10/07/2021 - Minutes 4. ,.,
ERIN MENDENHALL `_ n, ::'::; 6 = BEN KOLENDAR
MAYOR .." . DIRECTOR
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DEPARTMENT of ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Salt Lake City Art Design Board Meeting
October 7, 2021
5:00—7:oo pm
Webex Online
PRESENT: Tiffini Porter Meggie Troili
Colour Maisch Alejandro Moya
EXCUSED: Aurelio Velazquez
Staff Members
Renato Olmedo-Gonzalez, Public Art Program Manager
Felicia Baca,Arts Council Executive Director
Loreno Riffo Jenson,Deputy Director,Department of Economic Development
Call to Order/Welcome New Members
Mr.Renato Olmedo-Gonzalez called the meeting to order in the absence of a board chair.
The members of the board and staff introduced themselves.
II. Approval of Minutes
Ms.Tiffini Porter motioned to accept the minutes from the July 1,2021 and August 5, 2021
meetings.Ms.Colour Maisch seconded,and all members voted in favor.
III. Discussion of Candidates to Nominate for Art Design Board
Mr.Olmedo-Gonzalez updated the board that there are two positions open on the board.One
position is designated specifically for an architect,as established by Ordinance 2.3o,and the
other is for a community member.Four candidates were interviewed for the positions: Ms.Tracy
Scott,Mr.Michael Mejia,Ms.Susan Klinker,and Ms.Angela Dean
Ms.Meggie Troili began the discussion with Ms. Dean,who has over 24 years of experience as an
architect and has been involved on many committees and boards,including prior service as
commissioner for the Salt Lake City Planning Commission.Ms.Felicia Baca stated that Ms.Dean
has applied in the past to be on the board and is an excellent candidate.Ms. Dean is very
engaged in the community.Ms.Porter commented on Ms.Dean's dedication to sustainability.
The second candidate discussed was Ms.Scott,a retired flight attendant,who wants to be more
involved in her community now that she has time after having recently retired.She found the
application for the board on social media.Her strengths are that she does not come from an art
background,so she could provide input from a community member perspective.She may need a
bit more help at first navigating the public art process because of the intricacies.
The board discussed the importance of having community members with a non-arts background
provide input on the process.This is a continuous issue and is partially addresses through having
stakeholders from communities present when deciding on public art projects.
The third candidate interviewed was Mr.Mejia,a professor at the University of Utah in the
English Department. His background is in creative writing.He is familiar with public art and
storytelling.He talked about how the board interacts with the community and wanting to reach
out and create clear and positive communication with the community.
Ms.Klinker was the final candidate discussed.She is a program manager at the Utah Cultural
Celebration Center in West Valley City,very familiar with municipal government procedures and
This document constitutes the official minutes from the Salt Lake Art Design Board's October 7,2021 convening.
art issues,so she would hit the ground running. Her experience working with diverse
communities is a plus.Ms.Maisch mentioned that Ms. Klinker is more of an art professional
instead of a community member and perhaps it is not the right time to bring her on.
After discussing the candidates further Ms.Troili motioned to recommend Ms.Dean for the
architect position on the board and Mr.Alejandro Moya seconded.All members voted in favor.
Ms.Maisch motioned to recommend Mr.Mejia to the board as a community member and Mr.
Moya seconded. All members voted in favor.
IV. Discussion of Art Design Board's Roles and Chair Nomination
Mr. Olmedo-Gonzalez described the structure of the Art Design Board and the role of the chair
and vice-chair in preparation for the board to nominate individuals for these roles.
Ms. Troili was asked to chair the board and has agreed. Ms. Maisch motioned to approve Ms.
Troili as board chair,Ms. Porter seconded. All members voted in favor.
V. Discussion of Maintenance for Fire House Fire
Mr.Olmedo-Gonzalez recapped the passing of a new ordinance earlier this year that allowed for
a maintenance fund to be created for the Public Art program.The ordinance also gave the
program the authority to develop a deaccession policy to officially remove artworks from our
collection.Most commonly,deaccession occurs when artworks are destroyed and is,in most
instances,a last resort.The policy is in draft form but will soon come before the board for
adoption.
