2024-08-05 Arts Commission Minutes
MINUTES 5:30 pm August 5, 2024
The Edmonds Arts Commission is dedicated to the arts as an integral part of community life.
City of Edmonds Community, Culture and Economic Development Department
PRESENT: Richard Chung, Beth Henkes, Harry Kirchner, Katie Leute, Tanya Sharp
EXCUSED: Ute Freund
STAFF: Frances Chapin, Arts & Culture Manager; Laurie Rose, Arts Program Specialist
GUESTS:
Art Walk Edmonds (AWE) Mural Project committee members Lynn Hanson, Mark VonGunten, Robert
Gutcheck and AWE Coordinator Rachel Dobbins
The meeting was called to order at 5:32pm by Sharp
Leute read the City Council land acknowledgement statement:
"We acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Sdohobsh (Snohomish) people and their
successors the Tulalip Tribes, who since time immemorial have hunted, fished, gathered, and taken care
of these lands. We respect their sovereignty, their right to self-determination, and we honor their
sacred spiritual connection with the land and water."
MINUTES
Sharp asked for approval of the July 1 minutes. Kirchner MOVED the minutes be approved as submitted.
Chung SECONDED. APPROVED.
INTRODUCTIONS / PUBLIC COMMENT: Sharp welcomed the representatives from AWE Mural Project and
asked the guests to introduce themselves.
AGENDA CHANGE REQUEST: Sharp asked for a motion to remove agenda item, Reports A.1 PorchFest,
from the agenda as the item does not require further discussion. Leute MOVED Reports A.1 PorchFest
be removed from the agenda. Kirchner SECONDED. APPROVED.
REPORTS
A. Creative Programs
1. Utility Box Wrap-AWE Presentation: Chapin reported the purpose of the presentation by the
representatives from AWE Mural Project regarding its utility box wrap project is to fulfill
Snohomish Public Utility District’s (PUD) requirement that such projects demonstrate community
support.
Coordinator Dobbins reported the proposed Utility Box Wrap project will be the first by AWE
with the intent of doing additional installations in other Edmonds neighborhoods in the future.
AWE committee member Gutcheck reviewed the program’s goals and objectives. The theme
selected for this project highlights essential/first responder employees. The selected utility box is
PUD property near the Edmonds Swedish Hospital, located on the west side of Highway 99. The
artist selected by AWE is Nick Goettling, who created “The Salish Sea” mural featuring a giant
squid on the Mark-Ket building east wall in downtown. AWE committee member VonGunten
presented the artist’s initial design concept featuring four first responders in the public safety
and medical industries. Discussion followed regarding details of the concept and PUD and City of
Edmonds requirements, policies, procedures for utility box wraps. Kirchner MOVED the EAC
support AWE’s project concept, and the artist selected for the project. Sharp SECONDED.
APPROVED. When available, AWE will send the final design to the EAC with a request for a letter
of support to include with its PUD application.
2. Public Art Updates: Chapin reported the eight selected design concepts for the Highway 99
International District Banner Project should be completed by September. Chapin asked the EAC
to consider a way to commemorate the installation of the banners once installed.
3. Summer Concerts: Discussion followed regarding the well-attended July concerts in the parks, as
well as positive feedback regarding the excellence and variety of the musicians.
4. Write on the Sound update: Kirchner reported that he, Henkes and Rose met to review
conference logistics and to tour the conference site. The keynote address will return to the
Edmonds Theater this year and the Edmonds Waterfront Center has donated its shuttle van and
driver to help transport those who wish a ride from the Frances Anderson Ctr to the theater.
Rose reviewed registrations to-date and outlined the EAC members’ basic duties during the
conference.
5. EAC Nominations: Leute reported the nomination committee met to review the four applicants
for the open General Interest EAC position. Chapin noted that a fifth applicant withdrew from
consideration. Leute reviewed basic information about the four applicants and that the
nomination committee recommends applicant Robby London as best suited for the commission
at this time. Leute MOTIONED the EAC recommend Robby London for the open position. Henkes
SECONDED. APPROVED.
B. Capital Projects (public art reported under programs)
C. Funding and Administration
1. 2025-2026 Proposed Arts Fund Budgets: Chapin presented the proposed Arts Fund 117
budgets for the new 2025-26 biennial budget. She reminded commissioners that the Arts
Fund 117 is a Special Fund and is not drawn from the City’s General Fund. She noted that the
City is changing to a zero base/priority process for budgeting and to a biennial budget cycle.
The proposed 117 budget is mostly a status-quo proposal, as programs and projects do not
have substantial changes proposed for the next two years. The 2026 Public Art budget in the
117-200 will be higher due to the Library Public Art project (which has been on the
commission’s public art project list in prior years and was approved by City Council for 2024
but subsequently postponed). Chapin reviewed revenue projections, noting that percent for
art transfers are minimal since most City projects are funded by grants and those funds are
not eligible for percent for art. Discussion followed regarding previous annual transfer of
$15,000 from the General Fund, established in 1985 per ordinance, but not included in the
past two year’s approved budgets. This funding was used to help support free Sunday
concerts at City Park. Further discussion included: Potential Public Art projects and required
budgets for such projects, reaffirmation of use of ending cash for public art expenditures,
registration revenue for Write on the Sound, sponsorships and other EAC programs. The
commissioners concluded that the proposed Public Art budget that is in addition to the 2026
Library project be implemented for projects outside the Edmonds Bowl Neighborhood when
feasible.
Chapin reviewed the other restricted art fund budgets: Fund 123 Lodging Tax allocations for
Arts Program Tourism Promotion, and the restricted 127-100 and 200 Gift Catalogue fund
programs for museum/permanent art displays, and public art donations for the Flower
Basket Art Poles in downtown.
Kirchner MOTIONED to approve the draft of the 2025-26 Arts Fund and Public Art budgets as
discussed. Henkes SECONDED. APPROVED.
V. STAFF REPORT
1. Chapin Updates (see Reports above).
2. Rose reminded commissioners that the September meeting is Mon. Sept. 9 due to the Labor Day
Holiday.
VI. NEW BUSINESS (none)
VII. There being no further business, Sharp adjourned the meeting at 7:18pm