Kozak (VFW) is considering resigning from the Council because the Council and the VFW meet on the same day – the second Monday of the month. The Council will consider changing the location of its meetings from the Historical and Cultural Center to Village Hall because of the availability of audio/visual equipment. VII. Public Comment None VIII. Next Meeting The next meeting will be held on Monday, November 14, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. at the Village Hall Conference Room 218. The Lakota Group will be invited to attend to kick off the Master Plan project. IX. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Council, Debi Gajewski made a motion, seconded by Susan Lempke, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:03 p.m. 4