04-10-2018 (Public Arts Commission)HUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL WORKSHOP
MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2018, AT 4:00 PM
CITY CENTER — COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Call to Order
Mayor Forcier called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Members present were Steve Cook, Chad
Czmowski and John Lofdahl. Member absent was Mary Christensen. Others present were Matt
Jaunich, City Administrator, Kent Exner, City Engineer and Marc Sebora, City Attorney.
DISCUSSION/REVIEW ITEMS
1. Joint Meeting with Public Arts Commission
Matt Jaunich, City Administrator, presented before the Council. Mr. Jaunich explained that the
Public Arts Commission had requested to have a joint meeting with the City Council to review
past project and potential future projects. Introductions of all members were made.
Steve Cook, Council Member who serves on the Public Arts Commission (PAC), provided a
review of the history of the PAC including the establishment of the board, policies and
procedures and a Resolution authorizing funding for public art projects. Council Member Cook
reviewed past projects that the PAC has implemented such as the Sculpture Stroll and "Parental
Love". Council Member Cook also provided a financial update of the Commission. Council
Member Cook spoke of funding for the Sculpture Stroll, two previous SMAC grants, and a new
initiative to have Sculpture Stroll business sponsors.
Council Member Cook and the Public Arts Commission then spoke of potential ideas for the
future. These included expanding the Sculpture Stroll (trail/river or downtown and outside of the
downtown district such as Ridgewater or other location), decorative signal boxes (similar to
Willmar and Minneapolis), 2020 Main Street Project (signal boxes or other), Founders Park or
Cedar Park (monument, interpretive signage), Gateway Park (interpretive signage), public art in
City facilities (local artists —paintings, photography, artwork), Wegschied mural(s), and fence
artwork at Aquatic Center.
Morgan Baum also spoke of a project where sculptures are made of the same piece, however an
artist decorates/paints it in their own way then the sculpture is sold to businesses/homes where
they could be displayed.
The funding sources for these projects will come from the City's public sites fund, Community
Improvement Fund and CIP budget as designated by Resolution. If special projects come up that
need additional funding, requests may be made to the Council. Council Member Czmowski liked
the idea of fund raising efforts that had been mentioned.
Kent Exner spoke of opportunities to incorporate public art into the Main Street reconstruction
project. He asked if additional permanent pads are needed in the downtown area for public art. If
so, he noted that this is the time to make such a request. The group asked Mr. Exner to determine
what MnDOT would allow and where in correlation to Main Street. Mr. Exner noted that most
likely the City would need to propose ideas to MnDOT for them to review and
approve/disapprove.
Discussion was held regarding adding a sculpture stroll on Ridgewater College property.
Morgan Baum invited the City Council to the Creative Minnesota Report about the City of
Hutchinson that is being released at a presentation on April 17, 2018, at 12noon and 5:00 p.m. at
Ridgewater College. This presentation will unveil the results of a study on the size and impact of
the nonprofit arts and culture sector in Hutchinson.
Mayor Forcier liked the idea that was presented about sculptures that are constructed and then
painted/designed by local artists and displayed.
Motion by Czmowski, second by Lofdahl, to adjourn at 5:10 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
Gary T. Forcier
Mayor
Matthew Jaunich
City Administrator