City Council allocated$200,00o for maintenance and each year an additional io-2o%of the
public art fund will be placed into the maintenance fund going forward.Currently,there is
$17o,000 remaining in the fund for repairs.
Fire House Fire is on the side of Fire House number io.It is a neon sculpture commissioned in
1989.Original cost is$8,000.Neon is very fragile when exposed to the elements.The sculpture
was repaired once using the same neon technology,but it has broken again,and it chronically
gets covered by ivy.
The cost to repair Fire House Fire is approximately$36,000.The concern is that we spend the
full amount in our maintenance fund on repairs to only a few items and no longer have funds for
repairs.Another aspect to consider is the medium of the work and how many other pieces in this
medium we have in our collection. Currently,this sculpture is the only one that uses light as the
primary medium,but we are working on preparations to install another light project in the next
year.
Mr.Olmedo-Gonzalez presented the proposal from Yesco to repair Fire House Fire using a new
technology called LED Neon,which is more durable and sustainable.The work will look the
same,just the technology will be updated.Chief Fife has pledged$io,000 from the Fire
Department to be used towards repairs,leaving$26,00o to come from the maintenance fund.
The board is being consulted on this manner because of the significant cost.Ms.Maisch asked
about the lifespan of the new technology and the repair plan.She inquired whether there was a
warranty for the LED neon if it gets replaced.Ms.Porter asked about the commitment of the fire
station to keep the ivy from growing up over it.Mr. Olmedo-Gonzalez said that Chief Fife has
said that the fire fighters will keep the ivy off.
Ms.Maisch asked what happens if we decommission the work.Will the sculpture just be
removed,and will there be anything to take its place?Ms.Baca explained that maintenance is
limited,and it is another process to have new art created,so it would leave that fire station
without any artwork.
The visibility of the work is limited because of its location and it has not been working for several
years.Mr.Olmedo-Gonzalez did mention that Chief Fife said that they were fine with whatever
decision the Arts Council makes regarding repairs or deaccession.
The discussion was tabled for now.Mr.Olmedo-Gonzalez will ask Yesco about warranty and
future repair plans prior to making any decision.
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VI. Overview of Bridges Over Barriers Project
Ms.Baca shared details on this large mural/mosaic in the 3rd South&7th West Underpass.It was
a community led project by NeighborWorks,a community non-profit organization primarily
working on the City's West Side.There is a contract on file that says the city will maintain the
artwork even though it is a state road,was created privately,and it has not been formally added
to the Public Art Collection.It was one of the largest public art projects in the city and an
excellent project promoting diversity and inclusion.
Ms.Troili mentioned that UDOT should be contacted as a stakeholder when discussing repairs
to this work.
NeighborWorks is interested in funding the repairs and perhaps even ongoing,but because of
the contract,we will need to start looking into repairing it and how we are able to pay for the
repairs.We may add this to our permanent collection in the future.
VII. Arts Council ED Update
Ms. Baca recapped the Seven Canyons Fountain at Liberty Park and the status of the repairs.
The city has reconnected with two of the original artists and there are discussions on how to
rehabilitate the work to have limited amounts of water used. The advisory committee is meeting
to continue discussions about possible solutions.
Ms.Baca,Ms.Claire Taylor,and Mr.Olmedo-Gonzalez have been on a City Committee to engage
the families and community connected to the individuals depicted in the"Fleet Block Murals."
The city has engaged with the Black Clinicians,a group of Black licensed social workers and
therapists,to work towards healing for the families and community.The building the murals are
on is not likely to stay so they are developing ideas that will continue to honor the individuals
and find out how the families would like to see them memorialized.
VIII. Public Comment
No public was present.
IX. Other Business/Adjourn
a. Glendale Park Opening Celebration—Friday,October 8th at 4 pm
This event was cancelled due to weather.
b. November 4,2021 meeting, 5:00 pm
Ms.Maisch motioned to close the meeting;Ms.Porter seconded.All members voted in favor.
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