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Cultural Development Board and Arts Advisory Panel joint Meeting of September 21, 2021.
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DISCUSSION ITEMS - CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD & ARTS ADVISORY PANEL:
a. CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD & ARTS ADVISORY PANEL ANNUAL REPORT
The Board and Panel were presented with a draft copy of the Annual Report. Staff advised that the report states the major accomplishments of the Board. After limited discussion, the following motion was made:
Ms. Burgos made a motion approving the Cultural Development Board and Arts Advisory Panel Annual Report. Mr. Valdes-Fauli seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
b. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
Panel and Board members were provided with their previous meeting excerpts to reference for discussion. Mr. Ceballos introduced himself as representing the City Attorney’s Office. He referenced the excerpts, stating that he will carry comments forward to the City Commission on September 28th. He stated the main points as follows:
• Concern about possible misuse by the expansion of the definition
• Concern about Art in Public Places funds being drained by this change
• Request to define historical public art
• Request to keep the language “to sound condition” within the definition
He stated that he is coming before the Panel and Board Members to listen and said if there are any additional comments, questions, or proposed changes beyond the above, he will make sure they go to the Commission on the 28th.
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On behalf of the Arts Advisory Panel, Ms. Hernandez made a motion nominating Mr. Guerrier to speak on behalf of the Panel regarding the Art in Public Places Ordinance amendment. Ms. Miyar seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
On behalf of the Cultural Development Board, Mr. Pantin made a motion nominating Ms. Burgos first, and Mr. Corral as a backup, to speak on behalf of the Board regarding the Art in Public Places Ordinance amendment. Mr. Martinez seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
c. WHITE WAY LIGHTS PRESENTATION
Mr. Adams presented a Power Point providing a historical reference of the White Way Lights and their status. He stated that they were designed in the early 1920s by Phineas Paist and Denman Fink, noting that Phineas Paist was the supervising architect for the Coral Gables Corporation and Denman Fink was an American artist, magazine illustrator, and artistic advisor for the City who was involved in the design of the original entrances, the Water Tower, Venetian Pool, and City Hall.
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Mr. Martinez made a motion expressing the sentiment of the Arts Advisory Panel and Cultural Development Board members that restoration of the White Way Lights is a worthy and worthwhile project; however, use of the Art in Public Places funds should go through the Board process for appropriate use of the funds and the Board is not ready to propose support of using Art in Public Places funds for this project at this time. In addition, the Board recommends establishing a procedure for distribution of Art in Public Places funds. Mr. Pantin seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
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ART IN PUBLIC PLACES UPDATES:
Panel and Board members were informed that some projects that have been discussed may be deferred to pool funds together for a more significant acquisition.
NEW BUSINESS:
a. AIPP WAIVER REQUEST, THE PLAZA - BRIAN DONNELLY, KAWS
Ms. Cathers introduced Carlos Beckmann, who joined the meeting via Zoom. She stated that Mr. Beckmann is representing Agave Holdings and is coming before the Panel for a waiver request to commission artwork on the property. Ms. Cathers stated that this is the fourth and final artwork and if approved, will fulfill the developer’s commitment to Art in Public Places. She informed the Board that the Arts Advisory Panel has reviewed the proposal and made a motion recommending approval of the waiver request.
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Mr. Pantin made a motion recommending approval of the waiver request by The Plaza/Agave Developer for the commission and installation of a sculpture by the artist KAWS. Mr. Valdes-Fauli seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
b. MURAL INSTALLATION REQUEST, 2600 DOUGLAS ROAD
Ms. Cathers introduced William Schilling and Ms. Saraska, representing the private building owner at 2600 Douglas Road. They are coming before the Board, she said, requesting approval to install a mural. The Board was advised that the proposal was presented to the Arts Advisory Panel, who made a motion recommending acceptance of the project. Board members were provided with a copy of the proposal prior to the meeting and staff shared their screen to show a video rendering of the artwork.
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Mr. Pantin made a motion recommending approval of the installation of a mural at 2600 Douglas Road as presented, subject to maintaining the color integrity of the artwork and subject to related zoning code criteria. Mr. Valdes-Fauli seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
CULTURAL GRANT UPDATES
Board members were advised that the arts season has started and were asked to attend as many grantee programs as possible.
CITY COMMISSION ITEMS:
The Board was updated on items being presented at upcoming City Commission meetings including a Resolution approving artists for public art proposal submittals associated with Parking Garage 7/Minorca Garage; and an Ordinance amendment on second reading to the City of Coral Gables Official Zoning Code, Article 9, “Art in Public Spaces”, Section 9-106 to redefine “Extraordinary Maintenance”.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
The Board briefly discussed the formation of a new City Board that may be tasked with raising issues regarding maintenance and repair of historic features throughout the City. Mr. Adams noted that clarification is needed before it comes back to the Commission for final approval. Mr. Martinez stated that he could see it as an opportunity to look at the City wholistically, but from an urban planning point of view that would fall within the purview of Historical Resources. He went on, saying an advisory Board or ad hoc committee that brings knowledge and expertise seems the way to go. This is the kind of Board, he said, where you want to have citizens knowledgeable in urban planning, city planning experts, artists and architects, preservationists, all working collaboratively. Mr. Martinez questioned the reason for it and if the process and structure is being set up that is antithetical to its intent.
ITEMS FROM THE SECRETARY:
Board members were advised of the Art Basel VIP event scheduled in December.