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2024-11-04 Arts Commission Minutes City of Edmonds Community, Culture and Economic Development Department The City of Edmonds Arts Commission (EAC) is dedicated to the arts as an integral part of community life MINUTES 5:30 pm Nov. 4, 2024 EAC PRESENT: Richard Chung, Beth Henkes, Harry Kirchner, Alex Leggett, Katie Leute, Robby London, Tanya Sharp STAFF: Todd Tatum, Community, Culture & Econ. Development Director; Frances Chapin, Arts & Culture Manager; Laurie Rose, Arts Program Specialist GUEST: Sarah Paust The meeting was called to order at 5:30pm by Sharp Kirchner 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 a motion to approve the Oct. 14 minutes as submitted. London so MOVED. Chung SECONDED. APPROVED. AGENDA: Sharp called for a motion to move Item C Administration and Funding to the top of the agenda. Kirchner so MOVED. Leute SECONDED. APPROVED. INTRODUCTIONS: Sharp introduced EAC Student Representative candidate Sarah Paust. REPORTS C. Funding and Administration 1. Student Rep: Chung reported on the interview with candidate Sarah Paust. She is active with music and performing arts programs at Edmonds-Woodway High School as well as various music programs in the Seattle area. Chung MOVED to approve Sarah Paust for the 2025 Student Representative position. Leggett SECONDED. APPROVED. 2. 25/26 Budget: Tatum reviewed the Mayor and City Council budget process for 2025/26 biennial budget years and the request from the Mayor to cut $14mil from city expenses. The Mayor’s proposed budget has been submitted to the City Council for its review and discussion. Tatum reported that the Arts and Culture Manager position, currently held by Chapin, will be unfilled for the remainder of 2025 after her retirement in the early part of the year as part of the departmental budget cuts requested by the Mayor. The intention is to fill the position in 2026, but funding is not confirmed. Tatum reported that he and Rose will work together to support EAC programs and initiatives in the interim. Discussion followed regarding the City’s budget process and revenue ideas that were discussed by the City Council in its recent special meeting, as well as the potential impact on the arts organizations. Tatum clarified the ideas the Council are discussing are only in the exploratory stage. Arts organizations are encouraged to contact the Mayor with questions and concerns. Some have scheduled meetings with the Mayor to discuss the 2025/26 proposed budget cut impact and revenue ideas on the arts community. 3. Meeting Procedures/Nominations: Sharp reviewed the EAC’s meeting procedure documents she emailed to commissioners for their review. She reported that nominations for Chair and Vice Chair for 2025 will be approved at the December meeting. She asked that Chung and Kirchner join her on the nomination committee and that the committee will reach out to individual commissioners regarding nominations. A. Creative Programs 1. Write on the Sound: Kirchner thanked the commissioners and staff for their time supporting the conference. The planning committee met to review the pros and cons of the conference and begin the planning process for 2025, which is the 40th anniversary of the conference. The planning committee is looking to incorporate EAC’s 50th anniversary in the programming as well. Commissioners are invited to attend planning meetings and to submit ideas that could benefit the conference. 2. Concert Program: Chapin reviewed the summer concert program planning process and encouraged commissioners to submit their suggestions for musical groups to consider for the 2025 summer series. She reported that the Wintergrass Festival requested that the Festival Preview Event--previously presented in partnership with Wintergrass, EAC and Edmonds Library the three years prior to COVID shutdown--return to Edmonds in the Plaza Room in late January or early February. Chapin asked for a motion to approve. Kirchner MOVED to return Wintergrass Festival Preview Event to the Plaza Room on either January 26th or February 2nd. Henkes SECONDED. APPROVED. Discussion followed regarding the details of the event and available funding. Chapin reported that there is nominal funding available in the Municipal Arts Fund. 3. EAC Work Plan: Sharp reported that she, Chapin and Chung have discussed updating the EAC Workplan from the last update in 2020. The plan provides an overview of EAC goals and the objectives for achieving those goals. A draft will be emailed to commissioners to review for discussion at EAC’s December and January meetings. Chapin reviewed the history of the plan, originally developed in 1997, and that prior to COVID it was reviewed annually at the EAC retreat. Discussion followed about procedure for updates and the importance of incorporating the Community Cultural Plan (projected to be updated in 2026). 4. Creative District Updates/EAC 50TH Anniversary: Sharp reported the Creative District Advisory Committee will hold a gathering for all Edmonds arts organizations at Cascadia Art Museum on January 23rd to mark the beginning of the 50th anniversary of EAC and the 10th anniversary of Cascadia Art Museum. The event will be open to the public. It will be an opportunity to celebrate 70-plus years of nonprofit arts activities in the City and give members of these organizations a chance to learn more about each other’s programs. Sharp asked commissioners to consider participating in the planning of this gathering. Tatum will email information about the gathering and its planning schedule to the commission. B. Capital Projects 1. Int’l District Hwy 99 Banner Project: Chapin reported that the project is moving along and she will have more to report at the December meeting. 2. Creative District Anway Park Art Project: Chapin reported that she has been in communication with all three finalists and all three will present their design concepts on November 22, which will start at 4pm in the Edmonds Plaza Room. The public is invited to attend and can submit written comments on the concepts. V. STAFF REPORT 1. Chapin Updates: a. The Public Art Collection Assessment project is ready for Chung and Leggett to begin. She will schedule a time with them for orientation. b. A reminder the arts office is now located at City Hall on the 3rd Floor. Phone numbers remain the same. 2. Rose Updates: Rose gave a progress report on the visual art exhibit program. VI. NEW BUSINESS (none) VII. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Sharp adjourned the meeting at 6:39pm.